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.

time

"Let’s not talk here.

It’s so cold!"

her teeth

thought occurred

eggs! I forgot all

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

Ethan followed behind her.

extremely flustered, and he couldn’t

to keep an eye

gently pulled her to the side while

the corner, restlessly watching Ethan clean up after

"I’m sorry.

I rushed to you and forgot I

Ethan had guessed this.

hands, he raised

"It’s my fault.

didn’t give you enough

his arms and said

and leaned her face

from Patrick, she murmured, "The Lesters

I

a huge grudge against

we just go there?"Chapter 461 In Order To Survive

the sweat collecting on her forehead in a casual manner, flipped the meat over, and went

if you really don’t want to tell me, then forget

was just being

silently retracted the

Shelia didn’t mean him any

crushed some fruits and poured

this definitely

Here you go."

"And what about you?"

out in

more for myself

to take the meat, Shelia smiled as if she had just

"Don’t worry about it.

This meat isn’t poisonous.

rest assured and eat it

right then, watching Shelia

Shelia happened to be an easy-going person, this didn’t

that Victor had

injuries, she knew she was wrong and he

"I’m not very hungry.

go ahead and

look away

roast the rest for

that he wanted to help, Shelia nodded and said, "Okay, it’s perfectly

a bite out of

some time, she furrowed her brows and stuck

really hard

was not cooked

just now must be

me? You

Victor didn’t say a word and only continued to roast the

meat aside, Shelia turned around and

are you smiling? Van, you did

I smiling?’ Victor never even realized that

and gently touched the corner

roast the meat

have gone

get

tired at

sit right

Shelia proceeded to sit down next to

eyes and said, "Van, you’re good at cooking meat, aren’t you? Did you learn this

learned how to

in

"Survive in the wildness?"

the very first time that Shelia had ever heard of such

of your way to

some fruits and poured the juice over

he used a knife

heard what Shelia asked, his eyes

he said, "I have no

Victor knew the reason

that because he wanted to be prepared in case of any

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

skills so that he would at least have

"Alright."

focus her gaze on the

Shelia’s profile and

out a hand to

startled and turned to look at Victor

eyes, he

retracted his hand, looked away, and explained, "Your nose has dirt

"Is that so?"

went ahead to rub her nose

now? Is it still

"No,"

said, glancing over at

"Good."

Shelia smiled.

other than roasting meat?

Can you teach me?"

want

"In order to survive."

naturally.Chapter 462 Come With Me "In order

shelia said casually.

felt sad upon hearing

meat ready to be flipped? It’s on the

Shelia pointed out.

on the

over while he was still thinking

.

second thoughts about whether or not to ask

all, Shelia’s own

the other hand, didn’t seem

asked, "Will you please teach

"Hmm,"

after a

"Is that a yes?"

eyes glowed, and she broke into a

two dimples, meanwhile, became much more

Victor nodded, "Okay."

as she said,

are the kindest individual I’ve ever encountered, except for

"Orphanage?"

where I

orphanage was taken over and the old woman was

clouded as she spoke about

woman was a wonderful

meals and gave me a

an orphan…’ Victor pursed his

was needed to look after you since the

didn’t you leave with the

at Victor and

Shelia had known for so

with you being outdoors

her head, Shelia said,

was desperate to visit her tomb,

remain unknown to them, and I don’t

dingy ground, Shelia lay

had been scattered by the

behind her

as she gazed up

to visit

keeps you from

people

if I go

had no idea that I

her my name when I meet

said, blinking

remained fixed on Shelia

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

a soft spot in her heart for adorable

said that I was

didn’t seem appropriate to use this term to

Victor concluded that the

apt description of her features, particularly her

asked her, "Since she was responsible for your upbringing, how come

was unable to communicate since she

referred to us by

poker card

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

each kid was

elderly woman split the fruits, she put them on the cards and let us take them as we pleased, but we were naughty,’ shella erupted

at the

I get the best

Shelia inquired.

"It’s definitely the best."

said, "I am

was toasting as

meat after he re-applied

all set

Eat, please."

came from her gut just

hand to her stomach and ate the meat with

better than the meat i made

Victor’s expression softened somewhat.

rejuvenated after

to her feet, she

nodded and was ready to rise when Shelia abruptly extended her

"Come on, get up."

little pause, he took Shelia’s

a dart to put marks on the

had lost track of time

had cooled down

assisted Victor in sitting down on a stone and drank

sure how far we’ll have to travel

can get out

drank some

was perhaps exhausted after so much walking, and he was

said incoherently, "I’m sure we

Let’s move forward."

still have

"Like never before…"

and continued to

murmured, "Van,

return, be sure to

to the side of

covered in mud after a day

What’s your

"Plan?"

slow to

are your plans once we leave

I want to continue my travels and explore the world’s

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

answered with a

"Shelia."

mind after staring at

"What’s the problem?"

come with me after we get out

grandma will like you, I will defend you

count

to come

right with you? If you don’t want to,

concerned that Shelia

while before asking,

"No, I’m not.

promise to treat you

Victor convinced her.

nodded and smiled at

we get out

"Sure."

moment they emerged from the woods,

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

light glimmered on the bodies of

walking since high noon and now, the

assuaged when they saw

we’re out

local villagers if we

We can…"

sentence, she saw Victor stop

She was confused.

looked at Victor, wanting to

"Van?"

i didn’t expect you

voice came, Shelia looked for the source of

were parked

front, looking at them intently as he played with a

away that

in turn stood

didn’t take his eyes off Norton, watching his every

Victor said, "Run into the forest when I

lost even when it gets

way out of the forest, I put marks all

and you

"And then?"

asked, her

straight into

"Walk along this road.

villagers, borrow a mobile phone from them,

didn’t intend to

to play a game with Victor by throwing him into the

he couldn’t escape

Shelia a family, bring her back to see his grandmother, and treat her as

not fulfill the promise he made in

Shelia’s hand, Victor wrote a phone number on

number once you get

he whispered.

my grandmother’s

her and she will pick you

looked down

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

"No."

pulled her

were

don’t want to remember the number, nor

be a good

Victor frowned.

he coughed violently as soon as he

and clenched her

didn’t want to spread her palm

were talking about, he could tell that they

he said, "Tut, tut, tut,

other! I’m so

up when saw Norton approaching

intuitively pulled

keeping himself standing steadily

would be hard for him to fight off

up to them

and Shelia stepped

with them, Norton

for Victor to

"Let her go!"

kept a firm grip

hearing

you look

wiped the mud on Shelia’s face with

more incense Victor, Disregarding body pain, Victor rushed over and tried to take

when something

a knife that Norton pressed

out a mouthful

"No."

"What are you saying?"

a

he had difficulty

his fist and

you want is my

to do

So, let her go!"

This is

Norton curled his lips.

I don’t want to

where she comes from but I find your reaction quite

to die alone? I can do something

eyes, Victor

pressed against her neck, all Shelia could do was raise her

was

Victor spat out blood

that all you can

mocking smile plastered on

narrowed in anger when he heard Shelia’s disdainful

you just

said you are

Shelia swallowed.

sense of accomplishment by threatening

don’t have in you to do what you intend to

So, cut the crap.

you want to kill

"Shelia…"

desperately tried to stop

she

Norton’s hackles rise and the

Norton was indeed angry.

his voice in check

Looks like you really want to

Shelia rolled her eyes.

help you with

Norton said, laughing derisively.

his men and

and asked anxiously, "What are

Norton didn’t answer.

glared at

men did as they

hands and feet bound, Shelia was taken

to ride a

his brain thinking about where Norton was taking them.Chapter 464 Victor Woke

was flowing

over, it inundated Shelia, making her choke easily Victor saw how Shelia’s face became paler by

blue veins on his neck became very

and yelled,

her eyes because of the gushing water, Shelia had difficulty

actually wanted Victor

the moment she opened her mouth,

her

exasperated expression on

thought that Victor might be strong but he was useless

making me laugh,

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

approached the rope, squatted down, and blew the unsteady

save her so much,

some good in me, huh? What do you

just glare at

whatever it took to

in the middle of the

men behind him appeared and stood between the

stood up and looked at Victor with a

"Here’s what I’m thinking.

two are the weakest among

left has only killed two people, and the one on the right has killed

Norton continued, "You want

speaking, the two men who had been holding Victor’s arms let go

Norton touched its tip with his thumb and warned, "But

two before the

you can say goodbye to your

I’m afraid

at the flickering flame, Victor didn’t care about anything

he quickly rushed up and fought

was a mercenary and the most

even his weakest subordinates should be

Victor was currently

be able to defeat one

of them were tall and burly men that could easily flip

at a disadvantage from the very

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

soon as he was hit, Victor staggered

his strength left him, and he eventually

being broken scattered all over his body, making him

this time, Victor’s face

tried to stand, not ready to give

get back on his feet, he

arm to block

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

this point, Victor’s

fix his eyes on the rope,

how many injuries he

long as the fire was put out and the rope

into this trouble, so he was willing to do

his mind wanted to go on, his body couldn’t keep up

back to the

raining?’ After some time, Victor was somewhat awakened

struggled to open his eyes, but his

there on the ground, watching

wonder if he was still

so he thought that he

the sharp pain that pierced every inch of his body made

to stand up, but he couldn’t

a little bit,

he turned his head to look at the

no trace

"Ahem!"

coughed violently, spurting out

unto the soil and opened

the river expectantly, as if

for

even know how much time

never found the person he had

hoped that someone would raise her head from the river or

the excruciating pain he was experiencing, Victor

he lost

up again, he was

him near

to rescue him lasted for

that

lungs were inflamed, and the critically ill

Victor did after he woke up was ask

still wearing an oxygen mask

of danger yet, but all he cared about was

didn’t even know who Shelia was, but she could sense that she must be a very important person

send people to search for

seven days, but Shelia

week passed and there was still no news

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

but one could easily

years later, Victor completely

he did after fully recovering was buy a

in a

was nothing on the marble tombstone

Shelia’s name

of Victor’s recovery, while Karl was on

still tried to rush him to the hospital,

in that year that

finished his studies

companies under the control of the Sullivan

from a very low level to

able to prove his outstanding ability, Carolyn gradually handed

entered

the bed,

can’t eat any

been eating porridge for about half a

couldn’t even stand the smell of

sighed and had no choice but to

she said, "Eat it again when

out, not intending

Roger standing at the door, so he

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

kid gradually

Roger would bring some snacks when he

he could at least taste something aside from

only

Joey greeted Roger, Rachel turned around

that you wouldn’t come

Rachel a message in advance to ask her if she

say no every time, he would

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

still visit, it would

initially, I couldn’t

a moment

Rachel furrowed her brows

"Rachel, Victor woke up."

Roger broke the news.

The operation done to Victor lasted for

door of the operating room opened and closed for several

but wait outside until the procedure was

fourth day since the operation began, the indicator light outside

the

but he wasn’t completely

was wheeled to the

days ago that his vital signs

to be

was still in a

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

wasn’t what he was

Victor sustained serious injuries.

wounds had healed, they

new injuries just made matters

end, he said that only a

tell us when he will wake

in a gloomy

afraid I can’t

expert couldn’t help but frown as he made

fact, if I may be blunt, please consider preparing for

up? Is

it was obvious that this was what

not a hundred percent, but there was a

was the first one

Carson deemed that Rachel had the

outside Joey’s ward, holding a

slightly disoriented, and there

just went down to tell

news, her

already prepared herself for something like

fact, Carson was a bit

know when she became this

been in a

it might have been even

for 70 hours before

glanced at the cigarette in Carson’s hand and reminded him in a low voice, "This is the area for

You can’t smoke here."

his senses, Carson put

indifferent expression, he didn’t bother continue discussing

the subject and asked, "Anyway, how is the

"Joey? He’s fine.

said that he has been

plaster will be removed

through the glass

saw Joey sleeping soundly in the

faint smile, he stretched for a

then, I’m leaving

that, Carson turned around and

visited to tell Rachel about

that, he had nothing

the blink of an eye,

was made aware of Victor’s

just stayed in Joey’s ward almost twenty-four

Carson didn’t show his

the diagnosis came from an expert, she was also convinced that Victor

news that Victor had miraculously woke

Obviously, Rachel was stunned.

stared at Roger for a long time without being able to speak

she was still judging Roger’s expression if he was saying

to go upstairs and

slowly This time, Rachel pressed her lips hard and

her sleeve and pulled her back from her deep

I want to

Joey, pleading

that Victor was in a coma

in the hospital, he actually had a

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

out the truth, Rachel didn’t have the

or say anything, nor did he pester Rachel to go to the ICU to see

just smiled and made

They say

don’t have to

she

a few moments, she mustered her courage

"Yes, of course."

weeks, Joey had a good rest in

didn’t mention Victor, as if there was nothing

night from time to time and look at

it all inside him, but Rachel

"Okay…"

softened, and

was in the second

healed yet, it was inconvenient for him to walk all

let him sit

him, and the three of them went to Victor’s

they reached the

at the floor of the

a VIP ward, and there was only one patient at this

approaching, he furrowed his brows and eventually saw

If Victor had seen this scene, Carson knew that he would have been very

time I’ve

What brings you here?"

asked Joey as he quickly set the document he was holding aside and raised

"Have you been beaten?"

asked, blinking

would you ask that? Do I look like someone who will be beaten easily? Ha! I’m

circles around your

"Dark circles?"

almost choked at

opened

realized that Joey was

looked totally haggard, and his eye bags were

this was only to be

good sleep

handsome young man, but even he

"Ha-ha!"

after seeing the upset look

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

Carson stepped forward

"You, brat.

you tease your godfather?

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

no opinion regarding

father and I grew up

We are best friends.

one

how I became

his

if you don’t want it, that

uninjured hand and said,

as he withdrew his hand from Joey’s

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

said, it’s a fact that

better change your

but he stuck out his

his eye, Carson recognized Roger standing

tried to regain his composure and commented, "I

heard that Mr.Sullivan has

came here with Rachel and Joey to

Roger explained.

his composure just because

"Oh, I see."

Carson pointed at the room and

He is resting inside.

466 Tacit Cooperation Rachel looked at the ward

one knew what was going through her

"Let’s go,"

Roger reminded Rachel gently.

"Alright."

walked towards the

her, pushing Joey’s

placed

was lost in thoughts for

was about to sav something,

"Mr.Jimenez."

"Is anything the matter?"

Roger asked.

looked at the

was not standing very

result, Joey could see him from the corner

if he was giving

glance at

to use

overheard what Joey was

about I take you

"No!"

a very

a serious look on

am

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

at that moment, they were no longer

wouldn’t be appropriate for Rachel to take a boy to the ladies’ room, just like it wouldn’t be right for her to take him

reaction to Joey’s words, Rachel

then her gaze fell

to bother the former, Carson soon observed that she was staring

him to take

pay any attention to

took out his phone and turned around

to give Joey a thumbs

he was answering

Mr.Ramos! I have read the plan you

he headed towards the nurses’

he wasn’t very good

phone’s screen lit up while he was still holding

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

"It’s okay.

take Joey

He is actually right.

like him to be taken to the

Roger smiled gently.

"Thank you very much,"

Rachel said to Roger.

when he heard those

to have been

days, they got along really

of them were always in one

best known to her, she still

the look of things, Rachel still didn’t love

it couldn’t

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

he and Joey headed

time, Carson came

"Where is Joey?"

he asked Rachel knowingly.

quick glance at the phone in

you through with the

"What?"

followed Rachel’s sight and took a peek at his

smile appeared on

am through with

left with no choice! My subordinates

"Of course they are!"

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

a fake smile on

very good

to answer the call only

his nose and coughed to ease the awkwardness of the

want

her head in order to look through the glass panel on the

ward was a

of view, only the living room could be seen, and it

the door open in no

would lie in the bed

to undergo half a year’s

came from

is in a stable

"Get out of here!"

interrupted Carson’s

saw a man in a suit coming out

He looked dejected.

document

Carson as soon as he came

stunned at first, then his face

"Mr.Scott!"

hung

It was quite noticeable.

Group

asking about what just happened to

expression that the project

have been driven out! Her attention was drawn to the name on the work

was what really interested

She turned to Carson.

at her, she

"Well, this is Troy.

works as a member of the Sullivan

exactly what she meant by just looking at her

at a loss for

many surnames in

he had to choose

recognized who Rachel

and mentioned

"Miss Bennet."

nodded her head slightly

forehead was covered

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

Miss Bennet, I’m going

and said,

should do that

what Carson said, Troy went out of

at the

Victor was sitting against the head of the bed at

as

and

to the door and

against

follow

reading some document when he heard the

he didn’t raise his head and say

cast her

in a hospital

still tell that his face was pale despite the fact that he

frowned and looked

waited outside the operating room for more than seventy hours half a month ago, Rachel would have thought that the man

entranced that she walked towards the

to go out, didn’t

Victor heard the footsteps, his frown

the person who was walking towards

speaking in his usual cold and stiff tone,

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

guests around, I figured it wouldn’t

"The dance is over.

to let

I reminded him.

through his eyes, but he still loosened

back to

could still feel the warmth of his touch

face blushed and i

my heart

felt like

days with him were the

that those days were long

down, feeling

"Happy birthday, Caroline."

approached me

burning gaze from behind me and began chatting with the

my glass and

knowing it, I’d had a few to drink and was starting to

Elena came to

surprise waiting for you on the second

you like to go upstairs

she asked.

"What’s the surprise?"

This "surprise"

piqued my curiosity.

when you get

appeared on

followed her to the deck on the second

were bright red rose petals scattered across the floorboard, forming

also numerous balloons

widened

say, this whole

surprise?’ I had no idea who had

came to mind was Charles, but

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

spent this much effort on

joy of receiving this birthday surprise soon

stood on the second floor, I stared at the night scene around

tranquil, and yet my

cold sea breeze, I felt even

fireworks display lit up

fireworks shot up to the sky, a

sounded like a

I covered my ears at

on the ground

began trembling uncontrollably, and i felt like

horrible incident at the abandoned warehouse kept flashing through my

of breath I felt so dizzy that I

a panic attack, a pair of strong arms held me tightly

I’m here."

voice came from above me, making me feel

It was Charles.

tears burst from my eyes, Gently, he brushed my

don’t have to