Ch. 741..750

Chapter 741

Cooper turned to glare at Finn, grabbed a wad of money that his assistant had given to him, and tossed it at Finn. "My assistant will send you to the hospital. Never let me see you again!"

Finn felt a chill run down his back and quietly left with Bertilla, not daring to say another word.

"Fine, then. One down, another to go," Nathalia said, running her fingers through her short hair nonchalantly. "You're not done yet."

Another to go?

Cooper turned back to see Yuvan walking out of the police station.

Some of his shirt buttons had been ripped off and he looked a little bit miserable, but his stare was fixated on Nathalia.

Cooper looked down only to realize that Nathalia was dressed in a pair of jeans and a flowy, spaghetti strap top. The top grazed over her chest lightly and stopped right in the middle of her ribcage, showing off a stretch of her pale, slim waist. She looked sexy, but not cheap.

The surveillance camera footage had been too dark for him to notice and he hadn't thought to look when he had just arrived at the police station.

Cooper hadn't imagined that this would happen. He knew that this alter ego wasn't a friendly one to deal with, but he never knew how open and flirty Nathalia was. She was even flirting with two men at one go. He took a deep breath and covered Nathalia with his own jacket before turning back to speak to Yuvan. "Thank you, Mr. Zeigler. If it hadn't been for you, she would have gotten much more badly injured. I'll trea you to a meal sometime."

Nathalia had just lifted a hand when Cooper quickly pushed it back down. "Behave!"

He finally understood how Jack felt.

On the way back, Cooper got a call from Jack and only told him that everything was fine, leaving out the details. He didn't want Jack to blow up and go after Nathalia.

Cooper brought Nathalia back to his own condominium.

The moment Nathalia stepped in, she saw a tall, handsome man walk out of the kitchen. She paused in shock before looking at Cooper.

"You two are staying together?" she asked.

"I don't want to talk to her. You can do it," Cooper said as he massaged his brow.

Finn had recognized Nathalia, which made Cooper worried that other people might recognize her too and release footage of what happened at the bar online. He went into the study to call his subordinate. Armand took the first aid kit out of the cabinet and took Nathalie's hand, pulling her to sit down on the couch.

He wet a cotton bud with some water to clean the blood on Nathalia's face.

The faint scent of perfume on the woman and the way she carried herself were extremely unfamiliar to Armand. In a deep voice, he asked, "What do you want?"

"So you still haven't gotten over her?" Nathalia leaned down and placed her hand on her chin, looking at Armand with a bright smile.

Armand kneeled down and started to disinfect the injury on her knee before applying medicine to it.

Nathalia casually toyed with his short hair. Despite her careless actions, Armand's breath began to become slightly rougher.

"My sister ate me. She owes me everything," Nathalia said, her cherry red lips hooked in a sly smile. "I'm not just an alter ego. I have my own mind, my own desires, my own thoughts. This was supposed to be my body anyway. Her life is over. Now it's my turn.”

He tore open a bandage and placed it over her injury as he replied, "Let's set a time. Once you've had your fun, you must leave."

She chuckled. "I'm not leaving until I'm dead."

As she looked down at the man who was busy tending to her wound, a smile slowly grew on her scarlet lips. "I do like you, you know. Jack is always trying to kill me whenever he sees me, but you don't look angry at all."

She thought about it for a second and asked, "You only see my sister as a f*ck buddy, right? Is that why you don't care about her as much?"

Armand lifted his head and glared at her. The look in his eyes was as deep and dark as an endless abyss.

Even Nathalia, who was almost completely fearless, felt her scalp prickle at the terrifying glare. She decided to use her hunger as an excuse to run off to the dining room and began to devour the spaghetti in front of her the moment she sat down.

She slurped up a mouthful of noodles and turned to look at Armand. "If you're not living together with Cooper, then what are you doing here?"

Armand ignored her and tidied up the first aid kit with a cold expression.

I really hate this younger sister of hers.

Chapter 742

Nathalia didn't feel like talking to him anymore since he was clearly ignoring her. After finishing her spaghetti, she placed her fork down and chose a tidy guest room to sleep in.

Cooper walked out of the study only to see Nathalia gone and Armand with a dark expression on his face.

He could already guess how angry Nathalia had made Armand and smiled bitterly before saying, "You're not alone. When I went to the police station, I felt like I'd get an aneurysm from how angry I felt." In a more solemn tone, Cooper said, "This alter ego of hers is too powerful. I'm afraid that we'll lose Genev soon if we don't get rid of her."

Armand could tell even if Cooper hadn't said anything.

Genevieve wasn't a pushover, but the more abrasive personality traits she had were always reserved for those she found familiar. To strangers and acquaintances, she was always mild and pleasant. She dressed well and liked to wear certain more revealing or tight-fitting pieces sometimes, but it was because she liked it.

Her sister Nathalia, on the other hand, liked to boss people around and was selfish. She also liked to show herself off and parade her good looks around just to get attention.

Armand narrowed his eyes at the memory of Nathalia's actions. "She blames her lost chance at life on Genevieve. Her resentment built up over the years and now that she finally has a chance, she's not going to let it go. She enjoys adrenaline and excitement, yes, but she enjoys the attention she gets most of all."

"Exactly." Cooper sighed at how accurate Armand's analysis was. "If the footage of the bar incident got released online, I bet she would love all the attention she would get."

Luckily, he had rushed to the police station right after the police had done a whole check-up on the situation. If not, things would really have gone south.

Armand seemed to have a question on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it back.

Cooper didn't notice his hesitation and said, "Jack got his subordinates to contact some world-renowned hypnotists. He wants them to hypnotize Nathalia to get rid of her. He really, really hates her." That afternoon after work, Cooper had asked Bertilla to send him some research on dissociative personality disorder.

He flipped through the files carefully. Dissociative personality disorder had been officially recognized since the eighteenth century and there were about two hundred thousand people who were currently diagnosed.

There were hypnotists who had been hired to cure these aforementioned patients.

However, if Nathalia wasn't even afraid of Jack's threats, why would she be afraid of a hypnotist?

Armand remained silent and Cooper turned to look at his calm visage. "Are you just this calm normally, or did she just piss you off that badly?"

Armand replied indifferently, "There's no use in getting pissed. It's still Genev's body, anyway."

Cooper couldn't argue with that.

"I just find one thing very strange," Armand said in slight confusion as he looked out the window. "Based on how much Lilian hated Jack, she should have tried to kill Genev when she kidnapped her or at least used her to threaten Jack."

They both recalled the last time that Lilian's subordinates had tried to kill Genevieve and very nearly succeeded.

"Why didn't she do anything this time?"

Timothy had been the one to contact the hospital when Genevieve's mother had been pregnant with twins. Lilian had no way of getting her hands on Genevieve's mother's pregnancy test details, so she wouldn't have known.

Even if she had known about the twins, then why was Lilian so sure that Genevieve had an alter ego?

This was just too absurd.

Even Cooper, who was so smart, couldn't figure out what Lilian was up to, let alone Armand.

Cooper took his glasses off and began massaging the bridge of his nose. "I already injected Genev with the antidote. What's your plan?"

He glanced at Armand. "Are you going to keep using this face?"

If Genevieve had never been kidnapped, and if Nathalia had never shown herself, then Armand could have made up some fake death for Bruce. Then, he could appear in front of Genevieve and the kids in his real form.

Armand fell silent for a second before saying, "I'll keep using this identity for a while. I need to finish some stuff up."

"What, like your marriage with Sylvie?" Cooper asked jokingly.

Armand turned to glare at him coldly.

"Okay, got it. No jokes," Cooper said as he lifted his hands in mock surrender.

After having to take care of so many things today. Cooper felt like his brain had melted from all the stress. After telling Armand that he would bring Nathalia to Landon's place tomorrow, he went back to his room to sleep.

After standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window for a long time, Armand lightly treaded to Nathalia's room.

The door was unlocked and he walked in with just a twist of the doorknob.

Chapter 743

The only light that was on was the feeble glow of the wall lamp. Since Nathalia hadn't had any clothes that she could change into, she had fallen asleep with just a towel around her. After tossing and turning around in her sleep, the towel had unwrapped itself and was barely hanging on her torso and hips.

She was curled up in a deep sleep. Her pitch black hair and pale skin were unknowingly seducing Armand.

Armand could feel his Adam's apple bob lightly in his throat at the sight. Then, once he remembered that she was sleeping naked in someone else's house without even locking the door, a sudden onset of rage fired up in him.

She had never slept naked anywhere else apart from when she was with him.

He took a deep breath and repressed his anger. Then, he walked out of the room and dug through his bag to find a shirt to put over her.

She was sound asleep and Armand could effortlessly slip her arms into the shirt's sleeves.

She had showered, so the strong perfume scent that had been radiating off of her at first had been exchanged with the delectable scent of cocoa butter and hazelnuts. She smelled like a delicious dessert and her skin was both fragrant and smooth to the touch.

Armand's glance swept onto her pale neck and he couldn't help but plant a quick kiss on the snowy flesh.

He hadn't touched her in a long time.

After realizing that, the desire that Armand had been suppressing began growing uncontrollably from a young sapling to a robust tree. He was no longer satisfied with just a couple of pecks here and there. Instead, he leaned closer and kissed her on the lips.

She frowned in her slumber and opened her mouth subconsciously, allowing him to savor her lips.

Right before his last strand of logic snapped, he forced himself to pull away and leaned his head against her shoulder as he panted.

If she had woken up halfway, he would've been scarred for life.

Armand caressed her face gently as he murmured, "Darling?"

She remained silent.

Armand thought about that casual movement that Nathalia had made just now in the living room and couldn't stop his thoughts from running wild.

Could it be?

After a long time, he pecked her lightly on the lips and whispered, "I hope you'll be back tomorrow. I miss you so much."

Nathalia saw two sets of clothes laid out neatly on the chair for her when she woke up.

She picked a nice dress and walked out to see the dining table covered with a hefty breakfast spread that Cooper was already enjoying. She quickly walked over and picked up a mini pie with one hand, tossing it into her mouth.

Armand walked out with some oatmeal and sighed when he saw Nathalia.

So it's still her.

"I don't want this. It looks like vomit," Nathalia pushed the oatmeal away with a disdainful expression. "Go get me some soy milk."

Cooper looked at the oatmeal in front of him and lost his appetite.

After breakfast, Cooper left with Nathalia.

She began firing questions at him. "Hey, if you don't have a thing going on with Armand, then why's he in your house and making breakfast for you?"

"Just because," Cooper said bluntly with no expression on his face.

"Sure." Nathalia shrugged.

Cooper's only requirement for cars was that they were comfortable and looked good. While the cars parked in the garage were all branded, they were still commercial models. Nathalia, who wanted to feel like a celebrity on the road, was hugely disappointed.

On the way to the Lebon family mansion, she bombarded Cooper with more questions. "When are you going to get that sports car?"

Cooper was starting to get a headache from her incessant chattering and decided to make a call to placate her. After the call, he finally replied, "It's on the way. It'll probably only reach the day after tomorrow." "Why's it taking so long?" Nathalia grumbled.

Cooper had already called Landon last night.

The latter was overjoyed at the news of their visit and even personally greeted both of them.

After getting out of the car, Cooper shook Landon's hand. "Sorry for the bother.”

"It's no bother at all!" Landon said with a bright smile. "I've always wanted to chat with you, Mr. Sutton, but you're so busy. It's a good chance to get to know you today."

Landon then looked at Nathalia, who had gotten out of the car, and thought she looked slightly different from before.

Still, he didn't ask and led both of them into the house.

The three of them sat down in the living room. After a few minutes, his wife walked out with some hot coffee for all of them.

Chapter 744

Renee was Phineus' daughter. She had fallen in love with Landon when she was nineteen, and Landon had just gone through his divorce at the time. He didn't have any children, but he was still older than her by at least two decades.

Phineus didn't want to interfere with his daughter's love life, but he especially didn't want her to marry some businessman who was so much older than she was. However, Renee was so intent on marrying him that Phineus disowned her.

That was also why Renee had never gone back to the Zeigler family. Not many outsiders knew of the relationship between Landon's wife and the Zeigler family.

Landon had never disappointed Renee either and had been wholly faithful to her since day one.

Renee gave birth rather young and she had always been pampered by Landon. Therefore, she had nothing to worry about and her skin was still fair and plump. She even looked like a young woman, and no one could really tell that she was already over thirty.

Cooper smiled at Renee. "You look so young, Mrs. Lebon. You look like you could be the same age as my sister."

"Oh, stop joking! She's only twenty or so, right? I'm already thirty-six," Renee said wryly, but the bright smile on her face said otherwise.

Nathalia had been playing with her phone the moment she walked in.

As they spoke, Cooper sneakily baited some answers out of Renee, but he was disappointed.

Jermaine had never brought Genevieve up to Renee. As for Landon, he used to be a shareholder of Central Group and recognized Genevieve, so he had talked about Genevieve to Renee a couple of times. Cooper wondered why Jermaine wanted him to bring Genevieve over to the Lebon family mansion.

Renee looked at Nathalia's elegant side profile and turned to look at her husband as if she wanted to say something, but since Cooper was still there, she fell silent. They continued chatting idly when Yuvan arrived.

"Hi. Renee."

"Yuvan! You're here," Renee hurriedly greeted as she stood up to meet him.

Renee had been on good terms with her siblings since she was a child. Despite having been disowned by her father, she still remained as close as ever with her siblings. Whenever Yuvan was in Jadeborough, he would come to visit his sister.

"This painting arrived at my gallery this morning. I'm pretty free today so I decided to send it over." Yuvan placed the painting by the wall.

"We're having roast duck today. You should stay for lunch," Renee said as she took off his coat for him and hung it up. "We have some guests today. Let me introduce you." As Renee spoke, Yuvan had already caught sight of the familiar faces in the living room. "No need for that. I know them."

Renee paused in surprise. "You do?"

"Hello, Mr. Zeigler," Cooper greeted with a helpless smile. "I recall saying I would treat you to a meal when you're free, but I didn't expect us to meet at your sister's house today." If Yuvan hadn't visited, Cooper probably wouldn't have remembered that he was even related to Renee.

"No worries. There's no rush. We can have the meal some other time," Yuvan replied politely as he glanced at the living room only to see Nathalia on the couch staring at her phone. Renee took the painting out from its plastic wrap and wanted to hang it in the living room.

Yuvan volunteered to help since he had nothing else to do.

Nathalia was beginning to feel bored and walked outside with her phone in hand. "I'm going out for a walk," she informed.

After hanging up the painting for his sister, Yuvan went to wash his hands. Instead of returning to the living room, however, he walked out.

Cooper saw him and narrowed his eyes.

Yuvan looked around and finally found Nathalia sitting on the hanging chair in the garden. She would occasionally bounce the tips of her toes against the ground so that the chair would swing back and forth lightly, all the while keeping her eyes on her phone.

After hesitating for a moment, he walked over and stood in front of her.

"Hello, Ms. Rachford."

He thought Nathalia was just another pretty girl who had somehow inspired him that one time. After Herbert's birthday party, he decided not to use her as his model since she didn't particularly move him. However, her outfit from yesterday at the police station had struck his heart like lightning.

Chapter 745

She had looked sexy yet not trashy. That outfit had made her look like Eve in God's garden, having just taken a bite from the forbidden fruit.

When he had stopped by his gallery earlier that morning, his assistant had brought him some models' portfolios to look at. He had flipped through each of them, but all of the models had somehow morphed into Genevieve in his eyes. Only then did he realize that she wasn't just a simple muse.

If she wasn't his model, he would never complete his life's greatest works because she had been the inspiration for both of them.

Nathalia looked up and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Yuvan frowned, but assumed her vibe had just changed because of her new haircut. "I want you to keep being my model," he said in a pleading tone.

"I don't have time." Nathalia's response was short and succinct.

Yuvan paused in shock, not having expected her refusal.

Cooper and the woman before him had been the ones to nearly kill Herbert that day. Moreover, if it hadn't been for her, he wouldn't have been involved in that mess last night.

She owed him this, at least.

Didn't she feel guilty in the slightest and wanted to make it up to him?

Yuvan's gentle demeanor became colder and he pulled down his collar, showing Genevieve the newly healed scratch mark on his throat. "This is from the woman last night. You owe me one. Just be my model until I finish this painting, and we're even."

"You'll probably need at least a month to finish it, right? So I should be your model for a whole month? Sounds unfair to me," Nathalia said with a scoff as she continued toying with her phone. Yuvan was speechless.

She hadn't even asked for money back when she was his model. Not only that, but she had even said that she would donate her share of the profit to a charity once the painting got sold. What happened to her?

Yuvan was tired of standing and sat down next to her. "Name your price."

Nathalia didn't even look up at him. "I don't need any money."

Yuvan was speechless once again.

He didn't know if Genevieve had only acted nice back then to get on his good side, but she certainly wasn't a pleasant person to deal with now.

Glancing at her phone, he caught sight of some news she was reading about a racing club. She seemed pretty interested in it.

"You like racing?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied with a sigh as she leaned her chin on one hand. "The Gliders are setting up a competition the day after tomorrow, but only club members can join. I've never raced before and I don't have any connections, so they didn't let me join."

Yuvan smiled at the hint of a breakthrough. "I have a way to get you in. If I do, will you finally be my model?"

"Sure!" Nathalia replied, her eyes gleaming enthusiastically. "If you get me in the club, then I'll be your model for three whole months!"

"Okay. Your words, not mine," Yuvan said as he turned around to contact a friend.

The Gliders were the most famous private racing club. It was full of rich kids from Baykeep and Xedells who loved to race, and there was a high threshold for its members.

In order to join, one had to have connections with the core members of the club. One also must have an impressive background and of course, money.

Yuvan wasn't interested in racing, but the vice president of the club, Evan Qualls, just so happened to be his classmate.

When Evan picked up, Yuvan began chatting about Genevieve's relationship with Cooper, who was definitely rich even to the average rich person.

Evan agreed to let Nathalia join partly to give Yuvan face.

After the call, he returned and told Nathalia, "It's done. You can go to the club straightaway the day after tomorrow."

"You're a fast worker, aren't you?" Nathalia's cherry-red lips curled up in a smile. She wished it was already the day after tomorrow. "My racecar also arrives the day after tomorrow." Yuvan chuckled. "You really don't look like the type to enjoy such wild activities."

Cooper walked out while the two of them were chatting.

The house was quite a distance away from the garden, so while he couldn't hear their conversation, he could see the happy grins on their faces.

Cooper thought back to the series of events since yesterday and couldn't help but frown.

Chapter 746

Genevieve was smart, but sometimes she could act on anger alone if she was mad enough and do things without caring about the consequences. Cooper couldn't help but feel like Nathalia had been silently plotting something ever since what happened last night.

A lightbulb suddenly turned on above his head as he began to sense something.

However, the moment he looked up and caught a glimpse of Nathalia smiling as she looked up at Yu van with an enthusiastic gaze, he felt a headache coming on.

I'm probably overthinking.

His sister was just a player. She just couldn't keep her hands to herself when she was faced with people she found interesting.

Nathalia was practically leaning on Yuvan when Cooper yelled out expressionlessly, "Lunch is ready. Come and eat."

He then glanced at Nathalia and warned her. She shrugged and finally pulled her hands back.

The kitchen had prepared a grand spread of lunch.

After lunch, Landon talked about business for a little while longer to Cooper. Once Cooper and Nathalia were about to leave, he personally sent them off with Renee by his side.

When Landon noticed his wife still staring in Cooper and Nathalia's direction after they had left, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"Ms. Rachford really reminds me of someone," Renee said with a frown as she walked back into the house with her husband. "I sensed it the moment she arrived, but I couldn't say anything as Mr. Sutton was here."

Landon chuckled. "She looks just like you! I told you, remember?"

"No. I don't think it's me." Renee shook her head.

The two of them had already entered the house throughout their conversation.

Yuvan just so happened to hear Landon's words and asked curiously, "Who looks like Renee?”

"Genevieve." Landon sat down with his wife in the living room. "I think Genevieve looks like your sister, and I've told her about this before. But, Renee seems to think she looks like someone else. Just look at her. Don't you think so?"

Yuvan studied his sister's face closely and thought about Genevieve's delicate features. His eyes widened in surprise. "Now that you mention it, they do look similar."

He had never realized it before.

Renee gasped shock as she seemed to remember something. "No, she doesn't look like me. She kind of looks like Aunt Juliana!"

"The aunt you haven't seen since you were a child?" Landon asked.

Renee nodded enthusiastically as she took out her phone and finally found an old picture from WhatsApp. Determined, she said, "Look. She looks so much like Aunt Juliana."

Landon looked closely at the screen. "That's your biological aunt, right? It's not strange that Genevieve looks like both of you."

"Why wouldn't it be? It's not like she's Aunt Juliana's daughter..." Renee suddenly stopped mid-sentence as she turned to Landon excitedly. "Do you think she could be Aunt Juliana's daughter?"

For the past few decades, everyone in the family hadn't forgotten about Juliana. Apart from Herbert, they all wished they could find her again.

Landon hesitated before shaking his head. "She probably isn't. I grew up in Jadeborough. I even attended Mr. Rachford's wedding, and his wife wasn't just any regular citizen. She was the Quinn family's precious little girl and the apple of Old Mr. Quinn's eye. Your aunt went missing in Baykeep, and she was about seven or eight years old when it happened. There's no way she ran off to the Quinn family." "He's right. Genevieve's mother surely doesn't have anything to do with Aunt Juliana," Yuvan said.

If Sylvie hadn't done what she had, then based on how much Genevieve resembled Juliana, Yuvan might have believed it too.

But now, even if Genevieve looked exactly like Juliana, he wouldn't believe it.

Yuvan told Renee about how Sylvie had pretended to be Juliana's daughter to cheat Herbert. "That day, she was crying and telling Grandpa that she knew Aunt Juliana and her daughter. She even said she was friends with Aunt Juliana's daughter, Stella, and that Stella had asked her for help in finding her family. That's why she pretended to be Aunt Juliana's daughter, and that's why she lied that Aunt Juliana and Stella were already dead."

Chapter 747

Renee remained silent, seemingly making sense of his words.

A few seconds later, Renee frowned and said, "If she dared to fake her identity, maybe she made up the rest of the story too."

Yuvan replied, "She should be genuinely acquainted with Aunt Juliana. All these years, Grandpa had been searching for Aunt Juliana through advertisements on television stations, but the information he provided was very vague. There's no way she would dare to scam Grandpa with that little clue."

Sensing his sister's doubts, Yuvan sighed. "Renee, there are ancient people from the nineteenth century who shared similar appearances with modern strangers without any blood relationship. There's nothing special even if Genevieve resembles you and Aunt Juliana."

Renee could not help but utter, "But I'm quite fond of Genevieve. I had the urge to get to know her better, but I did not disturb her because she kept fiddling with her phone."

In fact, Renee was not the only one. Yuvan felt the same way too.

During his first encounter with Genevieve, he felt their fated connection and an inexplicable sense of familiarity toward her.

And because of that sense of familiarity, Genevieve had deliberately gotten close to him and appeared at the Zeigler residence afterward. Even after she infuriated Herbert and caused him to have a heart attack, Yuvan merely felt angry but did not pursue that matter further.

If someone else had done that, regardless of their brothers' formidable influence in Jadeborough, Yuvan would not let them off the hook so easily.

Landon pondered briefly before saying, "Darling, are you harboring these feelings towards Genevieve because you're missing Quincy after she moved to his fiance's place and hasn't been home in over a month?"

Renee was convinced by her husband that she was probably missing her daughter too much after listening to him.

Yuvan had other matters to handle at the gallery, so he merely chatted with the couple for a short while before getting up and taking his leave.

When he left the mansion, Yuvan realized Renee's words reminded him of something.

Since Sylvie was capable of instructing someone from such a large and established DNA-testing center to switch the DNA report, investigating and obtaining information about Juliana was likely an easy feat too.

It seems like I should make time to meet with Sylvie and talk things over.

On the way back, Nathalia scrolled her phone in boredom. Her eyes gleamed when she saw the trending news on Twitter.

Cooper caught sight of her excited expression from the corner of his eyes. "What did you come across that piqued your interest?"

"It's about your housemate's ex-girlfriend." Nathalia shook her phone in front of Cooper. She smirked and added in amusement, "The media reported Coco fooled around with a famous producer in the entertainment industry. Last night, the producer's wife went to a private condominium and caught them red-handed in bed together. Not only did the wife beat Coco up, but she even recorded the whole process."

Cooper was rendered speechless.

If he knew how imaginative Nathalia was, he would not have agreed to let Armand stay at his place.

Nathalia leaned against the car seat and continued browsing the news. "Some people are seizing this sensation to say that Bruce had never abused Coco. Instead, she was the one who had always tried to seduce him. Coco did not dare to offend her sugar daddy, so she slandered Bruce for mistreating her, causing his career as a celebrity to be ruined. Those fans are now rebuking Coco, flooding her Twitter page with hateful comments..."

When Nathalia refreshed the page after she was done talking, she realized some of the fans had already located where Coco's parents lived.

Coco's father was frail, to begin with. After the fans surrounded his house and scolded Coco for a few hours, her father suffered a hemorrhagic stroke due to overwhelming anger and died on the spot. Meanwhile, Coco's sugar daddy seemed to have fallen out with her. He completely ignored Coco and allowed her scandals to spread like wildfire. Besides, Coco's agency had also swiftly terminated their contract with her.

In just a few hours, Coco turned from a famous second-tier celebrity with a promising future to a mistress and a cheater. No one took her side and defended her anymore.

She was experiencing everything Bruce had previously gone through.

When Cooper sent Nathalia back to Regality Gardens, Jack was unexpectedly there.

Jack glanced at Nathalia disdainfully. He disregarded her and called Cooper to the study to have a chat.

After Cooper closed the door, Jack asked grimly, "Is Armand still alive?"

Chapter 748

Cooper's heart skipped a beat. He quickly recalled all his contacts with Armand during that period of time, but each time they had been extra careful and vigilant. Even the somewhat goofy Timothy practiced caution when speaking to others.

Jack's subordinates could not have found any clues even if they secretly monitored us, so why is Jack asking me this question?

Wearing a poker face, Cooper replied indifferently, "Shouldn't you know better whether he's dead or alive? Do you think you can stop him if he wants to bring the two kids and Genev away?"

Jack switched on his tablet and handed it to Cooper. "Two of the largest international financial corporations, MF Group and GS Group are targeting Faulkner Group."

Cooper's pupils constricted. He immediately stepped forward to receive the device.

MF Group and GS Group were financial corporations that existed since the twentieth century. Their current influence and wealth were extremely formidable after so many years of development. Those two financial corporations had collaborated to manipulate various countries' currencies, leading to financial crises in those nations. Those affected states had to rebuild their economies for many years before slowly recovering from the tragic impact. Other financial companies had to be humble in their presence.

Even Cooper and Jack did not dare to provoke those two financial corporations unnecessarily.

Alone, either MF Group or GS Group's influence was sufficiently terrifying. However, they were now working together to eliminate Faulkner Group, which had dropped out of the global ranking. After Cooper finished reading the information, he asked Jack, "Did you offend them?"

"Nope. On the contrary, Helt Corporation has multiple collaborations with MF Group." Jack stared intently at Cooper, attempting to catch the smallest change in the latter's facial expression. "They had been secretly targeting Faulkner Group since two months ago."

Jack purchased Faulkner Group's shares using his own name and became the group's major shareholder.

Faulkner Group belonged to him and had nothing to do with Helt Corporation.

Jack elaborated calmly, "Faulkner Group's growth has become slow. An insignificant company like this should not attract those two large corporations' attention. Someone must have struck a deal with them." Aside from the dead Armand, Jack could not think of another person who would team up with the two financial groups.

Cooper narrowed his eyes and analyzed the situation. "Faulkner Group may not be significant globally, but it was undoubtedly one of the largest corporations in Xedells, involved in trades of most Xedells' citizens' daily livings. Faulkner Group is still considered a money-making organization. After MF Group and GS Group take over Faulkner Group, they can utilize Faulkner Group to establish their influence in Xedells."

Jack curled his lips and sneered. "Is that so? There's something else I should tell you. Someone dug Cesar's grave."

"What?" That alarming incident shocked Cooper to his core.

He even began suspecting if Armand was indeed behind all those things.

Jack asked Cooper, "Who do you think has nothing better to do than to dig up a dead person's grave? Moreover, they did that without alerting anyone."

Cooper swiftly recollected himself and said, "I know how much you despise the Faulkner family. In my opinion, the two financial corporations targeting Faulkner Group and the robbery of Cesar's grave are both orchestrated by you."

A cruel smile spread across Jack's face. "If I wish to wipe the Faulkner family out, I could have done so in the past. I did not need to do it indirectly by manipulating others to do my bidding!"

Cooper responded, "You said Armand is not dead. Show me the proof."

Jack bore his frosty eyes into Cooper for some time. Perhaps Cooper's acting skills were too convincing, so Jack did not notice anything suspicious in the end.

Cooper moved toward the window and gazed at the scenery outside. After a few moments of silence, he piped up, "Is there a chance for Faulkner Group to be saved?"

"No," Jack answered straightforwardly.

He was not a member of the Faulkner family. In the past, he had taken control of Faulkner Group and left it in his possession as a tool to generate profit as a favor to Genevieve.

If the two financial corporations wanted to seize Faulkner Group, Jack had no intention of saving Faulkner Group either.

Right after Jack and Cooper entered the study, Nathalia had tiptoed to the door of the room to eavesdrop on them. An unusual glint flashed across her eyes as she listened to their entire conversation. When she heard the sound of footsteps drawing closer, Nathalia quietly and hastily returned to the living room.

Chapter 749

Nathalia told Cooper to inform the car dealer to send the sports car to Baykeep directly.

Only then did Cooper know she was already a member of a private car racing club, and she wanted to go there to join a competition. He was dumbfounded at that instant.

After making the phone call, Cooper said worryingly, "I'll go with you."

If Jack had not been careless and allowed Genevieve to go to Baykeep alone, Lilian would not have had the opportunity to kidnap Genevieve. In that case, the current unpleasant circumstances would not have happened either.

"You don't know the first thing about racing. Why do you want to go?" Nathalia waved her hand. “I texted Yuvan on WhatsApp. He'll be going to Baykeep with me."

Baykeep was the Zeigler family's territory. With Yuvan around, Cooper did not have any objections.

At eleven o'clock in the morning two days later, Nathalia and Yuvan arrived at Baykeep. The moment they departed to the racing club, someone immediately updated their whereabouts to Jack. Jack narrowed his eyes while listening to his subordinate's report.

He detested Nathalia, but her body belonged to Genevieve, so he could not allow her to do as she pleased. Since he could not control her movements, Jack could only arrange for someone to monitor her around the clock.

Jack did not know Genevieve was adept at car racing. Moreover, Nathalia had even chosen a private racing club in Baykeep.

He wondered if Nathalia went there to participate for fun because the club had coincidentally hosted a tournament.

Jack glanced through the name list of the private racing club members upon receiving the document from his subordinate. He noticed all the members were heirs to affluent families from Baykeep and Xedells. His face darkened when he was reminded of Nathalia's outrageous behavior at the bar the other night. The papers in his hand became crumpled as he clenched his fists in anger. "Mr. Valentine, what should we do?" his subordinate asked.

Jack took a deep breath before replying coldly, "Just keep an eye on her in secret and don't allow her to hang out alone with other guys, especially at a hotel.”

"All right, Mr. Valentine..."

Yuvan did not have anything to do after returning to Baykeep, so he decided to provide Nathalia with further assistance by personally bringing her to the club to meet with Evan. Internationally and locally, there were quite a number of female racers. However, there was none among the private racing club's circle.

Some girls were pretty, but their feminine image became tarnished when they engaged in car racing activities. Hence, they were more suitable to be supporters or cheerleaders. After Evan and Nathalia exchanged greetings, Evan immediately pulled Yuvan aside and whispered, "Do you believe she knows how to race? I don't believe it anyway."

Judging by Nathalia's alluring figure and gorgeous face, Evan reckoned she looked more like a cheerleading captain.

Yuvan answered frankly, "I don't believe it, but she's quite fond of car racing. This tournament is just a platform for your club members to have fun, isn't it? Just let her enjoy the thrill of racing." "Does she has some dirt on you?" Evan asked.

Yuvan glanced at Nathalia, who was standing before the fish tank, playing with the fish, and said in resignation, "I need her to be my model for my new art exhibition next year. I cannot produce even one novel art piece if I substitute her with any other model."

Evan nodded, expressing his understanding on that matter.

The tournament that afternoon was held at Baykeep's Navy Park. It was a casual event organized by the club members. Still, the champion would receive a handsome amount of cash prize.

The venue was very lively as many socialites and female celebrities from the entertainment industry attended the tournament as spectators.

Countless luxurious cars were parked on the race track. However, one stood out among all the expensive vehicles.

"Is that an SSC Tuatara?"

"D*mn! Isn't there only three units of that sports car available worldwide? Evan tried to purchase one through various channels and connections but failed, isn't it?"

"Could it be that Evan successfully acquired one?"

Evan, who had just changed into his racing overalls, stepped into the arena and saw the impressive-looking SSC Tuatara. His eyes were ablaze with passion as he walked around the sports car and appreciated its beauty.

Soon, a slender young man wearing a black racing suit entered the arena.

Chapter 750

He noticed the SSC Tuatara at first glance as well and walked over instantaneously. "Evan, didn't you say you failed to lay your hands on this sports car? Did you ask someone to secretly send the car over to flaunt your ownership of his car today?"

"I really failed to buy this car." Evan shrugged and looked at that young man. "Harry, this car isn't a present from your dad?"

That young man named Harry Hompton regarded Evan with a look as if the latter had just made a joke. "I did not even dare to tell my dad that I'm participating in a car racing tournament. Do you think I can persuade him to buy me a sports car? He may be influential in the government, but this car is not something purchasable with connections."

While the two spoke, Yuvan, standing outside the field, saw Nathalia, who had changed into her racing suit. He was briefly captivated by her languid and casual mien. Then, he pulled her aside and said in an undertone, "Just go out there and have some fun. No one will make any comments, even if your racing skills are inadequate. Don't simply bump into their cars, especially that one."

Yuvan pointed at the young man wearing black racing overalls on the field. "His name is Harry Hompton. There's only one family in Xedells with the surname Hompton. I believe you should know who they are." Nathalia fell into a momentary daze. She did not expect a member of the Hompton family to be there.

No wonder Evan dares to rest his arm on Yuvan's shoulder casually and pokes fun at the latter but seems very polite when talking with Harry.

"I got it, but I'm not surrendering that championship." Nathalia waved her hand before turning to leave.

Yuvan could not help but laugh upon hearing her uttering those confident words in such a carefree tone. This competition's participants are all members of the racing club and top races in the world of autosports. How could she win against them? I only hope she doesn't drive off the track and wail when she injures herself during the race.

Evan and a group of racers surrounded the SSC Tuatara on the race track, wondering who was the sports car's owner.

Nathalia strode over and smiled faintly. "This car is mine."

All the other races turned to look at her in unison. They took in her slender and well-proportion figure with the racing suit wrapped tightly around her body. Her exquisite facial features were even more entrancing, rendering her face picture-perfect when viewed from any angle.

Most other women wore heavy makeup to preen themselves, but they were good-looking at best. Nathalia's otherworldly beauty, on the other hand, was graceful and enticing. Those who caught a glimpse of her could not resist the temptation to stare at her in wonder.

Albeit having seen their share of gorgeous women, those heirs of wealthy families were still mesmerized by Nathalia.

Evan was the first to regain his senses. He introduced Nathalia to the other racers, "This is Genevieve Rachford, and she's a new member of our club. By the way, her brother is Cooper Sutton. He's capable of buying a sports car at any time."

Although those scions spent most of their time at Baykeep, they were still informed about matters at Jadeborough. Upon being enlightened of Genevieve and Cooper's relationship, they did not think her possessing the SSC Tuatara was anything extraordinary.

They merely lamented their relative lack of riches.

Harry gazed at the car, then shifted his eyes onto Nathalia. He reminded her, "Even though this car looks cool, it is very difficult to handle. You're a girl, so I figure you may be unable to control it."

He did not mean to look down on Nathalia, but in terms of strength, men did have the edge over women.

Nathalia grinned carefreely while asking him, "What if I can maneuver the car and win the first place?"

Evan could not contain himself and laughed out loud.

Harry was stunned for a few seconds. Then, he curved his lips into a wide smile, revealing his set of white teeth. She had successfully invoked his competitive spirit. "If you win the championship, I'll acknowledge you as someone more superior than me and treat you to a meal tonight!"

"If I lose, I'll give you this car." Nathalia smirked.

When the referee waved the flag, the few sports cars lined up at the starting line instantly sped ahead like bolts of lightning simultaneously. In the blink of an eye, Evan and another racer had significantly pulled ahead of the other contestants.

Nathalia's SSC Tuatara was one of the best sports cars in the autosports world. Even the Bugatti Chiron paled in comparison.

All the other racers were dashing ahead. Meanwhile, Nathalia seemed to be operating her vehicle poorly, falling behind others by a large margin.