Ch. 1991..2000

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1991-Ralph leaned against the edge of his desk with arms crossed, his expression solemn as he looked at Bella and Justin. "First of all, drugs were found on Ian. The guy who sold Ian the drugs is a member of the Southern Star Syndicate called Horace. He's adamantly accusing Ian, so the evidence is solid.

"Secondly, there's been a crackdown on drugs, gambling, and prostitution lately, and Ian happened to get caught in the crossfire. Chief Hopkins has made it clear that no one involved in such activities, regardless of their background or identity, will be spared."

"News about Ian must be completely sealed off." Bella's eyes were sharp.

Ralph shook his head in frustration. "Before you arrived, several reporters had already come to inquire about the case. I chased away, but I suspect the news has already leaked. How else would they have known to come? What's more problematic is that the higher-ups know Ian is associated with Justin. Considering my relationship with Justin, I'm not allowed to intervene in this case. The ones questioning him now aren't my people. Even if I wanted to interfere, I couldn't."

Both Justin and Bella exchanged a worried glance, both sensing a deeper conspiracy at play.

"We must find a way to clear lan's name immediately, or at least get him out on bail. Otherwise, this fire will soon burn Justin." Ralph truly regarded Justin as family and was deeply worried.

"Having Steven act as his attorney can only buy us time, but it won't solve the fundamental problem."

Bella, the most capable heiress of the Thompson family, was now deeply furrowing her brow as she racked her brain for a solution.

The situation was simple. If lan confessed and denied any involvement with Justin, this whole mess would be resolved.

But lan was not just some random secretary. He was someone incredibly important to Justin, a close comrade who had been through thick and thin with him.

Justin would rather take all the blame himself and give up being the president of Salvador Corporation than sacrifice lan and let him go to prison.

Justin, who had been silent, suddenly spoke in a cold voice. "If someone gives false testimony or if the evidence is incomplete, then lan can be bailed out, right?"

Ralph nodded. "Theoretically, yes."

"Then we need to start with that Southern Star Syndicate member." Justin's handsome face was frighteningly grim. "I'll have someone intercept his lawyer and find a way to get a message to him." Bella looked at Justin, who was next to her. Her lips parted in stunned silence, unsure of what to say.

"Mr. Salvador, do you realize where you are right now? Do you know what your brother-in-law does for a living?!" Ralph was both anxious and angry, his lips twitching, "I am a police officer! You are trying to collude with a witness to give false testimony right in front of me. I could charge you with obstructing justice immediately. I absolutely do not agree with you doing this!"

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Ralph quickly composed himself and responded, allowing an officer to enter.

"Captain Thompson, Horace's attorney has arrived."

Simultaneously, Bella's phone rang. It was Sasha calling.

She quickly answered in a low voice, "Aunt Sasha."

"Bella, are you with Justin?" Sasha asked seriously.

Bella glanced at Justin, who was beside her. "Yes, I am."

"Let me speak to him. I have something to tell him."

Bella pursed her lips, handed the phone to Justin, and whispered in his ear, "Justin, Aunt Sasha wants to talk to you."

Justin's eyes widened slightly as he took the phone and sat up straight. "Hello, Aunt Sasha, how are you?" "I'm fine, but it seems you're not doing too well." Sasha's tone was intriguing.

Justin's throat tightened. "You already know?"

"I reckon the news has spread throughout Savrow by now." Sasha let out a cold laugh that sounded like ice cracking, but her tone was full of reassurance. "That punk from the Southern Star Syndicate dared to mess with you. I definitely won't sit idly by. I've already had Elias handle this matter for you. From now on, you don't need to do anything. Just be patient."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1992-In the interrogation room, Ian sat silently next to Steven.

His eyes were bright, glistening with unshed tears, as he watched Steven transform into a formidable shield, protecting him from the harsh interrogation.

If it weren't for the fact that Ian had a girl he liked, he might have fallen for Steven right there and then. Although Steven looked calm, he felt deeply uneasy. The entire situation seemed suspicious.

The police seemed eager to blame Ian, worried he might expose their true motives. Even simple drug possession as a buyer carried a minimum 6-month sentence.

Any conviction, no matter how minor, would be a devastating blow to Ian's career as the chief secretary to the president of the Salvador Corporation, effectively ruining his future.

In a separate room, Horace, the Southern Star Syndicate Gang member who sold drugs to lan, was having a private conversation with his lawyer, Peter Lang.

"The Southern Star Syndicate strictly prohibits its members from getting involved with drugs. You're well aware of this. However, your recent actions have made Mr. Jenkins extremely furious," Peter said, his expression grim.

Thinking of Watson's ruthless reputation, Horace turned as pale as a sheet, trembling so much that his chair creaked.

"Mr. Jenkins has given you two options. One, you take all the blame yourself. Tell the police that the drugs were yours, and you secretly placed them in lan's pocket out of spite. This whole thing was your doing, and lan had nothing to do with it."

Horace was so angry that his eyes turned red, but he dared not speak out. Peter had even crafted a confession for him. Southern Star Syndicate's lawyers were not to be trifled with.

"If you refuse, surviving in prison will be the least of your worries. Your sixty-year-old mother and your unmarried brother back in the countryside will be in danger too. If you comply, Mr. Jenkins will ensure your family is well taken care of. If you don't, they'll all join you in the afterlife."

Hearing this, Horace turned ashen and nodded vigorously, "I'll take the blame! I'll confess! Please ask Mr. Jenkins not to harm my mother and brother. I'll admit to anything!"

Peter nodded in satisfaction before asking, "Mr. Jenkins also wants to know if anyone instructed you to frame Ian. Who put you up to this? If you confess, I can help reduce your sentences."

"There was no one instructing me," Horace admitted truthfully. "Ian came around my place for three days in a row without looking for any prostitutes. I suspected he wanted some meds, so I approached him. He was cautious at first, just asking about drugs. It took a while before I finally sold it to him. No one put me up to this... I just can't believe how unlucky I was that the cops showed up right then!"

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Meds? Is that what you call them?"

Horace grabbed his hand like a lifeline, pleading, "Please explain to Mr. Jenkins! I was using this stuff to make money on the side... But it's just medicine! It's not even real drugs!"

The police handling the case were stunned when, within half an hour, Horace took back everything he had said earlier. He insisted that Ian was innocent and that he alone was to blame. It was obvious the attorney had influenced him to take all the blame.

Without the nightclub's surveillance footage from that night and with the witness retracting his statement, Ian was eventually granted bail. However, he was not allowed to leave Savrow and had to be available for police questioning for the next month.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1993-This hurdle was passed safely.

Ian walked out of the interrogation room, keeping a straight face despite his trembling legs.

Justin had once again put him through another harrowing experience. He definitely deserved a bonus for his performance!

To avoid any suspicion, Bella left through the back door of the police station. Meanwhile, Justin and Steven, posing as Ian's legal attorney, escorted him out of the main entrance.

Strangely, they had expected to be surrounded by a bunch of reporters outside, but it turned out to be empty.

Steven scratched his head. "No one? I even prepared a statement."

"It seems that someone received the news that lan was released without charges. There's no need to pay off reporters to clear his name now," Justin said, his eyes cold and stern.

"Damn it," Steven cursed, unable to contain his frustration.

"I've already instructed the Salvador Corporation's PR team to work overtime to remove trending searches and keep the comments under control, minimizing the impact as much as possible."

"Tomorrow morning, the lawyers from Salvador Corporation will issue a legal letter. Any media outlets that cover this story too extensively can expect to get summoned to court," Justin said, his gaze unwavering.

Ian's head hung low, feeling extremely guilty as tears welled up in his eyes. "Mr. Salvador, I'm sorry. I messed up and almost got myself into serious trouble."

Justin's expression softened, his voice low and reassuring. "If you have anything to say, let's talk about it when we get back to the office."

At that moment, someone honked them.

The three men turned to see two black Mercedes-Benz speeding toward them, stopping abruptly in front of them.

The window of the first car rolled down, revealing Bella's delicate and beautiful face.

"Justin!" Bella called out.

Justin was taken aback. "Bella?"

Then the window from the passenger side rolled down, revealing Elias's roguish face. He flashed a grin and said to Justin, "Mr. Salvador, if you're not too tired, how about a visit to my place?"

By the time lan was released, it was already the wee hours of the morning.

Justin and Bella followed Elias to the Southern Star headquarters, arriving just before dawn.

Despite the hour, their minds were too preoccupied with uncovering the full story to think about sleep.

The two sleek cars pulled into a normal-looking building, but it was actually a luxurious club.

Elias punched in a code to unlock the entrance, and the group was met with jaw-dropping sight once they stepped inside.

The interior was lavish and indulgent. Numerous gambling tables were abuzz with activity, and the place was packed with well-dressed men and women, indulging in the pleasures of the night.

While Bella and Justin remained composed, Steven and Ian were left in awe and amazement!

Ian exclaimed, “Mr. Storm, this club must have cost millions! The money in your line of work really flows, doesn't it?"

Elias chuckled. "Mine? You flatter me. All of this belongs to Mr. Jenkins, and what belongs to Mr. Jenkins ultimately belongs to Ms. Sasha."

His eyes softened with affection at the mention of Sasha.

Justin looked at Elias sincerely, feeling grateful. "Mr. Storm, we couldn't have done it without your help. I owe you a debt of gratitude. I'll make sure to return the favor someday."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1994-Elias waved his hand nonchalantly. "Mr. Salvador, please don't say that. Ms. Sasha instructed me to take care of this. It's really no big deal. Besides, Horace is part of the Southern Star Syndicate, so as their leader, I should step in to sort out this mess. If you want to repay the favor, you should thank Ms. Sasha instead."

The group entered Elias' luxurious office, which was so quiet it felt like a different world from outside.

Peter Lang, Horace's lawyer, immediately recounted every word Horace had said without missing a single detail.

"Medicine?" Justin and Bella exclaimed in surprise.

Ian's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes! That person asked me if I wanted to buy some medicine when we were talking. Could that have been a code word?"

Peter said, "What's strange is that Horace insists he was selling medicine, not drugs. It's a type of banned medication that isn't approved by the FDA domestically, but it's popular overseas. It is said to provide pleasure similar to drugs and cannot be detected in urine tests."

He continued, "This medication has been gaining quite a bit of popularity lately in Savrow's underground markets. I've heard that members of the Southern Star Syndicate, as well as other syndicates, have been using it."

Justin's eyes gleamed with a sharp, cold intensity. "Did the member of the Southern Star Syndicate who suddenly died on the street also use this drug?"

Elias' expression turned serious. "Yes, he not only used it himself but also sold it privately to other members of Southern Star Syndicate."

"There's something wrong with that medicine." Bella remembered the frightening and unusual death of that man, feeling her heart tighten. "Whether it's a drug or not, it's clear that taking this stuff is extremely dangerous and life-threatening."

"What a pity! I just got my hands on that drug, but then I was caught. I failed the task Mr. Salvador assigned to me..." Ian felt remorseful again, sighing in frustration.

Justin reassured him calmly. "It's alright. Your safety is more important than anything else."

Ian was on the verge of tears again.

Elias pursed his lips, retrieving a small plastic bag from his suit and setting it on the coffee table. "This is the so-called medicine. It took me quite some effort to obtain a sample, which is even more expensive than conventional drugs!"

Bella immediately picked it up and examined it closely under the light.

A dark blue pill with a small letter "D" on it.

"When we get back, I'll have someone test it to see what's in it. Uncle Elias, please make sure to let everyone in the Southern Star Syndicate know they shouldn't touch this stuff. It's life-threatening!" Bella's expression was extremely serious, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Uncle? I dare not accept such a title!" Elias hastily waved his hand, trying to be humble. "Ms. Thompson, please just call me Elias. If Ms. Sasha finds out, she might think I'm taking advantage of you. Then she'll blacklist me again."

Justin lowered his head in contemplation. "The person who brought it into Savrow likely marketed it as a medication rather than a drug. Even if caught by the police, they could claim it was just medicine and escape legal punishment. That's why it could spread so quickly,"

"There's something else that is particularly strange." Elias also pondered the situation. "When this drug appeared in Savrow, I sent some people to investigate it. It turns out that none of the high-end clubs, small celebrities, or even the large nightclubs controlled by the Southern Star Syndicate had ever come across it before. This stuff doesn't seem to be widely available, yet a lot of our members have used it. Dammit, could someone in our syndicate have monopolized it?!"

Bella's mind raced as she considered the drugs, the sudden deaths, and the specific groups of people involved.

She reached out and grabbed Justin's hand.

Justin felt her cold hand and quickly enveloped it with his own to try to warm her up. "Bella, what's the matter?"

Bella's throat felt dry as she carefully spoke, "Could someone be secretly using people to conduct drug experiments?"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1995-At Pivotage, Christopher was furious upon learning that lan had been released without any charges. In his rage, he shattered several antique crystal glasses on the floor.

"Mr. Iverson, please calm down."

On the call, Owen Hopkins spoke cautiously and politely. "This plan was supposed to be flawless. Justin's secretary was certainly going to be taken care of. But who could have predicted that the scumbag from the Southern Star Syndicate would change his story at the last second, taking all the blame on himself? With such an unexpected turn of events, I have no way to detain Justin's secretary,"

"Did the Southern Star Syndicate force him to change his testimony?" Christopher's eyes burned with anger as he slowly bent down and picked up a shard of the shattered crystal glasses. He gripped it tightly, his fingers curling around it. Crimson blood oozed through his fingers, staining his pale hand a deep red.

His face remained expressionless, and he didn't feel the pain. Instead, it relieved some of the suffocation in his chest.

"Watson is old and has accumulated many injuries from a lifetime of fighting. He has long since retired from active duty. Now, Southern Star Syndicate is managed by Elias."

Owen's voice took on a sinister tone. "Elias has close ties with Madam Sasha, Wyatt Thompson's fourth wife. If Ms. Thompson asks Madam Sasha to intervene, Elias has no reason to refuse."

"Aaron's promotion of the new drug has gone very well, except in the Southern Star Syndicate, where it keeps running into problems.

Christopher opened his palm, looking at the bloody mess with a cruel smile on his lips. "Figure out how to deal with Elias. Don't let him mess up my plans again."

Owen asked, "Do you want him dead?"

"Killing him would cause too much trouble by targeting the core of the Southern Star Syndicate. Just find a way to remove him from running the syndicate. That'll be enough."

Christopher tossed the glass shard aside and headed to the window.

When he glanced at the Damascus roses he had carefully tended, his previously sinister and cold expression softened, as if he were gazing upon a lover. His bloodied fingers gently caressed the crimson petals.

"That trash isn't worth my time or getting my hands dirty."

"Exactly. I'll take care of those lowlifes for you." Owen paused, his tone cautious yet hopeful. "Mr. Iverson, will the new drug be successfully developed?"

"It can, and it will. As long as we have sufficient test samples and accurate data, we'll be one step closer to achieving our goal."

"That's wonderful! Please inform me right away if you encounter any issues. I am at your service, ready to do whatever it takes for the new drug to be successfully developed!"

As the call ended, Taylor entered the room.

Seeing the mess and the bloodstained floor, he was alarmed and rushed over anxiously.

"Mr. Iverson! Are you injured?! I'll get a doctor to treat your injuries right away!"

"I need the medicine... Give it to me now," Christopher said, his injured hand shaking uncontrollably and

his facial muscles twitching.

Taylor swiftly retrieved a syringe from the safe and injected the drug into Christopher's vein with practiced precision.

"Mr. Iverson, I can't help but notice that your episodes have been happening more often since you used up the last batch of medicine," Taylor remarked, concern evident in his voice.

Christopher's expression softened and relaxed as he lay on the sofa.

Taylor's voice was filled with worry. "You can't keep taking this drug. Although it controls your tremors, your body has become highly dependent on it, and the side effects are only getting worse!"

"Do you think.... I haven't tried to quit?" Christopher said, gazing up at the lavish yet frigid crystal chandelier above.

He felt the world spinning, but this weightless dizziness surprisingly brought him a sense of comfort." But I can't stop. Without the injections for a while, the withdrawal symptoms are even more terrifying than kicking a drug addiction."

 

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1996-Taylor opened his mouth anxiously but did not know what to say.

"Taylor, did the Boss cheat me?" Christopher suddenly asked hoarsely, "Is this medicine poison? Will I be dependent on it for the rest of my life?"

Before Taylor could respond, Christopher laughed self-deprecatingly. "Even if it is, it does not matter. After all, my life belongs to him. If he wants it back one day, I will have no complaints. I just can't bear to leave Bella. If I really can't stay with her, I hope that the person who can accompany her until the end of her life will be me."

At that moment, a minuscule waterproof camera at the bottom of the vase of red roses that Christopher had carefully tended to have recorded everything that was happening in the room.

For so long, this madman had turned over and taken apart everything in this private room, from the ashtrays and vases to the coffee tables and sofas. Only this pot of roses he had tended to with all his heart was safe. He refused to let anyone touch it. If someone touched it and a petal fell, they would die.

How could he have thought that someone would hide a bug there?

The scandal involving the chief secretary of the Salvador Corporation's president and drugs appeared briefly online but was swiftly suppressed by Justin.

The next morning, Ian appeared punctually at the entrance of the Salvador Corporation building. He walked in with his head held high, dispelling the rumors.

The day after receiving the medicine, Bella woke up early, planning to return to Hatchbay to find Asher and Arnold. Justin had been working continuously and was truly exhausted, so she moved cautiously, fearing she might disturb his sleep.

After washing up, Bella tiptoed barefoot to the bedside and sat down. The man's muscular chest was exposed, dotted with red marks. There was even a bite mark on his collarbone, a remnant of their intense encounter the previous night.

Bella pressed her lips together, her cheeks burning.

Her gaze wandered to his face. His thick eyelashes were lowered, looking peaceful and steady, and his thin lips were slightly curled into a satisfied smile.

"Wait for me to come back and pamper you again."

Bella, with a flushed face, leaned down to kiss him. At that moment, she was yanked forward.

Justin, who had woken up at some point, still had his eyes closed. He grabbed the back of her head and pressed her lips tightly against his.

"Mm..." Bella's teeth parted, and her breathing became rapid.

Justin's other arm wrapped around her waist. He sucked, nibbled, and intertwined his tongue with hers, turning her thoughts upside down.

He finally released her when her breathing became heavy. Panting, he traced her fading lip color with his thumb.

"Your lipstick tastes delicious."

"You're so annoying... I just put it on, and you ruined it!" Bella lightly hit his chest, pressing herself

against him.

His morning desire was evident, pressing against her stomach even through the duvet.

Justin gripped her waist and flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.

"Since you already let me taste it, why not let me have my fill?"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1997-Bella hurried back to Yara Park before noon. Upon hearing of her return, Sasha rushed downstairs like a gust of wind. "Bella!"

"Aunt Sasha!"

Bella quickly approached, and the two women embraced tightly. "This time… I owe it all to you."

"Don't say that. It's enough that you two don't blame me. You have no idea how scared I was!" Sasha's eyes reddened as she patted her chest, still shaken. "Thankfully, Elias handled it. If Mr. Harris had ended up in jail because of that little bastard from the Southern Star Syndicate, causing trouble for your husband, I would feel so guilty! How could I ever face you two again?"

"Please don't say that. Even if you hadn't helped, we would have found a way to save lan."

Bella's beautiful eyes filled with warmth as she gently patted Sasha's back. "The Southern Star Syndicate is a huge organization in Savrow with many members. It's impossible to manage everything."

"People's hearts are no longer what they used to be, and the world has grown cold!" Sasha's long, upturned eyes filled with anger as she shook her head indignantly. "Watson has become more useless with age! If not for Elias supporting them, Southern Star Syndicate would have fallen apart long ago. But Elias is not omnipotent. He's always wanted to help legitimize Southern Star Syndicate's business and lead it on the right path. But the other elders are deceitful and don't respect him. Every step he takes is extremely difficult."

Bella was silent for a moment before gently asking, "Aunt Sasha, don't you want to go back and see your father? If I remember correctly, you haven't been back in a long time."

Sasha's eyelashes flickered with a complicated emotion.

"Now that Mr. Jenkins is unable to manage Southern Star Syndicate, don't you want to go back and help him?"

"Although I am Watson's only daughter, the moment I chose to be with Wyatt, I have cut all ties with the Southern Star Syndicate. Whether the Southern Star Syndicate thrives or declines, I don't care." Sasha's eyes grew cold again, clearly rejecting the idea.

Years ago, during a terrifying and chaotic gunfight, Sasha was shot twice while protecting Wyatt, nearly losing her life. This event almost caused Watson to have a heart attack, but his daughter insisted on her path, leaving him speechless.

Unexpectedly, after recovering from her injuries, his beloved daughter insisted on marrying Wyatt, sacrificing herself completely. She even had her uterus removed to join the Thompson family, which was both shameless and reckless.

This led to the father and daughter completely severing their relationship, which had not improved over the years.

Wyatt had tried many times to persuade Sasha, but it was useless. He felt guilty, so for many years, he remained an anonymous external investor, secretly supporting the Southern Star Syndicate's operations.

Without this support, the Southern Star Syndicate would have crumbled under internal and external pressures.

Understanding the historical complications, Bella did not push further and decided to take a long-term view.

"Aunt Sasha, are Ash and Arnold here?"

"They haven't woken up since last night!" Sasha's eyes twinkled mischievously. "In all these years, I've never seen Ash sleep in like this. Arnold's charm is really something. They remind me of a poem…"

Bella's face blushed. "Aunt Sasha, it's fine to joke around, but don't say this in front of Ash and Arnold. They won't take it well."

"Ash might be thin-skinned, but Arnold would probably laugh about it secretly, hehe…"

After knocking on the door for a while with no response, Bella knew the couple must be sleeping inside, so she boldly pushed the door open. Each family member's room in Yara Park was astonishingly large, with a living r room, master bedroom, secondary bedroom, and study. Her brothers had always doted on her and never guarded against her. Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org Bella entered the room and froze in place, feeling embarrassed.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

The living room floor was strewn with a man's suit jacket, tie, shirt, and belt, trailing toward the bedroom. Last night must have been intense for her brother and Arnold. This seemed to be the primary battleground.

Bella picked up and tidied their clothes. Bored, she wandered into her brother's study. As a child, she often spent entire afternoons in Asher's study, falling asleep by the window, and Asher would always gently carry her back to her room.

Bella stood by the massive bookshelf, idly scanning the rows of books. Her gaze fell on a book without, title on its spine in the second-to-last row. She pulled it out and hummed a tune as she flipped through the pages. It turned out to be an old, yellowed Bible Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org Suddenly, something fluttered to the ground-a photograph. Curious, Bella picked it up.

Turning it over, she smiled warmly. "Really, how did Ash end up putting a photo of him and Arnold here?"

In the next moment, her pupils contracted in shock. The man in the photo, leaning on her brother's shoulder, was handsome and gentle, his eyes bright like morning stars He looked about 80% similar to Arnold. But upon closer inspection, it was clear the man in the photo, who was so sweetly posing with her brother, was not Arnold at all.

 

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1998-Bella stared intently at the man in the photograph, her heart tightening and then racing wildly.

The photo was old, judging by the yellow-stained edges. The two men were close, with tender affection evident between them.

Even though the photo could not speak, Bella could tell that her brother and this man were lovers. The deep affection in their eyes was unmistakable. Asher's smile in the photo was bright and passionate, like a blooming sunflower. It was a smile she had never seen him wear, not even toward Arnold. A strange, indescribable emotion clogged Bella's chest, making her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

Suddenly, steady footsteps echoed outside the study. Bella hurriedly returned the Bible to its place and slipped the photo into her shirt pocket. The door clicked open.

Asher entered, wearing deep blue satin pajamas. Seeing Bella, a smile immediately reached his eyes.

"Bella, when did you get here? Have you been waiting long?"

"Not too long." Bella's beautiful face stiffened slightly as she glanced outside. "Ash, is Arnold awake?"

"Not yet. He loves to sleep in. After last night's fun, I doubt he'll be up before the afternoon." Asher's dark eyes rippled with hidden emotions, and his lips curled in a gentle, indulgent smile.

Bella bit her rosy lips and took a deep breath. “Ash, close the door. I need to talk to you alone."

Asher, not thinking much of it, turned and closed the door. He walked back to her, concerned. “Bella, you don't look well. What's wrong?"

Bella lowered her eyelashes and slowly reached into her shirt pocket, pulling out the photo. She handed it to Asher.

"Ash, who is this?"

Asher looked at the photo, and his face instantly lost all color.

His heart ached fiercely, then began to pound uncontrollably. So many years had passed, yet seeing him again still made his heart race, as if it were their first meeting.

"Your former lover?" From his stunned expression, Bella received the confirmation she sought.

Asher's fingers trembled as he took the photo, his voice hoarse. "You found that Bible?"

“Accidentally. Ash, you know I can't resist 'treasure hunting' in your study.” Asher's lips twitched, his gaze filled with sorrow. His heart felt as though it were stuffed with blood-soaked cotton.

"When I was 'The Matrix' in Overcast, he was also one of the leaders. He saved my life more than once. He was one of the people I trusted and cared for the most in this world."Bella certainly knew about Overcast, as it had once been the largest gang in the country, with influence spanning the continent.

At its peak Southern Star Syndicate could not compare to the former glory of Overcast. However, Overcast eventually disbanded, and its members scattered across the globe.Some core members had founded their own organizations, but none could recreate Overcast's brilliance under the command of The Matrix.

Bella lowered her voice. "Where is he now?"

"He's dead."

I Asher felt an emptiness in his chest. The heart that had died with him all those years ago seemed to be ripped out once more, fresh and bleeding. "Six years ago, he was discovered to be an undercover agent sent by an underground organization called K from Sentania. He infiltrated Overcast to steal information and undermine our power."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 1999-Asher continued, "After his identity was exposed, K abandoned him, and the Overcast besieged him. Traitors ultimately had one fate-death." "So… back when you were The Matrix, did you execute him?" Bella's voice trembled lightly, chills spreading through her body.

Asher closed his eyes weakly, shaking his head in pain. "When I succeeded as the leader, I swore an oath that I would never kill anyone. That was my bottom line. But at that time, everyone pressured me to personally execute him."

Bella felt suffocated, her heart racing.

"In order not to make things difficult for me, he took the gun from my hands and shot himself."

When Asher spoke of the incident again, his tone was calm and deep. If not for his bloodshot eyes, Bella might have thought he was recounting someone else's story.

How could anyone watch a loved one commit suicide before their eyes?

If she were in his place, she might have picked up that gun without hesitation and followed him.

"Enough, it's all in the past… All in the past…" Asher murmured hoarsely. He pressed his chest with his battered hands as if trying to press down the bleeding wound on his heart.

"Ash, I regret his death. But I still have one question to clarify."

Bella looked at him intensely, speaking each word carefully. "Did you choose to be with Arnold because of their resemblance?"

Asher gripped the photo tightly. He lowered his head and ran his tongue over his teeth harshly.

"From the moment you saw Arnold, you were drawn to him because of his resemblance to your ex. You approached him and cared for him, not just to help me win him over, right? You wanted to see him, and you couldn't help but be close to him. Did you see him and think of that person? Do you still long for him?"

After a long silence, Asher slowly spoke, sounding like he had aged by decades. "Yes."

"Ash!" Bella's heart felt like it was burning, her eyes wide.

"Bella, perhaps you see me through a familial lens. As your big brother, I am emotionally stable, principled, respectful of elders, and loving toward my younger siblings." Asher shook his head with a bitter smile. "But I am far from what you think. In fact, I am not even as good as many ordinary people."

"Ash… How can you say that? How can you consider Arnold a substitute?!" Bella anxiously grasped his arm, her fingers digging in as if trying to embed themselves in his flesh. Arnold gave up everythin to be with you, facing rejection and estrangement! All this time, he has devoted himself to you, to our family, and to Justin and Carrie with unwavering determination! How can you bear to do this?!" "Bella, I admit that my involvement with Arnold initially was indeed because of their resemblance." Asher's eyes reddened, and his fist clenched until the pain in his palm forced him to slowly release it. "But now… I truly love Arnold. It has nothing to do with his face. I love him for who he is-his soul.""Do you love Arnold? Or do you love the person he used to resemble more?" Bella insisted on asking.

"Bella, they can't be compared. That is a different kind of love."

net "Love is love! Love in this world only varies in depth. There is no such thing as a different kind!" Bella was both anxious and angry, her chest heaving.Ash, have you thought about what would happen if Arnold found out? If he knew that he was just a substitute for an old fover, he would be devastated and furious! How can you do this? How can you bear to deceive someone who loves you so deeply?" Asher's pale lips opened, but no words came out.

"I want you to burn this photo and completely forget him now, in front of me!" Bella's eyes blazed with anger, and her teeth clenched tightly.

"If you truly want to spend your life with Arnold, if you truly love him, then burn it!"

 

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2000-Asher's pupils contracted violently, and his eyes were painfully red.

He had thought those agonizing memories were buried deep in his heart over time. Ever since he and Arnold were officially together, he had not touched the cherished relics of his ex lover.

However, when Bella angrily accused him and demanded that he burn the photograph to prove his loyalty to Arnold, the pain in his heart was excruciating, as if he were being torn apart. It felt like burning his flesh and soul, not just a photograph.

Bella stared at her brother, whose sorrowful expression revealed everything he could not bear to do it.

Asher still harbored feelings for his old love. Even though that person had been dead for years, he still held a significant place in Asher's heart, so much so that it caused this normally composed man to be anguished and flustered.

"Bella, since I have been with Arnold, I have not touched these things. I have let go of him." Asher's eyes were red, almost pleading. "Please don't do this. He was my savior, after all…"

"But you loved him. Calling him your savior is just a pretext to keep him in your heart." Bella shook her head in disbelief. "If Justin were with me because I looked like his old love, even if he fell in love with me later, I wouldn't be able to accept it. I can endure his indifference when he doesn't love me, but I can't accept that our love has always been shadowed by someone else. It's not pure. It is unfair to the one being used as a substitute. I absolutely cannot accept such a deceptive love.

"You feel such a heart-wrenching pain at the thought of burning a photo. But Ash, have you ever thought about how much it would hurt Arnold if he knew you were in such pain over an old love? He is alive in front of you, yet he can't replace someone who has been dead for so many years. How could someone as proud as him endure such a blow?"

Her words cut deep, seemingly aiming to shatter Asher's already fragile soul. "Okay… I promise you."

Asher lowered his eyelids in painful resolution, giving the photo one last long look. "I will burn it and never think of him again."

Bella sighed in frustration. In fact, it was better to uncover the problem earlier. Asher likely had more keepsakes of that person than just this photo. If she could find them, it was only a matter of time before Arnold did, as Arnold was always by her brother's side. By then, it would be a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

"Ash, are you in the study?" Arnold's lazy voice called from outside.

The siblings panicked.

"Hurry, put it away!" Bella urged, then quickly ran to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.

"Arnold!" She smiled sweetly, standing in the doorway to block Arnold's view.

"Oh, Bella, it's you." Wearing matching pajamas with Asher, Arnold rubbed his sleepy eyes. The open collar exposed a pair of elegant collarbones marked with love bites. "I'm relieved that it's you."Bella quickly averted her gaze from his neck, her cheeks heating up. "Ahem. Arnold, Ash is inside. L came over without knowing you two were still in bed. He got up first, and we just chatted for a bit." Arnold chuckled. "Why are you so nervous? Did you do something bad?"

Bella blushed, her heart racing.

"Arnold." Asher stepped out then, his voice gentle but his face pale.

Arnold squinted his long, fox-like eyes and eagerly wrapped his arms around Asher's waist, passionately kissing his slightly cool lips.

Having lived overseas for a long time, Arnold was accustomed to the free-spirited culture. He loved Asher deeply. Every morning, as long as there was time, he would seize every moment to be affectionate, wanting to meld into Asher's very being. Asher's long eyelashes trembled as he responded to the embrace and kiss.

Bella could not bear to look at them. It was too much. They were even more intimate than she and Justin had ever been.

"What's wrong?" Arnold asked, panting as he pulled back from the kiss.

"Mm?" Asher's gaze was momentarily dazed.