Ch. 681..690

Chapter 681 She Is Right Under His Nose

Since Yerek personally chose Anya to be on his team, no matter how frustrated or regretful he was, he could not slap her to death out of annoyance,

“Can’t you see that Victoria was deliberately trying to pick a fight? Haven’t you noticed?” Yerek wished he could knock on Anya’s head to see what was going on inside. “Christina was right there watching. It was clearly her idea.”

Anya was surprised to learn that Christina was present.

She was too engrossed in arguing with Victoria that she had not noticed Christina’s presence. “What does Christina want?“,

“If I’m not mistaken, Christina is starting to doubt your identity. She’s testing you,” Yerek deduced in a serious tone.

With a blaming glare, he reproached Anya. “Since you became Vera Ludwig, your actions have been too conspicuous. The speculation surrounding the delayed inheritance is also not in your favor.”

Anya sat on the couch, filled with frustration, and knitted her brows. “The problem is there’s too little information left by Vera. I can’t fully replicate her demeanor. And to make matters worse, that sly old man neyer intended to distribute his inheritance among other family members. That’s why he deliberately set up that d*mn biometric fingerprint lock. Vera Ludwig has been dead for over three years, and her body has long since decomposed into a pile of bones. Where am I supposed to find her fingerprints to open the safety deposit box? Even if her body was still intact, I couldn’t bring myself to desecrate a grave.”

Anya’s face filled with disgust and resistance when he mentioned Vera’s name.

Even the astute Yerek could not come up with a solution at that moment.

Anya’s mind was consumed with thoughts of reclaiming her reputation and teaching Christina and Victoria a lesson after they had humiliated her in front of so many influential figures and socialites.

“The international conference is about to start in an hour. I’ll take a shower and change into clean clothes. Send me the list of projects that Nathaniel wants to discuss so that I can do some preparation in advance.” The constant odor of food emanating from her body made Anya feel nauseous. To make matters worse, Victoria actually splashed her with peach–flavored soda.

She opened the drawer of the bedside table and took out a pack of antihistamines, swallowing two tablets. Then she turned and walked into the bathroom.

In any case, with Yerek acting as her mastermind, Anya could simply follow his instructions without having to exert much mental effort.

As the international conference was about to commence, Nathaniel dressed himself while attentively listening to Sebastian’s briefing on the day’s itinerary.

Nathaniel maintained his impassive expression the entire time. It was only when Sebastian mentioned Christina that a flicker of emotion stirred in his icy eyes.

“Victoria sent someone to keep an eye on Yerck and Vera?” Nathaniel buttoned up the last button on his shirt collar and turned to face Sebastian. Victoria is known for her casual and carefree demeanor, and she has had limited interactions with Yerek and Vera. It’s unlikely she would look for trouble without a reason.

Nathaniel figured it was Christina’s idea.

A corner of his lips quirked up, and he sighed lightly. “We truly are a destined pair; two peas in a pod.” D

Sebastian’s heart was suddenly filled with jealousy. His gaze toward Nathaniel carried a hint of sorrow as he boldly asserted his authority. “Mr. Hadley, she’s my girlfriend.” D

“What’s with that jealous look? I was referring to my wife,” Nathaniel retorted. D

“But you didn’t mention you were talking about Mrs. Hadley…” Sebastian muttered under his breath, at sense of relief washing over him. D

Initially, Nathaniel wanted to retort upon hearing that, but upon further reflection, he realized the two of them were in the same situation. This brought a sense of comfort to Nathaniel, and he decided to give Sebastian a pass, at least for the time being. D

“Any updates on Vera’s DNA results?” Nathaniel inquired while fastening his cufflinks and adjusting his appearance in the mirror.

“We’ve received the report.” Sebastian took out a file from his briefcase. The DNAS don’t match. In fact, Vera’s DNA matches with Anya Gibson’s. D

Anya Gibson? Nathaniel scoffed. “How bold of her to pull this stunt!”

After searching high and low for the person, Nathaniel finally realized she had been right under his nose all along.

“Let’s lay low and not startle her,” Nathaniel ordered in a cold voice. Before leaving, he texted Christina as usual, only to receive a red exclamation mark in response.

Nathaniel’s mood grew even grimmer. He entered the meeting with a stern expression, causing those who wished to cozy up to him during this opportunity to keep their distance, witnessing his unapproachable demeanor.

Nathaniel’s scanning gaze circled the vast and opulent hall, but Christina was nowhere to be found.

“Call Victoria and ask her what’s happening.” After giving Sebastian the instruction, Nathaniel walked to a quiet corner with a glass of champagne.

Sebastian stepped aside and dialed Victoria’s number, but her phone only rang twice before being abruptly disconnected. Wait a second. Is she really mad at me?

Sebastian froze for a moment before turning around to leave the hall.

Meanwhile, Anya and Yerek both noticed Sebastian’s departure, leaving Nathaniel alone. Yerek immediately urged Anya, “Quick, go over. There’s no one disturbing Nathaniel now, so try to get something from him.”

Anya smiled confidently and said, “As long as Christina and Victoria, those two b*tches, don’t get way, I’m sure I’ll be able to spend a night with Nathaniel. The Hadley family cares about their reputation, and even if Nathaniel refuses to acknowledge it, he’ll have to provide me with a substantial amount of hush money.” D

Anya and Yerek were still immersed in their own fantasies, unaware that Anya’s true identity had been completely exposed.

With steady steps and a graceful demeanor, Anya approached Nathaniel’s side, her smile filled with flirtatious radiance.

“Nathaniel, why are you here all alone? Can I accompany you?” she asked, her voice filled with sweetness.

Unlike ordinary men who would easily be captivated by such a seductive tone, Nathaniel found it repulsive. Disgust flashed in his eyes, and his voice grew dark, carrying a dangerous warning. “We’re not acquainted well enough. You have no right to call me by that name.”

Anya arched her eyebrows, displaying a different allure in her expression. “Mr. Hadley, last night when we were together, you didn’t show such indifference toward me. Moreover, you permitted me to address you by your name. Although our connection was brief, we did share an intimate moment… ah!”

All of a sudden, Nathaniel’s grip tightened tightly around Anya’s throat, and a chilling gaze emanated from his icy eyes, exuding a menacing aura.

Anya’s face turned pale in shock as the pressure on her neck intensified, a sense of impending death creeping over her.

“I warned you not to provoke me. Many women have attempted to climb into my bed, and you’re not the first. But they all met the same fate. Anya Gibson, tired of living, are you? Well, then, I’ll do you a favor!” Nathaniel raised his voice.

Upon hearing Nathaniel utter her name, Anya was stunned, her eyes widening in terror. She fought desperately, like a dying fish, struggling to break free from the deadly net that ensnared her.

“Mr. Hadley, using force against a beautiful lady in such a public setting is not the behavior befitting a gentleman.” A voice emerged from behind.

 

Chapter 682 Seeing Through Anya

Out of the blue, the teasing voice of his good friend, Durkas, rang out from behind him.

In the next heartbeat, the incredibly handsome countenance of the mixed–descent man manifested right in front of him, magnified several times.

With his face devoid of expression, Nathaniel tossed Anya away. Then, he lifted his hand and pushed the man’s face out of his line of sight. “Are you sick of living, Durkas?”

Durkas clutched at his chest, looking devastated to the core. He did not even bother to glance at the woman who had fallen at his feet, promptly reaching out and draping an arm over Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“Don’t be so indifferent with me. It’s been a long time since we’ve last seen each other. How about a drink with Christina when the conference ends?”

Slapping the annoying arm off his shoulder, Nathaniel declined gruffly, “No, thanks. She can’t drink, and I have no time to waste with you.”

Durkas retracted his hand that stung from the smack. He was just about to continue catching up with the man when he glimpsed Anya glaring at them hotly out of the corner of his eye. Putting his blithe attitude away, he asked solemnly, “Why are you involved with someone from the Ludwig family?”

Nathaniel remained as apathetic as ever. “She isn’t of the Ludwig family.

He would never voluntarily tell Durkas that he almost reverted to being single because he fell into a trap in a moment of carelessness.

Hearing that, Durkas tsked and carefully scrutinized Anya’s countenance. As his brows furrowed slightly, he shot a hand out toward her face without warning.

Anya backed up a few steps in fear. “W–W–What are you trying to do?”

Smiling, Durkas replied, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. There’s something at the base of your ear, and I merely wanted to take it off for you. If you don’t wish to have someone else touching you, you can remove it yourself.”

After saying that, he gentlemanly retreated a few paces, leaving her sufficient space to feel safe.

However, Anya clapped a hand over the base of her ear before spinning on her heel and sprinting off without a backward glance.

Seeing that, Nathaniel unceremoniously mocked, “When did you become so kind?”

“This isn’t your first time meeting me, but your understanding of me is simply too shallow, Mr. Hadley. I’ve always been a kind person, especially toward my friends. Have you forgotten this? Previously, I sought Christina out to discuss a collaboration, as per your orders. For your sake, I gave her all the benefits of the project. Aren’t I considerate?” Durkas riposted shamelessly.

“You wanted the lion’s share, but you lacked the corresponding capability,” Nathaniel retorted bluntly.

Such fury blazed within Durkas that he rolled his eyes, no longer in the mood to entertain the man.

Argh! I shouldn’t have mentioned that or sought this cold and aloof man out to catch up for no reason!

Having cursed himself out inwardly, he proceeded to get down to business. “Earlier, you said that woman isn’t of the Ludwig family. I believe it, for she was wearing a hyper–realistic mask.”

Part of Anya’s hyper–realistic mask had detached at the base of her car. While it was inconspicuous and could be easily mistaken as something stuck to the car it so happened that Durkas‘ family was a toy powerhouse. Not only had they created a variety of masks, but they were also involved in the research and development of hyper–realistic masks.

The hyper–realistic mask on Anya’s face appeared exquisite and lifelike, but it could only dupe amateurs. It went without saying that the sophistication of the technology could not withstand scrutiny.

“You’re sure about this?” Nathaniel questioned.

“It’s impossible for me to make such a mistake. The number of hyper–realistic masks I’ve used since young far surpasses the sum of beauties I’ve seen. Furthermore, that hyper–realistic mask was of absolutely shoddy workmanship. I could perceive it at a single glance.”

Durkas was most chagrined to have others doubt his judgment. If he were not totally certain about something, he would never state it as a fact.

Nathaniel trusted his childhood friend. But still, he needed a definite answer for prudence’s sake.

“Keep this to yourself. I’ve got my own plan.”

“Mr. Hadley, do you mind telling me your relationship with that woman?” Durkas ventured in curiosity.

Nathaniel expressionlessly swept a gaze over him. “You talk too much, Durkas. Also, undue curiosity will only bring disaster.”

Inexplicably, Durkas sensed a chill running down his spine. He shuddered, yet his nosiness persisted.

“Isn’t Christina bothered by the many women who flock to your side?”

If he had not mentioned Christina, Nathaniel might have satisfied his curiosity. Regretfully, the man did not know the meaning of tactfulness in the face of a friend.

Nathaniel’s voice turned menacing. “If you feel that you’re too free, Durkas, I can hire you as a director for the entertainment company under my name.”

Flashing him a sheepish smile, Durkas countered, “No, not at all. I’m going to go on a business trip all over the world after attending the international conference today. It’s rare that we get to meet, Mr. Hadley. Are you really not going to have a drink with me?”

“I’ve got no time for that,” Nathaniel rebuffed impassively. His gaze traveled through the crowd before stilling on the beautiful figure by the door.

“Then…” Before Durkas even had the opportunity to speak, the man had already abandoned him and left in a hurry.

Hmm, his attitude toward Christina versus others is totally different, at opposite extremes. I’ve known him for more than twenty years, but I’ve never seen him so devoted to a woman. Back when I heard about his marriage abroad, I was so shocked that I almost passed out. If I hadn’t gotten held up by some tricky problems, I wouldn’t have only made Christina’s acquaintance this year!

“Can we talk, Christina? I don’t mind waiting if you’re not free now.” Nathaniel leashed his authoritative and aggressive aura, his unfathomable eyes sparkling with hope. T

Christina’s expression remained placid. Beside her, Victoria stepped out and blocked the matte path “Christina is going to discuss a project later and has no time for you.”

All of a sudden, Sebastian zipped out from behind and grabbed her before striding away.

“What are you doing, Sebastian? Mmph!”

Sebastian swiftly clapped a hand over Victoria’s mouth and urged softly. “This is a matter between Mr and Mrs. Hadley. Don’t insert yourself in it, okay, Darling?” D

Darling?

The endearment turned Victoria’s head, and she instantly threw Nathaniel and Christina to the back of her mind. D

Ceasing to struggle, she launched herself into his arms and clung to him like an octopus.

She nuzzled her head against his chest and purred, “Call me that again, won’t you, Seb? I love hearing it!”

All the guests surreptitiously cast their gazes over.

Flushing bright red, Sebastian hastily dragged Victoria away.

Left without Victoria by her side, Christina knew she would have to face Nathaniel sooner or later. As such, she naturally agreed.

“Sure. I think there’s a need for us to have a serious talk about the marital crisis between us.”

 

Chapter 683 Fate Always Brings Enemies Together

Marital crisis…

Nathaniel was very much perturbed by those two words.

He had been worried sick the whole of last night, his utmost concern being Christina’s health and thoughts.

While he was not a person easily controlled by his emotions, all his composure shattered before her.

Her words cut far deeper than her indifferent attitude.

Nathaniel’s nerves, which had been stretched taut for the entire night, finally snapped at that moment.

“Listen to what I’ve got to say first before deciding whether there’s a need to communicate about the marital issues between us, Christina.” No longer in the presence of mind to bother about the fact that they were in public, he frantically grasped her wrist and started to explain things.

A frownmarred Christina’s countenance as she stared at her wrist, which had gone red from the force of the man’s grip. “You’re hurting me.”

Immediately, Nathaniel loosened his grip. He held her hand up and examined it meticulously.

Distinct marks marred Christina’s fair wrist, evidence of the force of his grip earlier.

Guilt and anguish flooded Nathaniel. In’a humble tone, he murmured, “I’m sorry. This is on me. I’ll have the doctor come and check you over.”

Christina’s skin was delicate in the first place. After she later married Nathaniel, she had people taking care of her basic needs though her days were not too peaceful. Consequently, she became even more fragile.

On top of that, Nathaniel had been treating her like breakable glass since she was confirmed to be pregnant.

Surprisingly, Christina did not withdraw her hand but left it in the man’s hold.

“Let’s take this to a quiet place.”

“Okay. Let’s go to the café on the top floor. There’s heating there, and it’s accessible via the elevator here. You won’t be exposed to the wind.”

“Whatever you say.”

There was another half an hour before the business conference began. The collaboration between. Christina and Nathaniel had been decided in advance. Considering the fame of the Hadley family, many companies rushed over to seek a collaboration without the couple having to make the first move.

In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that they were all targeting Nathaniel.

For that reason, Nathaniel and Christina were “besieged” by several waves of people as they weaved through the crowd to head toward the elevator nearby.

The walk would have only taken a few minutes, but it took them almost ten minutes to close the distance.

Nathaniel shielded Christina in the circle of his arms, preventing those around them from accidentally

knocking into her and the child in her belly.

At long last, they managed to get into the elevator. They went straight to the café on the top floor. No sooner had they taken a seat than someone inconsiderate came over to disrupt them.

“Oh, isn’t this Mr. Hadley? What a coincidence! I didn’t expect to bump into you on a whimsical desire for a cup of coffee. My trip here hasn’t been in vain, then.”

With an arm wrapped around a shapely woman, Winston walked over to Nathaniel while grinning from ear to ear.

Christina lifted her head and glanced at the woman, vaguely recognizing her as a relatively renowned model who once modeled her brand.

Her deep impression of the model was not due to her professional capabilities or astounding figure and looks. Instead, it was because the woman threw her weight around on the day of the fashion show and demanded to be the final model, threatening a strike otherwise.

Each segment of a fashion show was carefully planned in advance, and an issue with any part would lead to the event flopping.

Christina loathed people who made trouble at the critical juncture. As soon as she learned that a model threatened to go on strike, she had a replacement found.

That opening show ended up incredibly successful, and the model who went on strike lost an opportunity that would have propelled her to fame.

Thereafter, the model made various insinuations against Christina’s studio on the internet. Unfortunately, her influence was limited at that time, and attention to that issue faded quickly before she received any response from Christina. In the end, things remained unresolved.

At that unexpected meeting then, Christina could not help lamenting inwardly. What a small world! And sure enough, fate always brings enemies together!

Nonetheless, another realization inadvertently dawned upon her.

Since Winston now has some other woman by his side, that means Emilia has fallen out of favor. Well, well, well… I’m actually pretty interested to know her current situation now that she has lost the Labarge brothers‘ protection!

At the same time, Xylie Nichols was also studying Christina. Since the latter was the one who ruined her future, she recognized her in no time.

“It’s you-”

Before she had finished speaking, Winston, who stood beside her, yanked her over and introduced. Christina enthusiastically.

“This is Mr. Hadley’s wife.”

Christina–is–Nathaniel’s wife?

Xylie was so shocked that words eluded her. Needless to say, she went green with envy.

At her extended silence, embarrassment swamped Winston. He chastised in displeasure, “Why are you spacing out? Go ahead and greet them!”

Sensing that the man was angry, Xylie hurriedly tried to salvage things. She put on a gracious smile.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hadley. I’m Xylie Nichols, Mr. Labarge’s girlfriend.” Subsequently, she shifted her gaze to Christina. A long moment passed before she managed to eke out a few words in a much more detached tone. “Mrs. Hadley.”

Then, silence reigned. Christina said nothing either, not even bothering to flash the woman a smile. At once, the atmosphere went cold.

Xylie’s incompetence at that critical juncture infuriated Winston to no end.

She was the most observant among his many female companions. That was why he chose to attend the international business conference with her. It was so she could help him secure collaborations.

Indeed, she did not disappoint him. She performed outstandingly after boarding the ship and helped him clinch a few big projects.

However, something went wrong that day in the face of a business partner he wanted to ingratiate himself to, Nathaniel.

Anyone who was acquainted with Nathaniel knew that he loved his wife greatly. Therefore, it would be far wiser to spend some time winning Christina over instead of attempting the same with Nathaniel D

As long as Christina made a request, Nathaniel would definitely agree without an ounce of hesitation.

At that turn of events, Winston promptly tried to smooth things over. “Xylie is rather timid with strangers, and she isn’t all that articulate. Please don’t take offense at her, Mrs. Hadley.”

It went without saying that Christina could not bring herself to be amicable toward the culprit who once plotted against her parents. Moreover, the man clearly had something to ask of Nathaniel. Thus, she was all the more fearless.

“Really? Back when Ms. Nichols made demands during my fashion show, I found her eloquent and crafty, not at all like what you claim, Mr. Labarge,” Christina countered mildly.

Winston’s expression changed imperceptibly. He realized that there was bad blood between Christina and Xylie.

Christina then quipped, “Perhaps she became docile after meeting you, Mr. Labarge.” D

This time, Xylie was mortified. She knew that the woman was deliberately making things difficult for her, but with Nathaniel and Winston present, she could not snap back at Christina as she did back then.

“I think there’s some misunderstanding between us, Mrs. Hadley. I don’t mind apologizing to you,” Xylie interjected, casting her ego aside.

Alas, Christina waved a dismissive hand nonchalantly, a sneer curving her lips.

“No, it’s okay. I’ve never liked to force others into doing something they don’t like to do.”

 

Chapter 684 Baring Her Soul

At that instant, Xylie experienced regret for the very first time in her life. If she could have predicted that she would offend two big shots at one go when she stepped on Christina’s toes back then, she would never have dared to make trouble at the latter’s fashion show.

She bit her lower lip as though she was the person who had suffered immense aggrieve. “Not at all, Mrs. Hadley. I’m willing to do whatever you ask of me, so long as it makes you happy.”

“Put your fake acting skills away. There are many people coming and going here. I don’t want others to misunderstand that I’m picking on you,” Christina drawled with a smirk.

Xylie went pale, struck dumb by the woman’s scornful remark.

Even without delving into the matter, Nathaniel could accurately surmise the entire chain of events. He was not in the habit of allowing someone who once bullied his woman to cover things up with a simple apology.

“Forget it since you’re not willing to apologize. I don’t dare pick trouble with Mr. Labarge’s woman. My wife and I have something to discuss, so please see yourselves off.” Nathaniel dismissed the couple in an icy voice.

At that, Winston did not have the audacity to tarry there any longer. “Sorry. We’ll leave you to it, then, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley. See you.”

He left alone with huge strides. Biting the bullet, Xylie trailed after him.

When they had gone a distance away from the café, Winston whirled around and glared at Xylie. “Aren’t. you usually good at pleasing others? Why did you turn into a veritable fool earlier that you couldn’t even say anything nice?”

With red–rimmed eyes, Xylie argued aggrievedly, “I… I also wanted to please them, but they didn’t give me any chance to do so. Besides, I didn’t dare speak to Mr. Hadley when Mrs. Hadley was hostile toward me

Lighting a cigarette, Winston took a deep drag. His brows were knitted together slightly. “Tell me what exactly happened between you and Christina.”

Xylie told him about the grudge between her and Christina, but she did not speak the truth. Instead, she deftly pushed all the blame onto the latter. After all, she could not afford to lose such a generous sugar daddy as Winston.

Nevertheless, Winston was no fool.

Considering Christina’s identity and status back then, international supermodels would’ve scrambled to model at her fashion show if she had only asked Nathaniel for help. Hence, she can’t be blamed for the situation today. If one wants to assign blame, it can only be Xylie’s fault for having misconceptions about her status and courting death just because she had some fame.

There had never been a lack of intelligent women around him. While Xylie was his cup of tea, it did not matter since she was not supporting him. The most important thing then was to change Nathaniel’s and Christina’s perceptions of him.

Accordingly, he stated mercilessly, “Don’t come and look for me anymore henceforth. My secretary will contact you. I won’t skimp on my compensation for you.”

Tossing the cigarette he had only smoked halfway into the trash can, he took out his phone and contacted his secretary, asking the man to find him another female companion as soon as possible. I

Oh no, I’m dead! My future is doomed!

Xylie collapsed on the ground while covering her face with both hands, utterly distraught.

Just then, a white handkerchief appeared in front of her. A man’s tall and broad figure enshrouded her completely.

“You seem to have run into great trouble. I’d be glad to help. Do you mind telling me about it?”

The melodious and mesmerizing voice was seemingly magical, drawing one in unknowingly.

Xylie lifted her head. Against the light, the man’s striking countenance made her heart race uncontrollably. The layer of golden light that enveloped him dazzled her, just like his appearance.

Unbidden, she reached out and took the handkerchief as though it was her last lifeline.

In the café, Nathaniel took the menu from the server and handed it to Christina. His voice was beyond gentle. “The food here is on the bland side, so it’s in line with your dietary requirements. Feel free to order whatever you like.”

After taking the menu from him, Christina casually put it aside. “I’m not hungry. Let’s get down to business.”

In a flash, Nathaniel’s gaze dimmed. If it were possible, he did not want to bring up that depressing subject.

He leaned back against the chair, emanating a sense of gloominess. “Can’t we speak of something else, Christina?”

“No. This matter does not only concern my safety. It’s also linked to the future and reputation of the Hadley and Gibson families.”

Nathaniel gaped at her in surprise.

In love with that clueless side of him, Christina got up. She voluntarily went over to him and sat down in the vacant space beside him. D

Cradling his face, she teased smilingly, “Don’t tell me you really thought that I agreed to talk with you because I wanted a divorce?”

Nathaniel suppressed the excitement within him. He clutched her hands forcefully, his voice quivering badly because of his emotional state.

It was as though he had backed himself into a corner, insisting on a definite answer. “I don’t quite get it, Christina. Can you please spell it out?”

Staring into his red–rimmed eyes, Christina enunciated. “Listen here carefully, Nathaniel. I’m only going to say this once. I’m never going to have a divorce with you, much less easily give you up to someone else. No matter what happens, we must remain entangled for the rest of our lives.” D

She leaned over and rested her forehead against his.

Her eyes bored right into his as she proclaimed, “I love you, Nathaniel.” D

The beast that had been leashed within Nathaniel for a long time broke free of its restraint. Cradling the back of her head, the man pulled her into his arms hard and kissed her desperately.

A cheer rang out in the café.

Enduring the numbness at the tip of her tongue, Christina bit Nathaniel’s tongue. The man finally pulled away from her in pain.

Christina scowled at him furiously. “A lot of people are watching here. Couldn’t you have restrained yourself for a bit?”

Her face was as enchantingly crimson.

His searing gaze lingering on her lips, Nathaniel hugged her brazenly. “Let them watch if they so like it. It’s not against the law for me to kiss my wife. Furthermore, there’s nothing shameless about us.”

Christina pushed at him. When he did not budge an inch, she helplessly gave up resisting. “Let go of me first. We’ll go back to the room and talk about this further. Hurry up.”

She thumped him on the shoulder twice in a huff, but it carried little strength since she could not bear to hurt him.

Nathaniel chuckled, turning into an absolute scoundrel. “Kiss me, Darling, and we’ll leave.” D

The gazes of the crowd around them grew increasingly intent. Christina could not win against him, so she dipped her head and pecked him on the lips at lightning speed.

“Can we leave now?” Regret gripped her, for she would never have agreed to go to the café had she known, that he would lose control of his emotions so easily.

Gratified, Nathaniel got to his feet and took her hand before leaving the café under the crowd’s envious gazes.

“They’ve made up so fast? Christina is too easily appeased to let Nathaniel off scot–free!” Victoria was stunned by the speed at which the couple reconciled,

“Mr. Hadley didn’t do anything to betray Mrs. Hadley. Everything was a misunderstanding, so their reconciliation was a matter of time,” Sebastian commented in exasperation.

Victoria shot him a sidelong look, retorting sarcastically, “Judging from your tone, I was being too much of a busybody?”

Having gotten himself into trouble again, Sebastian denied helplessly, “No, I never said that!”

Suddenly, Victoria’s gaze was seemingly attracted by someone else. She even lost interest in lecturing him and briskly hurried forward.

Chapter 685

Sebastian watched in disbelief as Victoria, who was right in front of him, chatted and laughed merrily with another man.

Driven by jealousy, he erupted in anger and swiftly approached them, taking a stance between them and forming a barrier to keep them apart.

Victoria looked at Sebastian in confusion. “Seb, what are you doing? I’m talking to Mr. Forrester. Don’t cause trouble.”

Hearing this, Sebastian finally recognized the man before him.

It was Julian!

Having dealt with similar situations before, Sebastian adeptly addressed him, stating, “Mr. Forrester, my apologies.”

Sebastian didn’t offer any further explanation, and Julian didn’t seem to take offense at the former’s intrusion.

“No problem,” Julian replied absentmindedly, his eyes scanning the area as if seeking someone. “It’s good to see that you have a genuine concern for Ms. Lesley, Mr. Taggart. I wish you both everlasting happiness.

have some other matters to attend to, so please excuse me.”

The relationship between Sebastian and Victoria remained a well–guarded secret, known only to a privileged few.

Considering the circumstances surrounding the Lesley family, Sebastian had reservations about revealing, their relationship to the public.

Nevertheless, he wasn’t worried about Julian exposing their secret as the man didn’t appear to be the type to meddle in such matters.

Victoria flashed Julian a grateful smile before stepping back and positioning herself behind Sebastian.

Despite Hadley Corporation and Forrester Group being fierce competitors in the business world, Sebastian’s admiration for the Forrester remained unaffected.

Perceiving Julian’s intentions, Sebastian was willing to extend a favor to him. “Mr. Forrester, the fifth floor offers abundant entertainment options and an excellent view. I suggest you go and have a look. I assure you, it won’t disappoint.” D

A brief moment of warm gratitude softened Julian’s typically cold gaze. He promptly responded with a quick “thank you” and hurried toward the fifth floor.

Victoria tugged on Sebastian’s sleeve, confused. “Seb, what did you say to Julian? I couldn’t understand a word.”

Sebastian explained, “Ms. Gabrielle Cook has returned to attend the international business conference. Mr. Forrester was looking for her, and I simply helped him as thanks for his genuine well–wishes for

us,” D

“What? Gabrielle has returned?” Victoria exclaimed, her mouth hanging open in surprise. The recent rumors about Gabrielle’s affair with Julian had spread far and wide. Gabrielle had left the country to escape the ensuing controversy, leaving Christina heartbroken, especially since Gabrielle hadn’t confided

in her beforehand. “Christina must not be aware of this. I need to tell her right away.”

However, Sebastian swiftly grabbed her arm, urging caution. “I suggest you wait and inform her later.”

A realization struck Victoria, and she lightly tapped her forehead in realization. Understanding flooded her, and she chuckled. “You’re right. Distance can indeed make the heart grow fonder. Okay, I get it

now.” D

Sebastian gazed at her joyful face and spoke seriously. “Victoria, I want us to make our relationship public. What are your thoughts on that?”

Taken aback, the woman looked at him in disbelief before questioning, “Seb, are you joking?”

Sebastian shook his head. “I’m serious. I want to be with you without hiding it. I genuinely care about you, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.” D

Touched beyond measure, Victoria sniffled. “It’s okay not to make our relationship public. I don’t feel unhappy about that. I love you for who you are, and I don’t care what others say.”

During their time together, Sebastian contemplated many things.

Regardless of the disparity in wealth and social status between his family and the Lesley family, Sebastian’s affections were solely directed toward Victoria.

Yet, he understood that as long as he and Victoria remained together, there would come a time when he would have to confront the Lesley family. Furthermore, witnessing the profound effect of Nathaniel’s and Christina’s relationship deeply influenced him.

“I apologize for leaving you to bear the burden of pressure alone,” Sebastian sincerely apologized. “I want to give you the recognition you deserve. Even if our family backgrounds aren’t perfectly aligned, my genuine love for you will always remain unchanged.”

Sebastian’s heartfelt words stemmed from his genuine emotions. Even if he wasn’t the most eloquent person or someone who was quick to understand emotions, meeting his true love had taught him to be romantic and express his feelings candidly.

Tears welled up in Victoria’s eyes as she looked at Sebastian. She was rendered speechless by the overwhelming emotions swirling within her.

Meanwhile, Sebastian awkwardly reached into his pocket and took out a long–cherished small box. He slowly opened it to reveal a plain silver ring resting inside.

“Will you keep loving me forever?” D

There was no grand setting for a proposal, nor were there expensive diamonds involved. In fact, the silver ring showed visible scratches upon closer inspection. Nevertheless, it held a captivating allure that completely enchanted Victoria. D

Overwhelmed with emotion, she threw herself into Sebastian’s arms and cried tears of joy. “Sebastian, I

will!”

Sebastian held her tightly and whispered, “Thank you for continuing to love me.” D

While he may not have had the means to shower Victoria with extravagant gifts at the moment, Sebastian

was resolute in his determination to work hard and make up for it in the future.

Meanwhile, Christina leaned against the railing on the upper deck, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she observed the affectionate couple below. Teasingly, she remarked, “Looks like Mr. Taggart’s thick skull finally cracked open. It only took him a few years to escape the single life. Quite the achievement, I must say.”

Nathaniel sighed helplessly. “I’ll make sure to give them a generous wedding gift as compensation.” D

Having already opened their hearts to each other, Nathaniel and Christina had resolved the misunderstandings from the previous night. They engaged in a smooth conversation, but they did not anticipate witnessing Sebastian’s and Victoria’s public declaration of love as they made their way to the conference hall. D

Christina was filled with concern as she remarked, “Victoria is the Lesley family’s only daughter, and she’s precious to them. Can Mr. Taggart successfully persuade them?”

“Sebastian possesses the qualities that the Lesley family desires in a son–in–law. The only potential issue might be Victoria’s brother,” Nathaniel replied, having pondered the matter carefully.

Concerned about Sebastian’s and Victoria’s happiness, Christina couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you close friends with Victoria’s brother? How about speaking a few kind words about Mr. Taggart in his presence?”

“Yeah, I’ll give it a try when the opportunity arises.” Nathaniel nodded affectionately and added, “Can we head to the hall now?”

Christina bashfully linked her arm with his and offered an apology, “I’m sorry for dragging you along and subjecting you to all that lovey–dovey stuff.”

Nathaniel smiled and maintained a serene silence as they walked hand in hand into the elevator.

“When are you going to stop your peeping habit? What would people think if they catch you doing this?” Yerek expressed his disapproval.

“Who are you to judge, Yerek? Aren’t you also fond of such activities?” Anya retorted, facing Yerek with determination, refusing to back down. “Remember when Timothy and Dad used to discuss important matters in the study? You were always lingering by the door, eavesdropping. I witnessed it all.”

Anya had a tendency to resort to old grievances when she found herself unable to prevail in an argument. Worried that Anya might inadvertently reveal some secrets, Yerek swiftly changed the subject.

“It appears that Nathaniel and Christina have reconciled completely. The previous plan didn’t work out. What’s your next move?”

Chapter 686

Anya maintained a confident expression, her gaze teasing as she locked eyes with Yerek. Her voice carried a hint of ambiguity as she spoke. “Now, it all depends on your performance. Your skillful seduction of Xylie with just a handkerchief was impressive. She was once Winston’s mistress, but due to her past conflicts with Christina, she was discarded by him. If we can fully exploit her resentment toward Christina, Xylie could become a valuable weapon in our hands.”

Yerek’s expression turned into one of anger as he confronted her sternly, “You were following me?”

Yerek had actually stumbled upon the scene where Winston abandoned Xylic. However, it was purely coincidental and not a result of any intentional actions on his part.

He happened to be hiding nearby and overheard their conversation, so he instantly formed a plan to use Xylie to seek revenge against Christina.

Much to his surprise, Anya had actually seen through his plan.

The woman toyed with her ring and flashed him an innocent smile. “Yerek, I didn’t intentionally eavesdrop. I just happened to be passing by and coincidentally had the same idea as you. We’re siblings, so it’s not strange to be on the same wavelength.”

On the same wavelength? Bullsh*t!

Yerek seethed with anger, but considering the bigger picture and maintaining his facade as the older brother, he chose to forgive Anya for her plot against him.

“It’s not appropriate for you to be seen by Nathaniel and Christina. Find a place to hide before the cruise ship docks. Once it does, you must disembark as soon as possible to avoid getting caught by Nathaniel’s men,” he instructed firmly.

“Well, for the remaining matters, it’s up to you, Yerek,” Anya calmly stated, acknowledging their respective roles. Acting obediently, she turned around to search for a hiding place, while Yerek prepared to manipulate Xylie for his own benefit.

Christina, accompanying Nathaniel, had been successful in securing several major projects at the international business conference. As the conference neared its end, she unexpectedly stumbled upon Bailey and Julian engaged in an argument in the lobby of the conference hall.

The two individuals found themselves embroiled in a heated dispute, cornered in a secluded area of the lobby. Bailey, determined to break free, struggled against Julian’s tight grip, their conflict intensifying. As her face flushed a scarlet hue, Bailey delivered a resounding slap across Julian’s face. Julian, his eyes filled with an intensity that could cut through steel, stared back at her, the air heavy with tension.

Seeing this, Christina quickly walked over and shielded Bailey behind her. “Julian, haven’t you caused enough harm to Bailey? You’re incessantly creating trouble for her in public. With numerous media outlets present, once this news spreads, how do you expect her to face the public?”

Despite the successful suppression of previous negative rumors surrounding Bailey and Julian, public opinion had turned against Bailey. The general consensus was that she had deliberately seduced Julian, and the majority held a negative view of her actions.

The relentless scrutiny eventually drove Bailey to seek solace overseas as she could no longer live a normal life in her old environment.

Julian spoke in a deep voice. “Mrs. Hadley, this is a private matter between Gabrielle and me. I hope you won’t interfere.”

His polite demeanor toward Christina was solely due to Nathaniel’s influence.

Gabrielle had been avoiding him for a long time, and no matter what he did, he couldn’t find her whereabouts.

Julian managed to gather information from the Cook family that Gabrielle would be representing their overseas company at the international business conference, so he made every effort to track her down.

He had finally cornered her, and he insisted on bringing her back into his life regardless of the methods he had to employ.

“Julian, Christina is a dear friend of mine. Please be mindful of your words.” Gabrielle, rising to Christina’s defense, cautioned Julian about his choice of words. “You and I have nothing left to discuss. Things between us are completely over, and it’s time for us to move on separately. I no longer wish to have any ties with you. Consider how your fiancée would feel if she were to discover that you haven’t fully let go of your past love.”

The corner of her lips curled into a mocking smile as she continued, “If I were in her position, unable to accept/someone else interfering in my relationship, I wouldn’t tolerate such a situation. That’s why I despise being involved as a third party in a relationship.”

Julian’s eyes flickered with pain. “Gabrielle, you’re not a third party in the relationship. Just give me some time, and I’ll handle everything. I won’t put you in a difficult position.”

Nevertheless, the woman’s response was cold and devoid of emotions. “I gave you a chance, but you didn’t seize it, Julian. I detest being deceived, and yet you have the audacity to ask for my forgiveness while crossing all the boundaries I had established. The future stretches out before us, and I have no idea how to face you anymore.

Finally, she said, “Julian, let’s just call it quits. Spare yourself, and spare me too.”

Suppressing her trembling voice, Gabrielle spun on her heels and left the lobby.

Worried about Gabrielle’s safety in her current emotional state, Christina told Nathaniel, “I’ll go check on Bailey. Help me keep Julian here.”

Nathaniel nodded, cautioning, “Be careful.”

“I’ll be back soon,” Christina assured him, giving him a sweet smile before hurrying after Gabrielle in the direction she had gone.

Julian felt the urge to pursue them, but Nathaniel intervened, preventing him from doing so. “Mr. Forrester, it seems that Ms. Cook has unresolved feelings toward you. Pursuing her at this moment will only make things worse. It’s wiser to wait for the opportune moment to address this matter.”

Hearing this, Julian closed his eyes in anguish as he tightened his grip around his wine glass. He raised it to his lips and took a big gulp. In a bitter voice filled with self–mockery, he said, “Nathaniel, our situations are different. You can’t fully understand how I feel…”

Meanwhile, Christina scoured the deck area until she discovered Gabrielle, who was weeping in a cluttered storage room. She approached her and knelt down, extending a clean handkerchief. “Hey, don’t cry. If someone catches us like this, they might get the wrong idea and think I’ve been mistreating you.”

Gabrielle took the handkerchief, forcefully wiped her face, and sniffled. “I thought I was finally moving on. Why does he have to show up now, Christina? What am I supposed to do?”

Despite Gabrielle’s apparent efforts to push Julian out of her life, she couldn’t deceive her heart. Deep down, she still held strong feelings for him.

Gabrielle’s supposed “letting go” was merely a cowardly way of running away from her true feelings.

Christina spoke earnestly. “Bailey, maybe you won’t like what I’m about to say, but as an outsider, I believe Julian’s feelings for you are genuine. The Forrester family’s influence is deep–rooted, and his engagement with Zeila wasn’t his choice. Perhaps you should calm down and have a serious talk with him.” D

She continued, “I understand that what I’m saying may not be what you want to hear, but when your scandal with Julian was spreading like wildfire, the public opinion was exerting far too much pressure on everyone involved. Nobody had a chance to calm down and properly address the situation.”

Gabrielle, taken aback by Christina’s defense of Julian, looked at her in astonishment. “Do you believe I should still be with Julian?”

Christina smiled faintly. “The way the Langford family and the Forrester family arranged the engagement is not based on honor. Love doesn’t always conform to a predetermined order. If Zeila can take such actions, why can’t you? Right now, Zeila is merely holding the title of Julian’s fiancée in the eyes of the public. Their marriage has no legal standing; it’s just wishful thinking of the Langford family.”

Christina believed in these simple yet profound truths, and Gabrielle understood them as well, but the latter lacked the conviction and determination to fight for what she truly wanted.

Christina didn’t mind being the persuasive voice.

Gabrielle’s dull and lifeless world suddenly became vibrant as understanding dawned upon her.

With a sudden surge of energy, she rose to her feet. “Christina, I’m going to find Julian and have a sincere conversation with him… By the way, do you smell something peculiar in the air?”

 

Chapter 687 A Narrow Escape

As Gabrielle mentioned the smell of something burning, Christina also caught a whiff of it. “Smells like something’s burning.”

However, before she could process it further, Gabrielle suddenly pointed at the door with a panicked expression. “Christina, fire! There’s a fire!”

Christina whipped around and watched as the flames rapidly spread into the room, quickly engulfing the entire storeroom.

“Quick, let’s get out of here!” Christina exclaimed, grabbing the stunned Gabrielle and pulling her toward the nearest exit, desperate to escape the growing inferno.

Bang!

The iron grill nearby slammed shut, sealing off their only escape route.

The storeroom was filled with highly flammable materials, and the fire rapidly spread, engulfing the entire space. Smoke quickly filled the room, making it difficult to breathe.

Christina pulled Gabrielle toward a rack, seeking shelter from the encroaching flames. However, she accidentally inhaled the smoke in the chaos, causing a burning sensation in her throat.

Gabrielle, panicking, exclaimed, “Christina, what do we do? My phone has no signal!” Her heart sank as she realized her phone had no signal bars.

Christina swiftly checked her phone as well, hoping for a signal, but to her dismay, she had no signal either. Coughing, she replied, “I don’t have a signal either.”

Consumed by fear, Gabrielle cried out, “What are we going to do? Are we going to die here?”

She had recently regained her self–confidence and planned to confess her feelings to Julian soon.

But now, in the face of this tragedy, she couldn’t help but wonder if their love was not meant to be in this lifetime.

In contrast, Christina remained calm and composed, her mind racing to find a solution.

She quickly surveyed the storeroom and noticed a window that had yet to be engulfed in flames. It was a small, round window that could barely accommodate one person at a time.

Determined, Christina seized a crowbar and broke the window with all her might. As the glass shattered, she sustained cuts on her face and arms, causing blood to trickle out of her wounds.

“Bailey, quick! Climb out through that window,” Christina shouted urgently. “Hurry!”

However, Gabrielle shook her head. “No, I can’t leave you here.”

“Listen to me, Bailey. I’m pregnant, and I won’t be able to fit through that window. You’re the only one who can escape and get help. I’m counting on you to find someone to rescue me.” Christina pushed her toward the window. “We don’t have much time.”

Gabrielle held back her tears and climbed toward the window with the aid of a pail. The remaining shards of glass cut her skin, but she disregarded the pain, determined to wriggle out through the narrow opening.

Once out of the storeroom, Gabrielle sprinted toward the hall without glancing back.

“Nathaniel, save Christina!” In her panicked state, Gabrielle scrambled and fell at the man’s feet. Blood from her cuts left streaks on the white tiles. “The storeroom! It’s on fire! Christina is still inside!”

Overwhelmed with fear, she burst into tears as Julian wrapped her in his embrace

Nathaniel’s face turned pale with worry. He hastily grabbed a nearby staff member and asked in a raised voice, “Where is the storeroom?”

The staff member trembled in fear and pointed toward the end of the hallway. “It’s at the end of the foyer.”

Without wasting a moment, Nathaniel swiftly turned around and rushed out.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle’s breath hitched, and she collapsed unconscious. Julian, in a state of panic, shouted, “Doctor! We need a doctor!”

The once bustling foyer descended into chaos as people scrambled to assist.

Meanwhile, Christina stumbled upon a few expired bottles of water in a corner as the fire continued to rage. Reacting swiftly, Christina drenched herself with the water and hastily fashioned a makeshift mask using a wet handkerchief.

She then sought refuge in a corner, seeking protection from the scorching heat that seared her skin. Her vision grew increasingly hazy as the oxygen quickly depleted.

In a moment of desperate hope, a resounding clang reverberated through the room as the metal grille was forcefully kicked open. D

“Christina!” Nathaniel rushed forward and immediately spotted her amidst the chaos.

Without hesitation, he hurried to her side, gently cradling her unconscious body in his arms. With unwavering determination, he carried her out of the engulfing flames.

Sebastian and Victoria, who had hurried over upon hearing the news, approached to offer their assistance.

“How is Christina?” Victoria’s anxiety grew as she observed Christina’s pale complexion. She turned to the crowd and called out, “Doctor! Where is the doctor?”

At that moment, the captain arrived with a group of his subordinates and paramedics.

Christina was immediately transported to the medical unit for further treatment.

However, due to the limited medical supplies on board, Nathaniel instructed Sebastian to arrange for a helicopter to transport Christina to the nearest hospital on land for her to receive the necessary care. Fortunately, Christina had managed to save herself, and neither her life nor the life of her unborn baby was in immediate danger.

As relief washed over them, Victoria couldn’t contain her tears of happiness, while Nathaniel’s previously tense expression softened. Sebastian, too, let out a sigh of relief, glad that Christina was safe. D

“I’ll go and look after Christina,” Victoria offered, sensing Nathaniel’s need for privacy to discuss matters that weren’t meant for her ears. Using it as an excuse, she gave herself a way out.

With a low voice, Nathaniel asked, “Have you found the reason behind the fire in the storeroom?”

“According to our investigation and the surveillance cameras near the storeroom, we can confirm that this was not an accident but arson,” Sebastian explained. “The fire alarm and surveillance cameras were deliberately destroyed when the fire broke out. Moreover, it appears that somebody spread fake news about someone falling into the water at the stern of the ship, diverting the attention of the officers on patrol. As a result, nobody noticed the fire even though it had been burning for ten minutes. Additionally, we found traces of petroleum outside the storeroom door, suggesting that someone intended to cause harm.”

Nathaniel’s heart ached at the thought of Christina being trapped helplessly inside the raging fire.

“Who did it?”

“Winston’s girlfriend, Xylie,” Sebastian replied grimly. “Mr. Hadley, the way the arson was carried out bears a striking resemblance to the incident that claimed Mrs. Hadley’s stepmother’s life. Based on my investigation, it’s evident that Xylie was acting under someone else’s orders.”

It had been years since the conflict between Christina and Xylie had taken place, and he found it hard to believe that Xylie would go to such lengths for petty reasons.

Knowing Winston’s tendency to change girlfriends frequently, it seemed unlikely that he would willingly keep someone who posed such a threat. If Xylie had targeted Christina, it was akin to crossing Nathaniel himself.

As he contemplated Xylie’s motive, it became apparent that her desire for revenge, fueled by the loss of her financial support, was a compelling factor.

However, it did not seem plausible that Xylie acted alone in such a calculated attack. She was known to be! short–sighted and timid, unlikely to take such a massive risk to kill Christina, no matter how much she despised the woman.

When his train of thought ended there, another person came to Nathaniel’s mind–Anya.

“Where is Anya?” Nathaniel’s voice carried a chilling undertone.

“She attempted to blend into the crowd when the ship docked, but the men we had stationed managed to capture her. She is currently held captive in an abandoned warehouse, awaiting your orders,” Sebastian replied.

“Take her to the interrogation room and extract every secret she holds,” Nathaniel commanded in a hushed tone. “If she refuses to talk, eliminate her and bring in Yerek as a replacement.” D

Nathaniel had initially intended to keep Anya as bait to lure in bigger players, but her constant interference had become too much to bear. Besides, her presence or lack thereof would not impact his plans at all.

“Sebastian, you know how to handle Mrs. Hadley’s inquiries. I don’t want her to become involved in any of

this.”

Chapter 688 Do Not Be Softhearted

“Understood. I know what to do.”

Sebastian left to carry out his task, while Nathaniel returned to the ward to take care of Christina.

The morning after, Christina was woken up by loud sobbing. She opened her eyes to find an ebony head wailing on her chest, tears soaking her hospital gown.

Christina felt her temples throb, and ‘she shoved the heavy head resting on her chest away in disdain.

“You’re too noisy, Gabrielle,” Christina remarked hoarsely, and the wails instantly ceased. “I’m not dead yet. You don’t have to start mourning so soon.”

Gabrielle pounced on her, crying tears of joy. “Christina… You’re finally awake!”

Christina was struggling to breathe due to the smothering hug. She tried and failed several times to shove Gabrielle away. Finally, Victoria had enough and stepped forward to pull the latter away from the hospital bed.

“Christina just woke up, Ms. Cook. She can’t handle all this drama,” Victoria chided. “You’ve been crying for half an hour. Why don’t you drink some water and take a break?”

Victoria was impressed by Gabrielle’s lung capacity, seeing as the latter cried nonstop for half an hour without tiring. Her sobs echoed throughout the entire building and sounded so sorrowful that people would have thought she was wailing at a funeral. D

Gabrielle hiccupped amid her sobs before saying aggrievedly, “I just can’t control my emotions. If something bad happens to you, Christina, I’ll lose my will to live.”

As she said that, she wanted to pounce on Christina again, but a stern gaze from the latter dispelled that notion.

“The fortune teller said I’m tough and destined to live a long life, so how can I die in a fire?”

Christina randomly made up an excuse to comfort Gabrielle as her gaze flitted across the ward.

“Where’s Nathaniel? I remember before I passed out, he was the one who charged in and saved me. Did something happen to him?”

Victoria poured two glasses of water and passed them to Christina and Gabrielle. “You two patients have just woken up, so you should rest. Mr. Hadley is fine. He went to the company to deal with urgent matters and told me to take good care of you before leaving.”

Christina breathed a sigh of relief. As she drank some water, she suddenly remembered the fire on the cruise ship and quickly asked, “What was that fire all about?”

Gabrielle was still crying at the time, but her mood changed as soon as Christina brought up the subject. “Anya instructed a somewhat famous female model to start it. Midway through, she tried to run away but was caught by Mr. Hadley. I would’ve torn off a layer of Anya’s flesh if he hadn’t forbidden outsiders from interfering!” she said angrily.

Gabrielle could see Nathaniel’s motive for retaining Anya, but she was perplexed by his refusal to accede when she begged him for Xylic.

“Anya is in Nathaniel’s hands?” Christina asked again out of uncertainty, thinking she was hearing things as a result of being unconscious for too long. “Is this information reliable?”

Gabrielle shifted her gaze to Victoria. “Ms. Lesley’s boyfriend was fully responsible for capturing her. You can ask her about it.”

Victoria shrugged when Christina turned to gaze at her. “That’s right. Nathaniel’s men are watching over Anya and Xylie, but I can’t tell you where they are.”

I won’t make the same mistake again. Otherwise, Nathaniel won’t let me off easy.

Christina was well aware that Anya’s life had been completely ruined and that Nathaniel would not allow anyone to get into contact with Anya because he did not want Christina to find out how cruel and vicious his methods of dealing with Anya were.

Even so, she wanted to confirm with Anya herself the question that she had kept in her mind for a long time.

“Lend me your phone, Victoria. I want to make a call,” said Christina.

Victoria took out her phone without hesitation and handed it to Christina, who entered and dialed Nathaniel’s number.

The call was picked up after several rings. “Ms. Lesley, did something happen to Christina?”

Nathaniel sounded anxious.

“Nathaniel, it’s me.” Christina fought against the dryness in her throat. “I want to meet Anya.”

“No way,” the man uttered coldly. “You’re still recovering. Sebastian will deal with the aftermath. There’s no need for you to take action. Just take care of the baby.”

He had been through enough during this period and could not afford to lose her.

“I have some questions I want to ask her myself,” Christina insisted. “Nathaniel, I don’t want to leave any regrets regarding the matter of my parents.”

Only after a long time did the man relent. “I’ll get Lyle to pick you up. You have an hour, and you must return to the hospital when the time is up.”

“You have my word,” Christina replied with a smile.

After hanging up the call, she returned the phone to Victoria, lifted the quilt, and got out of bed. She then walked to the closet and picked out a set of casual clothes to change into.

“I’ll go with you, you, Christina,” Gabrielle offered.

“No need for that.’ Stay in the hospital and recuperate.” Christina put on a loose woolen coat to cover her bulging belly. “Even if I agree, Mr. Forrester won’t agree to let you go.”

Just as she finished speaking, Julian opened the door and walked in. He went straight to Gabrielle and reached out to grab her.

“Gabrielle, it’s time for the routine checkup.”

Gabrielle nimbly avoided his touch and huffed. “I merely have some minor scrapes. They aren’t severe enough to require checking twice a day. Let me be and leave.”

Julian’s eyes darkened. He coaxed patiently, worried that his temper would frighten Gabrielle, “Mrs.

Hadley needs rest, so don’t disturb her. I’ll let you do whatever you want when your injury heals. I promise.”

Gabrielle scowled, refusing to tone down her hostility.

At that, Christina quickly tried to ease the tension. “Mr. Forrester is right. It just so happens that I need to go out and can’t chat with you anymore. Go back with Mr. Forrester, Bailey. Didn’t you tell me earlier that you have a lot of things you want to say to Mr. Forrester alone?” D

Surprise flashed in Julian’s eyes, but he did not make it obvious. He simply grasped Gabrielle’s wrist somewhat forcefully. “Gabrielle, I’m free after this. I want to have a serious talk with you.”

The astute Victoria quickly glanced at her watch and exclaimed, “Oh my! It’s getting late. Let’s go, Christina. We’ll leave Ms. Cook in your care, Mr. Forrester.”

With that, she hurriedly dragged Christina out of the ward.

.

Victoria personally accompanied Christina to the lobby of the inpatient department building just as Lyle drove there to pick the latter up.

“It’s not appropriate for me to accompany you since you’re settling family matters.” Victoria closed the car door for Christina before bending down to the window. “Don’t be softhearted anymore, Christina.”

If Christina could not bring herself to settle the score with Anya, the latter would someday become a vengeful spirit that would take her life.

Before leaving, Christina told the woman on the other side of the window, “After everything I’ve been through, it’s time to put an end to it, but I want to ask you to take care of something for me first.” D

 

Chapter 689 Fate Is In Your Hands

Victoria would not reject Christina’s request, evidently. “Tell me what it is, and I’ll do my best to fulfill it.”

“I heard that one of your friends has opened a legal firm in Hallsbay. I’m hoping that your friend can meet with Mrs. Lazuli,” Christina started. “If Mrs. Lazuli asks why, just tell her that I’m inviting her to enjoy a free but fascinating live broadcast.”

Victoria thought that Christina’s request would be harder to fulfill than that, so she was surprised. Nevertheless, she swiftly agreed to it.“This is too simple. No problem. I’ll call my lawyer friend and have him look for Mrs. Lazuli right away. It won’t delay your plans.”

Victoria could mostly guess why Christina was doing this, but she was not a gossipmonger, so she knew not to ask for further details.

Christina gave her a smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re too polite with me, Christina. My matters with Sebastian have troubled you quite a lot, and I’m afraid I’ll still need you and Mr. Hadley to intervene every once in a while in the future,” Victoria said. She knew that she could not deal with the entire Lesley family alone.

However, things would be different if Nathaniel was involved.

You’re my junior, and Mr. Taggart is Nathaniel’s right–hand man. We’re practically family, so there’s no way we’re just going to sit on our hands for this. You shouldn’t worry too much about this. All problems have answers.”

Christina’s words were like a cool breeze in the hot desert, blowing away the frustrations in Victoria’s heart.

“I’ll contact you later,” she said before leaving.

“Stay safe, Christina. I’ll be waiting for your call.” Victoria took a few steps back and watched Christina’s car leave. Then, she lowered her head and called her friend. “Hey, there’s something I need your help with…‘

Meanwhile, Anya was imprisoned in a winery belonging to Nathaniel, which was situated on the outskirts. The winery’s central structure, a majestic villa, emitted an air of ageless allure, boasting opulent and lavish medieval Western aesthetics that added a dash of enigmatic fascination to the estate.

The vehicle cruised down a straight and spacious boulevard lined with towering plane trees, gradually making its way into the estate.

With Lyle’s guidance, Christina came to a glasshouse. It was empty on the inside, but a floral scent lingered.

Perhaps it used to be a garden, but it had been converted into a temporary prison for Anya.

-Anya was bound and discarded on the ground. She was curled into herself like a caterpillar. Her

disheveled hair concealed her face, obscuring it from Christina’s view.

Blood oozed beneath Anya’s body, mingling with the damp spots on the ground and creating meandering paths of small crimson streams. Her ankles and wrists bore scars of different severity.

Some black–clad bodyguards stood vigilantly at the periphery, keeping a watchful eye. As soon as they noticed Christina’s arrival, they greeted her in perfect synchronization and tactfully withdrew from the scene.

Lyle, mindful of Christina’s physical well–being, fetched a chair for her to sit on.

Christina took a seat on the chair and told Lyle, “Take a look at her condition.”

There was no part of Anya’s body that had gone unharmed, and her clothes were tainted with bloodstains in several areas. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could discern that she was wearing fresh garments, for certain parts of the clothes remained surprisingly pristine.

From that, it was evident how harrowing the ordeal Anya had to endure before Christina came to see her.

When Lyle approached the wounded woman, he crouched down and nudged her. Then, he put his hand near her nostrils to feel for any signs of breathing.

“Mrs. Hadley, she’s not in any life–threatening danger.”

“Wake her. I have things to ask her.”

At that, Lyle instructed the men to bring a pail of cold water from the outside to pour onto Anya.

“Ah, it’s freezing!” Anya was jolted back to consciousness by the icy water. She squired her feeble frame as she desperately tried to evade the chilling pool of water.

Expressionlessly, Lyle seized the back of her collar and dragged her toward Christina. “Behave yourself and refrain from shouting,” he warned.

Anya glanced up and spotted Lyle. Her neck instinctively recoiled in response. In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of Christina, adorned in clean and expensive garments as she sat before her with a look of pride on her face. Fear morphed into an enraged creature within Anya as she bared her fangs at the seated woman.

“Christina Steele, you b*tch! How dare you torment me like this? Even if I die, I won’t spare you! I’ll haunt you forever!”

Anya fought desperately, attempting to break free, but Lyle held her firmly in his grip.

Even though she was only steps away from Christina, those few steps felt like thousands of miles apart, and all she could do was hurl insults at Christina.

“Anya, you need to realize that you’re now my prisoner, and it’s me who won’t spare you,” Christina said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re quite resentful to see me standing here unharmed, aren’t you?”

Anya spat out a few specks of blood at Christina before barking out crazed laughter. “You’re nothing but a coward, Christina! You’re always hiding behind Nathaniel while you flaunt your false bravado! If you had any real skill, you wouldn’t have waited until now to confront me. At the end of the day, you’re no match for me!”

Even at that point, Anya refused to accept her fate. Even if Christina were to hold a gun to her head, Anya would never submit to the former.

“If you had a shred of conscience, you would have remained the prosperous young heiress of the Gibson family, Anya. The truth is, your entire family has made a huge mistake–they’ve all picked the wrong paths.”

Right then, Christina pulled her coat tighter around her. The glasshouse lacked heating, and the air was cold and damp there. She shivered from the chill, and she knew she had to wrap things up as quickly as she could.

“I came to talk to you and give you a chance to survive. You only have two options -either we strike a deal, or you can reject my first condition and wait here for a slow and excruciating death.”

Anya chuckled. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that you’ll spare me if I agree to the deal? Don’t underestimate my intelligence. Both you and Nathaniel are nothing but trouble. If you let me off the

hook now, Nathaniel will surely find a way to take care of me later. I’m fully aware of the manipulative games you and your husband play.”

Christina arched a brow, not denying Anya’s accusations.

Having gone through so many trials, Anya had finally learned her lesson.

“You’re Nigel’s daughter, and you must know about the heinous deeds he has committed,” Christina offered a tempting proposition. “I can assure you that Nigel will spend the rest of his life behind bars, but you’re different. You’re still young, and despite your own missteps, there’s a chance for you to find redemption. If you reveal all the things he has done to me, I’ll spare you. What do you think?”

Then, Christina added, “What I want is what Nathaniel wants as well.”

Anya shot her a resentful glare. “You expect me to betray my own father in exchange for a chance at life?”

“There’s nothing I can do if that’s what you believe.” Christina shrugged, unfazed. Her tone was laced with sarcasm as she continued, “Your family has always been selfish and self–serving. It’s rather strange to witness this newfound filial devotion from you. It’s not something I’m accustomed to.”

Anya was trapped like a fish on a chopping board, and Christina was the butcher. Anya could not decipher what went on in the latter’s mind, so she wisely chose to remain silent.

Hence, Christina gave Lyle a look, who promptly left. When he returned, he had a black leather suitcase in his hands.

Lyle then opened the suitcase and threw it toward Anya.

“What’s inside this suitcase holds the power to shape your future. Now, it’s all in your hands. Are you willing to let go of the opportunity for a fresh start because of Nigel?”

 

Chapter 690 Nowhere To Run

The suitcase contained all the incriminating evidence against Anya.

Anya stared at the stack of documents, her eyes blazing with a fiery intensity.

With an abundance of evidence securely in her possession, Christina exuded an air of unwavering patience. She knew Anya would not dare to defy her.

“I can easily take down all the dirt about you that’s been spreading online and give you a fresh start.” Christina enticingly offered to Anya.

Anya began to show signs of wavering.

Christina continued, “Your mother’s affiliation with the Specker family means I have to show respect to Vladimir. My ultimate goal remains the same–to gather evidence of Nigel’s involvement in the murder of my parents, make him confess, and ensure justice is served. Nigel and Yerek will never become part of the Stone family. Moreover, they abandoned you and your mother in times of crisis. Now that Nigel is facing consequences, why would you want to get entangled in that mess? If I were in your shoes, I would not only seize this rare opportunity to turn the tables but also liberate myself from Nigel’s negative influence. I would focus on building a brighter future for myself. Remember, revenge is best served cold, and it’s never too late to seek justice.”

That last remark was a wake–up call for Anya.

Indeed, as Nigel indulged in his wealth and power, his priorities revolved solely around authority and personal gain. When he eventually lost everything he held dear, he became apathetic toward his family.. He proved himself unworthy of the title of a father. Why should I sacrifice my future and engage in a struggle for the sake of so–called family honor when he was the one who let me down in the first place?

Anya carefully considered her options and began prioritizing her own benefits above all else. “I’ll take these pieces of evidence with me, and you’ll give me an additional twenty million and take care of the rumors and gossip online.”

A shrewd smile crossed Christina’s calm eyes as she responded, “No problem.”

Lyle promptly retrieved a check from his bag and handed it to Christina.

Christina decisively signed her name on the check without any hesitation, committing a sum of twenty million.

Lyle dropped the check onto the pile of evidence, fueling Anya’s eagerness to possess them all.

“Anya, I’ve shown you my sincerity. Now, it’s time for you to reciprocate,” Christina uttered.

Anya said, “Water. I want some water.”

Christina didn’t turn down her sudden request and instructed Lyle to feed her half a bottle of water.

After moisturizing her dry throat, Anya licked her cracked lips and began speaking slowly. “I do know about my father’s plot against your parents. He, along with Winston Labarge, the former CEO of Raveworks Enterprise, and his cousin David Labarge, were also implicated in the scheme. However, the Labarge brothers didn’t fully trust the generous terms my father offered them. So, every time they had private meetings with my father, they secretly recorded videos as evidence to protect themselves in the future. Later on, a rift occurred between them, and Winston sold Raveworks Enterprise and started a new company in another city. As for why Winston didn’t engage in a life–or–death struggle with my father, it was because Nathaniel and you put my father behind bars. As long as my father doesn’t confess, he has a chance to regain his freedom, and Winston and David’s misdeeds would not be exposed either.”

Despite having conducted extensive investigations, Christina was unaware that the Labarge brothers held crucial evidence against Nigel.

“Who has control over those video evidence now?” Christina asked in a deep voice.

“Of course, it’s in Winston’s hands. He’s a suspicious man. Even his buddy, who has stood by his side through thick and thin, can’t earn his complete trust,” Anya sneered. “Otherwise, how do you think you managed to make Emilia, that naive girl, meet her downfall in Winston’s hands during Mdm. Stone’s birthday party?”

Christina listened intently to Anya’s words as her expression reverted back to its usual composed state. She fiddled with her phone and asked casually, “Aside from them, who else played a part in that conspiracy?”

Anya’s expression subtly revealed a hint of cunning as she replied, “Grandma. Right from the moment the incident happened, she knew the truth. But in order to protect the reputation of the Gibson family and maintain the overall situation, she chose to conceal everything.”

She continued speaking with feigned pity. “It’s truly unfortunate for your father to have someone as selfish as her as his mother. Indeed, Timothy is far more capable than my father, but I must thank Grandma. If it weren’t for her self–centeredness, our family wouldn’t have had a chance to rise.”

In a dismissive tone, Christina scoffed, “Regardless, your glory days are over.”

Anya shot a vicious glare at her upon hearing that.

Christina got up from the chair, smoothing her coat with precision, and leveled a cold and disdainful gaze at Anya. “You’ve hit the nail on the head. It’s truly unfortunate that my father was born into such a greedy family. But mark my words, his days of suffering are over, and his future will be filled with success and fulfillment beyond anything you could ever imagine.”

Anya made no attempt to hide her jealousy toward Christina: She fired back, “The tides will turn eventually. Let’s see how long your smugness will last!”

Christina remained unfazed by Anya’s provocation. With a cold smirk, she ignored the comment and shifted her attention to Lyle. “Release her.”

Lyle stepped forward and untied the ropes restraining Anya.

Anya stretched her stiff muscles a few times and quickly gathered the check and documents, stuffing them into a briefcase. Without looking back, she picked up the briefcase and left.

Christina exhaled and took out her phone from her coat. After ending the call, a bloodthirsty smile formed on her lips. “Tell the cops that Anya is fleeing to escape punishment.” (D

When it came to punishing others, Christina might not be as tactical as Nathaniel, but in terms of ruthlessness, she was equally unforgiving.

Anya had committed numerous evil deeds. Simply eliminating her would be too lenient a punishment. She deserved no mercy or clemency.

Stripping her of her freedom, confining her within four walls, and ensuring that she never saw a glimmer of hope for the rest of her life would inflict upon her a misery akin to death itself.

In the meantime, Anya, burdened by the weight of the heavy suitcase, fought her way out of the manor and managed to flag down a taxi on the street. Desperately, she pleaded with the driver to take her to downtown.

Upon reaching downtown, Anya wasted no time. She swiftly made her way back to the hotel, where she quickly changed into a clean set of clothes. With a sense of urgency, she proceeded to the bank to cash out the check.

However, before she could make her way out of the bank, the police swiftly arrived and caught her red- handed.

During the search at the scene, the police found a suitcase she had been carrying, and its contents unequivocally confirmed her involvement in all the charges against her.

As the cold metal handcuffs were placed around her wrists, Anya’s eyes widened with the realization that she had fallen right into Christina’s carefully laid trap.

Christina had never thought of letting her off in the first place.

While she did fulfill her promise to spare Anya’s life, she resorted to a different method to punish her.

Amidst the watchful eyes of bystanders, Anya was escorted to a waiting police car, her disheveled state captured and swiftly shared online, igniting a fervent conversation.

As Christina’s car slowly passed by the bank’s entrance, she withdrew her gaze and took delight in the misfortune of the person on the other end of the phone. “Mrs. Lazuli, both Nigel and Anya have paid the price for their mistakes. Now it’s your turn, along with Yerek.”