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.

had been a long time

"Let’s not talk here.

It’s so cold!"

her

thought occurred

I forgot all

Ethan’s embrace and ran to

Ethan followed behind her.

was extremely flustered, and he couldn’t help but

girl! I told you to

her to the side while he cleaned

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

"I’m sorry.

I rushed to you and forgot I was

Ethan had guessed this.

freshly washed hands, he raised his

"It’s my fault.

give you enough sense

his arms and

face

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

you and I

has a huge

461 In Order

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

you really don’t want to tell me,

was just being

nothing, and silently retracted the knife he was hiding behind his

had a feeling that Shelia

some fruits and poured the juice over

definitely

Here you go."

"And what about you?"

was holding out in her hand and

roast some more for

wasn’t going to take the meat, Shelia smiled as

"Don’t worry about it.

This meat isn’t poisonous.

can rest assured and eat it with

then, watching Shelia with vigilant

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

had thought that Victor

saw his injuries, she knew she was wrong and he was

"I’m not very hungry.

go ahead and

away and placed

roast the

Shelia nodded and said, "Okay, it’s perfectly fine

took a bite out of the

furrowed

really hard

was not

meat I gave you just now

tell me? You

spit the meat out, Victor didn’t say a

her meat aside, Shelia turned around and spotted Victor’s

are you smiling? Van, you did this deliberately, didn’t

I smiling?’ Victor never even realized

his hand and gently touched the corner of his

me to roast the meat

have gone

and get some

not tired at

sit right

her chin, Shelia proceeded to sit down next to

said, "Van, you’re good at cooking meat, aren’t you?

how to

in

"Survive in the wildness?"

that Shelia

out of

Victor also crushed some

used a knife to slice the

what Shelia asked,

while, he said, "I have no

fact, Victor knew the

because he wanted to be prepared in

ahead of time that even under ner

would at least have a better

"Alright."

Shelia continued to focus her gaze on the

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

hand to wipe off the

startled and turned to look

eyes, he started to feel

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

"Is that so?"

nose with the back of her

now? Is it still

"No,"

glancing

"Good."

Shelia smiled.

you learn other than roasting meat? I want to learn

Can you teach me?"

you want to

"In order to survive."

mouth very naturally.Chapter 462

shelia said casually.

sad

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

Shelia pointed out.

burn on

while he was

.

thoughts about whether or not to

all,

didn’t seem to take

you please

"Hmm,"

after a

"Is that a yes?"

and she

two dimples, meanwhile, became

Victor nodded, "Okay."

broadly as she said, "Thanks

kindest individual I’ve ever encountered, except for my

"Orphanage?"

That’s where

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

eyes clouded as she spoke about

elderly woman was a

she prepared great meals and

is an orphan…’ Victor pursed his

look after you since the orphanage was taken

didn’t you leave with

and

only home Shelia had known for

you being

her head, Shelia

to visit her tomb, so

remain unknown to them, and I

of the dingy ground, Shelia lay

sunshine that had been scattered by the trees and fallen

her hands behind her head, her lips

she gazed up at the

want to

you from

are people guarding the

me if I go

idea that

tell her my name when I meet her again in the

blinking her

fixed on Shelia

had the chance to see you, Van,

spot in her heart

said that I was a

seem appropriate to use this

concluded

apt description of her features, particularly

she was responsible for your upbringing, how come

communicate since she was deaf, mute,

referred to us

a poker card was in my

removed it from her pocket as if it were a

the orphanage, each kid

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

stared at the card–the King of

get the best

Shelia inquired.

"It’s definitely the best."

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

toasting as they were

her the meat after he

set to

Eat, please."

her gut just after

hand to her stomach and

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

Victor’s expression softened somewhat.

felt rejuvenated after

feet, she

rise when Shelia abruptly extended

"Come on, get up."

was taken aback, and after a little pause, he took Shelia’s hand in his

way, Shelia used a dart to put

of time

had cooled

Victor in sitting down on

far we’ll have to travel until

get out before the sun

drank some water as

was perhaps exhausted after so much walking, and he was coughing

"I’m sure we

Let’s move forward."

still have the

"Like never before…"

and continued

motion, she murmured, "Van, you look rather

you return, be

his gaze to the side

covered in mud after a day and a night in the

What’s your

"Plan?"

slow to

are your plans once we

to continue my travels and

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

with

"Shelia."

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

"What’s the problem?"

come with me after we get

my grandma will like you, I

can count on

to come

If you don’t want

that

a while before asking, "Are

"No, I’m not.

treat you

Victor convinced her.

nodded and smiled at

get out of the

"Sure."

from the woods,

Go The sun started to disappear below the horizon, basking the forest in a pale red

the bodies of

walking since high noon and now, the

they saw a relatively

out of

we’ll meet local villagers if we

We can…"

finish her sentence,

She was confused.

at Victor, wanting to

"Van?"

i didn’t expect you to come out

looked for the source of

three cars that were parked not

stood at the front, looking at them intently

away that they

in turn

off Norton, watching

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

get lost even when it

way out of the forest, I put marks all

these marks and you

"And then?"

her eyebrows

straight into

"Walk along this road.

villagers, borrow a mobile phone from

didn’t

wanted to play a game with

if he couldn’t escape this predicament,

her back

that Victor could not fulfill the

wrote a phone number on her palm

call the number once you get hold

he whispered.

my grandmother’s

and she will pick you

looked down at

looked at her and asked in

"No."

her

were a

don’t want to remember the number, nor do

a good

Victor frowned.

so anxious that he coughed violently as soon as

remained adamant and clenched her

spread her palm

about, he could tell that they were reluctant to

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

each other! I’m so moved

tensed up when

intuitively pulled

and keeping himself standing

hard for him

walked up

Shelia

with them, Norton

was too fast for Victor to

"Let her go!"

kept a firm grip on Shelia’s

hearing vexation

know you

as he wiped the mud on Shelia’s face with his

pain, Victor rushed over and tried to

his tracks when

that Norton pressed against Shelia’s

a

"No."

"What are you saying?"

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

that he had difficulty in

fist and tried to steady

you want

nothing to

So, let her go!"

This is

Norton curled his lips.

don’t want to

from but I find your reaction

to die alone? I can do something about

eyes,

her

was

blood and beg for mercy, she scoffed at

that all you

smile plastered on

anger when he heard Shelia’s

you just

said you are

Shelia swallowed.

a sense of accomplishment by

in you to do what you intend

So, cut the crap.

want to kill me, then

"Shelia…"

tried

she

rise and the

Norton was indeed angry.

looked fierce, but he kept his voice in check as

you really

Shelia rolled her eyes.

help you

Norton said, laughing derisively.

men and

his eyes and asked anxiously, "What are

Norton didn’t answer.

glared at

men did as

her hands and feet bound, Shelia was taken to one of the

was made to

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

river was flowing

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

and the blue veins on his neck became

gritted his teeth and yelled, "Let

eyes because of the gushing

wanted Victor to

she opened her mouth, she was

enough, her eyes

on Victor’s face, Norton scoffed at

Victor might be strong but he was useless in this

making me laugh,

man? Why the hell should

the rope, squatted down, and blew

wanting to save her

still some good in me, huh? What do

could just glare

whatever it took to save

the river, Norton squinted his eyes and snapped

behind him appeared

stood up and looked at Victor with a wry

"Here’s what I’m thinking.

are the weakest among

has only killed two people, and the

Norton continued, "You want to save

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

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

before the rope

can say goodbye to your good

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

flickering flame, Victor didn’t care about

essence, so he quickly rushed up

and the most popular leader the Roaring Tiger

weakest subordinates

was

state, he might not even be

tall and burly men that

a doubt, Victor was at

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

as he was hit, Victor staggered and struggled to

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

his bones being broken scattered all over his body,

Victor’s face

tried to stand, not ready

before he could even get back on his feet, he saw

arm to

hit again, Victor spat out a

this point, Victor’s

fix his eyes on the rope, which

didn’t matter how

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

her into this trouble, so he was willing to do anything to rescue

to go on,

fell back to the ground and lost his

was somewhat awakened when he felt droplets of

to open his eyes, but his vision was still

the

couldn’t help but wonder if

so he thought that he might

of his body made Victor realize that he was still

wanted to stand up, but he couldn’t

could only move his hands a little bit, grabbing the mud under his hands in

his head to look at the river, only

was no trace

"Ahem!"

spurting out

soil and opened his eyes as wide as

river expectantly, as if he was waiting

for

didn’t even know

never found the person he had been

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

excruciating pain he was

lost consciousness

woke up again, he was

found him near the

operation to rescue him lasted for two days and two

it was found out that Victor had fractures in

lungs were inflamed, and the critically ill notice was

he woke up was ask Carolyn to send people to

wearing an oxygen

life was not completely out of danger yet, but all he

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

delay to send people to

days, but Shelia

and there was still no

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

covered with mud, but one could easily recognize that it was the King of

years later,

first thing he did after fully recovering was buy

the King of Hearts card in a box

was nothing on the marble tombstone aside from the

Shelia’s name on

while Karl was on

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

also in that year

finished his studies and finally

small companies under the control of the Sullivan

the shortest time, Victor raised the sales of these companies from a very low level to

to prove his outstanding ability,

entered the ward where Rachel

saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a bowl

can’t eat any

been eating porridge for

now, he couldn’t even stand the smell

sighed and had no choice but to

it again when you get

tongue out,

Roger standing at the

month, Roger came to the hospital

the kid gradually got acquainted with

that Roger would bring

could at least

Joey could only eat them in

greeted Roger, Rachel turned around and was surprised to

say that

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

no every time, he would still insist on getting her

an important project

visit, it would probably be very

I couldn’t

for a moment before finally saying,

Rachel furrowed her

"Rachel, Victor woke up."

Roger broke the news.

Circles The operation done to Victor lasted for more than 70

and closed for several times as doctors went

and Carson couldn’t do anything but wait outside until the

since the operation began, the indicator light outside

that the surgery was successfully

he wasn’t

wheeled

until two days ago that his vital signs became

be transferred to

he was still in a

field to check Victor’s condition and give a

it wasn’t what

Victor sustained serious injuries.

his old wounds had healed, they still had an

his new injuries just made

said that only a miracle could save Victor’s

us when he will wake

in

I can’t say that

couldn’t help but frown as he

be blunt, please consider preparing for

up? Is he

it was obvious that this was what

was a huge

for Carson and Lukas, Rachel was the first one

that Rachel had

wall outside Joey’s

there were

to tell Rachel about this important

Rachel heard the tragic news, her face didn’t show much

had already prepared herself for

was a

she

when Victor had been in a coma for about half

might have

operating room for 70 hours before the

and reminded him in a low voice, "This is

You can’t smoke here."

he regained his senses,

didn’t bother continue discussing

asked, "Anyway,

"Joey? He’s fine.

yesterday and said that he has

his plaster will

turned his head and peeped through the glass

saw Joey sleeping soundly

for a bit and said,

I’m

saying that, Carson turned around and left

visited to tell Rachel

had nothing

of an eye,

Victor’s condition, Rachel didn’t

Joey’s ward almost twenty-four hours

didn’t show his face to

from an expert, she was also

Roger broke the news that Victor had miraculously woke

Obviously, Rachel was stunned.

stared at Roger for a long time without being

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

Do you want to go

asked slowly This time, Rachel pressed her lips

pulled her sleeve and pulled her back from her

I want to see

pleading

that Victor was in a coma after

in the hospital, he

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

when Joey finally found out the truth, Rachel didn’t have the

nor did he pester Rachel

smiled and made

say bad

have to worry too

at Joey’s bright eyes, she felt

a few moments, she mustered her courage and

"Yes, of course."

Joey had a good

as if

would actually wake up in the middle of the night from time to time and look at the ceiling with his

kid for keeping it all inside him, but Rachel

"Okay…"

heart softened, and she

ward was in the second inpatient

yet, it was inconvenient for him to

simply let him sit

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

they reached the

elevator finally stopped at the floor of

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

steps approaching, he furrowed his brows and eventually saw three

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

time I’ve seen

What brings you here?"

Joey as he quickly set the document he was holding aside

"Have you been beaten?"

blinking his

I look like someone who will be beaten

circles

"Dark circles?"

choked at

phone, opened

that Joey was

totally haggard, and his eye bags were so big

was only

good sleep

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

"Ha-ha!"

laugh after seeing the

Carson realized that he was fooled by this little guy

head, Carson stepped forward and pinched Joey’s

"You, brat.

your godfather?

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

have no opinion

I

We are best friends.

the one who

that’s how I

his arms in front of

if you don’t want it, that

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

clicked his tongue as he withdrew his hand from

"I also didn’t expect that I would

I said, it’s a fact

you’d better change your

didn’t say anything more, but he stuck

corner of his eye, Carson recognized Roger

and commented, "I see that you’re

that Mr.Sullivan

I came here with Rachel and Joey to see

Roger explained.

plan to lose his

"Oh, I see."

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

He is resting inside.

Rachel looked at the

one knew what was going through her

"Let’s go,"

Roger reminded Rachel gently.

"Alright."

nodded and walked

followed her, pushing

were placed over his

lost in thoughts for

about to sav something, Joey spoke

"Mr.Jimenez."

"Is anything the matter?"

Roger asked.

looked at

was not standing very far

see him

if he was giving

a quick glance at

need to

overheard what

I take you

"No!"

in a very decisive

was a serious

am a

it wasn’t a problem for Rachel to take him

that moment, they were no longer in

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

reaction to Joey’s words, Rachel looked at

it was Roger, then her gaze

didn’t want to bother the former, Carson soon observed that she

wanted him to take Joey to the

refused to pay any

and turned around as if

to give Joey a thumbs up without

Carson pretended like he was answering

Mr.Ramos! I have read the plan you sent

headed towards the nurses’

wasn’t very good

while he was still holding it to

implied that there was no call at all! Rachel saw what just happened clearly and

"It’s okay.

take Joey

He is actually right.

very embarrassing for a boy like him to be

Roger smiled gently.

"Thank you very much,"

Rachel said to Roger.

when he heard those words, they

Rachel ought to have been closer

few days, they got

always in one another’s

best known to her, she still

of things, Rachel still didn’t

it couldn’t be

night Rachel was standing outside the operating room where

Joey headed towards

time, Carson

"Where is Joey?"

he asked Rachel knowingly.

took a quick glance at

with the phone

"What?"

Rachel’s sight and took a peek at

appeared on his

am

was left with no choice! My subordinates are too bad

"Of course they are!"

Rachel narrowed her eyes.

was a fake smile on her

not very good

Carson realized that Rachel knew that he had pretended to answer

of his nose and coughed to ease the awkwardness

you want to go

order to look through the glass panel on

ward was a

only the living room could be seen, and

Rachel pushed the door open in no

doctor said Victor would lie

half a

came from

is in a stable condition now,

"Get out of here!"

voice interrupted Carson’s

man in a

He looked dejected.

a document

Carson as

first, then his face

"Mr.Scott!"

work card hung around the man’s

It was quite noticeable.

of the Sullivan Group and the director of the

need asking about what just happened

that the project plan had been denied by

have been driven out! Her attention was

was what really interested

She turned to Carson.

looked back at her, she raised

"Well, this is Troy.

works as a member of the Sullivan Group’s project

knew exactly what she meant by just looking

a

many surnames in

had

recognized who Rachel

and

"Miss Bennet."

her head

was covered

life! Nonetheless, he was still

going

his hand and said, "Very well

should do that

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

at the door

Victor was sitting against the

doesn’t seem as bad as you

well and can

the door and pushed it

against

didn’t follow

some document when he

didn’t raise his head and say coldly,

cast her gaze

was in a

that his face was pale

and looked

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

was so entranced that she walked

asked you to go

the footsteps, his frown

looked up at the person who

usual cold and stiff tone, he said softly, "Rachel,

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

I figured it wouldn’t bode well if

"The dance is over.

time to

I reminded him.

his eyes, but he still loosened his grip on my waist like i told

took a few steps back to distance myself from

I could still feel the warmth of his touch on

face blushed and i

heart

a moment, it felt like I had returned to

with him were the happiest time of my

days were long gone and I could never get them back

looked down, feeling conflicted

"Happy birthday, Caroline."

approached me

ignore the burning gaze from behind me and began chatting with the guests with a smile

raising my glass and taking

a few to drink and was starting to get

this time, Elena

surprise waiting for you

like to go upstairs and take a look at

she asked.

"What’s the surprise?"

This "surprise"

piqued my curiosity.

know when

appeared on Elena’s

followed her to the

saw that there were bright red

also numerous balloons around

eyes widened

whole

I had no idea who

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

him?’ A bitter smile appeared on my lips, and somehow, I began to

never spent this much effort on

joy of receiving this birthday

stared at the night scene around me

sea was tranquil, and yet my mind

the cold sea

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

sky,

like

by the noise, I covered my ears

squatted on the ground and curled

and i felt like my blood was

incident at the abandoned warehouse kept flashing through

I felt so dizzy

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

I’m here."

familiar voice came from above me, making me feel

It was Charles.

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

have to