My Poor Husband Is A Billionaire

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

Then she began to type out her reply to Brandon.

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

the staff member said through gritted teeth.

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

Ignoring her, Janet texted Brandon back.

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

The message from Brandon was a godsend.

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

Brandon replied with a long message.

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

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

The data was tampered with.

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

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

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

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

"How did you find that out?"

The platform was now owned by Lester Silk Fabric.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As she spoke, she tucked her phone away.

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

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

Janet ignored her.

She turned around and left without looking back.

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

"What’s up, Lind?"

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

Janet asked politely.

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

Tiffany looked at her warily and then nodded slowly.

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

"I want to call him and apologize,"

Janet answered simply.

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

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

There are enough discussions about you already,"

Tiffany scolded.

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

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

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

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

Janet reached for the card with a bright smile.

Of course she knew what she was doing.

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

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

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

Janet said, her voice as sweet as honey.

When Ritchie heard this, he was surprised.

Then, he sneered.

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

Janet had given up so soon.

"You’re scared, aren’t you?"

With a smug smile on his face, Ritchie smirked.

"Come to Lester Silk Fabric tomorrow.

You can apologize there in person."

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

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

he barked at his secretary.

"I want them here tomorrow.

Call some famous personalities in the fashion industry as well.

We need people in authority for the event."

The secretary nodded respectfully.

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

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

Get your ass back here."

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

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

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

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

"Get the biggest function hall for the press conference.

I want hundreds of people to be there.

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

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

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

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

1 Another evil grin spread on Ritchie’s face.

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

The secretary pursed his lips and jotted every detail down.

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

The sun shone bright and early the next day.

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

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

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

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

Tiffany remarked from beside her.

She turned to look Janet in the eye.

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

A faint smile appeared on Janet’s lips.

"You’ll find out soon enough.

Don’t worry.

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

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

The room finally settled down as Janet took her place.

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

"Sorry for taking up your time, everyone.

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

From a distance, Ritchie frowned and narrowed his eyes.

He could sense that something wasn’t right.

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

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

"She can’t have,"

the other man replied confidently.

"We’ve taken care to sweep everything.

All the evidence has been locked away.

I think she’s just bluffing."

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is your truth.

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

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

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

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

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

His secretary was also scared silly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Janet smiled and said in a calm voice.

Ritchie was exasperated to hear that.

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

"I thought you came here to apologize.

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

While smiling, Janet didn’t say a word.

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

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

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

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

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

The audience began to discuss this amongst themselves.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She said frantically, "I have no idea.

Don’t ask me…"

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

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

His secretary hurried to stop his curses.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now, she felt much better.

"It’s finally over!"

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

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

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

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

Related videos went viral on the Internet.

Suddenly, Janet’s phone started to ring.

It was Tiffany.

"Lind, I’m impressed.

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

You really knocked them dead!"

"Oh, my God! Seriously?"

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

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

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

There was a lot of positive feedback.

"Wow.

Heart.

Heart.

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

"She’s a lovely girl.

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

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

"Even though I’m a girl, I want her!"

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

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

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

Furious, Ritchie started trashing his office.

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

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

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

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

plummeted.

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

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

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

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

Ritchie glared at him, speechless.

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

"I’m not an idiot.

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

Things didn’t end there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am responsible for all of this.

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

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

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

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

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

She’s just an ordinary employee.

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

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

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

Janet pulled her chair and sat down.

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

"I can’t say I’m surprised.

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

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

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

"It doesn’t matter.

Look on the bright side.

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

Now, all eyes are on my work."

In the end, Luna was put behind bars.

And Janet had become an online celebrity.

Many people now knew her name and saw her designs.

Some even paid for it.

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

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

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

How’d you get the evidence?"

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

Janet froze.

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

"A very capable friend helped me get them."

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

Janet’s eyes twinkled.

"It’s a secret.

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

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

Gerda scratched her head and hurried back to her desk.

Janet couldn’t help but chuckle.

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

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

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

Janet couldn’t help but feel a little strange.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Someone texted you."

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

"It seems your wife’s missing you."

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

Instantly, his expression darkened when he read the text.

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

Garrett asked seriously, the smile wiped from his face.

"Janet’s asking Brandon out for dinner."

Ethan put his phone down and sighed.

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

Garrett leaned back with his hands clasped behind his head.

"Yeah.

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

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

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

It’s not good for my heart either,"

he sighed.

Ethan frowned and started typing out a brisk reply.

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

You’re an employee of the Larson Group.

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

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

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

That’s thanks enough, Miss Lind,"

Ethan replied politely, keeping things professional.

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

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

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

Transfer her to a subsidiary company.

Then, bring Charis here."

Garrett was just about to take a nap.

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

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

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

"Why did you want to dismiss Janet?"

Ethan asked in a low voice.

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

"I just wanted to protect the company name,"

Charis answered defensively.

Ethan narrowed his eyes at her coldly.

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

No one other than me.

Understood?"

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

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

"I see how it is.

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

Ethan had already noticed that something was wrong with Charis.

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

She and her family had always valued their image.

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

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

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

Charis was a dignified woman.

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

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

She hadn’t cried in years.

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

She had been reluctant to leave him.

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

She and Brandon had worked together for years.

They had shared the company’s ups and downs.

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

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

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

"I met Brandon first,"

Charis muttered through gritted teeth.

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

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

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

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

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

But she couldn’t act as overtly as before.

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

She had to be more careful now.

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

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

Janet’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

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

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

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

But he couldn’t tell her this.

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

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

The manager of the shop at work fired me.

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

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

In fact, there was some truth to his story.

Ritchie had indeed caused him a lot trouble after all.

Hearing this, Janet’s heart immediately softened.

She walked over to help him with the vegetables.

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

I was worried something bad happened to you."

"The problem’s been solved.

Don’t worry,"

Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

That much was true.

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

"Your brother is really hard to deal with."

Janet pouted like a child.

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

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

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

Janet looked up at Ethan curiously.

Almost immediately, she saw the lust in his eyes.

His face was so beautiful.

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

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

Janet’s face turned as red as a tomato.

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

Then she focused on chopping the vegetables.

Amused, Ethan patted her on the head affectionately.

He really liked it when she blushed.

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

He had to admit it really turned him on.

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

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

Ethan stroked Janet’s hair.

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

A long forgotten name appeared on the screen.

It was Patrick Lester.

Chapter 324 Nora’s Birthday Ethan pursed his lips.

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

It was winter and the cold wind was unforgiving.

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

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

Janet’s voice broke the silence.

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

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

He was answering the phone out on the balcony again.

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

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

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

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

"I was busy just now,"

Ethan simply replied.

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

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

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

She wants you and your wife here."

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

— – Janet had overheard Patrick’s loud voice.

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

Ethan held her tighter and sighed.

"We are.

Patrick seldom summons me.

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

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

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

Janet smiled at him sweetly.

"I can tell that you’re fond of her."

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

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

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

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

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

She was the only Lester who ever cared about Ethan.

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

"She’s a kind lady,"

he said calmly.

a long time since they last

"Let’s not talk here.

It’s so cold!"

whined, her

a thought

eggs! I forgot

broke free from Ethan’s embrace and

Ethan followed behind her.

at Janet, who was extremely flustered, and he couldn’t help but

you to keep

the side while he cleaned up the mess

thumbs, Janet stood in the corner, restlessly watching Ethan clean

"I’m sorry.

so I rushed to you and forgot I

Ethan had guessed this.

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

"It’s my fault.

you enough

spread out his arms and said

leaned her face against his chest,

invitation from Patrick, she

you and I just got him into

probably has a

just go there?"Chapter 461 In Order To Survive Shelia didn’t

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

to

was just being a little

his eyes at her, Victor said nothing, and silently

feeling that Shelia didn’t mean

fruits and poured the

definitely could

Here you go."

"And what about you?"

meat Shelia was holding out in her hand

some more for

wasn’t going to take the meat, Shelia smiled

"Don’t worry about it.

This meat isn’t poisonous.

assured and eat it

on high alert right then, watching Shelia

an easy-going person, this didn’t mean that

that Victor

she knew she was wrong

"I’m not very hungry.

ahead and

turned to look away and placed the meat

the rest

wanted to help, Shelia nodded and said,

a bite out of

she furrowed her brows and stuck

hard to

not cooked fully

I gave you just now must be

me? You even

out, Victor didn’t say a word and only

aside, Shelia turned around

Van, you did this

I smiling?’ Victor never

his hand and gently

me to roast the meat

gone

get some

not tired at

just sit right

her chin, Shelia proceeded

eyes and said, "Van, you’re good at cooking meat,

how to survive in the

in

"Survive in the wildness?"

the very first time that Shelia had ever heard

of

also crushed some fruits

used a knife to

he heard what Shelia

a while, he said, "I

Victor knew

to be prepared in case

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

skills so that he would at least have a better chance

"Alright."

her gaze

his eye, Victor caught a glimpse of Shelia’s profile and

hand to

was startled and turned to look at Victor with a

Victor looked straight into Shelia’s eyes,

away, and explained, "Your nose has dirt on

"Is that so?"

to rub her nose with the

what about now? Is

"No,"

said, glancing over

"Good."

Shelia smiled.

what else did you learn other than roasting meat? I want to learn

Can you teach me?"

want to learn

"In order to survive."

naturally.Chapter

shelia said casually.

felt sad upon

meat ready to be flipped? It’s on

Shelia pointed out.

saw a small burn on the meat’s exposed side

he was still thinking

.

second thoughts about whether or not to ask her

after all,

the other hand, didn’t seem to

asked, "Will you please teach

"Hmm,"

said after a

"Is that a yes?"

and she broke into a

dimples, meanwhile, became much more

Victor nodded, "Okay."

grinned broadly as she said, "Thanks so much,

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

"Orphanage?"

That’s where I was

two years ago, the orphanage was taken over and

clouded as she spoke about

was a

younger, she prepared great meals and gave

an orphan…’ Victor

after you since the

leave with

Victor and answered, "I didn’t want

the only home Shelia had known for so

you being outdoors on

head, Shelia said,

was desperate to visit her tomb, so I

remain unknown to them, and I

dingy

shards of sunshine that had been

hands behind her head, her

disappointment as she gazed

to visit

keeps you

people

find me if

no idea that

I

said, blinking her

fixed on Shelia and he said

Van, it would be more

soft spot in her heart

said that I was

use this

at Shelia, Victor concluded that the adjective

an apt description of her

responsible for your upbringing, how come you got your

communicate since she was deaf, mute, and

referred to

card was

as if it were a treasure and presented

each kid was given a

take them as we pleased, but we were naughty,’ shella erupted into laughter, which was maybe due

the

get the

Shelia inquired.

"It’s definitely the best."

said, "I am the only one

was toasting as they

her the meat after he re-applied the

all set

Eat, please."

growl came from her gut just after

her stomach and

It’s much better than the meat i made myself! Van, you’re

Victor’s expression softened somewhat.

after

her feet, she said, "Let’s keep

when Shelia abruptly extended her

"Come on, get up."

a little pause, he took Shelia’s hand

used a

had lost track of

had cooled down

assisted Victor in sitting down on a stone and

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

we can get out before the

drank some water as

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

"I’m

Let’s move forward."

have the

"Like never before…"

nodded and continued to hold

she murmured, "Van, you look rather

return, be

his gaze to the side of

after a day and a night

What’s

"Plan?"

was slow

plans once we leave the

don’t know… I want to continue my travels and explore the world’s finest rivers

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

answered with a

"Shelia."

up his mind after staring at Shelia

"What’s the problem?"

with me after

grandma will like you, I will defend you if she

count

want me to come

all right with you? If you

concerned that

before asking, "Are you joking

"No, I’m not.

to treat you the best

Victor convinced her.

nodded and smiled at Victor, saying,

get out

"Sure."

moment they emerged from the woods, though,

horizon, basking the forest in

on the bodies

high noon and

assuaged when they

out of

local villagers if we walk a little

We can…"

Shelia could finish her sentence, she

She was confused.

at Victor, wanting

"Van?"

didn’t expect you to come

came, Shelia looked for the

that were parked not

looking at them intently as he

right away that they

moved to shield Victor, who in turn stood protectively in

his eyes off Norton,

only Shelia could hear, Victor said, "Run into

get lost even

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

these marks and you can get

"And then?"

her

looked straight into

"Walk along this road.

villagers, borrow a mobile phone from them, and call

that Norton didn’t intend to let him

just wanted to play a game with Victor

couldn’t escape this predicament, Shelia

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

not fulfill the promise he

Victor wrote a phone number on her palm with

number once you get hold of a mobile

he whispered.

my grandmother’s

pick you up wherever you

down at her

looked at her

"No."

her

were a

remember the number, nor do I

be a

Victor frowned.

coughed violently as soon as he

adamant and

to spread her palm and let Victor write the phone

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

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

for each other! I’m so

when saw Norton approaching

intuitively pulled Sheila behind

was seriously injured and keeping himself standing steadily was taxing

be hard for him to fight off

walked up

Shelia stepped

Norton pulled

was too fast for

"Let her go!"

firm

found satisfaction in hearing vexation in

you look

the mud

Victor, Disregarding body pain, Victor rushed over and tried

tracks when

knife that

out a mouthful

"No."

"What are you saying?"

a mocking smile, pretending not to hear what

felt that he

fist and

want is

nothing to do with

So, let her go!"

wow! This

Norton curled his lips.

I don’t want to let her

but I find your reaction

for you to die alone?

eyes, Victor breathed

against her

was

blood and beg for

all you

smile

narrowed in anger when he heard Shelia’s

did you

you are

Shelia swallowed.

a sense of accomplishment by threatening two

you don’t have in you

So, cut the crap.

kill

"Shelia…"

tried to stop

she was provoking

was afraid that Shelia would make Norton’s hackles rise and the man would do just

Norton was indeed angry.

voice in check as he talked

Looks like you

Shelia rolled her eyes.

can help you with

Norton said, laughing derisively.

men and instructed them, "Tie her

squinted his eyes and asked anxiously, "What are you going to

Norton didn’t answer.

just glared at

as they were

hands and feet bound, Shelia

made to ride

where Norton was taking them.Chapter 464 Victor Woke Up

river was flowing

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

the blue veins

gritted his teeth and

her eyes because of

wanted Victor to

moment she opened her mouth,

enough, her eyes became

on Victor’s face, Norton scoffed

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

me

a good man? Why

Norton approached the rope, squatted down, and blew

you wanting to save her so much, I will give you a

in me, huh?

could just glare

would do whatever it took to save

the

him appeared and stood

slowly stood up and looked at Victor

"Here’s what I’m thinking.

two are the weakest

two people, and the one on the right has killed

continued, "You want to

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

the knife in his hand, Norton touched its tip with his thumb and warned, "But of course, you have to

before the

can say goodbye to your good

away, I’m afraid that

Victor didn’t care about anything

so he quickly rushed up

a mercenary and the most

even his weakest subordinates should be strong

was currently badly

might not even be able to defeat one of the two weakest subordinates of

burly

was at

them, the two men punched Victor right in his abdomen one

As soon as he was hit, Victor staggered and struggled to stand

because he was hit repeatedly, his strength left him, and he eventually knelt on the

scattered all over his body, making

this time, Victor’s face

to stand, not ready to give

back on his

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

spat out a mouthful of

this point, Victor’s vision became

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

how many injuries he

the fire was put out and the rope was

this trouble, so he was willing to do anything to

to go on, his body couldn’t keep

the

somewhat awakened when he felt

eyes, but

the

couldn’t help but wonder if he

hadn’t fully recovered yet, so he thought that he

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

stand up, but

bit, grabbing

at the river, only to find that there was nothing in

no trace of

"Ahem!"

spurting out more

unto the soil and opened his eyes as wide

looked at the river expectantly, as if he was waiting for something to

waited for a long

didn’t even know

found the person he had been

raise her head from the river or come out from somewhere and call

pain he was experiencing,

lost

woke up again, he was

found him near

operation to rescue him lasted for two days and two

a doctor’s diagnosis, it was found out that Victor had fractures in eight different body

in his right knee were shattered, his chest and lungs

woke up was ask Carolyn to send people to look for

wearing an oxygen mask

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

that she must be a very important person due to

delay to send people to search for Shelia along

search lasted for seven days,

passed and there was still

give Victor was a crumpled playing card

with mud, but one could easily

years later, Victor completely

first thing he did after fully

Hearts card in a box and buried it under

was nothing on the marble tombstone aside

even Shelia’s name on

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

to the hospital, but he was declared dead on

in that year that Carolyn sent Victor

two more years, he finished his studies and finally

taking over several small companies under the control of

the shortest time, Victor raised the sales of these companies from

Victor was able to prove his outstanding ability, Carolyn

entered the

on the edge of the bed,

eat

been eating porridge for

even stand the smell of porridge

choice but to put the bowl

she said, "Eat it again when you get

out, not intending

at the door, so he

a month, Roger came to the

kid gradually

that Roger

much, he could at least taste something aside from

only

greeted Roger, Rachel turned around and was surprised

you say that you wouldn’t come

advance to ask her if she wanted

no every time, he would still insist on

had an important project meeting today, so

he could still visit, it would probably be

initially, I couldn’t

a moment before finally saying, "But I got

Rachel furrowed her brows

"Rachel, Victor woke up."

Roger broke the news.

to Victor lasted for more than

opened and closed for

and Carson couldn’t do anything but

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

that the surgery was

he wasn’t

wheeled to

not until two days ago that his vital

eligible to be transferred to

was still

the field to check Victor’s condition

what he

Victor sustained serious injuries.

old wounds had healed, they still had an

his new injuries just

said that only a miracle could

tell us

asked in a gloomy

can’t

help but frown as

be blunt, please consider preparing for the worst-case

Is he going to become a vegetable for the rest of his

it was obvious

a hundred percent, but there was a huge chance

for Carson and Lukas, Rachel was the first

that Rachel had the right to

wall outside Joey’s

and there were

went down to tell Rachel about this

the tragic news, her face didn’t show much

was as if she had already

Carson was

when she became this

a coma for

it might have

outside the operating room for 70 hours before the indication

of silence, Rachel glanced at the cigarette in Carson’s hand and

You can’t smoke here."

regained his senses,

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

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

"Joey? He’s fine.

up yesterday and said that he

his plaster will be

through the glass

Joey sleeping soundly in the

for

then, I’m leaving

turned around and left

tell Rachel about the doctor’s

had

an eye, two days

aware of Victor’s condition, Rachel didn’t intend to

just stayed in Joey’s ward almost

didn’t show his

the diagnosis came from an expert, she was also

Victor had miraculously woke up from being

Obviously, Rachel was stunned.

Roger for a long time without being able

still judging Roger’s expression

Do you want to go upstairs and see

Rachel pressed her

her sleeve and pulled her back from

I want

pleading in a

fact that Victor was in a coma after

up in the hospital, he

absent-minded and Victor hadn’t come up in any

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

the full truth, Joey didn’t cry or say anything, nor did he pester Rachel to go to the ICU

he just smiled

daddy bad? They say bad

we don’t have to worry too much

bright eyes, she

a few moments, she mustered her courage and

"Yes, of course."

had a good rest

didn’t mention Victor, as if there was nothing

middle of the night from

for keeping it all inside him,

"Okay…"

heart softened,

ward was in the

fully healed yet, it was inconvenient for him to walk all the way

let him sit

for him, and the three of them went

they

finally stopped at the floor of the ward where Victor

was only one patient at this time, Carson

furrowed his brows and

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

time

What brings you here?"

Joey as he quickly set the document he was holding aside

"Have you been beaten?"

asked, blinking his

Why would you ask that? Do I look like someone who will

dark circles around your

"Dark circles?"

almost choked at

up his phone, opened its front camera, and looked at his

that Joey was

haggard, and his eye bags were

of course, this was only to be

good sleep for half a

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

"Ha-ha!"

after seeing the upset look on Carson’s

that he was fooled by this little

head, Carson stepped forward and pinched Joey’s face

"You, brat.

you tease your godfather?

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

no opinion regarding

I grew up

We are best friends.

the one

how I became

and crossed his arms in front of his

for you, even if you don’t want

using his uninjured hand and said, "Humph! If I don’t want

his tongue as he

a slightly low voice, "I also didn’t expect that I would have a godson

a

change your attitude towards

he stuck out his tongue

corner of his eye, Carson recognized Roger

to regain his composure and commented, "I

that Mr.Sullivan

with Rachel and Joey to

Roger explained.

to lose his composure just

"Oh, I see."

and said, "His

He is resting inside.

him."Chapter 466 Tacit Cooperation Rachel

what was going

"Let’s go,"

Roger reminded Rachel gently.

"Alright."

walked

her, pushing

arms were placed over

lost in

was about to

"Mr.Jimenez."

"Is anything the matter?"

Roger asked.

and looked

was not standing very far

result, Joey could see him

his eyebrows as if he was giving Carson

taking a quick glance at him, Joey turned his gaze

need to use

overheard what Joey was

about I take you

"No!"

a

a serious look on

I am

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

were no

to take a boy to the ladies’ room,

Joey’s words, Rachel looked at

was Roger, then

Carson soon observed

wanted him to take Joey to

and refused to pay any attention to

took out his phone and turned around as if

Joey a thumbs up without Rachel

Carson pretended like he was answering the

Mr.Ramos! I have read the plan

headed towards

wasn’t very

he

Rachel saw what just happened clearly and understood that it was

"It’s okay.

will take Joey

He is actually right.

boy like him to

Roger smiled gently.

"Thank you very much,"

Rachel said to Roger.

when he heard those

Rachel ought to have

few days, they got along really

of them were always in one another’s

known to her, she still

the look of things, Rachel still didn’t love

knew that it couldn’t be

he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about the night Rachel

he and Joey headed

time,

"Where is Joey?"

he asked Rachel knowingly.

took a quick glance at

you through with the phone

"What?"

took a peek at his

a smile appeared

I am

was left with no choice! My subordinates are too bad at making

"Of course they are!"

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

fake smile on her

very

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

of his nose and coughed to ease the awkwardness

you want to

look

was a

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

Rachel pushed the door open in no time

said Victor would lie in the bed for

undergo half a

voice came from behind

is in a stable

"Get out of here!"

voice interrupted Carson’s

saw a man in a suit coming out

He looked dejected.

a document

ran into Rachel and Carson as soon as he came

stunned at first, then

"Mr.Scott!"

work card hung around the

It was quite noticeable.

Group and the director of the

about what just happened to

the man’s expression that the project plan had been denied

out! Her attention was drawn to the name

was what

She turned to Carson.

at her, she

"Well, this is Troy.

of

meant by just looking at

at a loss for

so many surnames

had to choose

recognized who Rachel

bowed and

"Miss Bennet."

head slightly in

was covered

life! Nonetheless, he was still

I’m going back

hand and

do

Carson said, Troy went out of sight in a blink of

at the

was enough for her to see that Victor was sitting

as bad as you

well and

door and

leaned against

follow Rachel

some document when he

he didn’t raise his head and say

cast her gaze

was in a

was pale despite the fact that he lowered his

frowned and looked rather

she wasn’t a hundred percent sure that she waited outside the operating room for more than seventy hours half a month ago,

was so entranced that she walked towards the

you to go

the footsteps, his

the person

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

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

I figured it wouldn’t bode well if

"The dance is over.

to

I reminded him.

still loosened his grip on my

took a few steps back to distance myself from

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

blushed and i felt rather

heart was

a moment, it felt like I

were the

knew that those days were long gone

down, feeling conflicted

"Happy birthday, Caroline."

approached me and greeted

forced myself to ignore the burning gaze from behind me and began chatting with the

raising my glass and taking a

a few to

time, Elena

for you on the

go upstairs and take a look

she asked.

"What’s the surprise?"

This "surprise"

piqued my curiosity.

when you

mysterious smile appeared on Elena’s

confusion, I followed her to the deck on the second

that there were bright red rose

also numerous balloons around

widened in

must say, this whole scene was picturesque and

birthday surprise?’ I had no idea who had prepared

came to mind was Charles,

A bitter smile appeared on my lips, and somehow, I began to despise myself

had never spent this much effort on me, and yet

of receiving this birthday surprise soon died

the second floor, I stared at the night

tranquil, and yet

sea breeze, I felt

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

shot up to the sky, a deafening

sounded like

noise, I covered my ears at

the ground

trembling uncontrollably, and i felt

abandoned warehouse kept flashing through my

was out of breath I felt so dizzy

of strong arms held me tightly "There’s no need

I’m here."

came from above me, making

It was Charles.

nestled in his arms as tears burst from my eyes, Gently, he

don’t have to