Ch. 511..520

Chapter 511 She Is Overconfident Narrowing his eyes, Armand asked Steven, "How did Old Mr. Zeigler find out about her?" "I heard the police in Dartan found out that the fingerprint of Sylvie's mother is the same as Old Mr. Zeigler's second daughter in their database. Thus, they notified the Zeigler family immediately. Sylvie and Old Mr. Zeigler went through a kinship test yesterday morning. The result came out last night, and it revealed that her mother is indeed Old Mr. Zeigler's long-lost second daughter," Steven elucidated. Armand turned to stare out of the window without asking anything further. Since Old Mr. Zeigler has gone through a kinship test with Sylvie, they are undoubtedly related. Herbert had been tracking down his daughter for a few decades. Now that he had reunited with his granddaughter instead, Armand could not help feeling that it might not be a mere coincidence. All of a sudden, a Rolls-Royce Ghost headed toward their direction and stopped next to their car. He noticed Jack telling the woman alongside him something and even raising his hand to ruffle her hair intimately. Recalling those few questions that Genevieve asked him the night before, Armand felt unbearable pain in his heart. Closing his eyes, he snorted inwardly. Hmph! What makes her think that I'll still be waiting for her? How could she be so confident that she's not replaceable by anyone else in my heart? Moments later, he retracted his gaze and did not spare the duo in the car next to him another glance. When the traffic light turned green, he urged Steven, "Drive!" The latter stepped on the accelerator respectfully in silence. Since Genevieve mentioned that she wanted to go to the hospital, Jack took her there. In the meantime, Jermaine headed downstairs to take something and bumped into Genevieve and Jack when they stepped out of the elevator. Jermaine locked his gaze on Genevieve's face for a few seconds with an indecipherable emotion in his eyes before looking away hastily. Soon, he noticed how Jack was helping her to walk and asked with great concern, "Ms. Rachford, are you feeling unwell?" Genevieve shook her head. "My foot was accidentally cut by glass." Seeing that her foot was well bandaged, Jermaine was finally at ease. "Ms. Rachford, could you please talk to Timothy? He hasn't slept at all nor eaten anything since last night. He'll surely collapse if he carries on," he requested. "I know." Genevieve nodded. After stepping into Johanna's ward, Genevieve felt her heart wrenching when she saw the latter's face was white as a sheet. It never crossed her mind that Johanna would set Sylvie up for her.

What a silly girl! After regaining her usual composure, Genevieve stretched out her hand to pat Timothy's shoulder and uttered softly, "Timothy, you must have a rest and eat something." "I have no appetite." Timothy's mind was blank; he was in low spirits. It never occurred to him that his wife, who had been enduring morning sickness and kept pleading with him coquettishly for ice cream, would suddenly end up lying unconscious in a patient's bed. In actuality, Armand only sustained a mild brain injury previously. Timothy had helped him to mislead the others from the Faulkner family by exaggerating his condition. However, in Johanna's case, her brain injury was more serious. He was left traumatized after he was abducted during his teenage years. Now that Johanna was severely injured and unconscious, he could not help but feel a rush of intense fear surging from within him. He dared not blink his eyes, scared that she would be gone forever in that brief instant. "How could you not eat anything? Do you intend to starve to death?" Genevieve snapped coldly, placing the food container into his hands forcefully. "You'll only be able to take good care of your wife after taking a good rest. Bear in mind that she's not alone; she's still pregnant with your child, and both of them need you." Timothy cast a look in the direction of Johanna's flat tummy.

She's right! There's life growing in her womb. Johanna will be fine as long as it's fine. At the thought, he eventually got a grip on himself and stood up. "Help me to keep an eye on her. I'll go and take a rest." Feeling relieved, Genevieve responded softly, "Go ahead." After he left, she sat down at the edge of the bed and held Johanna's hand. Her lips had barely parted before tears trickled down her cheeks. Jack backed off and stood near the window without interrupting them. Genevieve mumbled in a slightly raspy voice, "You have to wake up after getting enough sleep, okay? Didn't you promise to help me look after my children, and you'll let your daughter be my daughter-in-law? You must keep your words, okay? Don't worry. I'll take revenge for you."

Chapter 512 Resentment Holding Johanna's hand, she kept murmuring till her voice had gone hoarse. Timothy stepped into the ward again at six in the evening, looking refreshed after a shave. He stated, "I'll hire two caretakers to take care of Jojo. Please drop by to visit her whenever you are free. She'll be fine." "Okay!" Seeing that Timothy had pulled himself together, Genevieve heaved a sigh of relief and left with Jack. Knowing that Genevieve had not taken much during lunch, Jack took her to Golden Restaurant after they left the hospital. Upon arriving, he requested a private room.

"I know you like to have meals here." He handed her the menu. Genevieve only ordered two dishes at random as she did not have much appetite. "Jack, I can't go back to Dartan with you at the moment. I need to wait for Jojo to regain her consciousness first." She cut to the crap after the waiter left with their orders. Since Sylvie had the gut to strike at Johanna, she could not leave without first settling the score. Jack hummed approvingly. "It's been years since I was last back in Chanaea. I can grab the opportunity for a short break too." After sounding Genevieve out and seeing how she treated Armand indifferently in the cafe earlier, he was convinced that the drug he injected into her body previously was working.

Thus, there was nothing he needed to worry about. Not to mention, Genevieve had lost the bet. Jack accompanied Genevieve back to Regality Gardens after dinner. Shortly after, his car pulled to a halt in the basement car park. Still seated in his car, he turned to look at Genevieve. "Genev, are you still not willing to let me go up?" After much hesitation, she pursed her lips. "Let's go." Undeniably, she had been rejecting him for quite some time. Even if she still refused to let him enter her residence, she would still have to talk herself into getting used to him by her side after she was back in Dartan. Even so, she could not fathom the inexplicit resentment amid the emptiness in her heart. Why am I still feeling so, although the man who loves me is right in front of me? The following morning, Amanda called Genevieve again. Initially, Genevieve felt down in the dumps because of what had befallen Johanna. The moment she heard her daughter's mellifluous voice, however, her heart melted. She even switched it into a video call. The little girl's dainty face came into sight at once. She gazed at Genevieve with a glint of mischief in her eyes. Undoubtedly, she was a pretty little girl bearing a resemblance to Genevieve. Sprawling out on the carpet and wiggling her two chubby legs, Amanda kept her eyes glued to her mother as the woman made some coffee in the kitchen.

"Mommy, isn't Daddy awake yet?" She loved chatting with Armand because he not only had an attractive voice but also sounded gentle. Even so, she dared not contact him for the past few days, assuming he was with her mother. Genevieve, who was pouring coffee at that moment, stiffened briefly before she cast her eyes down. With that, she explained gently, "Mandy, I can't get along with your daddy. I'll be marrying Mr. Valentine instead. I can assure you he'll be a great father." "Huh? Why can't you get along with him?" Amanda asked quizzically, widening her eyes. Didn't Mommy fly back to Dartan previously to prepare a birthday present for Daddy? She even took one of my drawings as she wanted to give it to him! How's it possible that Daddy and Mommy suddenly can't get along? Genevieve explained candidly, "Erm... I guess I've lost my feelings toward him. Mandy, our emotions are complicated and indescribable with words. There's no point forcing ourselves to do something we don't like. For instance, you don't like to eat carrots, and I never force you on that either." Hearing that, Amanda dropped her head gloomily, unable to comprehend what was going on. Didn't Mommy talk about Daddy blissfully when we had a phone conversation previously?

How could things change so abruptly? Right that instant, Jack stepped into the kitchen in beige casual wear. "Morning." He wrapped his arms around Genevieve from behind her and kissed her. When Jack realized Genevieve was having a video call with Amanda, the glint in his eyes turned softer. He greeted Amanda, "Mandy, have you taken your dinner properly lately?" Noticing Genevieve and Jack in casual wear, Amanda realized the latter had spent the night there. In an instant, her gloominess intensified.

Chapter 513

"Ah! Yes." Amanda perked up to reply sweetly.

Jack reminded her. "You and Lucian must be obcdicnt. Don't ever let the bodyguards leave your sides whenever you step out, okay? Your mommy and I will fly back after sculing matters hcrc." Amanda nodded obediently.

After the video call with her mother ended, she got to her fect right away.

Coincidentally, a good-looking little boy pushed open the door and entered the room.

Before he could say anything. Amanda darted into his arms like a bolt of lightning, "Lucian. Mommy doesn't like Daddy anymore."

Lucian stumbled and almost fell. He grabbed the door frame immediately to steady himself before asking, "Why?"

Even though the twins alway's fought over trivial matters, it usually did not take long before they reconciled.

Shaking her head, Amanda pouted her lips. "I don't know either. Mommy told me that she doesn't have feelings toward Daddy anymore. She doesn't like him, just like how I dislike carrots." Hearing that, Lucian narrowed his eyes as he questioned, "Didn't Mommy say that she went back to the country to win Daddy's heart back?"

There was a sense of maturity and nonchalance that did not match his age in his eyes.

"Yeah! That's what she said." Amanda nodded.

After much contemplation, Lucian asked warily. "Could it be... Mommy failed to do so?"

Amanda refuted furiously. "How's that possible? I'm sure Daddy loves Momny very much. If not, why would he like me so much? Ile's always reluctant to liang up whenever he has a phone call with m-" Realizing her slip of the tongue, Amanda cupped her mouth hastily and looked at her brother innocently.

Lucian was stunned. Ontlicheels oftal. rcalization dawiec on liim. "I was wondering why you have been calling Mommy every day lately and talking so long on the phone. Hla! You've gotten in touch with Daddy, haven't you?

Shrugging her shoulders, Amanda murmured, "Daddy likes me and gave me his phone number."

Lucian arched his brows. Apparently, he did not believe hier.

He could not lielp but question jealously. "Why didn't you tell me you got in contact with him?"

Their mother used to always show them their father's picture. Even so, it was different from

being able to meet him in person. Apart from that, Lucian had never had the chance to talk to the man. He missed his father a lot too.

Despite that, he differed from Amanda in temperament. Thus, he could not express his feeling freely, unlike the latter, who blabbered every day about how much she missed their father.

Amanda blinked innocently. "You didn't ask me either. Anyway, that's not what we should arguc about at the moment..."

She added solemnly, "Mommy doesn't like Daddy anymore, and she's marrying Mr. Valentine."

"Did she tell you that?" Lucian asked in balllement.

"Yeah!" Amanda nodded again.

-That's too sudden." Puzzled. Lucian furrowed his brows. Mr. Valentine treats Mommy and us very well. If she likes him. I'll respect her choice.

Nonetheless, he recalled how his mother was in high spirits when she was back in Dartan previously. She had held and rubbed his face lovingly, telling him that she needed to gather presents to give their father a surprise. How could she suddenly choose to be with Mr. Valentine instead? Did something happen?

Embracing Lucian, Amanda asked coquettishly, "Lucian, how about we head for Chanaca secrctly to ask Daddy in person?"

"No way. Did you forget about what you promised Mommy?" Lucian rejected.

Pursing her lips and feeling discouraged. Amanda replied, "Mommy advised us not to go anywhere impulsively. Even if we bump into Daddy, we must not tell him about our identity." "Most importantly, you must be mindful of that." Lucian emphasized.

Regardless of how intelligent he was, he was still a kid. After all, there was a great distance between Dartan and Chanaca. Hence, he would never risk their lives by acting recklessly.

After pondering for a while, Lucian suggested. "We have no idea what happened, but we can call Daddy to sound lum out. Give him a call now."

Amanda pointed at the clock on the wall and snorted. "It's quite late now! Lucian, how could you stop me from going to bed?"

Lucian pinched her check and urged her, "Hurry up! Call him now."

Amanda kicked Lucian in return before she tapped their father's name on the contact list on her phone and made a call.

After that, the twins held their breath while waiting for him to answer the call.

Chapter 514

Meanwhile, Jack had prepared sandwiches for breakfast.

While he was scated at the dining table with Genevieve and cating the sandwiches, she received a call from the assistant manager of her production company. "Ms. Rachford, Ms. Clasen has just called to inform us that she'll be in tlic ollice at ten later to terminate hier contract with our company."

Genevieve had planned to go to the office to ban Sylvic in all aspects, hindering her from appearing on the screen. Never liad she expected that the latter would take the first step.

Devoid of expression, Genevieve swallowed the food in her mouth and asked, "She wants to terminate her contract? Can she afford to pay the termination fee?"

"I have no idea. Could you please drop by the ollice a while later?"

"Okay?" After hanging up. Genevicve turned to tell Jack, "Sylvie Clasen intends to terminate her contract with Genevieve Orsi Productions. I need to go to the office later."

Jack responded, "I'm not accompanying you then as I have to go to Xedells."

"Why are you going there?" Genevieve asked curiously.

"I plan to dig up Cesar Faulkner's grave and toss his ashes into the sea." He grinned.

Sensing that Genevieve was petrified, he stretched out his hand to stroke her chin. "I'm only pulling your leg. Since he's dead, what can I do with his ashes? I'm going there to settle something else." Genevieve increly plastered a smile on lier face.

Even though she did not have feelings toward Armand anymore, she did not wish to see Jack commit such a licinous deed in his bid to take revenire,

After breakfast, Jack headed straight for the airport, whereas Genevieve drove to the office by hersell.

The moment she stepped into the office, the receptionist updated her, "Ms. Rachford, a lady named Jane Faulkner is waiting for you in the reception room."

She nodded and walked down the corridor toward the reception room.

In the meantime, Jane was scated on the couch in the reception room while flipping through a magazine. Compared to four years ago, her cheeks had plumped up a bit. However, she still looked pale and weak as a kitten.

Flipping through the magazine, she had to cover her mouth with a handkerchief as she still coughed at times. Whenever she coughed, her entire body shook uncontrollably.

Catching sight of Jane in such a pathetic state, Genevieve felt sympathetic toward her. She softened her tone before asking, Jane, how are you feeling now?"

Jane looked up at once and put the magazine on the table,

"Much better now. I couldn't step out of the house previously as I kept cougluing. At least now 1 can stop out without being followed by the mails. I'll be fine as long as I take my mcdicine on time." Jane replied softly.

The receptionist served them coffee and left right away.

Genevieve lifted her cup of coffee and took a sip before asking, "What brings you here?"

Holding the cup with both hands, Jane asked hesitantly, "Genevieve, do you have any job vacancies for me here?"

Before Genevieve could reply. Jane added, "When I was majoring in screenwriting at Xedells University, I wrote several screenplays and won awards. Moreover, I can play a few types of musical instruments, and I composed background music for movies before, I've also Icarned

about design and graduated with straiglit A's-"

"How did you master those skills?" Genevieve was astounded.

Janc flashed lier a smile and cast her eyes down. "I used to have a lot of time because I couldn't step out from home. Hence, my mother hired tutors to teach me at home or let me altend online courses." Genevieve was well aware that Jane dearly wanted to mingle with others and prove to everyone that she could lead a normal life.

Feeling touched, she gladly replied without a second thought, "There are many departments in the company. I'll get someone from the HR department to brief you later. You are free to make any choice." Jane looked at her gratefully. "Genevieve, thank you."

"Don't mention it," Genevieve replied casually.

Jane never gave up her passion for life because of her critical health condition.

Despite sympathizing with her, Genevieve was in awe of her persistence.

She reassured Jane, "Jack has a wide network of connections in Dartan. I'll check with him if he can help you by pulling strings with any doctors specializing in heart diseases." "Okay." Jane nodded.

She had been traveling abroad to consult renowned thoracic surgeons for the past few years. Nevertheless, none of them could cure her illness. Thus, she had lost hope long ago.

At that very moment, the secretary stepped into the reception room. "Ms. Rachford, Ms. Clasen is here."

Genevieve's expression darkened in an instant. She instructed the secretary to lead Sylvie to her office and bid goodbye to Jane before leaving.

Soon, Genevieve stopped into her office and caught sight of Sylvie sitting in a chair.

Dressed in a green velvet long dress, the latter wore a broad hat despite the heat of a sunny day. Genevieve presumed this was to cover the gauzc on her hcad.

Advancing toward the desk, she sneered, "Ms. Clasen, you have a few wounds on your head and cven coughed blood last night, didn't you? I'm surprised you're here to see mc carly in the morning. You're quite hardy."

Chapter 515

When Sylvie, who was in the midst of replying to a message, heard Genevieve's words, she grimaced slightly after recalling uie bcating from the night before.

Nonetheless, instead of lashing out, she remained calmly scated.

Once Genevieve sat down in the executive chair behind the desk, Sylvic retrieved a check from her bag but wasn't in a hurry to hand it over.

"Ms. Rachford, whicre is the agreement to terminate my contract?"

"You can drop the act as there's no one else liere." Genevieve sneered, "Don't worry: I won't do anything despicable to you such as hiding a secret camera in this room."

As the clegant expression on Sylvie's face faded away, she remarked smugly, "Are you upsct watching your ex-husband fall for someone else?"

"Do you take me for a fool? What makes you think I'm not aware of the reason he kept you by his side for such a long time?" Genevieve threw the question back at Sylvic as she gave the latter a sympathetic look.

"Sylvie, I feel nothing but pity for you after watching the video. Despite your decent acting skills, the best you can manage is being my substitute. Even an escort has more dignity than you." Sylvie gritted her teeth at the words.

She had hired someone to cdit a video and sent it to Genevieve, hoping that the latter would be infuriated by it. Much to her surprise, she had not only failed to do so but also ended up being ridiculed by the latter.

Substitute?

She still remembered Armand's words-she wasn't even worthy of being a substitute for Genevieve.

Moreover, Genevieve isn't...

Sylvic stared at Genevieve as a dubious glint flashed across her eyes.

Pushing the check toward Genevieve, she asserted coldly, "This is the compensation for breaking the contract. You can cash it at the bank right away."

Genevieve picked up the check and examined it. "I'm impressed that you can afford hundreds of millions in compensation."

Sylvie tirged her impatiently, "Get somicone to do it quickly."

"Sylvie, as long as the agreement to terminate your contract isn't signed, you're still an artiste within the company's stable, and I'm still your boss!" Genevieve asserted coldly. Sylvie's face reddened as she fell silent. After a long time, Genevieve finally called for her

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secretary to come in.

Ten minutes later, the secretary entered with Sylvie's agreement.

Flipping it open, Sylvie signed it impatiently with a ball-point pen before handing it over to Genevieve.

Cognizant of Sylvie's desperation, Genevieve dragged her fect by flipping through the agreement page by page, pissing the former ofl.

"Genevieve, why aren't you signing it? Do you intend to light mc in court?"

"It's necessary for me to go through every document that I sign in detail." After giving her the side-eye, Genevieve finally put her signature down and stamped the document at a snail's pacc. Unable to wait for a second longer, Sylvie pulled the agreement over to check it.

Finally, I'm a free agent!

After putting the agreement into her bag, she put both hands on the desk and leaned in, glaring at Genevieve in an intimidating manner.

Beyond the iciness in her eyes was a tinge of smugness. "Genevieve, I have a family now and am no longer an orphan. My granddad is so earth-shatteringly powerful that even Armand has no choice but to submit to him."

Pointing to the bandage that was exposed underneath the tip of her hat, Sylvie snarled, "Everything you did to me, I'll pay you back."

She was certain that it was impossible for Jack to stay by Genevieve's side all the time.

Unperturbed, Genevieve leaned back in her chair and observed Sylvie. "No wonder you can afford so much money and continue to act with such impunity. It turns out that you have a powerful patron..." Out of nowhere, she grabbed Sylvie by the hair and pressed the latter's face onto the solid mahogany desk.

"Argh!" The pressure Sylvie felt on her cheekbones caused her tremendous pain.

Sylvie, don't f*ck around with me." Genevieve leaned closer to Sylvie's face and flashed a gentle yet gorgeous smile. "Whenever you see me, you should turn tail and run. Or else, it would be a shame if your family can't even find your body in the event of a car accident, you being blown to smithcreens, or you falling into the sea to be caten by sharks."

When she was done with her threats, Genevieve released her grip. "Now, get the f*ck out of my office!

After picking her hat up from the table and putting it back on, Sylvie threw Genevieve a vicious glare.

Upon reaching the door, she turned around to face Genevieve and vowed, "Genevieve, my

granddad is General Zeigler of Baykeep. You will pay for what you have done!"

There was no way Sylvie was going to rest until that happened.

TIL FII,/UULUU

My Husband Is a Gary Stu

Chapter 516

After Sylvic came out of the oflice, the bodyguard outside informed her, "Ms. Sylvic, General Zcigler is here and is waiting for you outside the building."

Her breath caught in her throat, and Sylvic gave thic bodyguard a quick nod before entering the elevator with him.

Outside, she saw a black Land Rover Defender parked by the curb. In its backscat sat a sturdy looking old man.

The old man had a head of black hair that gradually transitioned into white. Even though the wrinkles around his eyes gave away his age, he still had a well-built frame, sharp features, and a piercing gaze. Just sitting quietly in the car was enough for him to exude an intimidating aura that would strike fear into anyone.

Even Sylvie was a little afraid.

Steeling herself, she got into the car and greeted nervously, "Granddad."

Sensing the tension within his granddaughter, Herbert relaxed and broke into a warm smile.

"Sylvie, did I frighten you?"

Shaking her head, Sylvie pursed her lips, not knowing what to say.

Herbert had lost his second daughter decades ago and had long since become disheartened after failing to locate her. Nonetheless, it never crossed his mind that he would one day manage to find the child his daughter had left behind.

Other than the quick meeting during the DNA test, this was the second time he met Sylvie.

Holding Sylvie's hand like the doting grandfather he was, Herbert reminded her in a gentle tone, "Sylvie, I'm your granddad. There's no need to fear me."

Upon hearing his words, Sylvie could no longer hold back lier leurs. "I... I'm just overwhelmed by it still. Ever since I was young. I only had my mom by my side and no one else. Ever since hier death, I went around Dartan thinking that I was an orphan."

After listening to her story, Ilerbert, filled with sorrow, lightened his grip on her hand,

"It's all my fauli for failing to find you and your momafier so long. From now on, you will have three uncles and plenty of cousins as your family."

"I'm really scared that this is all just a dream," Sylvic remarked solily, and that you will no longer be here when I wake up."

Herbert chuckled. "How can it be a drean? Our jet at the airport is already prepped to go. We'll be heading back home together. Also, I made sure that your mom's room has been preserved throughout the years."

After scrutinizing Herbert a little while, Sylvic gave him a liug all of a sudden and coocd like a chuld, "Granddad."

Tlerbert sighed as he patted her on the back.

As the hat Sylvie was wearing accidentally felloll, it revealed the shaven part on the back of her head that was wrapped in a bandage

Without any hesitation, Ilcrucii inquired with concern, "What happence? Ilow lid vou ret hurt?*

Lowering her gaze, Sylvic kept mum.

Herbert's gaze then fell upon the bodyguard scated in the front passenger seat. “Didn't I tell you to protect her? How did you allow this to happen?"

The bodyguard sat at attention and replicd in a serious tone. "It was Ms. Sylvic that forbade me from telling you."

*Does that mean that you can allow hier to bc bullicd?" Herbert admonished him, "You have failed your duty as a bodyguard. When we get back, I'm going to punish you!"

"Granddad, it has nothing to do with him." Sylvic explained, "I just didn't want you to worry."

Fluttering her eyelashes, Sylvie claborated, "It was my jcalous boss who hit me because I'm close to her ex-husband, the CEO of Central Group. While I was having coffee with Mr. Faulkner yesterday, she rushed over and assaulted me. Furthermore, she kept making my life difficult at work. That's the reason I asked you for the money, as I used it to buy out my contract."

Sylvie caught her breath as she spoke.

At the same time, Herbert was observant enough to notice the swelling on his granddaughter's check. "Did she hit you on the face too?"

Biting her lip. Sylvie grunted in acknowledgment.

"That's too much!" The thought of his granddaughter, whom he had recently been reunited with. being bullied infuriated Herbert.

He declared, "Don't worry. I'll seek justice for you!"

Sylvie wanted her revenge but knew the time wasn't ripe. Since she had made a deal with Jack, and Genevieve was currently his wife, there was no way she dared to touch the latter. After all, Jack had plenty of dirt on her.

Leaning closer to Herbert, she whispered into his car before lowering her gaze and asking. "Granddad, am I a fool?"

*Not at all. You're my precious granddaughter." I lerbert pattcher hand sympathetically. "Sylvie, you're just too kind, exactly like your mom. All right. I promise you to let her off for the time being."

"Anyway, I know how much you love acting. Once we're home, I'll get your uncle to make the necessary arrangements. With me around. I guarantee that no one will ever dare mess with you again!" he added.

Chapter 517

A few days latct, a piece of Shocking CWS1ude wars On Twitter

An established media outlet had exposed a money laundering scandal involving a member of Central Group's senior management. Sulisequently, another member was involved in a hit-and Tunktident while driving under the influence of alcohol

ilicethat their w

omething off about Central Group's

1'u1thout an otheit auctors mantalitha

Due to the consecutive waves of negative publicity, Central Group remained the top trending top on Twitch and in the headlines of all major news websites, causing its stock price to decline so rapidly that it triggered the limit-down suspension a couple of times.

As one of the top conglomerates in the country, Central Group's public relations team was made up of the elite within the industry. In spite of that, they still failed to stem the avalanche of controversies related to the company.

Consequently, many netizens speculated that there was someone powerful out to get Central

Group

Kcalizing that something was amiss, Landon, Central Group's biggest sharcholder, sold off his holdings in the company's stock and withdrew billions from the company.

On the sixth day, a man who claimed to be a former employee of Central Group was standing at the edge of the rooftop at Central Group Tower.

He complained to a bunch of reporters that he had cancer, but Central Group had refused to pay

for his medical fees. After losing a couple of lawsuits he initiated, he ended up missing the best window for treatment.

Once the man finished his story, he jumped off the building without a second thought.

News of the suicide added to Central Group's already long list of scandals. Even the police quickly sought out Armand and brought him back to the station for questioning.

When Genevieve learned of the developments, a grim expression descended upon her face.

It was common for any conglomerate to have black sheep; it was just that their conduct was usually covered up and not revealed to the public,

Nevertheless, she didn't expect Central Group to be flooded with so many scandals, to the extent the public relations department was lielpless to stop them. It was so bad that there was even a loss of life, "What are you looking at?" Jack sat down beside Genevieve and wrapped his arm around her want.

When he casually glanced at the screen, he caught a glimpse of the news related to Central Group, causing him to shuttliis ze toward Genevieve. "Genev. do you still care about Armand?

"No," She shook her head as she no longer had any feelings for him. "It's just that at the rate this is going. Central Group is finished."

After a brief pause, she asked Jack, "Didn't you say that Sylvie was an orphan?"

Hiddlink with lice liair, Jack replied languidly, "Whicul intcrvicwed licr for my new movie four vcars ago, it was stated in lice lile that she was an orphan.llowever, I don't know her well and don't care if she's an orphan on the daughter of someone rich."

His words caused Genericve to fall into cep thought

Before Sylvic left the other way, she had mentioned thc Zcigler family of Baykcep. Flowever. despite all her clots, Genevieve couldn't find any information about that farnily. Coincidentally, someone was discussing Sylvic's buy-out of her contract from Genevieve Orsi Productions in an online forum,

After going through the comments, she stumbled upon a netizen's revelation that Sylvie was a granddaughter of the Zeigler family from Baykeep. That same nctizen even provided an in depth overview of the Zeigler family.

General Herbert Zeigler distinguished himself during the war and was subsequently appointed as the commander of Baykeep. As a result, his influence in the army couldn't be overlooked. As for his wife, she was a diplomat who was proficient in thirteen languages. Even though she had given birth to three sons and a daughter, she died of a disease when she was young.

As for Herbert's three sons, the eldest was now the commander of Baykeep, the second was a party secretary, and the third worked for the nation's Aviation Authority. Evidently, all three of them brought glory to the family.

With regard to his daughter, she had been kidnapped at a young age, and Sylvie was the child born of that daughter.

As a result, Sylvie naturally became Herbert's favorite.

After reading the analysis, Genevieve understood why Sylvie was suddenly behaving so audaciously. It turned out that she had a tremendously powerful family backing her.

With that thought in mind, Genevieve was certain that Herbert was the one behind Central Group's woes.

Regardless of how exceptional a capitalist was, he wouldn't have the courage to offend anyone in the military or political establishment, let alone someone as powerful as Herbert. For Herbert to deal with a businessman's empire was as easy as squashing an ant.

Jack snatched Genevieve's phone away. "Even if Central Group goes bust, that's Armand's problem, not yours. Genev, isn't your time belter spent on me?"

Genevieve froze awkwardly, sull not used to intimacy with Jack.

"I'm worried that I'll be Sylvie's next target."

212

Jack sniggered at the comment as he place his head on hier shoulder. "Unless she has a death wish, she won't dare touch you because you're minc."

Everything Sylvic was enjoying now was bestowed by him, and it would be all too easy for him to take them away.

"Let's return to Dartan the day after next, as I need to deal witli somcthing. You can visit the children too. How about that?" Jack threaded his fingers in between Genevicvc's and clasped them tightly He added, "With the Zeigler family behind Sylvie now, you won't be able to touch her if you're looking to seek revenge on Johanna's lychalc."

Grunting in acknowledgment, Genevieve gave the phone on the table a dejected stare.

Chapter 518

Meanwhile, Armand was unfazed when he was interrogated by the police. He answered what he knew and remained silent about matters lic liad no knowledge of.

Soon, his lawyer arrived.

With regards to the money laundering case and the lit-and-run accident, the respective culprits had been taken into custody.

As for the man who committed suicide, Armand's lawyer brought documents to prove that the former had been fired a long time ago for harming the company's interest. Since he was no longer an employee of Central Group, the company was not obligated to pay for his medical fees.

After further investigations, the police realized that Armand had nothing to do with the crimes and released him the day after.

Exiting the police station together with Armand, the lawyer asked softly, "Mr. Faulkner, do you need a ride"

Armand gently waved his hand. "Someone is picking me up."

Outside the police station, the lawyer saw a black Bentley parked by the street. Leaning on it was a towering man with a cigarette between his lips.

Despite his charming looks and elegant features, he exuded an intimidating aura.

It was none other than the head of Specter Corporation-Cooper Sutton.

At the sight of Armand emerging from the police station with the lawyer, Cooper threw his cigarette to the ground and stubbed it out with his leather shoe. "Mr. Faulkner, I suppose they didn't use the opportunity to wallop you since your face looks untouched."

Unbutioning his collar, Armand responded with a casual smile. "It's not that bad. In fact, I had three good meals yesterday."

After a short banter, Cooper got into the driver's seat and drove them out of the police station.

He remarked in a solemn tone, "To have his claws reach Jadeborough in just a few days, Old Mr. Zeigler's network is powerful indeed."

When the scandals relating to Central Group broke, he, too, got his public relations team to divert the attention away from Central Group with other news,

Unfortunately, the effort was futile since someone was makin sure Central Group stayed in the headlines.

Even though Central Group held a significant stake in Twitter, the latter didn't dare challenge the Zeigler family.

"What happened with Mr. Lebon?" Cooper threw Armand a glance from the corner of his eye. "By selling off his stakes, has he emptied the company accounts?"

At the rate events were unfolding, the company's stock might be worth nothing at all.

If all of Central Group's sharcholders reduced their stakes in the company and left, that would spell the end of it.

In spite of the dire situation, Armand was a sea of calm, his voice steady. "Don't you know that his wife is Old Mr. Zeigler's cldest granddaughter?"

Cooper almost jammed the brake at his words.

"I'm aware that his wife is twenty years younger than liim and comes from a powerful family. However, I didn't realize she's Old Mr. Zeigler's granddaughter..." Cooper was at a loss for words.

He had been wondering why Landon, who had always stood steadfastly by Armand's side, would abandon the latter at the first sign of trouble.

Upon arriving at Golden Restaurant, Cooper and Armand headed into a private room.

Once the waiter took their orders and left, Cooper poured himself a cup of coffee.

"After your scathing attacks on Sylvie, there's no way she'll let you go now that Old Mr. Zeigler is her granddad. Once you're done for, I'll be next."

"No, she doesn't have the guts." Armand picked out a cigarette from the pack on the table and lit it.

After taking two puffs, he calmly explained, "Half of the shares in Specter Corporation are in Genevieve's hands. Now that she's married to Jack, she's considered the lady of the Helt family. Since offending Jack is the equivalent of challenging the Helt family of Dartan, Sylvie isn't that dumb to touch her."

Since they were on the topic, Cooper's gaze darkened as he inquired grimly, "Armand, since you love Genev, why don't you tell her?"

He was cognizant that Armand's feelings for Genevieve were stronger than his.

In fact, Armand was even willing to sacrifice his life for her

Tapping his cigarette on the ashtray, Armand replied calmly, "Four years ago, I begged her to stay, but she left with Jack without a second thought. Therefore, it's pointless for me to say anything now. Am I to be with her just for a few days before she leaves me in the dust with another man?"

Just when he finally managed to suppress the longing he felt for her after four tormenting years, she came back into his life all of a sudden.

Just like any ordinary person, he wasn't impervious to hurt and sorrow.

"I don't think her true intention was to leave with Jack," Cooper commented.

When Armand looked up and gave him a dubious look, Cooper took out a picture and slid it up

to him.

Staring at the faded picture and the beautiful woman in it, Armand narrowed his eyes. "Where did you get this?"

Chapter 519

"I found it wien I was investigating Jack in Dartan." Cooper explained. However, all I had was al picture back then. I couldn't find out her name or who she was. That's why I never showed it to you until I went to Xedells to see Samantha. It was when I saw you asking her about the picture You were holding that I learned the woman was your mother."

Tapping on the photo, Cooper continucal, "I don't know hier nunc, but I found the picture in a place that lack had lived in before. When I confronteel Gonic about wlicther she married Jack for this woman's sake she said that she would tell me about it one day."

Cooper had always been known to be intelligent.

Just by connecting the dots, he could piccc together what had happened.

Adjusting his spectacles, he informed Armand in a grave tone, "My guess is that you and Jack might be closely related. There's a possibility that you might even be... brothers."

A tremble in his hand caused Armand to drop the cigarette he was holding. "Are you kidding me?"

Cooper snorted before sneering in reply. "Would you have imagined that I was Samantha Faulkner's son and that we would turn out to be cousins? Anything can be possible." After observing Armand for a few seconds, he added, "Upon closer inspection, you do resemble

Jack."

Armand's lips twitched at the words.

If someone had randomly told him that his father had an affair that resulted in a child, he wouldn't be surprised at all.

However, Cooper's theory had flooded him with inexplicable emotions.

At that moment, the phone he left on the table rang.

Putting it to his ear, he spoke to the caller for a few minutes before ending the call and informing Cooper, "It's from the prison. Marilyn is dead." Cooper asked, "How did she die?"

"Her gastrointestinal tract was bleeding. By the time she was sent to the infirmary at dawn, she was already done for." Armand took another puff of his cigarette

"Dying after only four years in prison? She sure got away casy." Behind his spectacles, an icy glint flashed in Cooper's eyes. "Coincidentally, there's something I need to tell you." Arirand grunted, "Go ahead."

"When you were hospitalized in Jadeborough General Hospital ten years ago due to the explosion, the person you met was Genev, not Marilyn."

Stupefied, Armand froze for a long time. "What do you mean?"

Cooper, too, pulled out a cigarette and stuck it between his lips as he gradually elaborated. "Marilyn had falsely claimed that it was her. Genev knew about it from the very beginning but didn't tell you. She had made a deal with Marilyn to keep it a secret in exchange for the violin."

"In that case, why did she give Marilyn the ring too?" Armand questioned, still in shock.

Cooper scoffed. "Armand, just put yourself in her shoes. Back then, she had just suffered a miscarriage and learned that she was nothing but a tool. How would you feel if you were her? Besides, didn't Old Mrs. Faulkner give the ring to her? Genev is giving both of you her blessing by giving it to Marilyn."

"Didn't I tell you that I don't like Marilyn?" Armand retorted.

Back then, he had assumed that Marilyn was the girl in the hospital. Later on, not only did he realize he had no feelings for her after getting together, but he was also filled with a sense of inexplicable disappointment.

If Samuel, who had sacrificed his life for Armand, hadn't told him to take care of Marilyn and the child, he would never have bothered with her.

No wonder I have this strange feeling every time I see Genevieve.

In fact, he was surprised by the sudden impulse he felt when he saw Genevieve in the street the year she got married.

It turned out that they had met cach other long ago.

"Even though you don't like Marilyn, you still hurt Genev indirectly." After a brief pause, Cooper remarked sarcastically. "If I hadn't been blinded by vengeance back then, you wouldn't have even had the chance."

Before the incident, he was the one Genevieve loved. Unfortunately, he ended up destroying her dreams with his own hands.

As a result, he had hurt her just as much as Armand had.

After throwing Armand a glance, he continued in a deep voice, "After being married to Jack, Genev could have lived the rest of her life happily in Dartan. So, why did she come back after so many years? Armand, do you really not know?

Chapter 520

For a moment, Armand was stunned. Upon regaining his senses, he grabbed his phone and sprang to his feet as if he had had an epiphany.

Watching Armand leaving. Cooper asked, "Aren't you going to cat first?"

"I'm not hungry."

Afier leaving the restaurant, Armand gave Jandacall. When he learned that Genevieve wasn't at the production company, lic hailed a taxi and licaded to Regality Gardens. At that moment, both Genevieve and Jack were in the condominium.

Jack had spent a busy morning in the study, where he informed the staff of Helt Corporation that he would be returning to Dartan the following day,

After lunch, he suggested out of nowhere, "Genev, it's been a long time since I heard you play the violin."

Realizing that telling him she was out of touch would make for a ridiculous excuse, Genevieve brought the violin out of the bedroom and tuned its strings one by one. "What do you want to hear?"

"Because of You." Jack crossed his legs while placing his arm languidly on the sofa back.

Soon, Jack immersed himself in the light melody coming from the violin as it filled the entire living room

With admiration shining in his beautiful green eyes, he watched the performance of the violinist in front of him.

After she put her violin down, Jack stood up suddenly and pulled her into his embrace.

"Genev, you're beautiful," he murmured before leaning in to kiss her.

Raising her hand in reflex, she covered his mouth and replied nervously, "Please give me some time."

She still couldn't bring herself to open up to him fully.

With repressed desire and annoyance in his eyes, Jack confronted her, "Genev, I've already given you four years. Isn't that enough? I'm a man, noi a monk. Given that we're already married, intimacy shouldn't be such a big deal. Why do you still need time?"

That's true. Life is short indeed.

Despite being aware of Jack's feelings for her and having lost her bet, Genevieve was still incapable of treating him like her husband.

While she was lost in her thoughts, Jack pinned her to the couch and began kissing her

collarbone.

When she realized what was happening, her body froze.

It was in that instant that the doorbell began to ring non-stop. Scizing the opportunity, Genevieve pushed Jack aside.

"I'll go get it." Genevieve left the living room in a hurry.

After tidying up her messy hair with a sweep of her hand, she opened the door to find Armand standing there.

When she saw the calm look in his eyes, she figured that nothing untoward had happened to him at the police station.

Stunned for a flccting moment, she inquired, "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Faulkner?"

At the sight of her reddened checks and the faint hickey on her collarbone, Armand felt as if a knife was stabbing into his heart.

It wasn't until Genevieve spotted where he was looking that she noticed the residual mark that Jack had left.

As inexplicable guilt descended upon her, she covered the mark with her hand and pursed her lips. "If there's nothing else, I'll be closing the door."

She had barely finished speaking when she attempted to do so.

However, Armand grabbed the door with his hand to stop it. Gulping, he asked with a low voice, "What's my relationship with Jack?"

Genevieve fell into momentary silence. "His mother is Charice Valentine. She's also your mother."

Cooper was right.

Indescribable emotions began to fill Armand.

Compared to when he first found out Cooper was Samantha's son, he was more shocked now than then.

"Don't come in," Genevieve instructed before walking back into the house.

When he saw her return, Jack asked with a cocked brow, "Who is it?"

"Mr. Faulkner. He's here to pick something up," Genevieve casually replied. She then headed into the bedroom to retrieve the metal box she had taken from the old housekeeper previously and gave it to Armand.

"Charice's housekeeper gave me this. Inside, you'll find pictures of her and your father."

After receiving the box, Armand didn't open it. Instead, he demanded answers. "Since you know about my relationship with him, why didn't you tell me?"

After a brief pause, le demanded again. "Why did you have to marry Jack?"

LUIIII

With a clint in licr eyes, Genevieve answered in an incillcrent tonc, "To have my revenge on you. Don't you think that marrying your stepbrother and finding the best opportunity to reveal the matter to you makes for a satisfying act of revenge?"

Her first instinct was to tell him the truth, but when she realized that she no longer harbored any feclings for him, doing so would only make it sound as if she still cared for him.

And yet, she was still mired in confusion.

It's obvious that I don't love him, so why am I hiding so much on his behalf?