Ch. 1781..1790
Chapter 1781
If they were successful, the result would be in Dustin’s interest.
“Larry, have you found out who did it?” Joan looked anxiously at him.
Recently, Larry was having trouble sleeping every night. Joan felt bad for him when she saw the dark
circles under his eyes.
“Not yet,” Larry plainly replied.
“Don’t worry, it will be alright. We will find a solution no matter what.” Larry held her shoulders tightly.
Other than staying by Larry’s side and facing the crisis together, Joan didn’t know what else she could
do.
Fate was always cruel. Just when one’s life was at its happiest, it would throw a wrench into it so that
one would be woken up to face reality and the problems that came along with it.
“Joan, one day, when I have lost everything, would you still choose to be with me?” Larry suddenly
asked softly.
Briefly stunned, Joan quickly regained her senses.
“Of course I will. No matter what becomes of you, I will always be by your side, as long as you don’t
leave me.” Joan snuggled into his embrace.
Those were the most touching words he had heard of recently.
Ever since the incident, all of the shareholders avoided him. They neither offered their help nor support.
Instead, they couldn’t wait for him to be removed from his position and leave in disgrace.
Both Larry and Joan weren’t aware that Jory and Gabriella had struck a deal, and Gabriella had
already put her plan into action.
“Have you offended anyone previously?” Joan asked inquisitively.
Offended someone?
He had tons of enemies and had no time to investigate them one by one. All he could do was start from
the biggest suspects.
“Sigh, Larry, can it be someone that fancies you? Perhaps, she is trying to gain your attention by doing
this…” Joan carefully probed as if she had suddenly thought of something.
“Silly gal, where did that thought come from? You are the only one I care about in this world. Enough,
stop letting your imagination run while. Everything will be fine. I will get to the bottom of this.” Larry
stroked her hair gently.
However, after hearing Joan’s words. A woman came to Larry’s mind. She had just sent him a
message last night.
Yes, that woman in question was Gabriella.
Can it be that Gabriella is involved? Larry’s expression darkened.
She has been chased out of her family. With her current influence, how is it possible for her to
persuade Alpire Group to acquire Norton Corporation’s subsidiary?
Unless…
Unless she has something to extort Alpire Group with.
“Hello, help me investigate this woman called Gabriella. That’s right…” Larry recovered his cold
expression of old.
It seemed that there was more to the matter than it meets the eye.
Looking at the dark night sky, Larry fell into deep thought.
“Did you do it?” Dustin sat on the bar stool as she looked at Gabriella suspiciously.
“So what if I did? Aren’t you supposed to thank me?” Gabriella took a sip of red wine.
Dustin couldn’t figure out what Gabriella was thinking. By scheming behind the scenes, isn’t she forcing
Larry toward his doom?
In this world, everyone was indeed different. Gabriella was someone ruthless and was willing to do
anything to achieve her objectives. In the event she failed to get whatever she wanted, she would
rather destroy it herself than let someone else have it, especially when it came to matters of the heart.
As for Nancy, she did whatever she wanted without a care for her reputation. While she was frolicking
with Jory, Caspian was anxiously trying to figure out what he could do to make her happy.
As the days went by, Larry was still investigating the takeover while Gabriella was waiting for him to
come and see her.
Chapter 1782
“Nancy, about your divorce…” In the hotel, Jory stopped mid-sentence.
Divorce?
Suddenly, Nancy’s gaze darkened. After such a long time, she still didn’t have the courage to tell
Caspian about the divorce. But right then, she had no choice but to face reality. She wanted to make
public her relationship with Jory and to marry him. But, Caspian was still a problem.
She knew that he was an obstinate man. If she brought up the divorce suddenly, she was worried that
he couldn’t accept it and then…
“Jory, I will definitely tell him about it. It’s just that he is stubborn and may not be able to accept it…”
Nancy lost her courage.
Previously, she had steeled her heart to divorce him. But later on, Caspian would constantly surprise
her with touching gestures, all of which caused Nancy’s guilt to intensify.
“What kind of person is he? If you feel that it’s too difficult for you, I think I can…” Jory hugged her
slender waist tightly.
“No, Jory, don’t interfere. The divorce is between Caspian and me. If you meddle with it, it will only
make things more complicated.” Nancy’s eyes were filled with resolve.
She was right. If Caspian found out about Jory and her, he would definitely not let Jory get away.
A desperate man was capable of anything, let alone one as stubborn as Caspian.
However, given how long it had been, Caspian naturally noticed something was amiss.
“Joan, I feel that Nancy has changed,” Caspian remarked, looking disheartened.
Joan was immediately alert. “How? Caspian?”
“Joan, I’ll be frank with you. Nancy and I haven’t slept with each other in a very long time. Furthermore,
when I was drunk one day, she even whispered in my ear saying…” Caspian recounted what happened
the other day.
When Joan saw how dejected Caspian was, she suddenly pitied him. She knew how much Nancy
meant to Caspian, but she was also aware that Nancy loved Jory.
“Joan, actually there’s something I have never told you before. Some time ago, I saw Nancy holding
another man’s arms walking into the mall. They were hugging and laughing with each other.” Caspian’s
expression darkened.
Holding another man’s arm?
Could it be Jory?
Does Caspian already know?
Suddenly, Joan began to worry but it wasn’t about Nancy. She was concerned that Caspian would do
something impulsive.
“Did you see who it was?” Joan carefully probed.
Caspian shook his head. “It was too far away, so I didn’t get a good look.”
Luckily he didn’t recognize Jory.
“But, I wonder if it was Jory?” Caspian gave Joan an inquisitive look.
Clasping her hands anxiously, Joan tried to calm herself down.
No matter how foolish a man was, he would naturally become smarter when it came to matters of the
heart. Just like in a marriage, a woman would instinctively know if the man was up to something.
Furthermore, Nancy’s obvious treatment of Caspian didn’t help matters at all.
“Caspian, are you overthinking it? Perhaps, it was your father-in-law.” Joan tried to defuse the situation.
“Yes, you’re right. It might have been him. But from his figure, it doesn’t look like him.” Caspian
furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
Of course, it doesn’t. Jory and Simon’s figures look totally different from each other.
“Didn’t you say that it was too far away for you to see properly? Enough, stop letting your imagination
run wild. Today, it will be my treat. After all, you have been a big help to Larry given what has happened
recently.” Joan changed the topic quickly.
“Sigh, Joan. Don’t be a stranger. Larry is my best buddy. So, I am just doing my duty,” Caspian replied
with a smile.
Chapter 1783
At that moment, a woman was sitting in a corner of the restaurant, staring daggers at them.
“Gabriella?” In his office, Larry answered his phone with a frown.
“Alright, I know.” Larry ended the call. Just as expected, she is working with Alpire Group.
Looking out the window, Larry’s eyes flashed with curiosity. What is she really up to?
“Wait, Mr. Norton is busy.” Suddenly, Dustin barged into Larry’s office.
“What are you doing here?” Larry looked at the intruder sternly.
“I’m just curious as to how much progress you have made with your problem?” Dustin gloated with a
smirk.
“Thanks for your concern. I’m handling it right now.”
Handling it? Dustin scoffed.
“Mr. Norton, I would like to remind you that no matter who it was that acquired Norton Corporation’s
subsidiary, I would like you to keep your eyes open and not implicate innocents,” Dustin snapped.
Jory was the heir to Alpire Group which acquired Norton Corporation’s subsidiary. Hence, he didn’t
want Larry to blame Jory for everything. Furthermore, Jory was his best friend and he didn’t want Jory
to be wrongly accused.
“Don’t worry, the truth will be revealed eventually. Regardless of what the result is, someone will be
held accountable as I will ferret out the person behind this.” Larry glared coldly at Dustin.
Ever since Alpire Group repeatedly took over Norton Corporation’s subsidiaries. Larry suddenly
regained the prowess he used to have in business.
Ring! Ring!
Larry checked his phone and answered.
“Hello, Joan?”
“Sure, sure. Anything will do. As long as it’s by you, I will definitely like it. Alright, I’ll come back earlier
today…”
When he heard Joan’s name, Dustin’s heart dropped, causing him to leave the office in silence.
“Nancy, I have to let you know that Caspian saw you and Jory at the mall. You have to be more careful
and find an opportunity to tell him the truth. You have to do it sooner or later anyway. Besides, it’s better
than him finding out.” Joan looked at Nancy with concern.
“But, Joan, I really don’t know how to tell him. Did you know that he has been trying his best to impress
me recently?” Nancy was in a dilemma.
“But what do you plan to do? You want a divorce because you love Jory and not him. If you don’t do
something about this soon, a lot more people will get hurt.” Joan was furious.
Nancy was never like that.
She was the one who insisted on getting a divorce, and now she has doubts about her own decision.
Nancy fell silent.
No matter how persistent a woman was, there would always be times when she wavered. Nancy
wasn’t blind to how much effort Caspian had put into the relationship.
Ring! Ring! Her phone suddenly rang.
Checking it, she saw that it was Caspian. At that moment, she instinctively felt like avoiding him.
As the screen continued to blink with his name, Nancy didn’t have the courage to pick up.
The phone continued to ring as if it would do so for eternity until she answered. After Joan gave Nancy
a look, she answered the phone on her behalf.
“Hello, Caspian?” Joan replied softly.
“Oh, Joan, it’s you. Where’s Nancy?” Caspian sounded concerned.
“I’m having lunch with her. But she’s at the ladies now,” Joan casually replied.
However, Joan could detect that something was amiss in Caspian’s tone, causing her to worry.
“Caspian, what’s wrong?”
“Erm, it’s nothing. I… erm… let’s talk about it some other time.”
Some other time?
Joan was certain something was wrong. What could cause a straightforward man like Caspian to
stutter to that extent?
Chapter 1784
Caspian hung up the phone right after.
“What’s the matter? What did he say?” Curious and puzzled, Nancy stared at Joan.
“It’s nothing. I’m just wondering how you’re doing. Nothing special.” Joan decided to just keep it to
herself.
She knew that something must have happened with Caspian. As for what happened, the woman
decided to just leave it to Larry. Joan left after chatting for a bit with Nancy.
Even though she was mad, they were still family. Joan had only wanted to let Nancy come clean to
Caspian sooner. That was why she had thrown a tantrum previously. She did not wish for unintended
consequences to happen, nor did she want the two people to get hurt.
Right then, Joan suddenly felt thankful for having Larry around. Otherwise, she would have no idea
what to do.
“Larry, please talk to Caspian to see if he’s alright. I think that something’s off with him from the way he
stuttered when he was talking to Nancy today…” Joan circled her arms around Larry’s and muttered in
a low voice.
“What’s the matter? Is Nancy still thinking about divorcing Caspian?” Larry combed through her hair
with his fingers.
“Yes, she seems quite adamant about it, but she has no idea how to tell him.”
Larry snickered.
So what if she had said it? Caspian would never agree to it anyway!
When a man fell in a love with a woman, it would be near impossible for him to let her go, no matter the
circumstances. Caspian was crazy about Nancy. Thus, he would never easily let go of a woman whom
he loved.
“What’s the matter with Caspian today?” Larry asked in a low voice.
“I have no idea. He stuttered when he called Nancy today as if there was something he wanted to say
to her, but in the end, he said nothing. So, I’m asking you to figure it out. It will be easier if you guys
talked it out instead…” Joan said as she toyed with Larry’s palm.
“Okay, I’ll talk to him tomorrow…”
Larry’s phone rang right then.
Joan cast a glance at the clock on the desk and creased her brows.
Who is calling at this ungodly hour?
However, she knew that Larry had been swamped with work lately. She turned and looked out the
window.
“Mr. Norton, I heard that you’re looking for me?” An enticing voice rang in Larry’s ears.
“Yes, we’ll talk tomorrow,” the man replied and was about to hang up.
“Hey, Mr. Norton. You’re the one who’s looking for me. I have something on tomorrow, and won’t be
able to make time for you. You have to come over tonight if you want to see me,” Gabriella cut to the
chase and said.
Come over tonight? A cold glint fleeted across his eyes. He turned to look at the woman beside him,
but she had already shut her eyes.
“Send me the address,” he said before hanging up.
Then, he pecked Joan on the forehead before getting up to leave.
Larry closed the door softly behind him, but it still woke Joan up.
It’s already so late. Where is he going? If she heard it correctly, it was a woman’s voice on the other
end of the phone.
She got off the bed and walked to the window. After a while, she saw Larry getting into the car.
It should have something to do with work, right? It’s already so late. Larry should know where the line
is; it doesn’t matter whether he’s meeting a man or a woman. At that moment, Joan reassured herself
over and over.
It was already late night, but the hour did not deter those night-owls. The city was still abuzz with
people, especially in nightclubs and bars.
“Mr. Norton, you’re indeed a man of your words. You made it, even though it’s already so late.”
Gabriella swirled her tall glass of wine; the glint of the ruby liquid was enough to enchant the weak-
minded.
Larry stared at the woman before him with a puzzled look on his face. How exactly did this woman
manage to bag a deal with the Alpire Group?
“Take a seat.” The woman gave him an enticing smile. It was apparent that she was already tipsy.
Chapter 1785
“It’s already so late. Why did you call?” Larry peered at her.
“Hmm? What? Have you forgotten that you’re the one who’s looking for me, Mr. Norton? I’m making
time to meet up with you today…” Gabriella staggered as she approached Larry.
She made time? Larry snorted.
“You’re drunk. We will talk tomorrow.” Larry got up and wanted to leave.
“Hey, Larry Norton!” Gabriella reached out to grab his arm and stopped him.
Gabriella widened her eyes and stared right into the man’s eyes. It has to be tonight…
Gosh… He’s still so charming and handsome.
“I’m not drunk. I’m perfectly sober right now.” Gabriella swirled the glass in her hands again.
She’s perfectly sober?
Bemused, Larry did not believe a single word she said.
“Okay, let’s talk.” The man took his seat again.
At that, Gabriella’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.
“Why did you do that?” Larry decided to not beat around the bush and said.
He did not wish to squander his time with Gabriella, lest the undue delay brought him more trouble.
“Why did I do that? Larry, have you forgotten that I, Gabriella, always get what I want. And if I can’t
have it, I’m going to destroy it…” the woman answered in a low voice as she sipped on her wine.
Her answer was crystal clear.
He could only choose between his company or the woman he loved. If he had chosen the company, he
would have to abandon Joan. On the other hand, he would have to prepare himself for a rebuttal from
his shareholders.
What a vicious woman.
Larry eyeballed the woman before him. He had never imagined that the woman was capable of such
things.
“Really? Then what is it that you want this time?” Larry ordered a glass of wine as well.
“You. I want nothing else. But you.” Gabriella muttered.
“Gabriella, I think you should be well aware that I have a wife. I will not lay a finger on another woman.
Besides, I only love her.” Larry rejected the woman outright.
Joan Watts? Gabriella sneered at the thought.
So what if you already have Joan? You still have to turn to me to solve the problems in your life.
“Larry, let me put it this way. Between your company and the woman you love, which one will you
choose?” Gabriella asked, despite knowing his answer.
Is she really asking me this question? Larry snickered in response.
He thought Gabriella really thought too highly of herself. Did she really think that the company wouldn’t
be able to survive without her?
However, he knew that the woman would not give up that easily.
“That’s it. You’re drunk, so you should head home now. I will settle the matters at the company,” Larry
muttered in a low voice.
He did not wish to waste another second on this woman. Even though the company was important,
Larry considered Joan to be his lifeline as well. He had never been threatened like that in his whole life.
Gabriella was the first, and Larry vowed that the woman would be the last one as well.
“Larry!” Gabriella hurled herself at Larry all of a sudden.
“Gabriella!” Larry was furious.
Then, she closed her eyes as if she had just fainted.
“Gabriella, Gabriella!” Larry shook the woman’s arms but to no avail. She merely slumped in his
embrace, unconscious.
Any onlookers would have mistaken that they were engaged in a passionate exchange given
Gabriella’s exposed clothing and their suggestive manner.
“Gabriella Ward!” Larry glowered. Meanwhile, a phone in a corner was recording the whole exchange.
Seeing that she remained unconscious, Larry steadied the woman to his car and drove her to the
hospital.
At that moment, Gabriella had fallen asleep. She thought that the man would have brought her to a
hotel room. To her surprise, the man had brought her to a hospital instead.
The next day, Gabriella was stumped to realize where she was.
Chapter 1786
“Doctor! Doctor!” Gabriella shrieked, sending the doctor and nurses rushing into her ward.
“What’s the matter with me? Who sent me here?” Confounded, she eyeballed the medical staff fanned
out before her.
“Miss, you had too much to drink yesterday night and was suffering from an alcohol overdose. A man
sent you here…” A nurse explained to her.
Last night? Alcohol overdose? That’s impossible! I was drinking with Larry last night, and then… I think
I drank too much… And then…. What happened?
Gabriella’s mind was blank as she sat upright on the hospital bed, trying to knock some sense back
into her head exasperatedly.
She had planned to let Larry send her to a hotel, and then she would try to take some photos or videos
that might make Joan jealous. Damn it! I actually blacked out from drinking too much.
Then, Gabriella got up slowly and made her way to the window.
Ding! Her phone pinged with a message. She took out her phone to check her mailbox.
It was an email from Jory containing all the photos of her being together with Larry yesterday night.
An evil glint fleeted across her eyes that moment.
“Larry, where did you go last night? Why did you need to head out so late last night?” Joan asked.
The man looked at her and decided to keep what happened last night to himself.
“I have a lot to deal with in the company. So, I will be quite busy lately,” he explained as he caressed
the woman’s hair.
Was he really out to deal with the company’s matters and nothing more? Joan’s face fell, disappointed
at his answer.
As an attempt to steer the topic in another direction, Larry asked, “How is Nancy doing?”
He did not wish to disclose what happened with Gabriella to her, apprehensive that Joan might
overthink the trivial matter. Besides, she had nothing to worry about anyway, not especially regarding
him and another woman. Larry knew he only had eyes for Joan.
“Same old, same old. Nancy didn’t love Caspian and thought that both of them would suffer if they
stayed together any longer. Hence, she was thinking that it might be better if they separate…” Joan
replied in a small voice.
Am I really telling Larry that? Or is that a message for myself?
“Alright, don’t overthink this. Nobody knows what the future holds. I will talk to Caspian, but I don’t think
we should get involved in what is clearly a matter to be resolved between the two,” the man said as he
circled her in his embrace tightly.
Love was blinding and could easily drown people in apprehension as well.
Meanwhile, Joan did not know whether she and Larry would continue to live the rest of their lives
together. However, one thing was for sure – she was going to treasure every moment spent with him.
“Larry, I’m saying this just in case. If, and I mean if, one day you’ve met the girl of your dreams who feel
the same about you. You’ve got to let me know, okay?” Joan lifted her head and looked straight into the
man’s eyes.
Larry was stumped. What is she saying?
Aren’t you the woman I love?
“Joan, you’re the woman I love, and you will be my last, as well as my only one. Joan, we’re in this for
the long haul…” Larry pinched her cheeks.
Joan was overwhelmed with bliss at that moment. Maybe, just maybe, the voice on the phone last night
wasn’t a woman’s… Maybe I was just imagining things.
Feeling reassured by her husband’s words, she hugged him.
Ding… It was Caspian calling.
“Larry, where are you? I need to talk to you.” Caspian sounded weary.
Larry cast a glance in Joan’s direction with a glint in his eyes.
“Okay, where are you right now? I’ll get there as soon as I can…”
Larry knew it was no minor matter if it warranted Caspian asking him out like that.
“Caspian, are you serious?” Larry looked at the man before him in disbelief.
Never in a million years would he have imagined that Caspian would do such a thing. However, those
words did just come out of his mouth. What the hell is going on?
Chapter 1787
“Larry, I don’t dare to face Nancy because of this. I know that I’m in the wrong here.” The man’s voice
shook uncontrollably.
Caspian had always loved Nancy, and no other women even came close. He wasn’t sure if he could
forgive himself for what had happened, let alone thinking about if Nancy would ever forgive him.
“What about that woman? Where is she?” Larry asked in a low voice.
He never thought Caspian would ever betray Nancy.
“She’s still at the hotel… She’s asking me to be responsible for her because I’ve taken her virginity…”
Caspian kept his head low.
Larry was rendered speechless right then.
He actually did not know much about what was going on between Nancy and Caspian. Hence, he had
always thought that Caspian was in the wrong, while Nancy was adamant about getting a divorce. It
seemed like the relationship had really gone to the point of no return.
“What do you plan to do next?” Larry regarded Caspian with a serious look.
Caspian was a responsible man, and he would never shirk his duty. Hence, Larry knew that this man
would not just abandon the woman in the hotel.
“Larry… I… To be honest, I don’t know what to do. I love Nancy, and I don’t want to hurt her. But I can’t
just leave the woman in the hotel…” Caspian sighed as he shook his head, exasperated about his next
move.
What on earth is happening right now?
While Nancy was trying to divorce Caspian, he just went ahead and had sex with another woman in a
hotel?
It’s just one thing after another, isn’t it?
“What do you plan to do with Nancy, though?” Larry reminded Caspian.
“I don’t know… I don’t know… I can’t think straight right now…” Caspian clasped his head in
exasperation.
It was Larry’s first time seeing him so frustrated.
However, what they did not know was that everything that happened to Caspian was within another
man’s control.
“Mr. Synder.” Gabriella appeared in Jory’s office all of a sudden.
“Why are you here? Don’t come here unless you’ve got something important.” Jory spared her no
niceties.
Just looking at the woman was enough to spoil his day.
“Mr. Synder, what’s with that attitude? We’re partners right now. How could you treat your partner like
that?” Gabriella mocked.
Jory snickered. Partner? I’ve never seen this woman move a finger for me, and yet she dares to call
herself my partner.
All the talk about letting her handle the thing with Caspian, and yet, nothing fruitful came of it.
“I’m here to break a really good news to you, Mr. Synder.” Gabriella smiled, deliberately beating around
the bush.
What good news?
Jory looked at the woman before him with a puzzled look on his face.
What good news can she possibly bring?
“Why? Are you that busy that you don’t even have the time to enjoy good news, Mr. Synder? Fine then,
I’ll come again some other day.” Gabriella turned around and was about to walk out of the office.
Looking at the woman before him, Jory clenched his fist tight.
She’s acting all high and mighty just because I was nice to her for one moment. What’s next, huh? Is
she going to sh*t all over my head?
“Stand right there. Get straight to the point, and don’t waste my time,” Jory barked.
He had always loathed others beating around the bush.
Gabriella was stunned by the sudden domineering aura.
“Mr. Synder, why are you so mad? I’m just joking with you. How could you take it so seriously? Chill,
Mr. Synder. Here, have a cup of tea…” Gabriella tried to appease the man.
She still needed to depend on the man for money to spend, so she couldn’t afford to offend him.
Jory took his seat and gauged the woman before him.
“Gabriella, you’d better get this straight. We’re only partners. You should know better what you can or
cannot do or talk about. I’m not pinning all my hopes on you for this Caspian thing.” Jory threw a
derisive look at Gabriella.
Chapter 1788
Gabriella knew Jory was right.
He did not need her to get things done.
At the same time, Jory was starting to think that something must have gone wrong with him when he
agreed to work together with the woman.
“Okay, Mr. Synder. I was just joking with you. Why are you getting so worked up? I really do have a
piece of good news for you…” Gabriella took a seat beside the man.
Jory gauged the woman again.
“Don’t worry, Caspian has been dealt with. I always achieve what I set out to do. You’re going to be
able to get together with Nancy in no time.” A wicked glint flashed in her eyes.
Only Gabriella could have been capable of such a despicable act, setting Caspian up so that the man
would leave Nancy out of overwhelming guilt for what he had done.
“Oh, what have you done?” Jory was starting to get intrigued.
“As for how I’ve done it, I don’t think it concerns you, Mr. Synder. You just need to know that you’re
going to be able to be together with the woman of your dreams very soon. Oh right, don’t forget about
our deal last time too, Mr. Synder. I really need to thank you for the photos, though,” Gabriella muttered
in a low voice.
If it wasn’t for the man, she wouldn’t even have the money to employ a photographer.
“Gabriella, I have no interest in meddling in your business with Larry. All I’m doing is just making things
easy for you.”
He recalled Nancy saying that both Larry and Joan were her best friends, and he did not wish to upset
her.
“You’re right, Mr. Synder. You’re just making things easier for me. As for Larry, you have nothing to do
with him.” Gabriella knew what was on Jory’s mind and attempted to appease the man.
Even though the man was young, Gabriella knew he was actually cunning as a fox.
“Okay, you may leave now,” Jory did not feel like playing nice anymore.
He’s asking me to leave already, just like that?
What a ruthless man.
“Okay then, Mr. Synder. I will not disturb you further. I am hoping that you will take good care of me in
the future.” Gabriella turned on her heels to leave.
She believed that Jory was a man of his words, and he would walk his talk since he had agreed to work
together with her.
After all, businessmen’s promises were as good as gold.
When she left, Gabriella’s lips curled into a wicked smile, wondering what would happen next.
“What did you say? Caspian has another woman?” Joan could not believe the words that came out of
Larry’s mouth.
Larry also appeared to be in disbelief.
“No, that’s impossible. Caspian loves Nancy. How could he do something like that? Is there a
misunderstanding?” Joan clutched tightly at her husband’s arms and asked.
Larry and Joan had known Caspian for a long time and knew what kind of person he was. However,
nobody had forced him to come clean this time. He admitted to cheating on Nancy himself.
That was why Larry still thought something did not quite add up.
Knowing Caspian, Larry thought the man wouldn’t be so reckless, despite him being drunk. Then
again, Caspian’s alcohol tolerance was above average. How would he get drunk that easily?
“Larry, what really happened? I don’t believe that Caspian would do something like this, even if he’s
admitted that he did.” Joan was getting exasperated.
Nancy had fallen in love with Jory some time ago while Caspian had another woman. What in the world
is going on? How could there be so much coincidence?
“Joan, listen to me. Please don’t let Nancy know about this just yet. Otherwise, she’s going to overthink
this. I think a lot of things don’t add up. This is just not who he is. I think we have a lot to clarify in this
matter, and we have to help him out. There’s no sense that he has to suffer for something that he
hasn’t done…” Larry gauged his wife with a serious look on his face.
Caspian was his bodyguard and also his best friend. It was impossible for Larry to stand idly by when
his friend had clearly been set up by someone else. There had to be more to this. Now all they needed
was time to straighten out the facts.
Chapter 1789
“Alright, don’t worry about it. I won’t tell Nancy. We have to get to the bottom of this,” Joan said
determinedly.
However, she was not totally convinced either. Joan was worried that it might have something to do
with Nancy.
If this was all planned out by her, then…
No, that’s impossible. Even if Nancy was set on divorcing Caspian, she wouldn’t have resorted to such
a despicable trick. No, it can’t be Nancy.
Joan kept trying to convince herself that Nancy did not do it.
Even though she was keen on getting a divorce from Caspian so that she could be together with Jory,
Nancy couldn’t have stooped so low to frame the man. Besides, Simon wouldn’t have let her off the
hook if he found out that his daughter had done this.
Both marriage and divorce should be done in dignified ways.
It seemed like there was more to it, and Joan had a hunch that things were only going to get worse
from then onward.
Suddenly, a person’s face popped into Joan’s mind.
It was Jory.
That man had always been distant and ruthless to others, sparing no mercy. Could it have something to
do with him?
“Nancy, where are you right now? Do you want to have lunch together?” Joan decided to ask Nancy
out.
“Joan, I’m out right now. Um, why don’t you send me the address and I’ll get there as soon as
possible…” Nancy said as if she was in a rush.
“Who is that? Why the hurry?” A man’s voice could be heard coming from the other end of the phone.
If Joan was not mistaken, it was Jory’s.
They are together right now.
Has Nancy really been blinded by love? Why is she getting together with that man, disregarding her
reputation?
Otherwise, why would Caspian get drunk and have sex with another woman?
Joan blamed Nancy for all that happened.
She sighed. But who am I to judge?
Maybe in the olden days, she would be shamed for not staying true to her husband, but they were no
longer in the olden days. Nowadays, Nancy would be avowed as a woman who was fearless in her
pursuit of true love.
Joan felt her head going dizzy right then.
“What’s the matter? Are you not feeling well? What if you take a raincheck and go tomorrow instead?”
Larry massaged her temples and said.
“Don’t worry, I’m alright. I have to go there and talk to her. I need to see if this has anything to do with
her. If she’s really aware of it, I’m going to be so disappointed in her…” Joan’s face fell.
She had faith in Nancy, and that was the reason she had given Nancy time for her to come clean to
Caspian. However, she had not expected things to take such a turn.
Life would always get in the way of one’s plans, given its unpredictable nature, just like Caspian would
never have imagined that the woman would appear in front of him and that he would have cheated on
Nancy with her.
Meanwhile in the restaurant. “Joan, is there something going on? Why are you rushing to see me?”
Nancy looked at Joan with a puzzled look on her face.
“Um… Nancy, how are you and Caspian doing right now?” Joan was trying to sound her out.
“Oh, that. Not much progress on that front. I still haven’t told him anything, and I have no idea how to
break the news to him either. But I think it will be soon,” said Nancy as she took a sip of her coffee.
Soon? What does she mean by soon?
“Do you mean you’ve figured out how to break the news to him?” Joan pressed on.
“Yeah. I mean, there’s really nothing left between Caspian and me. We’re better off as friends, and a
divorce is really inevitable, and I think better sooner rather than later. I’m planning to come clean to him
during the weekend,” Nancy explained while she kept her head low.
Chapter 1790
Judging from the way she talked about Caspian, Joan thought that she did not sound like she had any
idea what happened.
“Nancy, did Jory ever mention anything about giving you a hand at that?” Joan asked the woman
before her while she carefully gauged her reaction.
Nancy was stumped at first but soon regained her composure.
“He did mention that he wanted to help me take care of Caspian, but I rejected him. I didn’t want him
getting involved. I mean, this divorce is really just between Caspian and me. Joan, you know how
Caspian can get. If he knew about Jory, I think…” Nancy paused as she could not bear to finish her
sentence.
What? Is that what she means when she talks about coming clean to Caspian?
What is Nancy thinking, really?
“Nancy, please tell me what’s on your mind. Are you going to keep the thing about you and Jory from
Caspian?” Joan asked exasperatedly.
Yes, she was indeed planning to hide it from Caspian. She did not want to let Caspian know because
she knew that her husband would hunt down Jory with a knife in his hand.
Joan was rendered speechless.
“Please just tell Caspian everything.” Joan looked at Nancy with a hopeful look.
Nancy kept her head low instead.
Joan did not tell Nancy about the thing with Caspian. She just wanted to know if Nancy had any idea
about it. Right then, Joan knew that her friend was not aware of what had happened.
Didn’t Jory tell her?
Joan did not know who else would have the motive to frame Caspian. However, Jory was an
experienced businessman. It seemed too tacky for him to do something like that.
“Joan, are you looking for me to talk about this?” There was a hint of sorrow in her eyes, perhaps it was
the guilt she felt toward Caspian.
“Yes. I just wanted to ask when you are planning to tell Caspian about you and Jory,” Joan looked at
the woman before her with a determined look on her face.
She had hoped that Nancy would come clean to Caspian about everything. However, it seemed like
Nancy did not have the same intention in mind.
“Okay, Joan. I will tell him everything, including the thing with Jory.” Nancy suddenly changed her mind.
Pleased, Joan smiled.
This was the Nancy whom she had known. As we sow, so shall we reap. We are accountable for things
that happen in our life.
If Nancy had told Caspian about the thing with Jory before Caspian told her about the woman in the
hotel, maybe Caspian would not be as hurt.
Joan’s face fell at the twisted turns of events.
She felt sick at how far some people would go just to get what they want.
Even though she could understand where Nancy was coming from, she did not agree with what she
had done.
It was a reckless and irresponsible act, not to mention selfish.
“Joan, don’t worry. I will tell Caspian everything.”
The look in Nancy’s eyes told Joan that she had not judged her friend wrongly.
After having a meal, the two women headed home.
In the room, Caspian was laying on the bed as he stared blankly out front. The man was lost in his
thoughts, and even oblivious to the sounds of Nancy opening the door.
Caspian would always be the first to notice when Nancy was home, and he made it a habit to take her
bag from her. However, it was different that day.
Nancy was puzzled to not see Caspian.
“Caspian? Caspian?” Nancy called out his name.
However, Caspian was deep in his thoughts and did not give her any reaction.
“Caspian! Caspian!” Nancy kept calling.
This was her first time not being greeted by Caspian after she had gone home.
She found the pin-drop silence in the house odd.
That’s weird. Nancy slowly made her way to the room.
After pushing the door open, she noticed that a man was laying in bed, and it was Caspian.