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 since

"Let’s not talk here.

It’s so cold!"

whined, her teeth

thought occurred

shouted, "The eggs! I

from Ethan’s embrace and ran to

Ethan followed behind her.

Janet, who was extremely flustered, and he

told you to keep an eye

her to the side while

in the corner,

"I’m sorry.

Charis, so I rushed to you and

Ethan had guessed this.

he raised his

"It’s my fault.

you enough sense

he spread out his arms and said gently,

and leaned her face against his chest,

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

and I

a huge grudge against

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on her forehead in a casual manner, flipped

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

being

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

feeling that Shelia didn’t mean him any

poured the

this definitely could be

Here you go."

"And what about you?"

was holding out

roast some more

meat, Shelia smiled as

"Don’t worry about it.

This meat isn’t poisonous.

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on high alert right then,

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had thought that Victor

she

"I’m not very hungry.

ahead

look away and

the

and said, "Okay, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t

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really hard

not cooked fully

just now must be the

didn’t you tell me? You

spit the meat out, Victor didn’t say a word and only continued to roast

turned around and spotted

Van, you did

I smiling?’ Victor never even

his hand and gently touched the corner of his

me to roast the meat for

have gone

get

not tired at

just sit right

her hands propped under her chin, Shelia proceeded to sit down next

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learned how to survive in

spoke in a deep

"Survive in the wildness?"

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out of your way to

did earlier, Victor also crushed some fruits and poured the

used a knife to slice the

what Shelia asked, his eyes

while, he said, "I have

knew the

wanted to be prepared in

time that even under ner protection, Victor would find himself in danger one

learn more skills so that he would at least have a better

"Alright."

continued to focus her gaze on the burning

a glimpse of Shelia’s profile and the dust

out a hand

and turned to look at Victor with

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

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

"Is that so?"

nose with the back of

about now? Is

"No,"

glancing over at

"Good."

Shelia smiled.

you learn other than roasting meat? I want to learn

Can you teach me?"

want to

"In order to survive."

Shelia’s mouth very naturally.Chapter 462 Come With Me "In

shelia said casually.

felt sad upon hearing

to be flipped? It’s

Shelia pointed out.

by Shelia, Victor saw a small burn on

flipped the meat over while he was still

.

had second thoughts about whether or not

was, after all,

hand, didn’t seem to take it

"Will you please teach

"Hmm,"

said after a

"Is that a yes?"

and she broke

two dimples, meanwhile,

Victor nodded, "Okay."

she

individual I’ve ever encountered, except for

"Orphanage?"

where I

years ago, the orphanage was taken over and

clouded as

woman was

great meals and gave

orphan…’ Victor pursed

look after you

leave

up at Victor and answered, "I

was the only home Shelia had

with you being outdoors

her head,

visit her tomb, so I

remain unknown to them, and I don’t intend

the dingy

sunshine that had been

hands behind her

she gazed up at the

to

keeps you

people guarding the

me if

no idea that I have

my name when I

said, blinking her

black eyes remained fixed on Shelia

continued, "If she had the chance to see you, Van, it

spot in her heart for

that I

It didn’t seem appropriate to use this term to describe

at Shelia, Victor concluded

description of her

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

to communicate since she

referred to

poker card was in

pocket as if it were a treasure and

each kid

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

stared at the card–the King of

I get

Shelia inquired.

"It’s definitely the best."

said, "I am the only one with

meat was toasting

her the meat after he

set

Eat, please."

gut just

her stomach and ate

than the meat i

Victor’s expression softened somewhat.

rejuvenated after a

feet,

and was ready to rise when Shelia abruptly extended her

"Come on, get up."

pause, he took Shelia’s hand in

the hard way, Shelia used a dart to put

lost track of time as they

had cooled down

sitting down on a stone and

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

get out before

some water

walking, and he was coughing up blood for the second

incoherently, "I’m sure

Let’s move forward."

have

"Like never before…"

and continued to hold

she murmured,

you return, be

lowered his gaze to

small face was covered in mud after

you? What’s

"Plan?"

slow to

remarked, "What are your plans once we leave

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

when I can no longer walk and beg

with

"Shelia."

appeared to have made up his mind after staring at Shelia for a long

"What’s the problem?"

after we get

like you, I will defend

can count on

want me to come

all right with you? If you

was concerned that Shelia might

before asking, "Are you joking

"No, I’m not.

treat you the best I

Victor convinced her.

smiled at

agree when we get out of

"Sure."

they emerged from the woods, though, everything

sun started to disappear below the horizon, basking the forest in a pale red glow that passed through the branches and

glimmered on the bodies of Victor

had been walking since high noon and now,

they saw a relatively spacious

out of

villagers if we walk a

We can…"

could finish her sentence, she

She was confused.

at Victor, wanting to know

"Van?"

well, i didn’t expect you to

Shelia looked for

that were

stood at the front, looking at them intently as he

could feel right away that they were

moved to shield Victor, who in turn stood protectively in front

eyes off Norton, watching his every

voice that only Shelia could hear, Victor said, "Run into the forest when I tell

lost even when it

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

and you can get

"And then?"

her eyebrows

looked straight into

"Walk along this road.

you meet villagers, borrow a mobile phone from

Norton didn’t intend to

just wanted to play a game with Victor

that if he couldn’t escape

bring her back to see his grandmother, and treat her as

could not fulfill the promise

Shelia’s hand, Victor wrote a phone number

call the number once you get hold of a mobile

he whispered.

is my

and she will pick you

looked down at

Victor looked at her

"No."

pulled her

eyes were a little

remember the

be a good

Victor frowned.

anxious that he coughed violently as soon as he

and clenched

want to spread her palm and let Victor write the phone number

what Victor and Shelia were talking about, he could tell that they were

said, "Tut, tut,

feelings for each other!

tensed up when saw Norton

pulled Sheila behind

keeping himself standing

for him to

walked up to

and Shelia stepped

with them, Norton pulled

too fast for Victor to stop

"Let her go!"

kept a firm

satisfaction in hearing vexation in Victor’s

you look

mud on Shelia’s face with his

this would all the more incense Victor, Disregarding body pain, Victor rushed over and tried to

when something silver flashed through

was a knife that

out a mouthful

"No."

"What are you saying?"

and gave Victor a mocking smile,

he had difficulty in

fist and tried

want

nothing to

So, let her go!"

This

Norton curled his lips.

I don’t want to let

comes from but I find your

you to die alone? I can do

eyes, Victor

of the knife pressed against her neck, all Shelia could do was

body was

she saw Victor spat out blood and beg for

all you

smile plastered on

in anger when he heard Shelia’s

did you just

you are a

Shelia swallowed.

a sense of accomplishment by

have in you to do what

So, cut the crap.

you want to kill

"Shelia…"

desperately tried to

she was provoking

would make Norton’s hackles rise and

Norton was indeed angry.

his voice in check as he talked

Looks like you really

Shelia rolled her eyes.

can help you

Norton said, laughing derisively.

his men and instructed them,

anxiously,

Norton didn’t answer.

glared at

did as

Shelia was

made to ride a

was taking them.Chapter 464 Victor Woke Up

river was

her choke easily Victor saw how Shelia’s face became paler

the blue

his teeth and

her eyes because of

Victor to run

opened her mouth, she was

her

exasperated expression on Victor’s face, Norton scoffed

thought that Victor might be strong but he was

me laugh,

a good man? Why

smile, Norton approached the rope, squatted

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

in me, huh? What do

just glare

it took

of the river, Norton squinted his eyes

two men behind him appeared and stood between

looked at Victor with

"Here’s what I’m thinking.

the weakest

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

brief pause, Norton continued, "You want to save her, right?

been holding Victor’s arms let go of him and

with his thumb

two before the rope

say goodbye to your good

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

flickering flame, Victor didn’t care about

rushed up and fought

and the most popular leader the Roaring Tiger

course, even his weakest subordinates should be

Victor was currently

be able to defeat one of the two weakest subordinates of

tall and burly men that could

a doubt, Victor was at a disadvantage

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

as he was hit, Victor staggered and

left him,

of his bones being broken scattered all

time, Victor’s face

tried to stand, not ready

on his feet, he

to subconsciously use his arm to block it, but

a

this point, Victor’s

managed to fix his eyes on the rope, which was only a few

didn’t matter how many injuries

and the rope was grasped, Shelia’s

this trouble, so he was willing to do anything to

go on, his body

he fell back to the ground

raining?’ After some time, Victor was somewhat awakened when he felt droplets of rain

eyes,

on the ground, watching the raindrops

couldn’t help but wonder if he

recovered yet, so

sharp pain that pierced every inch of his body made Victor realize that he

up, but

bit,

he turned his head to look at the river, only to find

no trace of

"Ahem!"

spurting

the soil and opened his

river expectantly, as if he was waiting for something

waited for

fact, he didn’t even know how

never found the person he had been

would raise her head from the river or come

of blood and the excruciating pain he was experiencing, Victor couldn’t keep

lost

again, he

subordinates found him near

to rescue him lasted

out that Victor

shattered, his chest and lungs were inflamed, and the critically

after he woke up was ask Carolyn to send people

still wearing an oxygen

was not completely out of danger yet, but all he cared about was

she could sense that she must be a very important person due to his concern

people to search for Shelia

lasted for seven days, but Shelia couldn’t

there was

card

but one could

years later, Victor

he did after fully recovering was buy a

King of Hearts card in a box and buried

marble tombstone aside from the

Shelia’s name

year of Victor’s recovery, while Karl was

him to the hospital, but

also in that year that Carolyn

more years, he finished his studies

began taking over several small companies under the control of the

from a

ability, Carolyn gradually handed over the Sullivan Group

time, Roger entered the ward where Rachel

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

eat

been eating porridge for about half

he couldn’t even stand the smell

had no choice but to put the bowl

she said, "Eat it again

tongue out, not intending

saw Roger standing at the door, so he politely

a month, Roger came to the

kid gradually got acquainted with

Roger would

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

could only

Joey greeted Roger, Rachel turned around and was

you say that you

advance to ask her if she wanted to eat something or if

would say no every time, he would still

when Roger asked, he said that he had an important project meeting

it would

I couldn’t

Roger hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "But I

response, Rachel furrowed her brows in

"Rachel, Victor woke up."

Roger broke the news.

Circles The operation done to Victor lasted for more than 70

closed for

anything but wait outside

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

that the

saved, but he wasn’t

wheeled

days ago that

became eligible to be transferred to

still in a

to check Victor’s

wasn’t what he

Victor sustained serious injuries.

wounds had healed, they still

injuries

said that only

you at least tell us when he

asked in a

afraid I can’t say

couldn’t help but frown as he made

I may be blunt, please consider preparing for the worst-case

he’ll never wake up? Is

didn’t say this, it was obvious that this was what

there was a huge chance that this was

and Lukas, Rachel was the first one to know

Carson deemed that Rachel had the right

leaned against the wall outside Joey’s ward,

looked slightly disoriented, and there were dark

just went down to tell Rachel

Rachel heard the tragic news, her face didn’t

if she had already prepared herself

Carson was

she became

Victor had been in a coma for about half a

might have been even

the operating room for 70 hours

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

You can’t smoke here."

if he regained his senses, Carson put

didn’t bother continue

then changed the subject and asked, "Anyway, how is the

"Joey? He’s fine.

doctor checked him up yesterday and said that he has been recovering pretty

will be removed ahead of the initial

through the glass panel on the

saw Joey sleeping soundly in the

stretched for

I’m leaving

turned around and left without

tell Rachel about the doctor’s diagnosis

he had nothing else

the blink of an eye, two days eventually passed

aware of Victor’s condition, Rachel didn’t

stayed in Joey’s ward

didn’t show his face to her

expert, she was also convinced that Victor

Victor had miraculously woke up from being in

Obviously, Rachel was stunned.

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

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

Do you want to go upstairs

asked slowly This time, Rachel pressed her lips hard

nowhere, someone gently pulled her sleeve and pulled her

I want

pleading in a soft

failed to hide the fact that Victor was in a

Joey woke up in the hospital, he

that Rachel had always been absent-minded and

truth, Rachel

nor did he pester

he just smiled and made a

daddy bad? They say bad people live

we don’t have to worry too

Joey’s bright eyes, she felt a lump in

moments, she

"Yes, of course."

following two weeks, Joey had a

didn’t mention Victor, as if there

would actually wake up in the middle of the night from

him,

"Okay…"

softened, and she

in

hadn’t fully healed yet, it was inconvenient for him to walk all the

let him sit

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

enough, they

stopped at the floor

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

he furrowed his brows and eventually saw three people approaching like a

Carson knew that he would have been very

it’s the first time I’ve

What brings you here?"

the document he was holding

"Have you been beaten?"

asked, blinking his

that? Do I look like someone who will be beaten easily? Ha!

dark circles around your

"Dark circles?"

choked at Joey’s

he picked up his phone, opened its front camera,

realized that Joey was

eye bags were so big that it seemed like

of course, this was only to

good sleep for half

was originally a handsome young man, but even he was susceptible to stress and

"Ha-ha!"

after seeing the upset look

realized that he was fooled

stepped forward

"You, brat.

tease your

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

have no

father and I

We are best friends.

the one

that’s how I became your

eyebrows and crossed his arms in front

you don’t want it, that

tried to pull Carson’s hand away using his uninjured hand and said, "Humph! If I don’t want to admit it, no one can

tongue as he

"I also didn’t expect that I would have a godson

said, it’s a

change your

more, but he stuck out his tongue at

corner of his eye, Carson recognized Roger

then tried to regain his composure and commented,

that

came here with Rachel

Roger explained.

to lose his composure

"Oh, I see."

room and said, "His ward is over

He is resting inside.

and see him."Chapter 466 Tacit Cooperation Rachel looked at the ward Carson pointed at, she became

was

"Let’s go,"

Roger reminded Rachel gently.

"Alright."

nodded and walked towards the

her,

placed

lost in

he was about to sav something, Joey spoke before

"Mr.Jimenez."

"Is anything the matter?"

Roger asked.

stopped and looked at the little

was not standing

see him from the corner of his

as if he was

taking a quick glance at him,

I need to use

what Joey

I

"No!"

in a very decisive

was a serious look

I am

so it wasn’t a problem for Rachel to

that moment, they were

boy to the ladies’ room, just like it wouldn’t be right for her to

to Joey’s words, Rachel looked at both

it was Roger, then

the former, Carson soon observed that she was staring at

him to take Joey to the

coughed and refused to pay any

and

give Joey a thumbs

pretended like he was answering

I have read the plan you sent

he headed towards the nurses’

wasn’t very good at

he was still

all! Rachel saw what just happened clearly and understood that

"It’s okay.

take

He is actually right.

embarrassing for a boy like him to be taken

Roger smiled gently.

"Thank you very much,"

Rachel said to Roger.

those

Rachel ought to have been closer

past few days, they got along really

them were always in one another’s

known to her, she still alienated

things, Rachel still didn’t

it couldn’t

from thinking about the night Rachel was standing outside the operating room where Victor was operated

Joey

some time, Carson came

"Where is Joey?"

he asked Rachel knowingly.

took a quick glance at the phone in his

with

"What?"

took a

a smile appeared on

am

was left with no choice! My subordinates

"Of course they are!"

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

a fake smile

very

that Rachel knew that he had pretended to answer the call only moments ago, the smile on

his nose and coughed to ease

you want

order to look through

ward was a

living room could be seen, and it

pushed the door open in no time and

Victor would lie in

half a year’s rehabilitation

came

is in a stable condition

"Get out of here!"

voice interrupted

and saw a man in a

He looked dejected.

document

and Carson as soon as

first, then his face

"Mr.Scott!"

work card hung around the

It was quite noticeable.

of the Sullivan Group and the director

asking about what just

could tell from the man’s expression that

was drawn to the name

was what

She turned to Carson.

looked back at her, she raised her

"Well, this is Troy.

member of the Sullivan Group’s project

she meant by just looking at

a

so many

had

recognized who

and mentioned her

"Miss Bennet."

nodded her head slightly in

was

Nonetheless, he was still holding the document tightly in his

going back to

his hand and said,

do that

said, Troy went out of sight

at the door

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

condition doesn’t seem as

is well and can work

the door and pushed it

against the door

didn’t follow Rachel

was reading some document when he

his head and say

her gaze on

was in

that his face was pale despite the fact that he

and

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

she walked towards the bed

to go out,

Victor heard the footsteps,

looked up at the person who

usual cold and stiff tone, he said

Birthday Gift Caroline’s POV: Even after we finished the dance, Charles

many guests around, I figured it wouldn’t bode well if I

"The dance is over.

time to

I reminded him.

but he still loosened his grip on my waist like

a few steps back to distance

still feel the warmth

blushed and i

my heart

moment, it felt like

him were the

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

feeling conflicted and dispirited

"Happy birthday, Caroline."

guests suddenly approached me

ignore the burning gaze from behind me and began

my glass and taking a

a few to drink and was starting

this time, Elena

surprise waiting for you on the second

upstairs and take a look at

she asked.

"What’s the surprise?"

This "surprise"

piqued my curiosity.

when you get

appeared on Elena’s

followed her to the deck on

that there were bright red

numerous

widened in

must say, this whole

my birthday surprise?’ I had no idea who had

that came to mind was Charles, but I quickly cast aside

on my

this much effort on

of receiving this birthday surprise soon

I stared at the

and yet

of the cold sea breeze, I

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

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

sounded like

noise, I covered my ears at

on the ground

trembling uncontrollably, and i felt like my blood was

incident at the abandoned warehouse kept

out of breath I

of strong arms held

I’m here."

voice came from above me,

It was Charles.

tears burst from my eyes, Gently, he brushed my hair

don’t have to