My Poor Husband Is A Billionaire

Pleasantly surprised, Janet looked up from her phone and sneered at the HR staff.

Then she began to type out her reply to Brandon.

"Miss Lind, please sign on the resignation notice,"

the staff member said through gritted teeth.

She grew angrier when she saw that Janet began to tinker with her phone.

Ignoring her, Janet texted Brandon back.

"Are you serious, Mr.Larson? What did you find?"

The message from Brandon was a godsend.

She was just about to accept the fact that the Larson Group had given up on her.

Brandon replied with a long message.

"Upon investigating the matter, we found out that Lester Silk Fabric took over the platform recently.

Luna didn’t upload the design drafts a year ago, but a few days ago.

The data was tampered with.

Lester Silk Fabric used their connections and managed to get to your works before the show officially began.

They asked Luna to make a collection based on your works and posted them on the platform.

They tampered with the date and time stamp of the post to frame you for plagiarism."

Janet had already guessed that it was Lester Silk Fabric behind this, but she had no idea how they did it.

"How did you find that out?"

The platform was now owned by Lester Silk Fabric.

How could they have let Brandon investigate them? "We have tech guys here.

They were the ones who found evidence of them tampering with the platform’s database.

Even if they had altered the original date of uploading, our tech guys were able to retrieve it.

We also have a video confession of the staff who tampered with the data."

Brandon’s words lifted a weight off of Janet’s heart.

He sent two videos to Janet and said, "We’ve done what we could.

You should be able to take it from here now, right?"

All of a sudden, Janet felt a surge of energy.

She stood up with a confident smile and said to the HR staff member, "I didn’t do anything wrong and I knew that the company won’t fire me because of some groundless accusation!"

As she spoke, she tucked her phone away.

The staff member gritted her teeth and glared at her angrily.

"Janet Lind, you plagiarized someone else’s work yet you feel no shame?"

Janet ignored her.

She turned around and left without looking back.

******* Tiffany looked up in surprise when Janet entered her office.

"What’s up, Lind?"

"Miss Fisher, can I have Ritchie Lester’s number?"

Janet asked politely.

In Tiffany’s eyes, she looked inexplicably relaxed, as though her career wasn’t in danger.

Tiffany looked at her warily and then nodded slowly.

"I have his number, but may I ask why you need it?"

"I want to call him and apologize,"

Janet answered simply.

"Lind, are you crazy? Go back to work.

You didn’t plagiarize anything, so keep a low profile for now.

There are enough discussions about you already,"

Tiffany scolded.

After saying that, she lowered her head and continued to work.

But Janet stayed glued to the spot, staring at her with fierce determination.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Tiffany relented and held up Ritchie’s business card.

She said in a resigned tone, "I don’t know what you’re up to, but I hope you know what you’re doing."

Janet reached for the card with a bright smile.

Of course she knew what she was doing.

That evening, Ritchie received a call from an unknown number.

"Mr.Lester, this is Janet Lind from the Larson Group.

After giving it some thought, I want to apologize in public,"

Janet said, her voice as sweet as honey.

When Ritchie heard this, he was surprised.

Then, he sneered.

He was under the impression that Ethan’s wife was a stubborn woman, but it turned out he was wrong about her.

Janet had given up so soon.

"You’re scared, aren’t you?"

With a smug smile on his face, Ritchie smirked.

"Come to Lester Silk Fabric tomorrow.

You can apologize there in person."

Chapter 318Press Conference Ritchie had a devious grin on his face when he hung up the phone.

"Call all the designers under Lester Silk Fabric and the people in charge of the fashion week,"

he barked at his secretary.

"I want them here tomorrow.

Call some famous personalities in the fashion industry as well.

We need people in authority for the event."

The secretary nodded respectfully.

He was about to leave when Ritchie stopped him in his tracks.

"Where the hell are you going? I’m not finished yet.

Get your ass back here."

The poor man scurred back, cursing his boss in his mind.

ver "Invite every media outlet in Seacisco, especially the ones that prioritize viewership over anything.

And make sure to tell them to hype up the event as much as they can!"

Ritchie sat back on his chair as his plan began to take shape.

"Get the biggest function hall for the press conference.

I want hundreds of people to be there.

Oh, and don’t forget to arrange for a live stream, too.

Contact our usual sponsors and tell them their products will be displayed throughout the feed.

We might as well make some money while we’re at it.

And remember-our main goal is to discredit Janet and end her fashion career for good."

1 Another evil grin spread on Ritchie’s face.

He wanted to screw that woman over so badly that she could never get back on her feet again.

The secretary pursed his lips and jotted every detail down.

This time, he made sure that his boss was finished before leaving the office.

The sun shone bright and early the next day.

Just as planned, the press conference was held at the largest meeting hall in Lester Silk Fabric.

Cameras littered all around the room, squeezed in among the throng of people who came to watch the spectacle.

Even as she swept a glance over the crowd, Janet didn’t feel panicked in the slightest.

"It looks like the Lester Silk Fabric really wants to do you in,"

Tiffany remarked from beside her.

She turned to look Janet in the eye.

"You’re not just going to stand there and let yourself be bullied in public, are you? What’s your plan?"

A faint smile appeared on Janet’s lips.

"You’ll find out soon enough.

Don’t worry.

I’m not particularly inclined to suffer any misplaced grievances, either."

With that, she walked onto the stage, all calm and grace.

The room finally settled down as Janet took her place.

Without wasting her time, she whipped out a flash drive and held it up for all to see.

"Sorry for taking up your time, everyone.

In order to convey my sincerity more properly, I have prepared a couple of videos for today’s press conference."

From a distance, Ritchie frowned and narrowed his eyes.

He could sense that something wasn’t right.

Why was Janet so composed in such a situation? If anything, she should be mortified and humiliated right now, especially in front of all these people.

What was she up to? He leaned over to his secretary and asked in a hushed voice, "Did she find something?"

"She can’t have,"

the other man replied confidently.

"We’ve taken care to sweep everything.

All the evidence has been locked away.

I think she’s just bluffing."

At this point, Janet had already plugged the drive to a computer, and one of the videos was playing on the widescreen Ritchie’s eyes widened like saucers as they watched an employee of Lester Silk Fabric tampering with the time stamp on the website.

The scene changed, and this time, the same man was sobbing hysterically as he divulged what he had done.

n The clips ended, and a deafening silence fell in the room.

Janet took the microphone and said, "As you can see, this is what really happened.

Lester Silk Fabric managed to get hold of my designs prior to the show.

After that, one of their designers, Luna Mccoy, posted my entire portfolio online and edited the details to make it look like she was the original designer.

There is your truth.

Once again, I thank each of you for coming to hear me out today.

If you have further questions, kindly direct them to Mr.Lester.

I’m sure he can give you better answers than I can."

She gave Ritchie a meaningful look, then, and gestured in his direction with a wave of her hand.

2 As soon as she did, the crowd burst into an uproar.Chapter 319 The Ensuing Drama Shocked, Ritchie cursed out loud, "Fuck that bitch!"

His secretary was also scared silly.

Glaring daggers at him, Ritchie was pissed off and kicked him in the ass.

Pointing his finger at the big screen, he cursed again, "What the fuck are you doing standing here for? Turn off the projector right now!"

The secretary stumbled to the stage and proceeded to turn it off.

Ritchie snorted, smoothed over his suit and made his way onto the stage.

This happened to be his territory, not Janet’s.

He lifted his chin and approached her, holding his head up high.

"Janet Lind, you better be careful with what you say.

As far as I can see, you were just making things up so that you can get yourself out of your predicament!"

As he said this, he turned his eyes from her and exclaimed, "Give yourself up.

Apologize right this moment! Don’t waste any more of our time here!"

W "Then why did you turn off the projector if I was, indeed, making things up? That’s a sign of guilt.

If you’re so sure of yourself, you should allow me to show everyone the proof.

I’m sure that everyone here is smart enough to tell if I actually made up the evidence or not,"

Janet smiled and said in a calm voice.

Ritchie was exasperated to hear that.

He clenched his teeth tightly and pointed his finger at the door.

"I thought you came here to apologize.

If you’re not going to do that, why don’t you leave this place immediately?!"

While smiling, Janet didn’t say a word.

Instead, she turned to the audience before her and said word by word, "Everyone should know the truth by now.

I’m going to sue Lester Silk Fabric for slandering my name."

After finishing her speech, she didn’t bother to argue with Ritchie anymore and went ahead to leave the stage.

This scene was live streamed and everyone saw for themselves what had happened.

Everyone in the room and the audience in the live stream room was shocked to say the least.

The audience began to discuss this amongst themselves.

Even though Janet had only played the videos once, the reporters had gone out of their way to record them.

"Mr.Lester, could you please offer an explanation for what happened just now?"

"Lester Silk Fabric and the Larson Group have been rivals for years now.

Was this why you decided to slander Miss Lind in this way? In order to taint the Larson Group’s name?"

"If your statement about Janet plagiarizing one of your designers’ pieces was true, is there any evidence to back up your statement?"

The reporters all turned to look at Ritchie and kept on asking him and Luna questions.

"Miss Mccoy, are you going to make a statement? After all, weren’t you the one who accused Miss Lind of plagiarism in the first place? What are your thoughts on the current situation?"

"Did Mr.Lester instruct you to do this?"

"Tell us, what’s the nature of the relationship between the two of you?"

Being ambushed by the reporters, Luna’s mind went blank and she felt very embarrassed.

She said frantically, "I have no idea.

Don’t ask me…"

Under the dazzling flashing lights of the cameras, Ritchie couldn’t even keep his eyes open.

He kept cursing out loud while pushing the reporters in front of him away and saying, "Get the hell out of my way! Turn off your damn lights! You’re blinding me!"

His secretary hurried to stop his curses.

If Ritchie’s father found out about this, he would be very angry.

Having been spoiled by the Lester family since he was a child, Ritchie happened to be very irritable at this moment.

Before he took over the company, his parents had to repeatedly remind him to control that temper of his His secretary cleared the way for him while speaking to the reporters.

"Please, sirs, madams, Mr.Lester can’t answer all of your questions right now.

We’ll announce on our official website if we have any comments."

Finally, Ritchie and the senior executives of Lester Silk Fabric were able to escape the madness of the room.

Chapter 320 Take The Blame When she got home, Janet kicked off her heels and collapsed into bed.

Now, she felt much better.

"It’s finally over!"

After resting for a while, she got up and turned on the computer.

She briskly posted the evidence on the forums Luna had posted to slander her before.

A few hours later, the forums came to life as users discussed this matter heatedly.

The dramatic turning-of-tables that had happened at the press briefing soon made headlines.

Related videos went viral on the Internet.

Suddenly, Janet’s phone started to ring.

It was Tiffany.

"Lind, I’m impressed.

Have you seen the comments on the post? Everyone’s calling you a warrior.

You really knocked them dead!"

"Oh, my God! Seriously?"

Janet moved her cursor to check the comments Tiffany was talking about.

She had been focused on the media’s reports until now and didn’t know what people were saying in the comments.

When Janet read the comments, she found that the video of her talking on the stage had been spread all over the Internet.

There was a lot of positive feedback.

"Wow.

Heart.

Heart.

She’s so elegant and generous! And a fierce warrior too!"

"She’s a lovely girl.

Such a polite and beautiful goddess plagiarized someone else’s work? I doubt it!"

"She’s so pretty, I’d kiss her all day!"

"Even though I’m a girl, I want her!"

Janet buried her face in her hands, her cheeks blushing furiously.

She had never been praised by so many strangers in her life.

The next day, in the Lester Silk Fabric building… "Nonsense! These reports are all bullshit! How dare they call me rude?"

Furious, Ritchie started trashing his office.

He was in trouble, but there was nothing he could do.

In recent years, Lester Silk Fabric and the Larson Group had become two very high profile companies.

What with Janet’s fiasco, the media was having a field day.

In the span of just twenty-four hours, the reputation of Lester Silk Fabric was destroyed and its stock price.

plummeted.

"There’s nothing we can do to refute the evidence that Janet posted online.

What we can do now is to try our best to keep the news from spreading.

Mr.Lester, it was your idea to bring in more reporters there…"

the secretary reminded Ritchie in a trembling voice, picking up the documents Ritchie had thrown on the ground.

Ritchie glared at him, speechless.

He picked up another stack of papers from the table and threw them at the secretary’s face.

"I’m not an idiot.

You don’t need to remind me what I said."

Things didn’t end there.

Brandon sent people from the Larson Group’s legal department to help Janet file a lawsuit against Lester Silk Fabric.

The second they got the notice of the lawsuit, Lester Silk Fabric responded quickly and held a press conference in the afternoon.

Luna expressionlessly read a script in front of countless reporters, her face pale as a ghost under the limelight.

"I admit that I peeked at Janet Lind’s work before the show started.

Then I bribed an employee to tamper with the upload date on the database.

I falsely accused her of plagiarizing my work, and I did all this to gain fame and attention.

I am responsible for all of this.

My actions have nothing to do with Lester Silk Fabric."

In the Larson Group, Janet stopped the video on her phone and sighed.

"No class! Lester Silk Fabric made an ordinary employee take the fall!"

Chapter 321 Ask Brandon Out For Dinner Gerda clicked her tongue unhappily.

"Everyone knows they’re using Luna as a scapegoat.

She’s just an ordinary employee.

How on earth could she manage to do all of this? Lester Silk Fabric is really heartless."

The other designers had also seen the video circulating the Internet.

They began to discuss in hushed voices, but the general consensus was that Lester Silk Fabric was a cold blooded company.

Janet pulled her chair and sat down.

There was no point in dwelling on it now that things had been settled.

"I can’t say I’m surprised.

Now that Luna has taken the blame, we can’t do anything to Lester Silk Fabric."

"And what about those designs? Are they really not gonna put them back on the show?"

Gerda puffed out her chest indignantly Janet smiled at her colleague gently.

"It doesn’t matter.

Look on the bright side.

I have gained considerable fame because of everything that’s happened.

Now, all eyes are on my work."

In the end, Luna was put behind bars.

And Janet had become an online celebrity.

Many people now knew her name and saw her designs.

Some even paid for it.

When the dust settled, Janet poured all her energy into her work.

She had been so busy with this matter the past few days, so now she could finally focus on other things.

"By the way, Lind, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.

How’d you get the evidence?"

Gerda was talking about the videos that Janet had posted on the Internet, which had amassed more than a million views.

Janet froze.

After a few seconds, she broke into a smile and waved her hand dismissively.

"A very capable friend helped me get them."

Gerda nudged her arm and asked curiously, "What friend? A boyfriend perhaps?"

Janet’s eyes twinkled.

"It’s a secret.

Gerda, is it just me or do you have a lot of time on your hands? Have you finished your design for this month? Don’t come running to me again when the deadline approaches."

"Ah! My God! I still have thirty-four drawings to finish!"

Gerda scratched her head and hurried back to her desk.

Janet couldn’t help but chuckle.

Suddenly, she thought of the tall and straight back of Brandon.

Now that she thought about it, she realized that Lester Silk Fabric had gone through all this trouble just to set her up.

It must have cost Brandon a lot to get his hands on the evidence.

Janet couldn’t help but feel a little strange.

Brandon had helped her countless times, but she hadn’t really ever met him in person.

She owed Brandon too much and she doubted she could ever repay him.

After thinking about it for a long time, Janet finally plucked up the courage to send a message to Brandon.

"Mr.Larson, would you be willing to let me treat you to dinner? You’ve helped me a lot and I’d like to express my gratitude somehow."

2 After hitting send, Janet put down her phone and wrung her hands nervously.

The chairman of the Larson Group had probably tasted all the splendid dishes this world had to offer.

But it was a token of her appreciation.Chapter 322 A Warning At the CEO’s office of the Larson Group.

The Larson Group’s stock price had fluctuated over the past few days.

Now that the situation was favorable for the Larson Group and its stock price had more than recovered, Ethan decided to seize the opportunity to put more pressure on the Lester Silk Fabric.

Garrett hadn’t slept properly in the past three days, dealing with the bad press: He was yawning sleepily when Ethan’s phone pinged.

"Someone texted you."

When he saw the name on Ethan’s phone’s screen, Garrett snickered.

"It seems your wife’s missing you."

Ethan smacked Garrett on the back of the head and grabbed the phone.

Instantly, his expression darkened when he read the text.

"What is it? Why’s your face like that?"

Garrett asked seriously, the smile wiped from his face.

"Janet’s asking Brandon out for dinner."

Ethan put his phone down and sighed.

"If I refuse, she’ll be very disappointed."

Garrett leaned back with his hands clasped behind his head.

"Yeah.

You can’t have dinner with Janet without her seeing your face.

Last time, when you and Janet went to the company’s masquerade ball, you almost exposed yourself.

It’d be unwise to take such a risk again.

It’s not good for my heart either,"

he sighed.

Ethan frowned and started typing out a brisk reply.

"Thank you, but there’s no need for you to treat me to dinner.

You’re an employee of the Larson Group.

I helped you to protect the reputation of the company."

Janet read his message and quickly replied, "But Mr.Larson, you could’ve just dismissed me."

"If I dismiss any employee when something like this comes up, how will we keep the talented ones? Keep up the good work.

That’s thanks enough, Miss Lind,"

Ethan replied politely, keeping things professional.

1 He had deliberately distanced Brandon from her ever since what happened last time.

He didn’t want her to suspect him of anything Reading his reply, Janet had no choice but to give up.

Ethan put down his phone, kicked the sofa Garrett was lying down on, and said, "I want you to relocate the one who had tried to force Janet to resign.

Transfer her to a subsidiary company.

Then, bring Charis here."

Garrett was just about to take a nap.

Hearing Ethan’s orders, he helplessly peeled his eyes open and stood up from the sofa.

He muttered under his breath, "This job will definitely be the death of me."

Charis had expected that Ethan would want to have a talk with her, but when she received the notice, her heart still skipped a beat.

"Why did you want to dismiss Janet?"

Ethan asked in a low voice.

He shoved his hands into the pocket of his slacks, and the light from the window elongated his shadow on the floor.

"I just wanted to protect the company name,"

Charis answered defensively.

Ethan narrowed his eyes at her coldly.

"From now on, I’ll take care of all matters related to Janet.

No one other than me.

Understood?"

Ethan’s cold voice sent a shiver down Charis’s spine.

She winced and smiled bitterly, as though she had been wronged.

"I see how it is.

You don’t trust me now? Brandon, I don’t have any ulterior motives, I swear.

Ethan had already noticed that something was wrong with Charis.

He never brought it up before because he didn’t want her to look bad.

She and her family had always valued their image.

"I’m just warning you not to act against Janet.

Otherwise, don’t blame me if I disregard our long term friendship."

Chapter 323 A Long Forgotten Name After a moment’s silence, Charis said in a low voice, "I see."

Charis was a dignified woman.

Before Ethan could say anything more, she turned around and walked out of his office, As soon as the door closed behind her, tears welled up in her eyes..

Ever since they first met, Brandon had never said such harsh words to her before, nor had he looked at her with such cold eyes.

She hadn’t cried in years.

The last time was when she said goodbye to Brandon before going abroad.

She had been reluctant to leave him.

But now, she felt bad about Brandon’s attitude towards her.

She and Brandon had worked together for years.

They had shared the company’s ups and downs.

But all of a sudden, with Janet now in the picture, Brandon suddenly was ruthless towards her.

Tears rolled down Charis’s cheeks as she realized just how important Janet was to Brandon.

The hot tears dripped from her chin to the carpeted floor.

"I met Brandon first,"

Charis muttered through gritted teeth.

Charis didn’t like to be candid with her shrewdness.

The reason why she had tried to fire Janet was to win Brandon’s heart.

In Charis’s eyes, Janet wasn’t good enough for him.

But now that Brandon had taken a liking to her, Charis figured he would deeply fall in love with her and she would eventually lose him for good.

Thinking of this, Charis was more determined than ever to separate Janet and Brandon..

But she couldn’t act as overtly as before.

Brandon had just warned her not to interfere with Janet’s work ever again.

She had to be more careful now.

On the other side… After Janet got off work, she went home, only to find that Ethan had come home early today.

"Oh, the workaholic is back! I’m surprised you still remember the way home!"

Janet’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

Looking at the man who was busy cooking in the kitchen, she was not happy.

After all, she hadn’t seen Ethan for two or three days.

That was because Ethan had been busy dealing with the plagiarism issue the past few days.

But he couldn’t tell her this.

While cracking the eggs into a bowl, he found an excuse.

"When I crossed Ritchie’s path, he made a lot of trouble.

The manager of the shop at work fired me.

I’ve been working part time the past few days while looking for a stable job."

Then, he paused and said sincerely, "I’m sorry that I haven’t been here for you these days."

In fact, there was some truth to his story.

Ritchie had indeed caused him a lot trouble after all.

Hearing this, Janet’s heart immediately softened.

She walked over to help him with the vegetables.

"So, what happened? You didn’t tell me the truth.

I was worried something bad happened to you."

"The problem’s been solved.

Don’t worry,"

Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

That much was true.

Ethan had really solved the problem that had been plaguing them the past few days.

"Your brother is really hard to deal with."

Janet pouted like a child.

After transferring the egg into the pan, Ethan turned and his eyes landed on Janet’s earlobe.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he gulped.

"How about having dinner and then a little bit of exercise to unwina: "What kind of exercise?"

Janet looked up at Ethan curiously.

Almost immediately, she saw the lust in his eyes.

His face was so beautiful.

It was as though God had chiseled his face to perfection.

His eyes stared deep into hers, filled with burning desire.

Janet’s face turned as red as a tomato.

She quickly lowered her head and said shyly, "You’re so naughty!"

Then she focused on chopping the vegetables.

Amused, Ethan patted her on the head affectionately.

He really liked it when she blushed.

He could feel that she liked him, but she always pretended to refuse him.

He had to admit it really turned him on.

But the romantic atmosphere was instantly soiled by the sound of the phone ringing.

"Keep an eye on the eggs, okay? Don’t let them burn."

Ethan stroked Janet’s hair.

Then, he took off his apron and walked to the living room to pick up his phone.

A long forgotten name appeared on the screen.

It was Patrick Lester.

Chapter 324 Nora’s Birthday Ethan pursed his lips.

He glanced back at the kitchen at Janet, then opened the glass door to step out onto the balcony He was a little surprised to see that Patrick was calling him.

It was winter and the cold wind was unforgiving.

Ethan stood on the balcony, letting the wind blow his hair.

"Why on earth are you answering the phone outside? Isn’t it cold out there?"

Janet’s voice broke the silence.

Ethan was lost in his thoughts and didn’t notice when Janet slid the door open and poked her head out.

Narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously, she looked at the phone in Ethan’s hand.

He was answering the phone out on the balcony again.

Was it Charis calling again? "It’s Patrick Lester."

Amused by the quirky expression on her face, he pulled her into his arms and finally answered the phone.

"Ethan, why the hell did you keep me waiting?"

Patrick’s irritated voice came from the other end of the line.

"I was busy just now,"

Ethan simply replied.

Patrick didn’t give a damn about whatever Ethan was up to.

There was something he needed to talk about with Ethan, so he went straight to the point.

"Your grandma’s birthday is coming up and we’re throwing her a party.

She wants you and your wife here."

Without waiting for Ethan’s response, he hung up abruptly.

— – Janet had overheard Patrick’s loud voice.

She looked up at Ethan and asked hesitantly, "So are we going?"

Ethan held her tighter and sighed.

"We are.

Patrick seldom summons me.

There’ll be nothing but trouble if we disobey him.

Besides, I haven’t seen my grandma in a very long time.

It’s only right that I be there on her birthday."

Janet smiled at him sweetly.

"I can tell that you’re fond of her."

It was true that Ethan’s expression softened when he spoke of his grandmother.

Nora Lester, Ethan’s grandma, was a distant relative of the Larson family.

She had known Ethan’s mother when she was a girl.

Although she didn’t approve of what Patrick had done, she couldn’t do anything about her son’s decisions.

She had always felt sorry for Ethan and used to secretly send him money.

She was the only Lester who ever cared about Ethan.

Thinking of this, Ethan rested his chin on the top of Janet’s head.

"She’s a kind lady,"

he said calmly.

been a long time since they

"Let’s not talk here.

It’s so cold!"

her

a thought occurred

"The eggs! I forgot all about

Ethan’s embrace and ran to the

Ethan followed behind her.

stared at Janet, who was extremely

told you to keep an

pulled her to the side while he cleaned up the mess himself

thumbs, Janet stood in the corner,

"I’m sorry.

I rushed to you

Ethan had guessed this.

drying his freshly washed hands, he raised his eyes to

"It’s my fault.

you enough sense

out his arms and said gently, "Come

and leaned her face

invitation from Patrick, she murmured, "The Lesters treat you badly,

I

has a huge grudge against

bad happen if we just go there?"Chapter 461 In Order To Survive Shelia didn’t notice what was going

off the sweat collecting on her forehead in a casual manner, flipped

to tell

just being

eyes at her, Victor said nothing, and silently retracted the

had a feeling that Shelia didn’t mean

fruits and poured

this definitely

Here you go."

"And what about you?"

down at the meat Shelia was holding out in her hand and didn’t make a move to take

roast some more for

the meat, Shelia smiled as

"Don’t worry about it.

This meat isn’t poisonous.

rest assured and

then, watching Shelia with vigilant

be an easy-going person, this

had thought that Victor

after she saw his injuries, she knew she was wrong and he was on guard

"I’m not very hungry.

go ahead

to look away and placed the meat

the

and said, "Okay, it’s perfectly fine if

a bite out of

some time, she furrowed

hard to

not cooked

meat I gave you just now

tell me? You even finished

meat out, Victor didn’t say a word and

Shelia turned around and spotted

smiling? Van, you did this

smiling?’ Victor never even realized that he was

lifted his hand and gently touched the corner

to roast the meat

gone

and get some

tired

sit

her chin, Shelia proceeded to

so skillfully, she blinked her eyes and said, "Van, you’re good at cooking meat, aren’t you? Did you learn this skill all by

how to

spoke in a

"Survive in the wildness?"

time that Shelia

of your

earlier, Victor also crushed some fruits and poured the juice over

he used a knife to slice the

heard what Shelia

he said, "I have

knew the reason

learned that because he wanted to be prepared in case of any

knew ahead of time that even under ner protection, Victor would find

him to learn more skills so that he would at least have a better chance to survive in case of an

"Alright."

to focus her gaze on

his eye, Victor caught a glimpse of Shelia’s profile and the dust that rested on the tip of her

a hand to

was startled and turned to look at Victor

looked straight into Shelia’s eyes, he started to feel a little

away, and explained, "Your nose has

"Is that so?"

to rub her nose with

what about now? Is

"No,"

said, glancing over

"Good."

Shelia smiled.

other than roasting meat?

Can you teach me?"

want to learn

"In order to survive."

Shelia’s mouth very naturally.Chapter 462

shelia said casually.

felt sad upon

the meat ready to be flipped? It’s on the verge

Shelia pointed out.

Shelia, Victor saw a small burn on the meat’s exposed side when he looked at it

the meat over while he was still thinking

.

thoughts about whether or not to

was, after all, Shelia’s

didn’t

"Will you

"Hmm,"

said after

"Is that a yes?"

glowed, and she broke into

dimples, meanwhile, became much

Victor nodded, "Okay."

grinned broadly as she

individual I’ve ever encountered,

"Orphanage?"

That’s where I was

years ago, the orphanage was taken over

as

woman was a

she prepared great meals and gave me a lot of fresh

an orphan…’ Victor

to look after you since

you leave with the other

looked up at Victor and answered, "I didn’t

only home Shelia had

with you being outdoors on

her head,

visit her tomb, so I

them,

of the dingy ground,

shards of sunshine that had been scattered by the trees and

hands behind her head, her

sighed with disappointment as she gazed

want to

keeps you from

people guarding

me if

idea that I

when I meet her

said, blinking her

on Shelia and

"If she had the chance to see you, Van, it would be more than likely that she would like

in her heart for adorable

I

didn’t seem appropriate to use this term

concluded

an apt description of

was responsible for your upbringing,

since

never referred to us by

poker card was

gently removed it from her pocket as if it were a treasure and presented it to

kid was given

let us take them as we pleased, but we were naughty,’ shella erupted into laughter, which was maybe due to the reference to the

the card–the King of

get the

Shelia inquired.

"It’s definitely the best."

card and said, "I am the only one with the King of

meat was toasting as they were

her the meat after he re-applied

set to

Eat, please."

gut just

was embarrassed, so she put her hand to her stomach and ate the meat with a greedy

the meat i made myself! Van, you’re

Victor’s expression softened somewhat.

rejuvenated after a good

rose to her feet, she said, "Let’s keep

was ready to rise when

"Come on, get up."

pause, he took Shelia’s hand

a dart

had lost track of time as

sun had cooled

Victor in sitting down on

not sure how far we’ll have to travel

out before the

some

perhaps exhausted after so much walking, and he was coughing up blood for

"I’m sure we

Let’s move forward."

have the

"Like never before…"

continued to

her forward motion, she murmured, "Van, you

you return, be sure to

to the side

after a day

you? What’s your

"Plan?"

was slow to

"What are your plans once we leave the forest?

continue my travels and explore the world’s finest

go to the police station when I can no longer walk and beg them to take me

answered with

"Shelia."

his mind

"What’s the problem?"

after we

my grandma will like you, I will defend you if she doesn’t like

count on

me to

If you don’t want to,

was concerned that

a while before asking, "Are you

"No, I’m not.

treat you the best I

Victor convinced her.

nodded and smiled at

agree when we get out

"Sure."

from the woods,

horizon, basking the forest in a pale red glow that passed through the branches and

on the bodies

walking since high noon and

tiredness was assuaged when they saw a relatively

we’re out

if we walk

We can…"

finish her sentence, she

She was confused.

wanting to

"Van?"

well, i didn’t expect

Shelia looked for the source of the

three cars that were parked not far

looking at them intently as he played with a

feel right away that they were

Victor, who in turn stood protectively in front

take his eyes off Norton, watching his

could hear, Victor said,

get lost even when it

out of the forest,

marks and you can

"And then?"

asked, her eyebrows

looked straight

"Walk along this road.

a mobile phone from

that Norton didn’t intend

a game with Victor by throwing him

felt that if he couldn’t escape this predicament, Shelia shouldn’t

family, bring her back to see his grandmother,

not fulfill the promise he

Shelia’s hand, Victor wrote a phone number on

the number once you get

he whispered.

is my

she will pick

down at her

that Shelia didn’t respond, Victor looked at her and asked in

"No."

pulled her hand

eyes were a

want to remember the number,

a

Victor frowned.

anxious that he coughed violently as soon as he

remained adamant and

want to spread her palm and let Victor write the

talking about, he could tell that they

condescending sneer, he said, "Tut, tut, tut,

each other! I’m so moved

tensed up when saw Norton approaching

intuitively pulled

injured and keeping himself standing

be hard for him

walked up to

and Shelia stepped

with them, Norton pulled Shelia towards

fast for Victor

"Let her go!"

kept a firm grip on Shelia’s

found satisfaction in hearing vexation

you look

said as he wiped the mud

Disregarding body pain, Victor rushed over

when something silver

a knife that Norton pressed against

a mouthful

"No."

"What are you saying?"

gave Victor a

that he had difficulty in

his fist and tried to

want

nothing to do with

So, let her go!"

This is so

Norton curled his lips.

don’t want to

comes from but

die alone?

eyes,

against her neck, all

body was

she saw Victor spat out blood and beg for mercy, she scoffed

that all you can do?

kept his mocking smile plastered on his

narrowed in anger when he heard Shelia’s disdainful

did you

you are

Shelia swallowed.

sense of accomplishment by threatening

in you

So, cut the crap.

want to kill me, then

"Shelia…"

tried to

that she

would make Norton’s hackles rise and the

Norton was indeed angry.

looked fierce, but he kept his voice in check as

you really want to

Shelia rolled her eyes.

can help you with

Norton said, laughing derisively.

to his men and instructed them,

asked anxiously, "What are

Norton didn’t answer.

glared

as they were

her hands and feet bound, Shelia was taken to

to ride a different

thinking about where Norton was taking them.Chapter

river was

rushed over, it inundated Shelia, making her choke easily Victor saw how Shelia’s face

blue

teeth and

her eyes because of the gushing water, Shelia had

actually wanted Victor to

opened her

her

at the exasperated expression on

thought that Victor might be strong but he was useless in this

me

that I’m a good man? Why the hell should I obey

approached the rope, squatted down, and blew the unsteady

the sake of you wanting to save her so much, I will give

some good in me, huh? What

could just

would do whatever it took to

the river, Norton

him appeared and stood between the

looked

"Here’s what I’m thinking.

the weakest

people, and

continued, "You want

finished speaking, the two men who had been holding Victor’s

with the knife in his hand, Norton touched its tip with his thumb

these two before the rope

can say goodbye to your good

she’s washed away, I’m afraid that you won’t even find her

the flickering flame, Victor didn’t

essence, so he quickly rushed up

a mercenary and the most popular leader the

weakest subordinates

was currently

he might not even be able to

of them were tall and burly men that

Victor was at a

men punched Victor right in his abdomen

hit,

left him, and

his bones being broken scattered all over his

time, Victor’s face looked

stand,

he could even get back on his

to subconsciously use his arm to block it, but it didn’t make much

was hit again, Victor spat out a mouthful of blood, and a tooth also

Victor’s vision became

fix his eyes on the rope, which was only a

matter how many injuries he

long as the fire was put out and the rope was grasped, Shelia’s life

he was willing to do anything to

to go

he fell back to the ground

raining?’ After some time, Victor was somewhat awakened when

struggled to open his eyes, but his

there on the ground, watching

but wonder if

yet, so

that pierced every inch of his body made Victor realize that he was still

to stand up, but he couldn’t move even an

hands a little bit, grabbing the mud under

he turned his head to look at the

was no trace of

"Ahem!"

coughed violently, spurting out more

unto the soil and opened

the river expectantly, as if he was waiting

for a long

didn’t even know how

he never found the person

her head from the river or come

of blood and the excruciating pain

lost consciousness

Victor woke up again, he was finally

him near the

lasted for

was found out that Victor had fractures

shattered, his chest and lungs were inflamed, and

was ask Carolyn to

still wearing an

danger yet, but

sense that she must be a very important

dare delay to send people

search lasted for seven days, but

passed and there was still no news

was able to give Victor was a crumpled playing card that got wet from the rain and then dried

could easily recognize that

later, Victor completely

thing he did after fully

in

marble tombstone

even Shelia’s

Victor’s recovery, while Karl was on a business trip, he suffered

the

also in that year

he finished his studies and

taking over several small companies

Victor raised the sales of these companies from

outstanding ability, Carolyn gradually

time, Roger entered the ward

of the bed, holding a bowl of porridge,

can’t eat any

porridge for

stand

no choice but

said, "Eat it again when you get

tongue out, not intending to

Roger standing at the door, so

In the past half a month, Roger came to the hospital to visit Joey

gradually got

him was that Roger would bring some snacks

Joey couldn’t eat too much, he could at least taste something

Joey could only eat them

around and was surprised to see

you say that you wouldn’t come

came here, he would send Rachel a message in advance to ask her if she wanted to eat something or if she

no every time, he would still

he said that he had an important project meeting today, so he might not be able

could still visit, it would probably be very

initially, I couldn’t

Rachel, Roger hesitated for a moment before finally

furrowed her brows

"Rachel, Victor woke up."

Roger broke the news.

operation done to Victor lasted

closed for several times as doctors went in

and Carson couldn’t do anything but wait outside

began, the indicator light outside the room was turned

that the surgery was

was saved, but he

wheeled

not until two days ago that

to be transferred to

was still in a

invited an expert in the field to check Victor’s condition and give a

wasn’t what he was

Victor sustained serious injuries.

his old wounds had healed, they still

new injuries just made matters

only a

you at least tell us when he will

in a gloomy

afraid I can’t

expert couldn’t help but frown as

fact, if I may be blunt, please consider preparing

Is he going to become

this, it was obvious that this was what

not a hundred percent, but there was a huge chance

Lukas, Rachel was the first one to know about

that Rachel had the

wall outside Joey’s

slightly disoriented, and there were dark circles

tell Rachel about this important

tragic news,

already prepared herself

Carson was a

she became this

it was when Victor had been in a coma for about half a month

have been even

was also there outside the operating room for 70 hours before the indication light

the cigarette in Carson’s hand and

You can’t smoke here."

if he regained his senses, Carson put out the

expression, he didn’t bother continue discussing about Victor’s

then changed the subject and asked, "Anyway, how

"Joey? He’s fine.

said that he has been

plaster will be removed ahead of

through

Joey sleeping soundly

a faint smile, he stretched for a bit and said, "Good

then, I’m leaving

saying that, Carson turned around

really just visited to tell

from that, he had nothing else to

the blink of an eye, two days eventually passed

of Victor’s condition, Rachel didn’t

in Joey’s ward almost twenty-four hours

same time, Carson didn’t

an expert, she was also convinced that Victor would never

that Victor had miraculously woke up from being in

Obviously, Rachel was stunned.

at Roger for a long time without being able to

as if she was still judging Roger’s

to

pressed

sleeve and pulled her back from her deep

I want to

Joey, pleading in

failed to hide the fact that Victor was in a coma

up in the hospital,

he found that Rachel had always been absent-minded and Victor hadn’t come up in any

found out the truth, Rachel didn’t have the heart to hide

nor did he pester Rachel to go to the ICU to see

he just smiled

They say bad

we don’t have to worry too much about

she felt a lump

few moments, she mustered her courage

"Yes, of course."

Joey had a good rest

if

actually wake up in the middle of the night from time to time and look at the

keeping it all inside him, but Rachel was aware that

"Okay…"

softened, and

ward was in the second inpatient

it was inconvenient for him to walk

simply let him sit in

for him, and the three of them

they

elevator finally stopped at the floor of the

ward, and there was only one patient at this time, Carson

he heard that there were steps approaching, he furrowed his brows and eventually

had seen this scene, Carson knew that he

the first time I’ve seen you up

What brings you here?"

quickly set the document he was holding aside and raised his

"Have you been beaten?"

blinking his innocent

ask that? Do I look like someone who will be beaten

did those dark circles around your eyes come

"Dark circles?"

almost choked at Joey’s

phone, opened its front camera, and

that

eye bags were so big that it seemed like someone

was

good sleep for half a

but even he was susceptible to stress and

"Ha-ha!"

laugh after seeing the upset look

innocent laughter, Carson realized that he was fooled by

stepped forward and

"You, brat.

your godfather? You

face and retorted, "Huh? Who said that you are my godfather? I don’t remember recognizing you

have no

father and I grew up

We are best friends.

one who picked

I

his arms in front of

for you, even if you don’t want it, that fact

and said, "Humph! If I don’t want to admit

tongue as he withdrew his hand from

in a slightly low voice, "I also

said, it’s a

better change your attitude towards

say anything more, but he stuck

the corner of his eye, Carson recognized Roger standing

regain his composure and commented, "I see that you’re

I heard that Mr.Sullivan has

I came here with Rachel and Joey to

Roger explained.

lose his composure just because of

"Oh, I see."

pointed at the room and said,

He is resting inside.

Rachel looked at

was

"Let’s go,"

Roger reminded Rachel gently.

"Alright."

nodded and walked towards

followed her, pushing

placed over his

was lost in

was about to sav something,

"Mr.Jimenez."

"Is anything the matter?"

Roger asked.

and looked

not standing very far

see him

his eyebrows as if he was giving Carson

at him,

to use

overheard what

I take

"No!"

a

was a serious

am a

in Joey’s ward, so it wasn’t a problem for Rachel to take him to the

at that moment, they were no

room, just like it wouldn’t be right for her to take him to

reaction to Joey’s words, Rachel

Roger, then her

Carson soon observed that she

she wanted him to take Joey to the

and refused to pay any attention to

he took out his phone and turned

to give Joey a thumbs up

like he was answering the

the plan you sent

he headed towards

very good at

phone’s screen lit up while he was still holding it

no call at all! Rachel saw what just happened clearly and understood that it was

"It’s okay.

take Joey

He is actually right.

him to be taken

Roger smiled gently.

"Thank you very much,"

Rachel said to Roger.

when he heard those

Rachel ought to have been closer to him than she

days, they got

them were always in

for reasons best known to

look of things,

that it couldn’t be

about the night Rachel was standing outside

Joey headed towards

time, Carson

"Where is Joey?"

he asked Rachel knowingly.

quick glance at the

with the phone

"What?"

took

a smile appeared on his

am

left with no choice! My

"Of course they are!"

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

was a fake smile on her

not very good

had pretended to answer the call only moments ago, the

of his nose and coughed to

want to

look through the glass panel

ward was a

her point of view, only the living

see Victor, Rachel pushed the door open

Victor would lie in

undergo half a year’s rehabilitation

came

is in a

"Get out of here!"

interrupted Carson’s

in

He looked dejected.

was a document in

into Rachel and Carson as soon as

stunned at first, then

"Mr.Scott!"

work card hung

It was quite noticeable.

Group and the director of the

need asking about

tell from the man’s expression that the project plan had been denied by

driven out! Her attention was drawn to the

what really

She turned to Carson.

at her,

"Well, this is Troy.

a member of the Sullivan Group’s project

what she meant by just looking at

a loss

many surnames

he had to choose

recognized who

and mentioned her

"Miss Bennet."

head slightly in

forehead was covered with

Nonetheless, he was still holding the

going back to

waved his hand and said, "Very

do

Troy went out of

at

see that Victor was sitting against

doesn’t seem as

and can work

the door

leaned against the door

didn’t follow

reading some document when he heard

he didn’t raise his head

her gaze on

was in

his face was pale despite the fact that he lowered

frowned and looked

for more than seventy hours half a month ago, Rachel would

so entranced that she walked towards

asked you to go out, didn’t

Victor heard the footsteps, his

person who was walking towards

speaking in his usual cold and stiff tone, he said softly,

461 The Birthday Gift Caroline’s POV: Even after we finished the dance, Charles kept his

around, I figured it

"The dance is over.

time to let

I reminded him.

flashed through his eyes, but he still loosened his

few steps back to

for some reason, I could still feel the warmth of his touch on

and i felt rather

heart

moment, it felt like I had returned to the

days with him were the happiest

I reminisced, I knew that those days were long gone and I could never get them back

feeling conflicted

"Happy birthday, Caroline."

approached

gaze from behind me and began

said, raising my glass and taking

a few to drink and was

this time, Elena came

waiting for you on the second

upstairs and take

she asked.

"What’s the surprise?"

This "surprise"

piqued my curiosity.

when you get

mysterious smile appeared

confusion, I followed her to the

there were bright red rose petals scattered across the floorboard, forming a

also numerous balloons around the

eyes widened

say, this whole scene was

birthday surprise?’ I had no idea who

was Charles, but

could it possibly be him?’ A bitter smile appeared on my lips, and somehow, I began to despise myself for having

effort on me,

of receiving this

floor, I stared

was tranquil, and yet my

of the cold sea

sudden, a fireworks display lit up the sky, forming the

fireworks shot up to the sky, a deafening sound resonated in

sounded like

the noise, I covered

the ground and curled

trembling uncontrollably, and i

at the abandoned

was out of breath I felt so

was having a panic attack, a pair of strong arms held me tightly "There’s no need to

I’m here."

from above

It was Charles.

from my eyes, Gently, he brushed my hair and tried to

to be