Ch. 2221..2230
Chapter 2221
At that moment, Larry found her pitiable.
Due to her bubbly personality, he once thought she was an independent woman who could fend for
herself no matter what, yet she turned out to be just like any other person who needed help when lost
in life.
As the tide continued rising, the beach seemed even more desolated; there wasn’t a single star in the
night sky, and they were the only ones there.
Due to the drop in the temperature, Jessica started sneezing.
She said flatly, “It’s time to head back and call it a day.”
“I think you should spend a night at the nearby hotel since it’s getting late and cold.”
She thought that was a great idea because she was afraid of going through another round of emotional
breakdown once she was home.
Jessica asked, “What about you? Where are you going?”
He patted her shoulder and said, “There are still matters that require my attention back at the company.
So I’ll return and pick you up tomorrow.”
In spite of the affection she had for him, he had always considered her just another friend of his.
He couldn’t possibly leave her alone since she only had a few friends after spending most of her time
over the years abroad.
She wiped her tears dry and replied with a smile, “Mm. Please be careful on your way back. Thank you
so much for everything.”
“It’s fine. I hope you will move on as soon as possible. If you don’t mind, I can help you bring your
family back to its prime,” Larry offered in a serious manner.
In spite of the termination of the collaboration between both parties, she deserved at least that much for
her parents’ contribution. On top of that, Larry felt obliged to take care of Jessica because of the
misfortunes that had befallen her.
“Alright, Larry! I’ll definitely bring the Zimmer family back to its prime again, but I need to call it a day
first.” Jessica walked into the hotel after she bade farewell to Larry.
A woman could achieve any goal as long as she was ready to commit herself to it. If he could help
Jessica restore the Zimmer family to its former glory, perhaps there would be another renowned family
in town.
Right then, it was already three o’clock in the morning, and the city got so quiet that it was eerie.
Perhaps after a crazy night, the pent-up fatigue had caught up to the party animals. On his way back to
his office, the image of Joan flashed across Larry’s mind.
I wonder if she’s fine? Never mind. I’ll focus on the company matters for the time being.
When the shaft of sunlight illuminated Larry’s office, the pale and haggard man could be seen resting
his head on his table.
His assistant made his way into his office and greeted, “Mr. Norton?”
However, Larry couldn’t hear his assistant at all due to the fatigue after having a long night.
His assistant tapped on his shoulder in an attempt to wake him up. “Mr. Norton, it’s time for the next
meeting.”
Slowly, Larry opened his eyes and announced, “Oh… Get everything ready and meet me in the
meeting room.”
Worried, the assistant suggested, “Shall we delay the meeting? You can take a five-minute nap if you
need it.”
He had already seen the man sleeping in the office countless times. Therefore, he was afraid the
latter’s body couldn’t take the toll.
“No, I’m fine. Get everyone to join us in the meeting room at once.” Larry walked out of his office the
moment he delivered his instruction.
None of the management team and staff were involved in the meeting because it was conducted with a
few shareholders only. But as Larry had expected, Dustin was absent from the meeting.
One of the shareholders asked with a scornful look, “Mr. Norton, what exactly are you up to? Why
haven’t you tried to salvage whatever’s left after the termination of the collaboration with the domestic
manufacturer? How could you hand it over to others without putting up a fight?”
“Indeed, it’s a loss on our end when the collaboration was terminated abruptly. I mean, we have been
collaborating over the years.”
Chapter 2222
“They’re absolutely right! I still need to put food on the table! My whole family depends on me!”
The shareholders in the meeting room voiced out their frustration because they were oblivious to the
fact that Norton Corporation had reached an agreement with a foreign manufacturer.
“Mr. Norton, don’t you think you owe us an explanation? You’re not going to tell us you have no idea
about our current situation, are you?”
“If that’s really the case, don’t you guys think it’s about time to appoint another president to lead the
corporation?”
The cunning bunch was up to no good and seemed to be plotting against him, trying to strip him of his
position.
Larry announced, “Please calm down, everyone. There’s a reason why I did not try to establish a
collaboration with the domestic manufacturers.”
“What is it? If you have run out of ideas, why don’t you let Dustin take over your position? As the
second-largest shareholder of Norton Corporation, I’m sure he’s on par with you in terms of
capabilities!”
It was evident that Dustin was colluding with the shareholders, which was the reason he couldn’t be
bothered to attend the meeting in person.
Great! They’re actually ganging up on me now! Larry’s abysmal pair of eyes glinted when he thought
about it.
Right then, his assistant handed each of the attendees a proposal. “Here’s Mr. Norton’s proposal.
Please take some time and peruse the pros and cons associated with the proposal before raising any
question.”
Instantly, everyone went dead silent.
“What is he up to again?”
“I have no idea! I guess we’ll find out soon!”
“Has he been keeping us in the dark again? I have never heard of this so-called proposal before!”
“Actually, this is the first time I have seen it as well.”
When the shareholders started perusing the proposal, they were shocked.
A shareholder asked in disbelief, “Mr. Norton, are you telling us you have sealed the deal with the
largest foreign manufacturer?”
Initially, they had devised a flawless plan to strip Larry of his power as the president, but they were
rendered speechless by the proposal the assistant had distributed.
Confused, they exchanged glances with each other.
Another shareholder repeated the question, “Mr. Norton, are you serious?”
Larry deadpanned his reply with a serious look, “Yes.”
After perusing the proposal a few times, the attendees of the meeting still found it unbelievable.
“That foreign manufacturer is globally renowned for being the best in the industry. Some of us had paid
the person in charge a visit, yet our effort was to no avail. How did he reach an agreement with them?”
“I have no idea! Did he resort to some extreme countermeasures again?”
“Hmph! I think that must be the case! After all, Larry is known for being a ruthless man who would
resort to everything and anything to achieve his goal.”
A few of the shareholders engaged in another round of heated discussion.
Suddenly, Larry announced, “Choosing not to collaborate with domestic manufacturers has always
been part of my plan. While we’re not supposed to leave those who have supported us behind, we
can’t possibly forsake our potential gains as entrepreneurs. I will never impede the company’s growth
for personal reasons. On top of that, the person in charge of the foreign manufacturing company has
indicated the will to work with us in the long run.”
It was evident that Larry’s plan had taken the shareholders by surprise once again.
One of the most reputable shareholders requested, “It sounds like a great idea because Norton
Corporation has always been a for-profit organization. With that being said, you need to show us the
agreement to convince us.”
Larry understood that the shareholder was trying to do him a favor to stop others from getting in his
way. Therefore, he knew it was inevitable to show them the agreement.
After he glanced at his watch, he stated, “That won’t be an issue, but not today because there are still
quite a few things I have to sort out. I’ll show everyone the agreement during our next meeting. So
please be patient until then.”
Chapter 2223
The moment the attendees heard the announcement, they couldn’t keep their composure anymore.
“What’s going on? The agreement is not ready yet? Is he pulling a trick on us?”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I mean, can a youngster really achieve something we veterans
can’t?”
They engaged in another round of heated discussion in front of Larry and voiced out their doubts, but
Larry refused to let the belittling remarks get to him. It wasn’t a lie when he mentioned he had a lot of
things to deal with—he was in a hurry to head over to the hotel and pick Jessica up.
“I’m sorry, everyone, but I have to leave now. The main agenda of today’s meeting is to distribute the
proposal. Please peruse it during your free time.”
He was about to leave, but another shareholder broke the silence and demanded, “Mr. Norton, are you
sure you’re not trying to deceive us? We need a feasible solution, not a proposal!”
Ugh! Is Murphy’s law at play again?
Larry had no choice but to face the shameless bunch. He turned around and explained, “I have been
telling the truth, and every staff in the company is aware of that.”
Nonetheless, the shareholders weren’t convinced at all. They had no intention to let Larry off the hook
just yet, staring at him with scornful expressions like he was a liar.
The shareholder raised his volume and demanded, “We want to see the agreement immediately!
Otherwise, you’re considered deceiving the shareholders! I’m sure you’re aware of the consequences
of doing that, aren’t you?”
What on earth does he want? Is this part of their plan to strip me of my authority and position? Just how
foolish can he get?
In the end, Larry raised his volume and repeated himself, “Have I not made myself clear? I said I would
show it to everyone during the next meeting because I’m currently in a hurry!”
Actually, he had no intention to keep the agreement from them, but he was worried someone would
attempt something foolish should his assistant show them the agreement in his absence.
He could foresee that some of them would throw a tantrum or even tear the agreement apart. After all,
it did happen in the past.
The nasty shareholder added, “Mr. Norton, why don’t you show us the agreement if you have sealed
the deal? You can continue with your business once you do so.”
Huh! What am I? A fool? I guess they must have gotten full of themselves, huh?
Sneering, Larry announced in a domineering manner, “As the president of the company, I’m going to
repeat myself for one last time. I have the agreement with me, and I’ll show it to everyone during the
next meeting. If anyone has a different opinion, feel free to leave Norton Corporation because no one,
including me, is going to stop you!”
In fact, he wasn’t saying that just to get out of the meeting room—it was a warning to the arrogant
bunch because he couldn’t stand their attitude anymore. It takes the entire organization’s collective
effort to improve the company’s situation. Since some of them share a different goal in mind and have
tried to impede the company’s growth, it’s pointless to keep them around.
All of a sudden, the attendees in the meeting room went dead silent as they were intimidated by Larry’s
warning.
After he made himself clear, Larry flung the door open and marched out of the meeting room.
I shouldn’t have tolerated them all these years! They can’t contribute much, yet they won’t stop picking
on those who actually do!
Once his assistant caught up to him, he said, “Mr. Norton, please calm down. I think they were only
agitated because they weren’t aware of the actual situation.”
Indeed, none of the shareholders knew that he had spent most of his time working overtime at the
office and had to forsake his meals occasionally. Moreover, when he was abroad, he had to cast his
dignity aside to seal the deal with the manufacturer.
“It’s fine. You should go back to work. I’ll be heading out in a short while. If they come after you and try
to give you a hard time, just repeat the things I have mentioned. If worse comes to worst, give me a
call.” He made his way out of Norton Corporation once he delivered his instructions.
On his way to the hotel, he stared dead ahead, emanating a strong murderous intent.
Chapter 2224
They consider me an arrogant youngster who can’t do much, yet they’re the ones who can’t contribute
at all!
Once Larry picked up the call, Caspian voice could be heard asking anxiously, “Larry, what happened?
Did the shareholders give you a hard time again? Do you need me to come over?”
Larry massaged his temples and replied in a hushed voice, “How did you know about this? It’s not a big
deal. I have everything under control. They won’t try anything reckless anymore.”
He was grateful to have Caspian by his side back in the day when the shareholders were up to no
good. If it weren’t because of Caspian, he might not have made it through the challenges.
As soon as Larry sorted out everything, he rushed over to the hotel.
Once he saw Jessica, he asked, “Hey, how are you feeling?”
She replied in a courteous manner, “I guess I’m doing fine. Thank you so much for everything
yesterday.”
It was about time for her to snap out of her imagination and face the truth after lying to herself for such
a long time.
“Can you please make a trip with me? I need to bring my late parents’ remains back with me.”
When Larry heard the request she brought up, he found it odd. Why is she asking me to tag along with
her to bring her parents back? It’s quite inappropriate since I’m a married man.
With that, Larry turned her down outright, “Jessica, I’m afraid that’s impossible because I have a lot of
things to deal with in the company. I’ll get Caspian to go with you instead.”
He couldn’t bear to have her make the trip alone either. After all, there wasn’t anyone else she could
rely on.
“If that’s the case, it’s fine. You should tend to the things you have on your plate. I’ll make my way there
on my own.”
Afraid that something bad would happen to Caspian, she turned him down without a second thought.
After all, she was the reason he was hurt.
On top of that, she once rejected him when he confessed the affection he had for her.
Staying true to herself had always been her core value. Thus, she was determined to stay away from
Caspian since she was in love with another man. Although she knew that Larry might not fall for her,
she couldn’t lie to herself because he was the only one she had in mind. Therefore, she couldn’t
possibly accept Caspian into her life.
After much consideration, Larry repeated himself, “I’ll get Caspian to go with you because there are a
few things that require my attention.”
“It’s fine! Please go ahead with your work, but keep this matter from Caspian, okay? I want to resolve
everything on my own! Trust me! I’ll be back, but it’s going to take some time!” Jessica replied with a
determined look.
Why is she so stubborn? I get it she doesn’t have a thing for Caspian, but she can just consider him
another friend of hers. Is it necessary for her to distance herself from him? She’s making it seem like
she’s about to sever ties with him.
He asked, “When will you be heading over?”
The woman wiped the tears from her cheeks and said, “If it’s possible, I’ll be heading over tonight
because I received countless calls from the person in charge. All this while, I had been deceiving
myself, but it’s time to face reality.”
“Alright, I’ll tag along with you.”
The man’s response took Jessica by surprise, and she gave him a grin.
I guess he’s not a heartless man after all, huh?
After they made their way out of the hotel, Larry brought Jessica to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Caspian, who was in the ward, looked frail and haggard. It was evident that he had a hard
time falling asleep because his fatigue was written all over his face.
“Hey, it’s time for breakfast!” Jessica announced when she made her way into the ward.
Caspian turned around when she heard the woman’s voice.
Thrilled by her presence, he greeted, “Hey!”
Jessica handed him his breakfast and suggested, “Here you go! I have bought you your favorite food!
You should eat it before it turns cold!”
However, he couldn’t be bothered with the food she bought at all because her wellbeing was his sole
concern.
Subsequently, he asked while looking her in the eye, “How are you? Is everything fine?”
Grinning, Jessica answered, “What could possibly be wrong? Just dig in. I’m totally fine!”
Chapter 2225
Caspian knew she was forcing a smile to conceal her despair. After all, it was impossible for someone
to move on from such a horrifying experience so soon.
Nonetheless, he was glad she hadn’t attempted anything silly.
Out of the blue, Jessica said, “Caspian, I have to see to something. Therefore, I won’t be able to drop
by for the next few days.”
What else could she possibly care about besides Larry?
Savoring the food she bought him, he asked, “Where are you going?”
“You need to stop poking your nose into my business because it has nothing to do with you!”
Oh? Since when did she learn to keep her secrets from me? But I guess it’s fine since she has Larry by
her side.
“Alright, I’ll get you a bottle of water.” Having said that, Jessica headed over to the pantry.
Once Caspian saw that the woman was gone, he reached for his phone and made a call.
He asked anxiously, “Hello, Larry? Is everything fine with Jessica? Why can’t she drop by the hospital
for the next few days? Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“How am I supposed to know when you’re not even aware of it after spending so much time with her?”
Larry answered with a rhetorical question.
Although Caspian was the friend he trusted the most, he couldn’t possibly decline Jessica’s request.
“You need to calm down. She’s stronger than you think, so don’t worry, okay?” he tried to console his
anxious friend.
“Larry, you’re able to say that because she’s not Joan! I’m pretty sure you’re going to be on pins and
needles if Joan has to go through something similar,” Caspian teased his friend in return.
Suddenly, a gloomy expression loomed over Larry’s face because it had been a few days since his last
encounter with Joan.
She had not called him for the past few days either.
He couldn’t help but wonder if she was messing with another man again. In fact, he doubted if she
even cared about their marriage.
“Larry, I’m not trying to be a busybody, but I think you need to keep Joan company. Aren’t you afraid
another man is going to snatch her away from you?” Caspian asked in a provoking manner.
If she’s going to leave with another man, I guess she was never meant to be mine. After all, if we’re
destined to be together, no one should be able to snatch her away from me.
Moreover, he didn’t have time to deal with their relationship because of the company’s ongoing issues
he had to tackle.
Besides, if it weren’t for the long-time collaboration between the Nortons and the Zimmers, he wouldn’t
have agreed to tag along with Jessica either.
“You know what? You need to mind your own business instead of mine! I’ll talk to you again.”
Staring at his phone after they wrapped up the conversation, Caspian was lost in thought. For some
unknown reason, he felt that Larry and Joan had yet to bury the hatchet.
I guess I’ll just have to give Joan a call!
Caspian made up an excuse. “Hey Joan, Larry asked you to bring him his jacket. It’s getting colder
these days.”
“Huh? Why hasn’t he called me?” Joan replied with her brows arched in confusion.
“Oh! Larry has asked me to get in touch with you on his behalf because he is occupied with work. He
doesn’t even have time for his meals!”
Is that really the case? Why does it seem like something fishy is going on? Joan stared at the ceiling in
confusion, wondering if he was telling the truth.
In a doubtful tone, she asked, “Are you sure you’re not lying?”
“No! Since when have I lied to you?”
Well, Caspian doesn’t seem like a dishonest person.
Once Joan gathered her thoughts, she wrapped up the conversation. “Alright, I’ll get going
immediately.”
As she made her way there, she was clueless about the events that were about to unfold.
Jessica asked, “Larry, are you done?”
Larry’s office was the only place with lights turned on because the rest had returned home since it was
way past working hours.
They decided to spend the night in the office as they would be taking a flight at two o’clock in the
morning.
Larry declared while having his eyes glued to the document on his table. “We’ll depart in ten minutes.”
Sitting on the couch, Jessica was staring at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts.
Ten minutes later, when the duo walked out of the office and made their way to the entrance, they were
shocked.
Chapter 2226
Larry asked, “Why are you here?”
A few feet away from them stood Joan with Larry’s jacket in her hand. As her gaze shifted from Larry to
Jessica, a glint of despair flashed past her eyes.
Where are they heading to? What are they up to? Why hasn’t he mentioned anything about the trip?
“Caspian asked me to bring you your jacket because you told him you were freezing. Here you go. I’ll
get going now. Please pay no heed to me.” After she handed his jacket to him, she turned around and
was about to leave.
Her husband stopped her and offered, “Hey! Hold on. It’s getting late. I’ll give you a ride home.”
He was touched because she had taken the extra miles to send him his jacket during such a frigid
night.
“It’s fine! You should get going already!” Joan sprinted away without a second thought.
“Ms. Watts!” All of a sudden, Jessica approached Joan.
Glancing at Larry, she explained, “I think you have misunderstood the situation! We’re merely heading
abroad for a work trip!”
Joan was slightly taken aback by the woman’s response because normally, the latter would have hurl
all sorts of mockery at her in such situations.
“I know you guys have a lot of things to deal with. It’s fine. I’ll be leaving now.”
Joan had fled the scene before Larry could speak because she was afraid that she couldn’t resist the
urge to confront the man.
Although Jessica made it clear that there was nothing going on between them, no woman could stand
their husband being with another woman in the middle of the night. On top of that, it had been such a
long time since he returned home to see her.
“What’s wrong, Joan? Why did you head out in the middle of the night? Has something happened?”
Delilah queried out of concern.
Joan tapped on her shoulder and assured, “No, Ms. Young. I only went out for a stroll. Don’t worry
about me and go to sleep.”
“Have you been missing Larry again? Why don’t you give him a call? It’s not a big deal to get into a
conflict. After all, youngsters tend to bicker with each other every now and then before patching things
up a few days later.”
But that’s not the case for us.
I want to let bygones be bygones too and return to the good old days, yet there are just too many
obstacles between us.
“Let’s call it a day. It’s getting really late.” Having said that, Delilah returned to her room.
Left alone in the living room, Joan slumped against the couch in a daze.
What’s going on between Larry and Jessica? Where are they going in the middle of the night?
Overwhelmed by thoughts, she started feeling lightheaded. In the end, she got herself a glass of wine
in an attempt to drown her sorrows.
But she only got increasingly upset as she dwelled on the matter the entire night.
When Lucius was roused from his sleep the next morning, he was shocked by the drunk woman in the
living room the moment he walked out of his room.
He shook the pale and haggard woman’s arm, asking in a quivering voice, “Mom, what’s wrong?”
As she was unresponsive to him, Lucius yelled, “Mom, why don’t you return to your room?”
Despite yelling at the top of his lungs, Joan didn’t even flinch, let alone respond to Lucius.
Meanwhile, Delilah was awoken from her sleep because of the little boy’s yelling. She walked out of her
room and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Lucius asked concernedly, “Grandma, why isn’t Mom answering me?”
Since there was a bottle of wine on the coffee table, Delilah knew Joan must have gotten herself drunk.
Delilah instructed, “Don’t worry, Lucius. Get yourself ready for school and get some pocket money from
the drawer over there to buy yourself breakfast. I don’t think we have time to prepare anything for you.”
What’s wrong with her? She’s missing Larry, yet she refuses to admit it. Why can’t she put her dignity
aside?
Shaking the woman on the couch with all her might, Delilah said, “Joan, it’s time to wake up!”
The drowsy Joan muttered in return, “H-Huh? No! Stay away from me! I need to sleep!”
Chapter 2227
You shouldn’t have gone out for a stroll in the middle of the night! I don’t get it! Do you enjoy torturing
yourself?
“No! Wake up now!” Delilah made her way to the kitchen after repeating herself.
Larry needs to reflect upon his actions as well! As a man, shouldn’t he tolerate his wife even though
she’s the one at fault? He needs to stop pretending he’s occupied. He has been using the same
excuse over and over again! It’s about time for him to return home!
To be honest, I have no idea what’s going on between the duo! Forget it. I’ll just make myself
something to eat! At that thought, the woman in the kitchen started preparing her meal.
After scanning the surroundings, Jessica murmured, “I’m glad we managed to make it in time. If we had
to send Joan home, we might have to take the next available flight because we wouldn’t be able to
make it to the airport in time.”
Larry’s expression darkened instantly.
Will Joan get jealous after seeing us together last night?
“What’s bothering you? Have you regretted your decision? If that’s the case, you can still change your
mind and make your way back,” Jessica deliberately brought up the suggestion.
Is that even possible? How can I leave when we have reached our destination?
“Alright, alright. Just figure out the proper procedure to bring your late parents’ remains back.”
“Actually, I don’t plan to bring them back with me because they once said that they preferred to be
buried at sea. My mother had always loved the ocean, and my father would definitely want to keep my
mother company,” Jessica shared her plan with Larry.
Did she sort out everything beforehand? Does that mean she had long decided to let her late parents
rest in peace abroad?
“Shall we get going? The director is still waiting for us.” Jessica walked ahead of Larry once she
finished her sentence.
Everyone in the hospital seemed to be in a great mood with joy written all over their faces, perhaps
because of the great weather or their improving condition.
The director said empathetically, “I have been waiting for you. Here are your parents’ remains. They
passed on peacefully and hoped you would move on without them. Jessica, promise me to take good
care of yourself. If you want to stay here, you can do so for as long as you like. I’ll treat you as my own
daughter.”
The caring director seemed to be on good terms with the Zimmer family, especially Jessica.
After Jessica took over the remains of her parents, she answered, “Thanks, I’ll be fine. You don’t have
to worry about me.”
Suddenly, the man next to her asked in disbelief, “Are you sure you’re leaving them here?”
When the director heard Larry’s question, she interrupted their conversation and said, “Jessica, they
would prefer you to bring them back to your country.”
Jessica asked, “Have you heard them mentioning that?”
“We used to talk about it, and they told me they had to travel abroad because they didn’t have a choice.
Therefore, I’m certain they would prefer to have you bring them back.”
It turns out that they only traveled abroad to avoid unnecessary conflict. Ironically, the cause of the
conflict was the termination of the collaboration with Norton Corporation.
All this shouldn’t have occurred, yet life always has its way to get the better of us.
“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind,” Jessica replied.
Larry remained silent as he stood right next to her throughout their conversation.
Perhaps companion was all she needed. After all, nothing he said could alleviate the grief she felt. It
was such a pity that Caspian was grounded in the hospital when Jessica needed him by her side.
Suddenly, Jessica expressed her gratitude, “Thank you so much for keeping me company and making
the trip with me.”
Deep down, Larry only considered it just another trivial favor that would serve as the foundation of their
collaboration in the future. He was certain that she would never give in to fate. Although she might not
inherit her father’s business, she would still make a name for herself.
Humans would resort to all kinds of extreme countermeasures to tackle difficult situations. More often
than not, that would also be the time they discovered their limits.
Jessica asked with a confused look, “Aren’t you afraid of Joan getting jealous if she finds out that you
have traveled abroad with me?”
Is Joan going to be jealous? She’s not going to throw a tantrum over such a trivial matter, is she? I
mean, she has always been such an understanding woman.
Chapter 2228
On top of that, she isn’t in a position to blame me because she hasn’t even explained herself.
“No,” Larry replied in a determined tone.
Jessica glanced at him and responded with a satisfied smirk.
It would be great to have him as a friend. Why am I head over heels in love with Larry again? What’s
the reason behind my persistence? Can’t we be friends instead of a couple? She shook her head as
she found herself childish.
On the other hand, Caspian had been staying by her side even after getting turned down over and over
again. Never had he once shown signs of leaving her.
Larry tapped her head and asked, “What’s bothering you?”
“O-Oh… It’s nothing. Shall we head back? I still have a few things to sort out.”
What else does she need to do apart from taking care of her parents’ remains? Is it related to her future
plan?
Larry looked at the woman next to him and asked, “What’s your plan from now onwards?”
“Once I have my parents’ remains buried, I’ll proceed to build a library.”
He thought it was a great idea. As long as she had something to keep herself occupied, it would be
more than enough.
It would take a long time for Jessica to make a name for herself in the corporate world because of her
character. Therefore, establishing a library was a great alternative that would enable her to live a
relatively simple yet fulfilling life.
At that thought, he suddenly felt that she had transformed into a different person overnight.
Perhaps she had considered the options available since a long time ago, but she refused to embrace
the truth, just like she couldn’t deal with her parents’ death until Caspian brought it up.
He tapped on her shoulder and offered, “If there’s anything you need, feel free to get in touch with me.
I’ll definitely try my best to offer you my aid.”
“Yes, I do need your help, but not for the time being. Don’t worry. I have a few reliable cousins as well.
I’ll gather the capitals I need from them…” she shared her upcoming plan with him.
She turned out to be a relatively simple-minded woman who was oblivious to the unspoken rules of
society. It was a cruel world—most of her relatives had distanced themselves from her after they
figured out her parents had passed on. In other words, she should consider herself lucky if she could
gather twenty thousand in total from them.
Once Larry took everything into consideration, he offered, “I’ll invest in your upcoming project.”
Nah, it’s obvious that he’s merely trying to do me a favor. To begin with, he doesn’t even need this
additional revenue stream. On top of that, he is already occupied with his own work.
“Why? Do you need a place to chill? Please hang out somewhere else because I don’t think my library
is the right spot for you.”
“If that’s the case, feel free to approach me if you encounter any hardship. Since our families have
been collaborating over the years, I consider you a close friend of mine. I’ll help you if you need
anything from me.” The usual indifferent expression on Larry’s face was replaced by a benevolent one.
He knew she was a kind-hearted woman with a relatively straightforward mindset. In contrast to her
ostentatious image, she was calm and collected deep down. All this while, she had been putting on a
different front to conceal her emotions.
In the meantime, Caspian, who was in the yard of the hospital, looked up at the sky in a daze.
Why hasn’t Larry or Jessica shown up over the past two days? Have they been hanging out together?
Where could they be? Balling his fists, a cold glint flashed across the man’s eyes.
Right then, Joan showed up and tapped on his shoulder, asking in a gentle tone, “Hey, what’s bothering
you?”
Thrilled by her presence, he asked, “Hey Joan! What brings you here today?”
“Hmm? Am I not supposed to drop by and visit you?”
“No, I’m just afraid of interrupting your time. Who knows if you have a hectic schedule, right?”
Chapter 2229
The duo engaged in a conversation in the yard for a short while before making their way back to
Caspian’s ward.
Once Caspian returned to the ward, he was irked by the lingering stench of disinfectant.
Joan broke the silence with a question, “Caspian, can I ask you something?”
He held his chest high and assured her, “What is it about, Joan? You need to stop being so distant and
just share your concerns with me. I’ll try my best to answer your queries, and your secrets are safe with
me.”
Looking him in the eye, she asked after rephrasing her sentences with the appropriate choice of words,
“Why is Jessica constantly showing up around you and Larry?”
Huh? How am I supposed to answer this? I can’t possibly tell her that Jessica has a thing for Larry and
is trying to court him, can I? Nope! That will break Joan’s heart. Besides, the feelings aren’t even
mutual. Larry merely considers Jessica just another friend of his!
“She’s the daughter of the most influential domestic manufacturer. You’re aware of the issues Norton
Corporation has to tackle these days, aren’t you?”
Caspian had always been a man of few words, yet he had gone to great lengths to explain their
relationship. Thus, Joan was sure that something fishy was going on between Larry and Jessica.
“Caspian, I know you’re trying to defend Larry, and I don’t blame you since you’re obliged to do so.
However, our relationship will only worsen if I can’t sort out the misunderstanding between us. I don’t
mind turning a blind eye on their relationship, so please tell me the truth.”
She disliked being deceived the most because it would only make things worse than it already was.
As Larry’s wife, she had to figure out how he actually felt toward Jessica. Although she was reluctant to
file for divorce, she might have to make the call if things got to the point of no return. Perhaps that was
the only viable solution left.
“Joan, you need to stop overthinking things because nothing’s going on between them. Jessica has a
crush on him, but you’re the only one Larry cares for. In fact, he has turned her down more than once.
Don’t worry. Things will turn out just fine for you and Larry.”
Caspian ended up telling Joan the truth because he didn’t want to lie to her. He was the type of person
who usually behaved indifferently and only showed his mischievous side in front of a selected few.
Is that all? If he doesn’t have a thing for her, why was he with her last night? Where have they been?
Not only did he leave Caspian alone in the hospital, but he’s also nowhere to be seen in the company.
What about the woman’s disappearance? It can’t all be a mere coincidence, right? Something fishy is
going on. Have they eloped? Colors drained from Joan’s face at that thought.
Caspian noticed that she had turned pale. Concerned, he asked, “Joan, are you okay? You don’t look
that good. Are you not feeling well?”
“Has Larry mentioned anything about what he has been up to lately?” Joan probed further in a barely
audible voice.
“He’s busy dealing with the company’s ongoing issues after the termination of the collaboration with the
domestic manufacturer some time ago.”
“Why isn’t he in his office? Jessica hasn’t dropped by to deliver him his breakfast either!”
What does Joan mean? Is she indicating that they have eloped? Is that possible? I think she’s
overthinking things again. Larry will never agree to elope with Jessica since he doesn’t have a thing for
her.
Smiling, Caspian rebuked, “Maybe he’s out for another meeting with a client.”
Forget it. Caspian doesn’t seem to know their whereabouts. After she made up her mind to stop
interrogating the innocent man, the emotions she had been holding back came flooding out.
She had never once doubted the man, yet he ended up hurting her again and again.
Maybe change is just an inevitable part of human nature. All the pledges and promises seem so ironic
because no one can possibly remain loyal to their spouse when we’re all beings driven by our desires!
Chapter 2230
Ring!
Joan’s phone rang, and she immediately reached for it. She was, however, met with an unwelcome
sight.
“Caspian, you went overseas with Larry just a while ago, right?” Joan asked softly.
“Yes, didn’t Larry tell you about it? He probably forgot to tell you because he was too busy. We were
only overseas for a short while,” Caspian answered.
Really? Then why didn’t he at least tell me about it? And he went overseas with that Jessica?
Larry and Jessica were depicted in a variety of intimate poses in the photos. There was a lot of hugging
and hair-stroking; they could’ve easily been mistaken as a real couple.
“Why did Jessica go on the trip too?” Joan asked.
How did she know about Jessica? Caspian looked at Joan suspiciously.
“Joan, why do you know about this? Jessica’s always loved to travel, thanks to her wealthy
background. That’s why she tagged along. Nothing happened on the trip, I swear. You’re just
overthinking. We’re all just friends,” Caspian explained in a hurry.
Looks like Larry really didn’t tell Joan a thing about his trip. Joan knew that the Norton Corporation had
successfully signed an agreement with one of the biggest manufacturing companies overseas. She
was, however, clueless about the specifics of the deal.
“What if Larry and I get divorced one day?” Joan asked shakily.
Huh? Why is she talking about divorce? Why would they want to go their separate ways after fighting
through the ups and downs together?
They’ve gone through all those tough times, and they even have a kid together now. They should be
enjoying their time together now that Gabriella’s finally gone too. So why is she thinking of divorce?
“Joan, what are you saying? You and Larry are the best couple I’ve ever known. Don’t worry about all
those women trying to gain his favor; you’re the only woman in his eyes. Plus, I’ll always be keeping my
eye on him. He’s really just drowning in work these few days, so he forgot to tell you some things. Just
wait and see; I’m sure he’ll tell you about the trip soon enough,” Caspian said.
Really? Then why did they go overseas together again? And why did they keep it from Caspian?
“Then did you know that they went overseas together?” Joan cut in.
Caspian flinched on his hospital bed before collecting himself.
“Of course I did. Larry’s a busy person, so it’s normal for him to be traveling a lot.” Caspian turned his
head to the side and avoided Joan’s gaze. He didn’t seem too confident with his answer.
Joan knew Caspian too well, and his reaction told her everything she needed to know.
“If Larry was overseas purely for business purposes, why did Jessica have to tag along? He has an
assistant for that, right?” Joan asked.
Caspian didn’t know how to answer her question. In all honesty, he didn’t know about Jessica’s
presence during the trip.
“Alright, Joan. You shouldn’t worry too much. Just trust Larry. He really loves you.”
I bet he loves me so much he totally forgot about me and even found someone to replace me! Joan
scoffed, though her eyes were full of sorrow.
Women are sensitive creatures when it comes to relationships.
She was curious about the sender of those incriminating photos. What do they stand to gain from this?
“Joan, did you find out about something?” Caspian probed her curiously.
Joan would never say something this pessimistic unless she knows about something.
“I know that Larry and Jessica went overseas together, but I don’t know where they went or what they
did. Here, look at these.” She passed her phone to Caspian.