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.

a long time

"Let’s not talk here.

It’s so cold!"

her teeth

thought

shouted, "The eggs! I forgot all about

from Ethan’s embrace and ran to the kitchen in a

Ethan followed behind her.

was extremely flustered, and he couldn’t help but

told you to keep an

pulled her to the side while

stood in the corner, restlessly watching Ethan clean

"I’m sorry.

were talking to Charis, so I rushed to you and forgot

Ethan had guessed this.

drying his freshly washed hands, he raised his eyes to look at Janet

"It’s my fault.

give you enough

out his arms

her face against his chest,

about the invitation from Patrick, she murmured, "The Lesters treat

and I just got him into

probably has a huge grudge against

go there?"Chapter 461 In Order

on her forehead in a casual manner,

want to tell

just being a little

his eyes at her, Victor said nothing, and silently retracted the knife he

a feeling that Shelia didn’t

and poured the juice over

this definitely could be

Here you go."

"And what about you?"

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

roast some more

that Victor wasn’t going to take the meat,

"Don’t worry about it.

This meat isn’t poisonous.

can rest assured and eat

right then,

easy-going person, this didn’t

that Victor had gotten

after she saw his injuries, she knew she was

"I’m not very hungry.

ahead and

turned to look away

the rest

and said, "Okay, it’s perfectly

a bite out

for some time, she furrowed

really hard to

was not

gave you just now must be

didn’t you tell me? You

spit the meat out, Victor didn’t say a word and

Shelia turned

Van, you did

Victor never even realized that he

lifted his hand and gently touched the corner

me to roast the

have gone a long

and get

not tired

sit right

Shelia proceeded

the meat so skillfully, she blinked her eyes and said, "Van, you’re good at cooking meat, aren’t

learned how to survive in the

spoke in

"Survive in the wildness?"

Shelia had ever heard of such

of your way to

crushed some fruits and poured the juice

knife to slice

heard what Shelia asked, his eyes

a while, he said, "I have

knew the reason

wanted to be prepared in case of any

under ner protection, Victor would find himself in

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

"Alright."

Shelia continued to focus her gaze on the burning

caught a glimpse of Shelia’s profile and the

stretched out a hand to wipe off

look at Victor with

Shelia’s eyes, he started

looked away, and explained, "Your nose has dirt

"Is that so?"

nose

now? Is it

"No,"

glancing over

"Good."

Shelia smiled.

you learn other than roasting

Can you teach me?"

you want to

"In order to survive."

naturally.Chapter 462 Come With Me "In

shelia said casually.

Victor felt sad upon

ready to be flipped? It’s on

Shelia pointed out.

Victor saw a small burn on the

flipped the meat over while he was still thinking about what she just

.

second thoughts about whether or not to ask her

all,

other hand, didn’t

you please

"Hmm,"

after

"Is that a yes?"

glowed, and she broke

meanwhile,

Victor nodded, "Okay."

broadly as she said, "Thanks so

the kindest individual I’ve ever encountered, except for my caretaker in

"Orphanage?"

where I was

two years ago, the orphanage was taken over and the old woman was unwell and

as

woman was a wonderful

prepared great meals and gave me

is an orphan…’ Victor

guardian was needed to look after you since the orphanage

leave with the other

up at Victor and answered, "I

only home Shelia had

with you being outdoors

head, Shelia

visit her

whereabouts remain unknown to them, and

dingy ground,

of sunshine that had been scattered by the trees and

her hands behind

with disappointment as she

to visit

you

people guarding the

find me if

had no idea that I have

tell her my name when I meet her again in the

said, blinking her

black eyes remained fixed on Shelia and he said

chance to see you, Van, it would be more than likely that she

spot in

I was a lovely

to use this term to describe a

Shelia, Victor concluded that the adjective

apt description of her features, particularly

twice, Victor asked her, "Since she was responsible for your

since she was deaf, mute, and

to

a poker card

from her pocket as if it were a treasure and

the orphanage, each kid was given a unique

put them on the cards and let us take them as we pleased, but we were naughty,’ shella

at the card–the

I get the best

Shelia inquired.

"It’s definitely the best."

said, "I am the only one with the

meat was toasting as

gave her the meat

set

Eat, please."

growl came from her gut just after his words

to her stomach and

It’s much better than the meat i made myself!

Victor’s expression softened somewhat.

rejuvenated after

her feet, she said,

when Shelia

"Come on, get up."

a little pause, he took Shelia’s hand in his

learning the hard way, Shelia used a dart to put marks on

lost track of time as

had cooled

on a

how far we’ll have to travel until we’re

we can get out

some water

so much walking, and he was coughing up blood for the

said incoherently, "I’m

Let’s move forward."

still have

"Like never before…"

continued to hold

forward motion, she murmured, "Van, you

return, be

his gaze to the

mud after a

you? What’s your

"Plan?"

was slow to

are your plans once we leave the forest? Where

to continue my travels and explore the world’s finest rivers

the police station when I can no longer walk

answered with

"Shelia."

up his mind

"What’s the problem?"

come with me after we get

my grandma will like you, I

count

to come with

all right with you? If you don’t want

was concerned that Shelia

while before asking,

"No, I’m not.

promise to treat you the best

Victor convinced her.

smiled at

when we get

"Sure."

from the woods,

basking the forest in a pale

on the bodies of

been walking since high noon

was assuaged when they saw

we’re out of the

local villagers if we

We can…"

her sentence, she saw Victor

She was confused.

wanting to know why

"Van?"

i didn’t expect you to come

for the source

were parked not far

front, looking at them intently as he played

right away that

to shield Victor, who in turn stood protectively

off

only Shelia could hear, Victor said,

even when

were finding our way out of the forest, I put marks all the

these marks and you can

"And then?"

her

straight

"Walk along this road.

borrow a mobile phone from them, and call

that Norton didn’t intend to let

a game with Victor by throwing him into

if he couldn’t escape this predicament, Shelia shouldn’t be

had promised to give Shelia a family, bring her back to see his

that Victor could not fulfill

phone number on

call the number once you get hold of a

he whispered.

my grandmother’s

her and she will pick you up

just looked down

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

"No."

pulled her hand

were a little

don’t want to remember the

be a

Victor frowned.

was so anxious that he coughed violently as soon as he finished

remained adamant and

her palm and let Victor write

couldn’t hear what Victor and Shelia were talking about, he

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

strong feelings for each other! I’m so moved

when

pulled

injured and keeping himself standing steadily

would be hard for him to

deliberately walked up to

Shelia stepped

Norton

was too fast for Victor

"Let her go!"

firm grip on Shelia’s

found satisfaction in hearing vexation in

know you

said as he wiped the mud

body pain, Victor rushed over

when something silver flashed through

was a knife that Norton pressed against Shelia’s

a

"No."

"What are you saying?"

a contemptuous tone and gave Victor a mocking smile, pretending not to

he had difficulty

and tried

you want is

has nothing to

So, let her go!"

wow! This

Norton curled his lips.

want to let

don’t where she comes from but I find your reaction

you think it’s boring for you to die alone? I can do something

red eyes, Victor

of the knife pressed against her neck, all Shelia

was

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

all you can do?

his mocking smile plastered on

narrowed in anger when he heard Shelia’s disdainful

you just

you are

Shelia swallowed.

sense of accomplishment by threatening two

you to do what

So, cut the crap.

you want to kill

"Shelia…"

tried

she was provoking

would make Norton’s hackles rise and the man would do

Norton was indeed angry.

he kept his voice in

like you

Shelia rolled her eyes.

help

Norton said, laughing derisively.

to his men and instructed them, "Tie

asked anxiously, "What are you going to

Norton didn’t answer.

glared at

as

bound, Shelia was taken to one

was made to

racked his brain thinking about where Norton was taking them.Chapter 464 Victor Woke Up "Ahem!

was flowing

the water rushed over, it inundated Shelia, making her choke easily Victor

clenched into fists, and the blue veins on

his teeth and

because of the

Victor

the moment she opened her mouth, she was

her eyes

the exasperated expression on Victor’s face, Norton scoffed

might be strong but he was useless in this kind of

making me

a good man? Why the hell should

approached the rope, squatted down, and blew the

wanting to save her so much, I will give you

in me, huh?

just

do whatever it took to save

middle of the river, Norton squinted his eyes and snapped

appeared and stood

slowly stood up and looked at

"Here’s what I’m thinking.

the weakest among my

killed two people, and the one on the right has

continued, "You want

Norton finished speaking, the two men who had been holding Victor’s arms let go of him and took a few

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

two before the rope

can say goodbye to your

moment she’s washed away, I’m afraid that you won’t

Victor didn’t

he quickly rushed up and fought against

the most popular leader

course, even his weakest subordinates should be strong

Victor was currently badly

be able to defeat one of the two

them were tall and burly

doubt, Victor was at a disadvantage

two men punched Victor right in his abdomen one after another, and hit his

as he was hit,

because he was hit repeatedly, his strength left him,

pain of his bones being broken scattered all over his body, making him

this time, Victor’s face

stand, not

could even get back on his

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

out a mouthful of blood, and

this point, Victor’s

fix his eyes on the rope, which was

didn’t matter how many injuries

put out and

he was willing to do anything

wanted to go on, his body couldn’t keep

to the ground and lost his

time, Victor was somewhat awakened when he felt droplets

struggled to open his eyes, but his

there on the

couldn’t help but wonder

so he thought that he

pierced every inch of his

but he

hands a little bit, grabbing the mud

his best, he turned his head to look at the river,

no trace

"Ahem!"

violently, spurting out

soil and opened his

expectantly, as if he was waiting for something to show

waited for a long

fact, he didn’t even know how much time

found the person he had

someone would raise her head from the

and the excruciating pain he was experiencing,

lost consciousness

again, he was

subordinates found him near the

him lasted for two

out that Victor had fractures in

lungs were inflamed, and

first thing Victor did after he woke up was ask Carolyn to send people to look

was still wearing an

danger yet, but

was, but she could sense that she must be a very important person due to his concern for

dare delay to send people

search lasted for seven days, but Shelia

was still

was a crumpled playing card that got

one could easily recognize that it was

years later, Victor completely

after fully recovering was

put the King of Hearts card in a box and

marble tombstone aside from

Shelia’s

was on a business trip,

still tried to rush him to the hospital, but he was declared dead on

in that year that

two more years, he finished his studies and

companies under the control

of these companies from a very low level to one of

to prove his outstanding ability, Carolyn gradually handed

Roger entered the ward where Rachel

sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a bowl of porridge, and coaxing

eat

eating porridge

he couldn’t even stand

choice but

she said, "Eat it

his tongue out, not intending to

at the door, so he politely greeted,

a month, Roger came to the hospital to visit Joey from time

gradually got acquainted with

was that Roger would

eat too much, he could at least taste something

course, Joey could only eat

Roger, Rachel turned around

say that you wouldn’t come

time Roger came here, he would send Rachel a message in advance to ask her if she wanted

no every time, he would still

asked, he said that he had an important project meeting today, so

he could still visit, it would

initially, I couldn’t

at Rachel, Roger hesitated for a moment before finally

Rachel furrowed her brows in

"Rachel, Victor woke up."

Roger broke the news.

The operation done to Victor lasted

room opened and closed for several times

Carson couldn’t do anything but wait

the fourth day since the operation began, the indicator light outside the

indicated that the surgery

life was saved, but he wasn’t completely

wheeled to the

days ago that his

be

still in a

the field to check Victor’s condition and

it wasn’t what he was

Victor sustained serious injuries.

old wounds had healed,

his new injuries just made

end, he said that only a

least tell us when he will wake

in

I can’t say that

help but frown as he

be blunt, please consider preparing for

he’ll never wake up? Is he going to become a vegetable for the rest

it was obvious that this was what he

there was a huge chance that

and Lukas, Rachel was the first

that Rachel had

Joey’s ward,

disoriented, and there were dark circles

to tell Rachel

news, her face didn’t show

as if she had already prepared herself for something like

fact, Carson was

she

a coma for about half a

might have

outside the operating room for 70 hours before

moment of silence, Rachel glanced at the cigarette in Carson’s hand and reminded him in a

You can’t smoke here."

he regained his senses,

he didn’t bother continue discussing about Victor’s grim

then changed the subject and asked, "Anyway,

"Joey? He’s fine.

said that he has been recovering pretty

will be removed ahead

turned his head and peeped through

Joey sleeping soundly in the

he stretched for a bit and said, "Good

then, I’m leaving

that, Carson turned around and left without

seemed that he really just visited to tell Rachel about the doctor’s diagnosis regarding Victor’s

that, he had nothing

eye, two days eventually passed

of Victor’s condition, Rachel didn’t

in Joey’s ward almost

the same time, Carson didn’t show his face to

diagnosis came from an expert, she was also convinced that Victor would never

now, Roger broke the news that Victor had miraculously woke up from being

Obviously, Rachel was stunned.

a long time without being able to

still judging Roger’s expression if he was saying the

Rachel… Do you want to

pressed her lips

of nowhere, someone gently pulled her sleeve and pulled her

I want to see

was Joey, pleading

Victor was in

Joey woke up in the hospital, he actually had

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

truth, Rachel didn’t have the

nor did he pester Rachel to go to the ICU

smiled and made

say bad people live

to

Joey’s bright eyes, she felt a lump

a few moments, she

"Yes, of course."

two weeks, Joey had a good rest in

didn’t mention Victor, as if there

of the night from time

brave kid for keeping it all inside him, but Rachel was aware that he

"Okay…"

softened, and

was in

it was inconvenient for him to

him sit

pushed the wheelchair for him, and the three of

enough, they reached the

elevator finally stopped at the floor

was a VIP ward, and there was only one patient at this time, Carson was sitting on the sofa

that there were steps approaching, he furrowed his brows and eventually saw three people approaching like

this scene, Carson knew that he would

it’s the first time I’ve seen

What brings you here?"

quickly set the document he was holding aside and

"Have you been beaten?"

asked, blinking his innocent

look like someone who will be beaten easily? Ha! I’m the

circles around your

"Dark circles?"

choked

his phone, opened its front camera, and

realized that Joey was

looked totally haggard, and his eye bags were so big that it seemed like someone punched

was only to be

have a good sleep for

young man, but even

"Ha-ha!"

but laugh after seeing the upset look

Joey’s seemingly innocent laughter, Carson realized that he was fooled by

stepped forward and

"You, brat.

dare you tease your godfather?

pain on his face and retorted, "Huh? Who said that you are my

have no

father and I grew

We are best friends.

one who

how I

crossed his arms in front of his

don’t want

uninjured hand and said, "Humph! If I don’t want to admit it, no

he withdrew his hand

in a slightly low voice, "I also didn’t expect that

I said, it’s a fact

change your attitude towards

say anything more, but he stuck

of his eye,

and commented, "I see that you’re

I heard that Mr.Sullivan

I came here with Rachel

Roger explained.

lose his

"Oh, I see."

pointed at the room and said, "His ward is over

He is resting inside.

Cooperation Rachel looked

knew what was going through her

"Let’s go,"

Roger reminded Rachel gently.

"Alright."

and walked

followed her, pushing

arms were placed over his

lost in thoughts

was about to

"Mr.Jimenez."

"Is anything the matter?"

Roger asked.

stopped and looked at the little

standing

a result, Joey could see him from the

raised his eyebrows as if he

a quick glance at

to use the

what Joey was

I

"No!"

replied in a very

serious look

I am a

ward, so it wasn’t a problem for Rachel to take

moment, they were no

the ladies’ room, just like

Joey’s words, Rachel looked at

then her gaze

didn’t want to bother the former, Carson

she wanted him to

pay any

that, he took out his phone and turned

to give Joey a thumbs up without Rachel

Carson pretended like he was answering

have read the plan you sent to

headed towards the nurses’

he wasn’t very

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

all! Rachel saw what just happened clearly and understood

"It’s okay.

take Joey

He is actually right.

like him to be taken to the bathroom by

Roger smiled gently.

"Thank you very much,"

Rachel said to Roger.

he heard those words, they displeased

that Rachel ought to have been closer to him than she

past few days, they got

always in one another’s

reasons best known to her, she still

the look of things, Rachel still didn’t

that it couldn’t be achieved

couldn’t stop himself from thinking about the night Rachel was standing outside

Joey

some time,

"Where is Joey?"

he asked Rachel knowingly.

at the

through with the

"What?"

Rachel’s sight and took

appeared on his

am through with

left with no choice! My

"Of course they are!"

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

a fake smile on

not very good

Carson realized that Rachel knew that he had pretended to answer the call only

the tip of his nose and coughed to

you want

look

was a

point of view, only the living room could be seen,

Rachel pushed the door open in no time and walked

doctor said Victor would lie

to undergo half a year’s rehabilitation

voice came from behind

is in a stable

"Get out of here!"

voice interrupted

man in a

He looked dejected.

document in

and Carson as soon as

was stunned at first,

"Mr.Scott!"

work card hung around the man’s

It was quite noticeable.

Group

need asking about what just

could tell from the man’s expression that the project

was drawn to the name on the work

was what

She turned to Carson.

looked back at her, she raised her eyebrows

"Well, this is Troy.

of the

exactly what she meant by just looking at

a loss

were so many surnames

he had to

recognized who Rachel

bowed and

"Miss Bennet."

her head

forehead was covered

of his life! Nonetheless, he was still holding the document

I’m going back

hand and

should do

heard what Carson said, Troy went out of sight in a

at

for her to see that Victor was sitting against the head of the bed at that

seem as bad

is well and can work

door

leaned against the door

didn’t follow Rachel

document when he heard the

raise his head and say coldly,

her gaze on

in

face was pale despite the fact

frowned and looked rather

she waited outside the operating room for more than seventy

was so entranced that she walked towards the bed

you to go out,

the footsteps, his frown

at the person who was walking

instead of speaking in his usual cold and

Caroline’s POV: Even after we finished the dance, Charles kept his hand on my

it wouldn’t bode well

"The dance is over.

to

I reminded him.

his eyes, but he still loosened his grip

few steps back to distance myself from

still feel the

and i felt rather

heart was

like I had returned to

were the happiest time

even as I reminisced, I knew that those days were long gone and I

looked down, feeling conflicted and

"Happy birthday, Caroline."

suddenly approached

to ignore the burning gaze from behind me and began chatting with the guests with a smile on my face

and taking

I’d had a few to

time, Elena came

a surprise waiting for you

go upstairs and take a

she asked.

"What’s the surprise?"

This "surprise"

piqued my curiosity.

know when

smile appeared on Elena’s

followed her to

there were bright red

numerous balloons around

eyes widened in

must say, this whole scene

I had

to mind was Charles, but I quickly cast aside that

could it possibly be him?’ A bitter smile appeared on my lips, and

had never spent this much effort on me, and yet I still couldn’t forget

receiving this

second floor, I stared at the night

and yet my mind

cold sea breeze, I

display lit

the sky, a deafening sound resonated in the

sounded like

noise, I covered my ears at

on the

began trembling uncontrollably, and i felt like my blood was running

the abandoned warehouse kept

I felt

pair of strong arms

I’m here."

familiar voice came from above me, making

It was Charles.

burst from my eyes,

don’t have to be