Ch. 651..660

Chapter 651

 

 

"Though Ringo is the one taking care of things at Terblanc Group, he's doing it in my name. I do not wish their inner circle to drag Jefferson's name through the mud because of this.” Rayna took a deep breath, not allowing Curtis the opportunity to retort as she continued calmly, “I know this may sound very selfish, but this is the last thing I can do for Jefferson. I spoke to you once before about this, and you were supportive then.

“I'm not forcing you to choose. Curtis. I just... hope there aren't any lies in our marriage.” Emboldened by the recovery of her memory, Rayna blurted the words she should have said several months ago.

Though she knew that it was not the right day to discuss the matter, she feared she would never get another chance if she did not do so, and she would never stop doubting Curtis.

Though Curtis had not said anything since Jefferson's death, she noticed on occasion that he still harbored a grudge toward her relationship with Jefferson.

Curtis doesn't mind that I was once married to Julian, but he does when it comes to Jefferson.

Curtis, however, felt the time was not yet ripe. “I admit I was wrong for hiding Faymon Group's venture into Yartran's real estate scene, but I had a reason for doing so, of which specifics I will delve into later. Faymon Group will not fight for Terblanc Group's business. Trust me. I won't go back on my promise to you.”

He understood Rayna's worries, so he did not wish to tell her anything before the matter was resolved lest her imagination ran wild.

“I trust you,” Rayna replied softly. “One more tiling: don't tell anyone that I've regained my memory.”

Curtis froze in his act of picking up his fork and turned his solemn gaze towai d Rayna. “Why?”

“Don't you find it strange?” Rayna said slowly. “I sought you out as soon as something happened to the project, then got into a car accident right after. How did they time it so well?”

Curtis' grip tightened around the fork at Rayna's words. “I've wondered about that, too.”

“Indeed. Before we get to the bottom of this, we cannot tell anybody about me regaining my memory yet.” As Rayna spoke, she tried hard to recall the circumstances surrounding her accident.

The large truck, coming from the opposite direction, had clearly been heading for her. Sandwiched from both ends, she was not supposed to survive the accident that day.

It's obvious. They were trying to kill me.

“All right, we'll do as you say.” Curtis' gaze fell onto Rayna. His eyes narrowed when they reached her neck and grew grim.

Curtis worked in his study that afternoon while Rayna sat on the couch there and played with the three children. Despite not being able to see the children, she could no longer contain the affection in her heart.

After regaining her memory. Rayna did not disguise her feelings toward the children, especially Xareni.

Arnaud had abducted Xareni shortly after her birth. Though she ended up safe, the mere memory of the incident gave Rayna palpitations.

The housekeeper knocked on the door to the study when Rayna and the children were lost in peals of laughter. “Your assistant, Ella, is here, Mrs. Faymon.”

Curtis, who had been occupied with work, paused in his task to look up at Rayna on the couch. He waved the housekeeper away before approaching her. “Since Ella is here, let the nanny take the kids.”

Rayna loosened her grip around Xareni's hand, and the nanny stepped forward from the comer to cany the child away.

“You want to come with me?” Rayna asked, leaning against Curtis as he helped her up from the couch. “Do you also wish to ask about Chandler?”

Curtis smoothened her collar, which had been yanked askew by the children. “I saw a person who looked a lot like Chandler two days ago when I was driving.”

In actual fact, they did not just look alike. They were peas in a pod.

Seated on the living room couch, Ella awaited Rayna's arrival.

Accompanied by Curtis, Rayna descended the stairs into the living room ten minutes later.

“Sony to keep you waiting. We were delayed by another matter,” Rayna began. Curtis helped her to the couch and then sat down beside her.

Ella watched as Curtis seated himself beside Rayna. and her hands on her legs clenched slowly; they looked as if they were about to interrogate her. “What can I do for you, Ms. Garland?”

“Relax. I just have some instructions for you, that's all,” Rayna soothed, having detected Ella's fear in her voice.

“Oh, I see,” Ella replied, though her gaze occasionally flitted toward Curtis.

Aware that Rayna and Curtis' wedding was only several months away, her being summoned to the Faymon residence in his presence caused her an instinctive fear.

Rayna delegated some work to Ella involving Glory Corporation briskly while discussing Chandler.

“Isn't Chandler's assistant, Nora, handling the matter, Ms. Garland?” Ella did not understand why the petty task of babysitting Happy Entertainment had fallen to her.

“Though Nora is in charge, I'm still not reassured. I feel better with you on it as you're more experienced. I'll give you a raise if you take over and handle this well. You don't have to fret over Chandler's problem. Just keep an eye out after them,” Rayna said. “His assistant still handles his daily work, so you don't have to worry about that.”

“So...” Ella asked after a moment's hesitation, “This feels as if I now outrank Chandler.”

“Something like that,” Rayna replied drily. “Didn't you want to manage celebrities? If you do this well, I can assign you to Happy Enterta inment. ’ ’

Ella's smile widened at those words. “Don't worry, Ms. Garland. I promise to complete the tasks you assigned me.”

Rayna nodded before turning to face Curtis beside her. “Do you have anything to add?”

“Seeing as you've made all the arrangements, I have nothing else to say.” Curtis' gaze fell on Rayna. and his lips curled. As my wife has taken care of everything I was going to do, I have nothing else to add. Chandler, though...

Curtis had become even warier of that celebrity ever since he had broken into the Faymon residence, so he had Robin send somebody to keep Chandler under constant surveillance.

However, he did not expect Rayna to have begun guarding herself against Chandler as well.

After discussing with Rayna in the living room for over half an hour, Ella rose to depart the Faymon residence.

Rayna remained seated on the couch as she helped herself to fruits. Her brows furrowed at the recollection of her various encounters with Chandler months ago.

“You have men watching Chandler, don't you?” Rayna turned to Curtis beside her, devouring the strawberry in her hand in one bite.

Curtis froze in the middle of peeling an orange. He frowned. “Why do you ask? Are you feeling sorry for the celebrity under your care?”

“Not exactly.” She was worried that Curtis might be hostile to Chandler.

She had not mentioned to Curtis how Chandler had pestered her back then, so she wondered if he had managed to uncover anything.

Even if nothing happened between us, he does harbor inappropriate thoughts toward me.

 

 

Chapter 652

Rayna ate the orange Curtis fed her. “Ella mentioned Glory Corporation's and Happy Entertainment's shares falling. Were you the one handling things on that end?”

“Glory Corporation's shares fell horrendously.” Curtis threw the orange peel into the bin, then picked up another from the coffee table and began peeling it. “I suspect a competitor of theirs is sabotaging them.”

“That's what I thought too.” Propping her legs on the couch. Rayna leaned her head against Curtis' shoulder and clung onto liis aim. “Do you think a person could return from the dead, Curtis?”

Though Rayna had not seen Mr. Bridge's face on Conch Island in Yartran. he had called her Belle, and his voice sounded alarmingly like the deceased Jefferson's.

Curtis paused in his act of peeling the orange and lowered his gaze to her. “What are you saying. Rayna?”

“It's just a suspicion. I'm still unsure.” Rayna burrowed her head against liis shoulder before continuing, “If Jefferson isn't really dead. I dare not imagine...”

“Are you suspecting the identity of the person who abducted you?” Curtis brought a slice of peeled orange close to Rayna's mouth. “Open up.”

Rayna opened her mouth as she was told to receive the sweet orange slice. “If it really is him, Curtis...”

“Jefferson is dead. Rayna.” It had been Curtis who went with Rayna to attend liis cremation.

He did not think the attendant sending the body into the furnace would have made a mistake, nor did he believe Jefferson could have returned to life. Even if Jefferson had survived that day. he would have

succumbed to liis ilhiess and died one way or another.

“That's tine. The real him would not bear to hurt me.” It was not like Jefferson to refrain from seeking medical attention for her after finding out about her injury and loss of sight.

“We'll pay him a visit this weekend.” Curtis knew nobody could replace Jefferson in Rayna's heart. During the interval of their affair, he even disappeared from her life.

Though it still bothered him, he reasoned with himself not to hold a grudge against a dead man.

“I would also like to...” Rayna was considering bringing Xareni along to pay her respects to Jefferson but was worried Curtis would mind.

“Xareni is too young. She may go when she's a little older.” Curtis knew what Rayna wanted to say. Xareni owed her life to Jefferson, and it stood to reason to pay respects to him, but the cemetery was no place for a young child. “We'll bring her when she learns to walk.”

“All right, we'll do that,” Rayna agreed upon considering the fact that her impaired vision would necessitate having to rely on Curtis to ascend the hill, and the inclusion of a child who could not yet walk would only add to the inconvenience.

A man clad in a black jacket pushed open the door to enter liis room in a hotel in Norwal City, only to hear the panicked voice of a woman. “Are you crazy. Jensen? How could you go to the Faymon residence alone?”

The speaker, clad in pajamas made of black silk, pointed at Jensen. “Court death if you want to, but don't drag me down with you!”

Unbothered by her accusations, Jensen Morag removed his jacket and tossed it onto the couch before glancing at her casually. “What are you afraid of, Ingrid?”

“Me?” The woman, Ingrid Zillman, folded her aims and scoffed. “Do you dare claim to be unafraid?”

“Whatever I feel depends on the progress of the mission.” Jensen undid the belt around liis waist and turned toward the bathroom. “I will handle my affairs on my own,” he added to Ingrid when he arrived at the door, “so stay out of them. Aside from the mission which binds us, we leave each other alone.”

At that, the man entered the bathroom and shut the door behind him.

Ingrid remained where she was until she heard the rush of water and. with an incredulous scoff, turned to exit liis room and toward her own next door.

Jensen stood beneath the shower, feeling the warm wrater flow7 slowdy past the grotesque scar on liis chest as he stroked the locket hanging around his neck with liis fingertips. “Isabelle, Rayna...”

A storm descended upon Norwal City in the night. Clad in a robe. Rayna stood before the slightly cracked open window and listened to the downpour through the gap. Then, she reached out and WTote a w7ord on the glass.

Curtis emerged from the bathroom after liis showrer, naked save for a towrel wrapped around liis waist. He found Rayna writing something on the window7 and, upon getting a closer look, realized it was the w7ord “Bridge.”

The sound of liis breathing coming from behind and the scent of his show7er gel permeating the air alerted Rayna to Curtis' presence. Her hand, about to fall to her side, leaped up again to erase the word hastily. As she could not see, she could not tell if she was wiping at the right spot.

Studying the remnants of the w7ord on the window, Curtis turned liis thoughtful gaze to Rayna and pulled her into liis embrace. “You won't let me see it?”

“I don't want to add to your frustrations with uncertainties.” Rayna wrapped her hands around his neck, reveling in the scent of his show'er gel that intoxicated her senses. “Glory Corporation has been developing a new7 line of skincare products and perfume. As I can't see for myself, I w7onder how it's going.”

“Glory Corporation's research has been ongoing. It never stopped.” Curtis held her waist and pulled her close. “You regained your memory at noon, didn't you?”

He had been wanting to ask since earlier that day.

“Yeah,” Rayna answered. “After coming back from my wralk, an awful headache overwhelmed me. Feeling as if I wras going to collapse, I lay in the bedroom for a little while.”

Curtis listened closely and inferred that it must have been during lunch.

“Why didn't you let the butler in?” The butler's phone call during noon had caused Curtis great anxiety, which was only alleviated upon liis return and seeing her unharmed.

“A flood of memories came to me during the headache. I did not wish to be disturbed, so I did not let them in.” Rayna explained, her voice meek. “Jefferson, Julian, and then you.”

The memories that had returned to Rayna felt like she had relived her entire life in a flash. Surfacing in her mind's eye, the scenes from her past had caused her great distress.

Two of the three men she had known throughout her life were dead, with only Curtis left. Suddenly, she was deathly afraid about failing to keep him safe.

Tactful enough to sense the unease in her heart, Curtis tightened liis grip around her waist.

Fearful that he w7ould leave her as Julian and Jefferson did. Rayna buried her face in the man's chest and listened to liis heartbeat. In the ensuing silence against the howl of the storm outside, the couple stood in each other's embrace.

That night, Rayna dreamt that she was in the middle of a lake from w7liich she tried to depart but was in danger of falling as soon as she left the center. It frightened her so much that she stood rooted to the spot.

A mist surrounded the lake, preventing her from seeing anything in her vicinity except the figure of a man clad entirely in black approaching her with an outstretched hand. “I'm here to take you away.”

Rayna looked up to see liis face, but she could not get a clear look.

 

 

 

Chapter 653

Inside Rayna's dream, the man walked until he stood right in front of her, then stretched a hand toward her. Seeing that she gave no response, he grabbed her and tried to drag her away.

“I'm not going with you. I won't,” she mumbled in her sleep until she woke up with a start.

Curtis was doing some work in the study when he heard a noise from the bedroom. He rushed over immediately, taking long strides. The moment he pushed the door open, he saw Rayna sitting on the bed. drenched in a cold sweat. Her face was deathly pale.

He hurried over to the bed and placed a hand on her forehead. However, she did not seem to be running a fever. “What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?”

“Mm-hmm,” she murmured in response. As she reached out and held his arm, he could clearly feel the slight tremble in her hand. It seemed she had yet to recover from her bad dream.

He stood next to the bed and hugged her, waiting until she calmed down before letting her go. “I'll get a towel to wipe your face.”

“Okay,” Rayna answered. She loosened her grip on liis arm, but she did so ever so slowly with a hint of reluctance.

Seeing that, Curtis sighed softly before scooping her up from the bed and carrying her into the bathroom.

Since she could no longer see. a chair had been prepared in the bathroom so she could sit on it while he helped her wrash up.

As she sat in the chair in front of the bathroom counter, he used a warm w’et towel to dab at her face with gentle motions.

He spoke to her tenderly while cleaning her face before moving on to her hands, wiping them carefully.

Then, he took another towel, dampened it, and began patiently wiping her back.

Being drenched in a cold sweat had left Rayna feeling a little chilly. However, after Curtis' careful ministrations with the warm towel, her body slowly started winning up.

Thinking about howr attentive he had been toward her over the past few’ days, she felt moved yet worried. “Curtis, what if I never regain my eyesight—”

“You will,” he said, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence.

I know7, what she w’ants to say. However, even if her eyesight never gets better, it has never crossed my mind to abandon her.

“We'll go to Shvomhid Mountain and find that traditional medicine practitioner. After pairing liis treatment with Dr. Galopin's, your eyesight will be on the mend,” he continued as he rinsed the towels and hung them up to diy. Then, he turned and carried her out of the bathroom.

Just as he was about to lower her onto the bed, she clutched his shirt and asked. “What time is it now?”

Curtis glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was three in the morning.

“It's still early, so you should sleep a little longer,” he replied as he put her down on the bed. He reached for the covers and was about to tuck her in when she lifted a hand to grab his.

“You've been up all night, haven't you?” She recalled that she had been alone in bed w’hen she aw’oke earlier, and the other half of the covers had been cold.

“I'll come over later. I still have several international video conferences to attend,” he replied softly. There was gentleness and reassurance in his tone.

Slowly, Rayna relaxed the fingers gripping his shirt and lay down on the bed. He pulled the covers over her and said, “I'll wrait until you fall asleep before leaving.”

Curtis climbed in under the covers and sat holding her until she dozed back to sleep. Then, he got up gingerly and left the bedroom. Upon returning to liis study, he turned on liis computer and resumed liis international video conference.

Wlien one of the video conference's attendees—a silver-haired man—noticed that Curtis had rejoined the meeting, he reported, “Tilings have been a little tricky over here in Yartran. People from the Civil Engineering Bureau have been coming by constantly.”

Here, a young, baby-faced man chimed in, “Evidently, someone in Yartran's inner circles is up to something. It seems a reshuffle in the candidates for Yartran's royal family is poised to happen, so internal pow7er struggles have been more intense. I think it's highly likely that someone from the other party was the one wdio caused it.”

“That doesn't make sense. Are there still people in the Civil Engineering Bureau w’ho oppose the current president?” the voice of a young wfoman rang out in the video conference. “As far as I know; the president personally selected those wdio would be in the bureau. I also heard that a month ago, the president handed the authority over the bureau to the crown prince.”

The crown prince...

Upon hearing that, Curtis narrowed his eyes as he sat at his desk. “What's the name of Yartran's crown prince?”

“Jovan Eastbridge,” the w’oman replied.

“He's the current crown prince, to be exact,” added the silver-haired man.

Eastbridge... Eastbridge... As Curtis kept repeating the name imvardly. the image of the word “Bridge” Rayna had traced on the glass window surfaced in his mind.

A cold look rose in liis eyes, and he slowly clenched his fists.

“We should be able to view’ liis photo on Yartran's official website,” the woman added. Her hand moved over her tablet, and she quickly sent a photo to Curtis.

He tapped on the photo and frowned. “He has blue eyes.”

“That's right. Rumor has it that the current crown prince is the only one whose looks differ from the other royal family members. Those in their family either have black or yellow’ eyes. None of them have ever had blue eyes,” the wroman in the video conference responded. She also sent an article on the crown prince to Curtis. “Take a look at tliis article.”

He pulled up the article and gave it a cursory glance. Nonetheless, the part where it talked about the crown prince's engagement did not escape liis notice. “He's engaged? He has a fiancee?”

“Yes. The crown prince of Yartran's fiancee is the daughter of their country's secretary of state. She's also the next secretary of state,” the w7oman answered. No sooner had she replied than the baby- faced man piped up, “Mr. Faymon. do you suspect tliis matter has something to do with the crown prince?”

“That remains to be seen.” Curtis put aw’ay liis phone, then looked up at the three people on the screen. “Continue to follow7 up on this matter and report to me immediately if there are any updates.”

“Got it,” they answered. After that, Curtis ended the video conference. He sat in liis leather chair, mulling over everything that had happened.

He tried piecing together the information he knew7 to determine whether wdiat happened to Rayna was somehow related to Faymon Group's real estate project. However, no matter how7 hard he tried, he could not figure out a connection between the two.

Wlien he thought about the w7ord Rayna had written on the window, he felt upset.

She's hiding something from me. and that makes me uncomfortable.

Thinking back to earlier that day w’hen Rayna brought up howr he had kept Faymon Group's foray into Yartran's real estate industry from her, he grew even more uneasy.

Bright and early the follow’ing morning, the housekeepers at the Faymon residence were busy cleaning the courtyard as it wras littered with leaves due to the heavy downpour the night before.

Wlien Rayna w’oke up, she still did not see Curtis in bed. and liis side of the bed was cold.

She threw7 back the covers, climbed out of bed. and padded over to the sliding doors. Then, she opened the sliding door and w’ent out onto the balcony. Breathing in deeply, she caught a whiff of the faint smell of gl ass mixed with soil.

Behind her, she heard someone open the bedroom door, and Curtis' voice rang out from inside the room, “Why are you up so early? Don't you wrant to sleep a little longer?”

As he spoke, he walked over and hugged her from behind.

“What time is it now’?” Rayna asked. Since losing her eyesight, she would keep asking that question from time to time.

“It's seven in the morning,” he answered, lightly nibbing liis chin over the top of her head. “Why don't you get a little more sleep?”

“Didn't you get any sleep last night?” she asked.

“No. My meeting only just ended, and I'm feeling a little sleepy. Do you want to sleep with me for a while, hmm?” he asked as liis hand resting on her waist started w’andering over her body.

 

 

Chapter 654

Rayna caught Curtis' roaming hand and gradually turned around. “There's something I wanted to ask you. How did you and James discover that I was on Conch Island?'’

“James and Jeremy hacked the entire global satellite system. In fact. Jeremy wrote a command and uploaded it into the system so that it could rapidly produce the information he required.*’ Curtis looked down at Rayna. Wlien he heard her bring the matter up on her own accord, he wondered if she had somehow thought of a lead. “Did something come to mind?”

Rayna shook her head. “No, it was just a random question.”

She had no recollection of how she was taken from Norwal City to Yartran. Even after deliberating upon her experience after she awoke, she could barely make any sense of it.

“Weren't you plaiming on getting some sleep? I'll stay by your side.” Rayna wrapped her aims around Curtis.

With that. Curtis swept her off her feet and carried her from the balcony to the bedroom.

At three in the afternoon, Curtis accompanied Rayna to visit Jefferson's grave.

She earned a bouquet of camellia flowers in her arms, which Curtis helped her place it in front of the grave.

“I'm sony that it has taken me so long to visit you,” Rayna remarked. “I was busy, as a lot has happened recently.”

“I have put Ringo in charge of Terblanc Group. Everything is going well, so there's nothing for you to worry about. Also, the children and I are doing fine.” While speaking, she was suddenly interrupted by

Curtis' phone ringing.

“I'm sony. I forgot to put it on silent mode.*’ Curtis apologized when he saw’ the look Rayna gave him. “It's a call from the office. I'll take it by the side. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Rayna hummed in acknowledgment as she pulled her aims away from Curtis' elbow.

With liis phone in hand. Curtis gave her forehead a peck before reminding her, “Don't w’ander off. Just wrait here for me.” With that, he walked tow’ard some nearby shrubs and took his call.

After waiting in front of the grave for ten minutes, Rayna—white cane in hand—decided to look for Curtis when there was still no sign of him. All of a sudden, she ran into a woman who gasped at the impact, causing Rayna to backpedal by reflex.

“I'm sony. Did I... hurt you?” Rayna inquired, as she was unable to see if she had knocked the person down.

The lady was stunned to see Rayna but quickly broke into a smile. “No.”

“Thank God,*’ Rayna replied as she prepared to extend her white cane. At the same time, the lady in front of Rayna scrutinized the latter with a cocked brow’.

After scanning her surroundings to make sure that there was no one around, the woman waved her hand in front of Rayna. When she didn't receive a reaction, she wras momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure.

“Are you going somewhere?” the woman asked as she held Rayna's aim to express her goodwill. Wlien Rayna didn't resist, the woman added. “I realize you can't see well. So, you have to be careful as there's a step on your right.*’

“Thank you.” Rayna gently swiped the woman's hand away, for she never liked to be in physical contact with strangers. If her blindness hadn't slowed her reaction time, she would have already declined the woman's help. After thanking the woman, Rayna began retracing the steps in her memory.

She had remembered that there was a steep step before arriving at Jefferson's grave but couldn't recall if it was on the right or the left. Moreover, the lady's words just nowr had only muddled her sense of direction even further.

In spite of that, Rayna was still put her guard up against strangers.

After pondering a moment, she began to feel her wray to the left.

Meanwhile, Curtis had returned from making the call when he saw Rayna trying to make her wray forward. However, there was a meter-tall step in front of her with a gravel path below;

“Rayna. stop right there!” Curtis yelled. Rayna. wrho was about to take another step foivvard. quickly retracted it. However, her panic caused her to accidentally place her foot on the ledge, resulting in her losing her balance.

“Rayna!” Curtis' heart sank as he watched her fall down the steps, for he couldn't get to her in time.

Upon realizing that the fall was inevitable. Rayna simply waited for the impact instead of bracing herself.

However, she was surprised when she felt herself being caught in a w’ann embrace instead of the pain she was expecting.

“Oof.” The grunt of a male voice quickly snapped Rayna back to reality. “Are you all right?”

Thinking that it was Curtis wdio caught her. Rayna sat up with the support of one hand on the gravel path and the other on the man's body. “Are you hurt?”

“Rayna!*’ Curtis jumped down from the ledge and pulled her back to her feet. Thereafter, he checked her anxiously for wounds. “Are you all right?”

“Curtis?” Rayna turned around to hold his elbow; “Wasn't that you just now?”

Her wrords caused Curtis to turn his attention to the man wdio wras just getting back to his feet. At that moment, an indiscernible glint flashed across his eyes. “Thank you for saving my wrife.”

“You're welcome. I was just passing by.” Just as the man spoke, he looked down and saw’ that liis shirt wras tom on the right arm, revealing the lacerations on his skin. Thereafter, he returned his gaze towrard Curtis and Rayna. “It seems that your wife is unable to see. As her husband, howr can you allow’ her to stay here alone?”

From the look in the man's eyes, it wras clear that he wras upset with Curtis.

Cognizant of the man's displeasure. Curtis turned to check on Rayna before returning his attention to the man. It was then that he saw’ a woman coming around via a slope on the other side.

With an anxious look on her face, the woman hurried up to the man's side. The moment she saw’ the w’ound on his right elbow; she scowled in Rayna's direction. Nonetheless, her reaction didn't escape Curtis' eyes.

“I already told you that there was a step on the right. Why did you insist on walking there?” the w’oman reprimanded Rayna. “If it wasn't because of my brother's quick reaction, you would have been disfigured for life.”

The woman wasn't being dramatic at all, as the place Rayna fell upon was a track made of sharp gravel. If the man hadn't caught Rayna. she would have been badly scarred if she had hit the ground face-first. If it wras her head that landed first, she would likely have lost her life.

“I'm sony. I wras just—” Rayna didn't expect the woman's w’aniing to be true. Hence, she felt guilty for troubling a stranger unnecessarily due to her own stubbornness.

 

 

 

Chapter 655

‘‘All right now. it's no big deal. It's just a scratch,” the man interrupted Rayna. Thereafter, he turned to the woman by liis side and warned her with a look.

Observing the dynamics between the two, Curtis tightened liis grip on Rayna's hand. Subsequently, he gave the man a wary look as he handed the latter liis name card. “This is my card. You can find my contact on it. If you're in need of any medical treatment, I'm more than happy to pay for it.”

Upon taking the card from Curtis' hand, the man gave it a quick glance before replying, “Sure.”

Sensing from the man's tone that he had no intention of going to the hospital. Rayna suggested. “Why don't you get yourself examined at the hospital now? In the event you have a serious injury, timely treatment would be crucial.”

“Oh, we were just visiting on a whim. It's close to four now and I need to be at the office at five, so I don't think I'll be going to the hospital now. Anyway, I still have your card. If I somehow need medical treatment, I'll get in touch with you.” Although the man spoke in a gentle tone, he would steal intermittent glances at Rayna while doing so.

“Okay then.” Upon hearing the man's words. Rayna didn't press the issue. “Thank you for helping me just now.”

“You're welcome.” With that, the man turned and left together with the woman Rayna had encountered earlier.

Standing still, Rayna noticed that Curtis didn't intend to leave. Thus, she asked, “I'm done at my end. Wliat about you? If you're ready, I feel like going home now.”

“I'm done too. but I need to drop by the office first. It won't take up too much time.” Upon retracting his gaze from the young man and woman, Curtis noticed that Rayna was feeling out of sorts. “Perhaps I can get the driver to send you home?”

“It's fine. Let's go together. I'll accompany you to the office.” Just as she spoke. Rayna noticed that her cane was missing when she wanted to pack it up.

When Curtis saw her let go of liis hand and bending down seemingly to look for something, he quickly stopped her. “Wliat are you looking for?”

“My cane,” Rayna replied. “I dropped it when I fell.”

In response, Curtis scanned the surroundings but was unable to see it anywhere. With a slight furrow of liis brows, he turned toward Rayna. “It's broken. I'll get you a new one.”

“Is it?” Rayna asked curiously.

“Mmm-hmm, it is. You dropped it on the flower bed when you fell just now.” Curtis cooked up a random reason to placate Rayna.

“In that case, let's just forget about it and go.” Just as she spoke. Rayna wrapped her anus around liis elbow again.

With that. Curtis trod carefully, worried that a single wrong step would cause her to fall again.

“What's with that sullen look on your face?” Inside the car, the woman threw the man a glance. Even though she spoke calmly, there was a hint of exasperation in her tone.

“Wliat do you think?” The man threw the question back at her in an indifferent tone. Nonetheless, the vicious glint in liis eyes couldn't be any more obvious.

Making eye contact, the woman felt a chill down her spine. “Don't look at me like that!”

“Adrienne, have you ignored what I told you previously?” the man stopped the car by the side and turned to look at Adrienne Picard. “Do you need me to remind you of what you promised me before we came to Noiwal City?”

Listening to the man's cold words. Adrienne gradually clenched her fists on her lap. Nonetheless, there was no change in her expression. “My memory serves me quite well.”

“Good,” the man grunted in acknowledgment before unbuttoning liis shirt and taking it off. Staring at him from the front passenger seat, Adrienne cocked a brow. “Wliat are you up to now?”

“I'm changing.” After chucking liis shirt over to the back seat, the man realized the shirt he had prepared wasn't inside the car. “Can you get me my shirt from the trunk?”

Adrienne turned around and frowned at the man. “You're really troublesome.” With that, she alighted from the car and opened the trunk, only to be greeted by an empty space. “Thibault, there's nothing in here!”

No sooner had she spoken than the car suddenly backed up in her direction. Even though she retreated in reflex, she tripped over her heels and fell onto the ground. “Thibault, what are you doing!”

Despite her raging screams, the car didn't look like it was going to stop. As she watched the car about to run over her legs in horror, her eyes reddened instantly. “No. Thibault. No, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!”

It was then that the reversing car came to a stop, followed by Thibault alighting from the car.

When Adrienne looked at the approaching Thibault, he had already changed into a clean shirt. He then leaned elegantly against the car as he looked down at her. “Thibault, you have gone too far!”

“Me? Gone too far?” Thibault gradually knelt down as she spoke. He then grabbed her chin so tightly that she pounded liis hand in pain. “Thibault, wdiat are you doing? Don't forget that we're on the same side!”

“Hmph!” Instead of releasing her. Thibault tightened liis grip with an insidious expression on liis face. “If there's a repeat of wdiat happened today, I'll do to you wdiat you did to Rayna!”

As she watched howr the usually gentle Thibault suddenly turned into a fearsome man, the teary-eyed Adrienne nodded vigorously. “All right.”

With one knee on the ground, Thibault let go of Adrienne's jaw. “I knowr that you're devastated over Jefferson's death, but it has nothing to do with Rayna. I already told you that before we came here.”

“I remember.” Adrienne quickly covered her chin as she backed awray to put some distance between herself and Thibault.

“Since you remember, you had better drill this into your mind too. There will be no repeat of what happened today!” The moment he finished, Thibault stepped forward and grabbed Adrienne's jaw to force her mouth open. After that, he popped a red pill right into her mouth, forcing her to swrallowr it before she had a chance to struggle.

“Thibault, what did you give me?” Adrienne scrambled up to her feet and rushed towrard the bushes by the side. There, she stuck a finger into her throat and tried to puke the pill out.

Watching howr desperate she was to induce vomit, Thibault let out a sneer before standing back up. He then remarked in a frosty tone, “Don't wrorry, it isn't poison.”

His wrords caused Adrienne to stop and turn around to glowrer at him. “Wliat in the wrorld did you give me?”

 

 

 

Chapter 656

“It's just something to make sure you obey me. Don't worry. It won't kill you!” After returning to the car and opening the car door. Thibault added. "Remember what you said today. If you dare harm Rayna again. I'll be force-feeding you something else.”

With that. Thibault got into the car and sped off.

Standing by the street, Adrienne balled her fingers into fists as she watched the car leave her in the dust.

When Rayna arrived at Faymon Group together with Curtis, Tilly was waiting outside the latter's office with a thick stack of documents in hand.

Surprised by Rayna's presence. Tilly attempted to hide the documents behind her until Curtis gestured that it wasn't necessary.

Robin, who was in the office first tiling in the morning, was briefly stunned to see that Curtis had come in with Rayna.

If I remember correctly, Mr. Faymon wants to discuss the Yartran real estate development today. Is it all right for Rayna to be here?

As Curtis led Rayna into the office. Tilly followed closely behind.

After settling Rayna down on the couch, Curtis walked right to his desk where Tilly subsequently placed the stack of documents on. Just as she was about to speak, she held her tongue the moment her gaze fell upon Rayna.

Noticing her hesitance, Curtis signaled for her to continue.

“Mr. Faymon, this is the information provided by our colleagues in Yartran. They reported that there are no fundamental problems with our real estate development there after surveying the site in the morning. Other than man-made reasons for the collapse, our contacts in Yartran never mentioned that the land had been separately developed before and that the ground below was mostly hollow.”

While flipping through the documents, Curtis froze when he heard the report. He then looked up at Tilly and asked. “Who is the head of the geological survey team at our end?”

“It's Andre Galvao,” Tilly replied. “I have already checked with him, and he said that they didn't notice anything amiss during their survey. He even claimed that it was impossible for the ground to be hollow. More importantly, we only discovered this after repeated checks on the site.”

Pointing at the document opened in Curtis' hand. Tilly added. “Here. Although it looks the same as the blueprints we initially received, it is actually different.”

With liis gaze trailing Tilly's finger, Curtis began to compare the differences between the two blueprints. Finally, he realized one of them showed a larger area underneath the sunlight.

“This blueprint was provided by our contact in Yartran.” Tilly continued, “The person who drew the design was the royal designer of Yartran, Gordon Wo Ik. While this one was produced via a collaboration between our designer and Gordon. I have clarified the matter with our chief designer. Greta, and she has confirmed that the blueprint back then is the one you're holding in your left hand. As for the different blueprint that was presented, she had no knowledge of it.”

While speaking, Tilly showed Curtis the chat on her phone to ensure that there was no miscommunication.

“Leave the blueprint with me. and have the secretarial department follow up on this matter,” Curtis instructed after putting the blueprints away. It wasn't until Tilly had left that he got up and walked to Rayna's side.

Upon hearing his approaching footsteps, Rayna looked in the direction of the sound. “Has the blueprint been tampered with?”

“Mmm-hmm,” Curtis grunted in reply.

“How long has it been used? Didn't the first person who received it notice that something was wrong?” Rayna attempted to discuss the matter with Curtis. “Under different lighting conditions, the person studying it would definitely have discovered the issue. There's either something wrong with their eyes or maybe they are not our people.”

“Something wrong with their eyes?” Curtis honed in on a crucial point. “If that's true, how can we tell?”

“It really depends. To be honest, I'm not really sure, as I was just making a wild guess.” Mid-sentence, a thought suddenly struck her. “What about being color blind?”

“Color blind?” Curtis was intrigued.

“That's right. If light can change the color on the blueprints, wouldn't someone who's color blind not be able to tell the difference, unlike an ordinary person?” Rayna continued to put her theory into words. “Everything would then make sense.”

Upon hearing her words, Curtis pressed on the intercom. “Mr. Yeast, please come into my office.”

No sooner had Curtis spoken than Robin walked through the door. “Mr. Faymon, you wanted to see me?”

“Rayna. please share with Mr. Yeast your hypothesis.” Taking a seat beside Rayna. Curtis put liis arm around her before instructing Robin, “Go to HR and investigate the engineers involved. Also, do so quietly.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Robin grunted in acknowledgment before listening to Rayna relate her suspicions to him. At the same time. Curtis gave him specific instructions which he noted down.

After Rayna spoke for a long time, Curtis handed her a glass of water. “Take your time. There's no rush.”

She took a sip and continued to discuss the probable scenarios in her mind. Upon jotting everything down. Robin took his leave from Curtis before leaving the office.

“You're really smart!” Curtis' eyes glistened with pride once Rayna was done.

However, she seemed nonplussed about his compliment. Instead, she put her palm over Curtis' hand and asked curiously, “I assumed that you would have thought of it.”

From Rayna's perspective, there was no way Curtis hadn't considered the possibility.

“Are you just trying not to let me feel awkward in your office?” Rayna questioned.

Even though she had heard every word of Tilly's report, she couldn't see the expression on Curtis' face due to her blindness. Nonetheless, she was certain that if she could think of the possibility, so could Curtis.

Before Curtis could reply, Rayna didn't see the point of harping on the topic. Instead, she flatly added. “Actually, it wasn't necessary for you to do that. I was just angry at you for not telling me earlier about the real estate development in Yartran. Although it does bother me that our relationship might be affected by our conflict of interest, I'm not that unreasonable to stop my husband from making money.”

“Rayna, I admit that it's my fault for not telling you about the project in Yartran earlier, but... It never crossed my mind that we would argue over the fact that Faymon Group has encroached on Terblanc Group's turf in Yartran.” After brief contemplation, Curtis gradually explained, “Your concerns are also

mine, as I'm equally worried that you would be pressured in Yartran. Nonetheless, this project was an endeavor of Grandpa's much earlier, but he never got the chance to execute it. Now the opportunity has presented itself, I feel as if I shouldn't miss it. At the very least, I hope to complete it on liis behalf while he's still alive.”

 

 

 

Chapter 657

“You should've told me from the very beginning.” Or the time when I took over Terblanc Group. I still don't understand why Curtis didn't say anything.

“If you had done that. I would've told Ringo to make some adjustments to the projects there.” Rayna informed Curtis truthfully, “I haven't officially taken part in the management of Terblanc Group. I gave Ringo complete control over it as I didn't want you to make any wrong assumptions.”

After all, Terblanc Group is Jefferson's business. He merely left it to me.

“I understand,” he said calmly. “I admit I was not magnanimous enough on this matter.”

“Yeah,” she murmured. “Are you done with work? If so, let's head back.”

“All right. Let's go home.” Curtis stood up with liis aim around Rayna. They left the office together and rode the elevator to the underground parking lot.

When Robin saw the pair leaving, he went to the underground parking lot ahead of them to start the car and wait for them.

Meanwhile, Jovan did not frequently leave the presidential palace in Yartran after Curtis brought Rayna back to Noiwal City, but he still made weekend trips to Conch Island.

No one in the entire Eastbridge family knew what had happened on the island except him and Jahan.

The last day of May was the one hundred and second birthday of Petronella, the matriarch of the Eastbridge family. As the elderly lady did not like to make a big deal out of it, only the Eastbridge family and a few close friends were invited to the birthday banquet.

Jahan followed his father, Silas, to the presidential palace to attend the birthday celebration.

Naturally, being Jovan's fiancee, Sheena also attended the event with her parents.

“Sheena.” She was greeted by Irina's voice as soon as she entered the hall and then saw the latter coming toward her in a short light blue dress.

Irina stepped forward and held her wrist. “You're finally here,” she said.

“How can I miss Old Mis. Eastbridge's birthday celebration?” Sheena gave Irina a small smile before raising her head and looking around the living room. A hint of disappointment flashed across her eyes when she failed to find the person she was hoping to see.

It did not go unnoticed by Irina, who nudged the other woman and informed, “My brother is here.”

As she spoke, she pointed to the person giving instructions to the housekeepers in the living room. “He's over there.”

Sheena followed Irina's gaze and found the man who had dyed his hair black at some point. He wore a knitted beige shirt and slacks while briefing the butlers and housekeepers of the presidential palace.

From her vantage point, she thought Jovan appeared particularly gentle that day. like the ideal gentleman from a novel.

The man she was looking at was completely different than the one she remembered. Sheena had an uncanny impression that the Jovan who had awakened from his coma was both him and yet not him.

I've always felt like there's something different about him, but I can't pinpoint what it is.

Sheena was spacing out when a housekeeper's voice rang out behind her. “Mr. Jahan, Mr. Silas.”

When she turned around after hearing it, her once warm expression suddenly turned icy at the sight of the two men. She disliked Jahan and his father, and she could see right through their intentions.

However, she still greeted them out of politeness. “Mr. Jahan. Mr. Silas.”

“Are you here with your parents, Sheena?” Silas asked.

“Yes,” Sheena responded curtly before pointing to the couple speaking with Isaac and his wife.

Silas followed her gaze, his eyes darkening as he saw the four people conversing, and he immediately walked over to them.

Instead of following liis father after seeing that, Jahan raked his eyes over Sheena.

She was wearing a long beige dress on that day. and her short hair gave her a softer appearance than usual.

Even after she averted her look from a distance. Jahan continued to stare at her. Her initial warmth was somewhat tempered by liis seeming reluctance to speak. “What do you wish to say?” she asked.

Hearing that, he looked away from her and grinned mockingly. “I don't see the crown prince showing any care toward you despite your attentiveness.”

The blatant sarcasm in his man's words left her feeling humiliated, and she gave him a frosty look. “That is my private matter. It has nothing to do with you. At the very least, I'm still officially Jovan's fiancee, unlike someone who is a 'bast*rd' known to everyone!”

Jahan instantly turned crimson with fury at her words. Just as he was about to say something, a piece of news was reported on the TV in the living room.

The “quality” issue with Faymon Group's real estate project in Yartran was discussed in the news. The report also featured a picture of Curtis, the CEO of Faymon Group, and indirectly brought up relevant reports about Glory products damaging customers' faces.

“The boss of Glory seems to be the wife of Mr. Faymon of Faymon Group,” Irina muttered at the side. “Indeed, birds of the same feather flock together!”

Sheena's gaze fell on the TV screen, her eyes calm and emotionless. After hearing Irina's words, she merely made an innocuous remark, “It seems that Mr. Faymon's wife also has a business in Yartran.”

Her words made Isaac, who was conversing with someone, stop the conversation. He then followed the gazes of their young people to look at the LCD screen. “How did Sheena know that Mis. Faymon has a business in Yartran?”

He was unaware of this matter while being the president of the nation. After all, Rayna isn't a citizen of Yartran, but the fact that she has a business here needs to be reported to the relevant government departments.

“I overheard the other ladies mentioning it in their conversation, saying that before Mi s. Faymon married the CEO of Faymon Group, there was an aristocrat she almost married but he passed away tragically. He was previously in charge of Terblanc Group.” No sooner had her words fallen than Jovan, who had just finished briefing the housekeepers, walked over to the couch, picked up the remote control on the coffee table, and changed the news channel to a music channel.

“Today is Grandma's birthday. Let's not discuss these tilings anymore. Wait until tomorrow to do that.” He had just finished speaking when the butler pushed Petronella in her wheelchair downstairs. “What are you all talking about? Did I hear Jo talking about me just now?” she asked.

The elderly lady with a full head of white hair looked at the people in the living room pleasantly. “Although today is my birthday celebration, it's no different from a family banquet. Let's share a

delightful meal tonight, and you can talk about work tomorrow.”

Jovan approached her, took the butler's place, and pushed the elderly lady to the center of the living room. “Grandma is right,” he said as he shared a smile with her.

 

 

 

Chapter 658

“You're the sweetest talker around.” Petronella held Jovan's hand with a soft smile on her face. When her gaze landed on Sheena, she waved at her. “Sheena, you're here too? Come, come to me.”

Right as Sheena was about to take a step forward, her eyes drifted toward Jovan, who was standing behind the elderly woman, and she froze.

“What's going on?” Petronella asked, noticing the stiffening of Sheena's body. She then turned to Jovan and asked. “Brat, did you bully Sheena again?”

“I didn't! Why would I dare to do that?” Jovan cried out as the elderly woman smacked liis aim. He then lifted liis head to look at Sheena and raised liis hand toward her. “Do come over.”

At that, Irina gave Sheena a push. “Sheena, Jovan's calling you.”

Irina's reminder snapped the dazed Sheena back to her senses. She then glanced at Irina, her parents, and Isaac.

Lifting her skill, she started walking toward Jovan, and when she reached him, she placed her hand in liis palm.

“Good, good.” Petronella was all smiles as she looked at them.

As Jovan held Sheena's hand, liis eyes landed on her cheek. Right then, a voice echoed in his head while someone else's face appeared in his mind.

“Jefferson. Jefferson Hamilton...”

“Why are you ignoring me? Hey. do you think I look good in this?”

“Jefferson, I hate you!”

“I never want to see you again, Jefferson Hamilton!”

“Jo, what's the matter?” Petronella called out when she noticed something amiss with Jovan.

Jovan came back to his senses to find out that he had been gripping Sheena's hand too tightly. Even Sheena had a grimace on her face from the force around her hand.

The moment Jovan let go of her, Sheena retracted her hand and began looking at Jovan with anger in her eyes.

Right then, the butler came out of the dining room and said, “Mr. Eastbridge, Mi s. Eastbridge. Old Mrs. Eastbridge, the food is ready.” His words cut through the tense atmosphere in the living room.

“Let's take a seat.” Isaac gestured at Sheena's parents before giving Jovan, who was still rooted to liis spot, a warning look.

In the meantime, Jahan and Silas shared a look before entering the dining room.

Ever since she came back from Jefferson's grave, Rayna had been staying with the children. While Curtis was reading company documents in the study by himself, he mulled over the young couple he bumped into at the graveyard.

The way that young man had looked at and talked with Rayna somehow made a wave of repulsion wash across Curtis.

Knock, knock, knock.

Right then, someone knocked on the door. Then. Rayna's voice sounded out behind the door. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.” Curtis closed the file in front of him and walked toward the door. At the same time, the housekeeper pushed the door open for Rayna to enter. When Curtis stepped forward to hold her, liis gaze landed on her clothes—the ones she was wearing earlier in the day—and he frowned.

“How much time do you still need?” Rayna asked. “Didn't you say you were going to Shvomliid Mountain tomorrow? Won't you tire yourself out too much along the journey tomorrow if you don't rest now?”

“I'm almost done. It'll only take another half an hour more.” Curtis helped Rayna to the couch.

“The nanny has taken the kids away, and I'm bored in the bedroom. I'll wait for you here.” Rayna said as she hooked her arm around the man's aim. Then, she sniffed a little and noticed the faint scent of coffee in the study. “You had coffee?”

“Mhm, but not much,” the man answered.

He was going to head to Shvomliid Mountain the next day. and he did not know how long he was going to stay there. That was why he was hoping to settle as many documents as he could that night.

However, he did not tell Rayna about it because he did not want to worry her and end up postponing the plan to head to Shvomliid Mountain.

“I'll just be here for a while. Do go back to your work,” Rayna urged as she let go of liis aim.

Curtis hummed in agreement before taking an MP3 player for her from under the desk. It was a music player that Rayna had used a long time ago, but she hardly ever used it after marrying Curtis.

Hence, when Rayna touched the player, she froze. “Why is this player with you?” I thought I lost it last time.

Curtis then placed the earphones into her ears before switching on the player. Instead of answering her question, he asked. “Is the volume all right?” As he spoke, he even lowered the volume.

“Mhm. It's fine.” Bitter sweetness seeped into Rayna's heart when the familiar song began playing in her ears.

An emotion flickered in Curtis' eyes when he took in the hint of loneliness that danced across Rayna's eyes, but he soon recollected himself.

At three in the morning, Rayna fell asleep on the study room's couch with a thin blanket draped on her while listening to music.

Once Curtis was done with liis work, he walked over to her to take out the earphones and switch off the music player. After putting it aside, he earned her out of the study.

When Rayna woke again, she found herself in a car.

“You're awake? Why don't you sleep for a while longer?” Curtis nibbed liis cheek against hers when he saw her eyes opening.

After registering her surroundings, Rayna asked, “Are we on our way to Shvomliid Mountain?”

“Yes,” Curtis answered before adjusting the blanket on Rayna. “You were in a deep sleep, so I didn't want to wake you.”

Rayna leaned against Curtis and rested her forehead against the man's jaw. After a quiet hum. she fell silent.

Realizing that she did not seem too happy, he raised a brow and asked. “Are you upset?”

“No,” Rayna muttered. “I just feel bad for you. You're so busy with Faymon Group's matters, but you still have to take time out to deal with my problems.”

“Silly, what are you talking about?” Curtis was angry and resigned to hear that, but at the same time, he found liis heart melting. Tightening liis grip on her shoulder, he said, “No work is more important than you and the kids to me.”

“Okay,” Rayna answered before shifting in liis anus. Rayna had soft hair, and nibbing her head against his body brought an itch and a wave of heat into Curtis' body.

“Rayna,” said the man in a hoarse voice. Hearing the strangeness in liis tone. Rayna asked. “What's the matter?”

Curtis took in a deep breath and stayed silent before gloomily saying, “Nothing.” Right as he said that, he lifted liis chin away from the top of Rayna's head before tilting liis head to rest liis cheek against the top of her head instead.

 

 

Chapter 659

It was not a far journey toward Shvomhid Mountain. After a six-hour ride. Rayna and Curtis reached the foot of Shvomhid Mountain.

When Rayna sensed the car engine had been turned off. she asked, “Are we here?”

“We are,” Curtis answered before glancing outside. From their spot, they could see mist shrouding Shvomhid Mountain, making it seem like a land of fantasy.

In the next second, the man reached out to grab the jacket at the side. After unbuckling liis and Rayna's safety belts, he opened the door and stepped out of the car.

“It’s cold on the mountain, so put on this jacket.” By the time they arrived at Shvomhid Mountain, it was already evening. Moreover, they were in the mountains, so the temperature there was lower than the temperature in the city.

Rayna reached out for the jacket. Only after putting it on did she realize it was a lightweight down jacket. “It's not winter yet.”

“It's very cold at the peak of Shvomhid Mountain. It'll be more suitable to wear this.” After Curtis zipped up the jacket for Rayna, he held her hand and went up the stairs with her.

“Did you bring yours?” Rayna asked as she hooked her aim around the man's aim. When she touched him, she found out that he was only wearing a normal suit—he was not wearing anything thick like the down jacket she had.

Right then, Robin, who was behind them, uttered, “Mis. Faymon. Mr. Faymon's jacket is with me.”

“That's good to hear.” Rayna relaxed after that and continued her way up the mountain with Curtis while Robin followed them.

When Jeremy came down the stairs with a laptop in his hand, he spotted Theodore searching for something on the computer. “Theodore, what are you doing?”

“I'm checking Shvomhid Mountain's terrain.” Theodore changed the map of Shvomhid Mountain back to its original three- dimensional model before compressing it and sending it to Curtis. “Curtis has brought Rayna to Shvomhid Mountain. There's an old traditional medicine doctor there. Curtis is hoping he can ask him to check the condition of Rayna's eyes and get a prescription from him.”

Right as Theodore said that. Janies entered with an umbrella. Wlien he heard Theodore saying that Curtis had brought Rayna to Shvomhid Mountain, he kept his umbrella, put it aside, and strode toward Theodore. “Curtis and my sister went to Shvomhid Mountain?”

“Yes.” Jeremy glanced at Janies. “Did Rayna not tell you about it?”

“She didn't,” Janies replied. Belatedly, he thought of his mother and his other sister. Roxanne, and he said. “Let me make a call first.” With that, he turned to walk up the stairs, but Theodore reminded him, “If Rayna didn't tell you about it, it means that she doesn't think there's much hope to this plan. That's why she kept it a secret. If you tell your mother and sister about it, you might end up frightening your mother instead.”

Theodore's words dismissed Janies' plan immediately. “But I'm worried about her being at Shvomhid Mountain.”

“Don't worry and just think about the positive outcomes,” Theodore said. He knew’ what Janies was worried about, but the only thing they could do was wait.

In the meantime, at Yartran.

After Jovan wroke up, he walked over to the balcony, still in liis pajamas. Then, he stepped on a white envelope that was lying on the floor.

After picking it up, the man cast a glance at the locked wrindowr and frowned.

Wlien Jovan walked back to liis bedroom, he lifted his hand to tap on liis Bluetooth device. “Get Eckard Sears to come in for a bit.”

With that. Jovan ended the call.

Still holding onto the envelope, Jovan walked over to sit on the couch before putting it on the coffee table. After taking a fewr sips from the wine glass on the table, he looked back at the envelope.

“Mr. Jovan, what can I help you with?” Eckard Seal’s was the person in charge of the presidential palace's security system, so he rarely interacted with Jovan.

Yet, he had received a call from the butler, saying that Jovan was looking for him. Eckard could not help but feel anxious about it.

Crossing liis leg, Jovan leaned back on the couch and asked Eckard. “Did someone come to the presidential palace today?”

“No,” Eckard answered confidently.

Jovan narrowed his eyes upon hearing Eckard's answer. His eyes flicked toward the glass in his hand before he asked again, “Who's on the shift fiom last night until this morning?”

“It's Hogan Wolk,” Eckard replied.

“Ask him to come and see me.”

Five minutes later, the butler brought Hogan to Jovan.

After a brief study of Hogan, Jovan asked, “Were you in charge of the presidential palace's security fi om last night until this morning?”

“Yes, Mr. Jovan,” Hogan replied, straightening his back. He was a tall man, so his action made him look even more energetic.

“I found this on the balcony today.” As Jovan said that, he passed an envelope to Eckard and Hogan. “Look into this and give me an answer before lunch.”

Both Eckard and Hogan's hearts lurched when they heard Jovan's words.

To their surprise, right as they were fearfully waiting for Jovan to question them about the envelope, Jovan only instructed them to find out where the envelope came from and how it was delivered to the presidential palace within a limited time frame.

“I'll work on it right away,” Eckard answered. Then, he gave Hogan a long look.

Instead of questioning the two men further, Jovan waved liis hands dismissively.

After Eckard and Hogan were gone. Jovan stared at the envelope. Once he downed liis wine, he picked up the envelope and walked over to the study to pull open the drawer. As it turned out, there were several white envelopes in liis drawers that were all unopened.

Jovan put the new envelope in and locked the drawer. It was only then he left the bedroom and went into the bathroom.

At Beryl Pavilion in Noiwal City.

“Sir, when is Thibault going to come?” The chefs were all waiting for Thibault to come and prepare the Kagan family's banquet menu. Yet, they ended up waiting fi om morning to noon, only to see no signs

of Thibault around.

The hotel manager was calling Thibault again and again, but alas, no one responded.

“Get Adrienne here. She was the one who introduced Thibault here, but now... God...” the hotel manager said to the staff, panicking and pacing in anxiousness. “Do everything you can do first. Let's leave aside the signature dishes for now.”

Right as those words were out of the manager's mouth, the chefs began busying away. The staff in the kitchen then summoned Adrienne. By then, the hotel manager was already downright livid. The moment he saw Adrienne, he began shouting at her. “Look at wdiat kind of person you've brought here. It's Old Mr. Kagan's birthday banquet today! What is Thibault doing at a time like this? Did he just vanish into thin air?”

At the sight of the manager's red face. Adrienne furrowed her brows and enunciated, “Thibault injured his hand. It's not as if you don't know about that.”

Hearing that, the manager's expression darkened. “What are you trying to say? Are you saying that this is my fault?”

“You were the one wrho insisted Thibault wrork on this banquet. It's not like Thibault did not tell you about this!” Adrienne was not a doormat. Excluding Thibault, wdio she could never quite manage to gain an upper hand over, there was no one wrho she could not handle.

 

 

Chapter 660

“What do you mean by that, Adrienne?” the manager asked angrily. He had assumed that Thibault was simply being difficult when he refused the business deal, so he hadn't taken it seriously until now. He never imagined that Thibault wouldn't show up at all.

“Instead of directing your frustration towards me, try reaching out to other chefs. Maybe someone who has previously worked here can step in temporarily to help you salvage the situation.” Adrienne couldn't be bothered to talk to the bald middle-aged manager with a protruding belly anymore. She turned around to return to her workstation.

The manager nearly blew his top at Adrienne's words. However, he had to tamp down liis anger as Adrienne was someone important.

It was eight at night when Curtis found the little log cabin at Shvomhid Mountain with Rayna. Theodore had sent him the location earlier.

Robin informed, “Mr. Faymon, the cabin door is locked. I checked it and it appears to have been locked for some time, as the lock is covered in dust.”

Curtis' expression turned solemn. “Call Dr. Galopin and ask if there is indeed a traditional medicine practitioner on Shvomhid Mountain.”

Robin nodded. He pulled out his phone and left to search for a place with a phone signal to make the call.

Hearing their exchange, Rayna let out a soft sigh. Curtis immediately comforted her. “Don't worry. We will find that old traditional medicine practitioner.”

“Mm.” Rayna bobbed her head. Curtis then helped her to a bench so she could sit down. “Are you tired?”

There were at least a few hundred steps on Shvomhid Mountain. Curtis often worked out. so he didn't feel exhausted at all. Despite his concerns that the climb might be too strenuous for Rayna. she made the ascent without a single complaint. Curtis was amazed at how well Rayna handled the hike up Shvomhid Mountain.

“I'm all right.” Rayna was drinking water from the foldable cup Curtis brought along when she heard a rustle nearby. “Curtis, there seems to be something in the bushes on our left,” she told him.

Hearing that, Curtis glanced at the bushes on their left. Indeed, he noticed something moving and chirping within.

“Stay here while I go check it out.” Curtis made sure his jacket that was placed over her shoulders was in position before he went in the direction of the rustling sound. Suddenly, something jumped out of the bushes and nearly hit liis eye.

Although several LED lights illuminated the area outside the log cabin, the darkness made it difficult for Curtis to see clearly. His vision was blurry, and he was unable to determine what the creature was.

“Are you injured?” Rayna quickly sat up upon hearing Curtis' shout. She attempted to reach him, but he quickly moved to steady her. “No,” he assured her. “The light was not strong enough for me to make out what that creature was.”

“If we can't find the elderly traditional medicine practitioner, let's give up,” Rayna said as she held onto Curtis' arm. “I don't mind being blind. I can also get treated by modem medicine.”

When Curtis left to investigate the creature in the bushes, Rayna felt her heart leap into her throat. Oddly, even after reaching the top of the mountain, she remained uneasy.

“Where is Mr. Yeast? Let's head back!” Rayna urged. She pulled Curtis' hand and prepared to leave. Right then, Robin ended the call and came back to them. He noticed Rayna tugging Curtis' hand as though they were about to leave. Approaching them, Robin said. “Dr. Galopin told me that there is an elderly traditional practitioner who resides in the mountains and rarely ventures out. The log cabin we discovered could have been liis former home. However, he no longer resides here, but Dr. Galopin is uncertain of the location of his current dwelling.”

As Robin spoke, he occasionally glanced at Rayna. “Dr. Galopin also mentioned that it is possible Mrs. Faymon had visited this location in the past,” he revealed.

Curtis was taken aback at liis words. He couldn't help but suspect the doctor's identity.

Rayna's expression became somber as she listened to Robin's words. Her lips tightened in thought. A brief silence later, she asked, “What does the mountain look like?”

Robin glanced at Curtis, and the latter gave him a curt nod. He parted liis lips to reply on Curtis' behalf, “Mis. Faymon, Shvomhid Mountain looks like a lotus flower.”

“Lotus flower?” At the mention of the flower. Rayna's face lost color and she gripped Curtis' hand tighter. “The elderly traditional medicine practitioner doesn't reside in tliis cabin. He lives in a treehouse perched on top of two pine trees, which he constructed himself,” she said. Rayna recounted the details of the treehouse she had seen in her youth to Curtis and eventually concluded.

“Our journey here was for nothing.”

Curtis' brows furrowed together as he shot Rayna a confused look.

“Mi Yeast, please reach out to Mr. Xavier and ask them to conduct another search,” Curtis instructed. He gave Robin a pointed look before guiding Rayna back to the bench.

After they settled down on the bench, Curtis asked, “Have you been to Shvomhid Mountain in the past?”

“That's conect. In my memories, tliis mountain is not referred to as Shvomhid Mountain, but rather, 'Herb Mountain' because of the abundant and valuable herbs found there. The villagers have given it a simple and memorable name for that reason,” Rayna explained, holding onto Curtis' aim tightly. “I had no knowledge that the elderly traditional medicine practitioner Dr. Galopin told you about was on this mountain. Had I known, I wouldn't have allowed you to make the climb. He had strict rules, such as not treating the same patient twice and requiring patients to hike up Herb Mountain to receive treatment.”

“Did you receive treatment from him previously?” Curtis inquired.

Rayna answered, “No. I didn't get treated by him. It wrasn't my family either as I asked him to treat a stranger. The elderly traditional medicine practitioner told me back then that I wouldn't have another chance to get treated by him ever again.”

“You requested treatment for another person?” Curtis picked up on the key information in her response. “Did the elderly traditional medicine practitioner have a dislike for treating patients through intermediaries?”

“Yes. you're right. Hence, I gave my chance to that person,” Rayna revealed. She let out a soft sigh and chuckled. “Back when I was young, I was perfectly healthy compared to James and Roxanne who often fell sick. I took my good health for granted and thought I w'ould never fall sick, so I readily gave my opportunity for treatment to someone in need.”

Rayna was trying hard to sound nonchalant as she patted Curtis' aim. “Come, let's go home.”

Curtis didn't move an inch. He held Rayna's hand tightly and declared. “You asked for his help to save someone's life back then. Even though he had his rules, he agreed to save the patient. Clearly, he isn't a cold-hearted person. If I beg for liis help, he might agree to treat you.”

Rayna dismissed the idea by shaking her head. “There's no point doing that. In the past, he agreed to assist because his beloved was here on the mountain with him. However, she has passed on, so he won't agree to help us.”