Ch. 2061..2070

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2061-The police were considerate enough to put clothes over Alvin Larson's cuffed hands to avoid a public commotion on the way out of the airport terminal.

However, many travelers gathered around in chatter and took photos to post on the internet.

In the police station interrogation room, Alvin, who was always presentable in public, banged the table with his cuffed hands and shouted, "Didn't Aaron confess to everything? I don't know anything about drugs. I'm not involved in any way! Why are you singling me out? Did someone send you? I bet someone is out to get my family business!"

Ralph narrowed his eyes dangerously at his supposed uncle and smirked ruthlessly.

"Mr. Larson, can you predict the future, or are you feeling the heat? I haven't said a word, and here you are, sure that we arrested you over drugs. Are you hiding something?"

Feeling intimidated, Alvin broke out in a cold sweat and got a grip on himself. He started to play the sympathy card.

"Captain Thompson… Ralph! Either way, I'm your uncle."

"There are only a police officer and a criminal."

Ralph kept a straight face. "Besides, you're just old Mr. Larson's adopted son, not his biological son. You're not related to him or my mother.

"Calling you uncle is pushing it."

Alvin felt his cheeks burn as if someone just slapped him in the face multiple times.

"We arrested you not just because you're suspected of concealing and selling drugs, but you also instructed your secretary to kill Austin Larson. The police caught him in the act."

Ralph's eyes were sharp. "We have evidence and testimonies to back the charges up. To save his ass, your secretary even kept a recording of your instruction to commit murder. The multiple charges, including the attempted murder, should keep you behind bars for the rest of your life."

"H-Hang on! What did you say?" Alvin's widened eyes were bloodshot.

"Attempted murder."

Ralph, known to keep a steely expression in the interrogation room, curled his lips faintly. "My men and I rushed to the scene in time to save Austin. He's in the hospital now, but he's going to make it."

Alvin sank into his seat dejected before laughing out loud.

"That useless piece of shit can't even get anything right."

Ralph furrowed his brows. "Are you admitting to your crimes?"

"Don't you have proof? I'm not getting out of here even if I maintain my innocence."

"Why did you do it?"

"My heartless father has never seen me as a son. I'm just a tool for him to secure his family's glory.

"Why should I respond to his ruthlessness with kindness? I have kept up the act for thirty-odd years, and I have enough!"

Alvin stripped away his pretense. "So what if you file those charges on me? The old fart isn't dead, and I didn't commit the act. I told you about the drugs. I played no part in it. It's all on Aaron."

The door to the interrogation room swung open, and a police officer rushed inside and whispered something in Ralph's ear.

Ralph made a face and fell silent for a moment before uttering, "An hour ago, your son, Aaron, fled his arrest and jumped off the building to his death."

Alvin's mind went blank.

The information hit him like a ton of bricks.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2062-The news about Aaron jumping off the building shocked the community of Savrow.

Upon learning the news, Bella rushed to Savrow with Mila. Justin made sure to tag along too. Given the delicacy of the situation, they feared for Mila's safety.

"I heard from Ralph that the police found a handwritten note of Aaron's last words in his upper pocket after he jumped to his death. The note depicted his regret for everything he did and for disappointing his grandfather and father."

In Bella's villa, Justin made a couple of drinks to hand to Mila and his wife.

"This came too suddenly. I can't believe it."

Mila, typically collected, was undone by the onslaught of heartbreaking news that arrived that night. "I witnessed Aaron's growth. He had always been the competitive type. He was raised to take over the family business and grew up in a privileged environment. This is the worst thing that could happen to him. I guess Aaron just couldn't see a way out of it and chose to end everything."

Mila was choked with sobs.

Aaron and Arnold, blood-related or not, had lived with Mila for years and once looked up to her as an aunt. However, Bella sensed something amiss. She lifted her chin composedly and met Justin's gaze. "Surely, the police will be verifying the handwriting. The suicide note might not come from him." "I have the same thought, but the police are sure of one thing, and it's that Aaron took his own life." Justin's eyes were unreadable. "The police grilled Aaron tonight, and he must be sweating bullets.

"Aaron asked for a bathroom break and jumped off the window in the corridor. It happened too quickly, and the officer tasked with watching him couldn't respond in time. The officer is now suspended."

Mila covered her mouth in distress while Bella pulled a grim look.

Justin put his arm around Bella's waist, his hand caressing her belly. "Something doesn't add up. Don't you think so?"

"Yeah."

Bella took a deep breath and gripped Justin's warm hand. "The people now believe that Aaron died out of guilt and that Larson Biotech has the practice of testing drugs on people. The public will turn the heat up on Larson Group. Dead man tells no tales. Doesn't this erase all problems for that person, Justin?"

"Justin will be served. That person won't and can't run away."

Justin had a sudden sinking feeling. "But this will put one person in danger. This person knows more than Aaron."

Ralph's call came in.

"Bella, Justin, Alvin gave his statement to the police, but his confession doesn't match up with Aaron's. He said that the Larsons are being manipulated to take the fall. Someone gave Aaron the drugs and deceived him. Alvin claims to know his son better than anyone else. Apparently, Aaron doesn't have the resources or guts to pull off this sort of thing. I have my doubts. Why would Aaron do such a thing? Even Alvin doesn't have the brains or a reason to test drugs on humans."

Mila shook her head in confusion. My family business is backed by the government, and no other pharmaceutical company in the country can compete with us. Why take such a huge risk to speed up the drug development?"

Bella and Justin exchanged glances, reading each other's thoughts.

It was clear to them that Aaron did not kill himself out of guilt.

It was murder.

The perpetrator must have something on Aaron to drive him over the edge.

Tonight, business was quieter than usual at Pivotage.

However, Christopher, the owner behind the scenes, was not worried about business.

His heart was not in Pivotage's sales numbers anyway. The purpose of the establishment was to build a network in Savrow to pave the way for his chief. His chief's success would make the end of Pivotage.

"Has Yvonne been behaving?" Christopher stood on the balcony and observed the parrot, his voice husky.

"She has. I made sure to keep an eye on her. She's not seeing any customers now. She's either strolling in Pivotage or in her room. I installed a listening bug on her phone. She hasn't been in touch with anyone. Don't worry. I got everything covered." Taylor spoke up for Yvonne.

"At least she's behaving." Christopher narrowed his eyes grimacingly while teasing the caged bird. "But some people aren't."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2063-Feeling chills down his spine, Taylor said nothing.

"I told you to keep tabs on Owen because I believed he must be in touch with someone." Christopher smiled brutally. "Ha. What did I say again? We can only trust dead men."

"You're awful, Mr. Iverson." Taylor looked surprised and impressed. "But what made you suspect Owen?"

"He checked the drug development with me out of the blue. I thought it was weird. He would never ask questions before."

Christopher turned around and strolled to the desk before pulling out a photo from the pile, his icy gaze falling on the photo.

The photo showed Justin and Owen meeting in a cafe. Justin handed a lighter to Owen.

Christopher, his eyes red-rimmed, crumpled the photo in his grasp.

"Are you planning to…" Taylor probed cautiously, "With all due respect, Owen is useful to you. He did all the dirty work, but the police didn't catch on to him even once. Though he isn't in a high position in Savrow, he has the power to disrupt the police's investigation and take care of your problems.

"Even if Justin met with him, we don't know the nature of their conversation. For all we know, Justin could be leading us to believe Owen has betrayed you. I doubt Owen has the guts to betray you. We have dirt on his little killing spree, and the life of his wife is in our hands. I bet he won't do anything hasty."

"I don't need him anymore." Christopher's voice was flat.

"W-What did you say?"

"I got a call from the Boss last night."

Christopher curled his pale lips, his eyes sparkling with joy. "He told me that we made good progress with the drug experiment in Meridan. We can stop the experiment in Savrow. Since the experiment is suspended, I don't need Owen to clean up behind me. I have not intended to keep him around right from the start."

Taylor's breath hitched as terror struck him.

"He knows too many of our secrets. His past contributions and loyalty don't change the fact that I can't let him live."

Christopher paused and gave Taylor a strangely friendly look. "But you're an exception, Taylor. You're my subordinate and my family. I couldn't have gotten where I am today if it wasn't for the Boss and you. Once things calm down, I'll have a seat for you on the board of directors and shareholders of the Iverson Group. I'll make it worth your while after all you have done for me."

Though his lips quivered, Taylor forced a grateful smile.

"Rest assured, Mr. Iverson. I swear that I will never betray you."

The Larson Group fell into turmoil like never before.

While Austin was fortunate to survive, his advanced age and the brain hemorrhage caused by extreme shock left him paralyzed.

Alvin was charged with masterminding murder, concealing drugs, money laundering, and bribery.

Despite evidence suggesting human drug testing, Larson Group was not indicted due to a lack of proof. Hence, the police left that detail out of their statement to the public. Still, the public believed there was a conspiracy to cover the truth. Larson Group lost $2 billion in shares overnight, and the shares plummeted for five whole days.

Larson Group lost its credibility.

The Larsons' office building was vandalized with critical messages, and the press captured the scene to fuel public outrage.

Mila and Arnold were the only ones left in the Larson family. Ironically, Mila cut off all ties with the Larsons since her marriage to Wyatt, while Arnold had been living abroad and had been sidelined from the family business even though he owned some shares.

Things were not looking good for Larson Group.

That day, Mila, acting as chairwoman, called for a board meeting.

Replacing her leisure wear with professional attire, Mila adorned Bella's white and pink diamond brooch and entered the conference room under the board's intimidating gaze.

Mila could feel the piercing hostility the moment she walked through the door, but she did not back down.

No matter what, the Larsons were not going down.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2064-"I'm sure everybody knows by now the situation with Larson Group. Due to the urgency of the matter, I'll cut to the chase.

Mila sat at the center of the table, her appearance graceful and unyielding. "From today onward, I'll be taking over my brother, Alvin, as the chairman of this corporation."

Chatter filled the room.

"Ms. Larson, I mean, Mrs. Thompson. You're no longer part of the family, so who are you to take over the business?"

An individual said cynically, "Besides, you had a falling out with your father to be Chairman Thompson's lover. We remember that you cut ties with the Larsons. You turned your back on your family for over twenty years. Now that the family business is in trouble, you can't resist getting a piece of the pie. This is not a good look on you."

Sharing the same sentiment, the crowd came down hard on Mila.

"It's been a little over two weeks since Larson Group's shares plummeted. I put my own money into the company to ensure funds don't run dry. I called the leaders of several projects not to delay any work, got in touch with the media for damage control, followed up on Alvin's case, and sorted out my nephew's funeral affairs."

Mila's speech, delivered in a calm and steady manner, packed a powerful punch. "And what did you do for the family?"

The crowd was speechless.

"I've done a lot despite not being part of the family, as you claimed. My father and brother either took you under their wing or worked with you for years, but what have you done for them? Nothing."

All the board of directors did was talk a big game.

Mila swallowed the urge to turn potty-mouthed.

She was in the Larsons' territory, not the Thompsons'.

Mila had to remind herself of that.

The individual, who made a fuss earlier, sneered, "Alvin and Aaron did this to themselves. The police have released their statement. What more can we do about it? Besides, this is the Larsons' personal affairs."

Mila narrowed her composed eyes and curled her lips. "Oh? Are you saying that I am part of the Larson family now?"

The individual choked. "Please show your hands if you agree that I take over the company as chairman."

Mila raised her hand. "I'm voting on behalf of my father."

However, everyone else looked the other way.

Another individual said, "You don't hold enough shares to be the chairman. Alvin has inherited Aaron's shares since his passing. Even if Alvin is arrested, his assets are still not stripped, as the case has not gone to court, he still holds the shares. Even if you want to be the chairwoman, you should wait until the case is closed."

Mila clenched her fists under the table, her face pale.

Sure enough, Mila owned no shares. Even with the shares from her father and Arnold, she still would not have enough.

However, Mila could tell that the board was holding off time.

Once the case reached a verdict, the board would have hollowed out the company by the time she had Alvin's shares.

"Since we are not for the management change, and you don't have enough shares, excuse us for not wasting time here."

The crowd got up to leave Mila high and dry. It was exciting to think they could show Wyatt's woman who was boss.

"You're in a hurry to leave even when the meeting isn't over."

As a stern voice boomed, everybody turned to the door.

Mila looked up to a tall man, dressed in a tailored suit, walking in. It was Arnold.

Replacing the white coat with a business suit, Arnold commanded the room with his presence.

Arnold was mirroring Asher's bearings day by day.

"You have a lot of nerve to gang up on an innocent woman." Arnold narrowed his eyes dangerously and smirked, his eyes piercing. "Do you think no one in the family will back my aunt up?"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2065-"Arnold…" Mila teared up in joy.

Arnold's sudden presence shocked the crowd, but they quickly expressed their disdain.

It was no secret that Arnold was sidelined from the business a long time ago. He was just a doctor who read CT scans, not being involved with the business operation.

Not to mention, Arnold was knee-deep in a scandal, bringing shame to the Larsons for his intimate pictures with Asher.

"Mr. Larson, we are in a board meeting, not some nightclub. Watch your attitude."

The cocky director mocked Arnold, earning snickers from the crowd.

"You're on the Larsons' turf, and I am a member of the Larson family. It's bad enough that you don't acknowledge that fact, but you don't even have basic manners."

Arnold narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Do you do the same thing in front of my grandfather and father?"

The director gnashed his teeth.

Another individual said indignantly, "Mr. Larson, the board meeting is a place to be taken seriously. Irrelevant personnel shouldn't be here."

"Oh, so you do know that this is a place to be taken seriously."

Arnold smirked. "I thought I'd walked into a dog pound. All I saw was dogs barking their heads off in desperation to secure their spot in the company. Had I not intervened, I fear these dogs would attack my aunt, and she would need a rabies shot."

Mila smiled and shook her head.

Arnold had a sharp tongue, and he was not afraid to use it.

Mila wondered if Asher would be blessed or burdened by Arnold's personality trait. The board of directors saw red.

However, Arnold did not call them out on it directly, so they should not admit to it.

"I know that you don't welcome me here, and I'm not interested in taking over." Arnold scoffed and tossed a file onto the table. "I don't know much about the business, but I know the controlling shareholder calls the shots. Here's a contract for my father's share transfer. The paper depicts that all his shares will go to my aunt, Mila. I'm handing my shares to Aunt Mila too."

Struck by a thought, he curled his lips, his eyes tender. "Oh. It gets better. A mysterious figure purchased a substantial amount of our company shares during our recent crash. This individual now owns 10% of Larson Group. I was on the phone with the individual, and he is willing to give up all shares to my aunt if necessary. He is all for my aunt taking over my father as chairwoman of Larson Group. Do any of you have a problem with that?" The directors stared at the contract with ashen faces. They had just been humbled, and their plans came to nothing.

Changing their stance, they raised their hands to support Mila.

Arnold was relieved. Despite his composure, his heart had been racing.

Fortunately, he got what he came here for.

Just as Arnold was about to leave discreetly, Mila stopped him.

"Hang on, Arnold."

He looked back in confusion and saw the firm look on Mila's face.

"As chairwoman, I have an announcement to make."

Mila declared, her eyes steady, "Due to Aaron's passing, the CEO position has been left vacant. From today onward, Arnold will be the CEO of Larson Group. Does anybody object?"

Mila spoke commandingly.

Having been in Wyatt's company for so long, Mila developed a graceful and intimidating bearing. She was a woman who commanded respect.

"A-Aunt Mila…" Arnold was stunned.

Even if the crowd did not agree with the decision, there was nothing they could do.

Mila held a substantial amount of shares, giving her veto power. Her dominance was secured with the support of a powerful ally.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2066-At the end of the meeting, Mila and Arnold released a notice about their appointment to all employees.

Walking into the chairman's office, Arnold dove into Asher's arms and nestled his sweaty head on his shoulder.

Arnold felt calm in Asher's presence, sinking his weight into him.

"Congratulations on gaining power, Mr. Larson." Asher raised his hand and shuffled Arnold's hair, his voice raspy and tender. "I'll be looking to you for guidance in your new role as the CEO."

"Tsk. Knock it off." Arnold snorted and spoke coyly. "If you hadn't acquired the company shares in secret and stabilized the trading price, Larson Biotech would have ended up in someone else's hands. I don't even have as many shares as you. I'm just working for the company."

"Don't say that, Arnold." Asher held him tight and said tenderly, "I'm yours. I can say the same thing for my assets and shares. Besides, the shares I acquired belong to the Larsons. I'm just giving them back to you."

Arnold was moved to tears.

He raised his chin, his breath mingling with Asher's. Asher gripped the back of Arnold's head, and their lips met.

Their snuggling did not last for long as the door to the office opened, and Mila walked in on them.

"Ah! I didn't see anything. Please carry on."

With nowhere to hide, Mila covered her face and ran away when Asher stopped her.

"It's okay, Aunt Mila. I'll head out. I'm sure you have a lot to talk about with Arnold." "Don't go, Ash." Arnold held Asher's hand, clinging to him.

Asher curled his lips tenderly and grazed his finger along the tip of Arnold's nose dotingly.

"I knew the ally Arnold talked about was you, Ash." Mila was grateful. "You've spent a lot of money acquiring the shares. Once the company operation is up and running, we will share the profits with you."

"My money is the Thompsons' money, Aunt Mila. You're family too. I'm only keeping it in the family." Asher shook his head. "If you insist, you can share the profits with Arnold. It's the same."

"You have experience in business, Ash. Please help Arnold out whenever you can. Arnold is a great doctor, but he'll need your expertise to be CEO." Mila hid her worries behind a joke.

Asher wrapped his arm around Arnold's waist and looked firmly at him.

"Don't worry. We will help Larson Group pull through this."

All three of their phones beeped at the same time.

"Huh? It's an invite."

Arnold tapped on the invitation, revealing Ryan and Carrie sitting intimately on a swing. Their eyes sparkled. "Ah! Ryan and Carrie are having a wedding,"

"Bella told me that Ryan and Carrie are getting married in Botvia, and they are only inviting their closest friends and family. It's a closed wedding. No outsiders or media can capture their photographs."

Mila sighed. "That's a shame. Carrie and Ryan make a lovely couple. If only they could have a wedding of the century."

"Mila, Ryan will give Carrie the world. Even if Carrie wants his heart, he will use my scalpel to cut his heart out for her."

Mila looked at Asher worriedly.

"I'm so jealous." Arnold expressed his envy.

"Arnold." Asher's lips brushed Arnold's ear.

"Hm?" Arnold looked up and met Asher's gaze.

"Nothing."

Asher held Arnold's shoulder and thought to himself, 'You'll get your turn too.'

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2067-Considering Carrie's preference for a change, Ryan organized the wedding in Botvia.

Ryan had been stretched thin over the past month.

He needed to care for his future wife, company, and everything to do with the venue decoration, vendors, floral placement, and photography of the wedding.

The number of times his private jet flew between Botvia and Savrow was astounding.

Not wanting all the work to fall on Ryan, Dean suggested taking his place in Botvia to oversee the wedding preparations, but Ryan refused. His involvement in the wedding took precedence over his sleep and jet lag.

"Why must you put yourself through that, Chairman Hoffman?"

Dean felt bad when he looked at Ryan's eyebags and weight loss. "Just leave the trivial stuff to me. I know I'm not clever, but you're putting a toll on your health."

"It's not that I don't trust you, Dean."

Ryan pulled out a newly bought pink bunny and put it against the headboard, his voice tender. "I dream of the day I would marry Carrie. I want to make it perfect. Carrie doesn't want a public wedding. I know it's what she asked for, but I still feel I'm not doing enough."

Dean felt sorry. "Chairman Hoffman…"

Ryan stared intently at the pink plushie when the image of Yasmin's smile cut him deeply.

He closed his eyes and gasped for air to calm his pain and longing.

"I have too many regrets, Dean. I don't want to leave any more regrets in either my or Carrie's life."

Dean and Ryan were alone in the ward.

While the attending doctor and nurses took Carrie for a physical examination, Ryan took the opportunity to decorate the room with plushies collected from the world.

The horrible abduction left Carrie with severe internal damage. The doctor talked about a long-term treatment.

The bare, white walls and simple furnishings made this place feel so sterile that it could make anyone feel sick after a long stay.

Hence, Ryan did a room makeover, bringing warmth into the place. He put up a drawing board and coloring pens for Carrie to use when she was bored.

Since Yasmin's passing, Carrie had not picked up a pen to draw anything.

Ryan even sealed off Willow Creek Villa. They were grieving in their own ways.

The door to the ward opened, and the nurses and attending doctor brought Carrie back. "Babe."

Ryan, his eyes glistening affectionately, hunched over to hold Carrie tight. His right arm clung to her back while his left hand held the back of her head in assurance.

It was as if he was holding his precious treasure.

"Ah…" Carrie buried her face in Ryan's chest, her soft voice sobbing.

It had been four days since they last met, but the longing terrorized her.

"If I could have a moment with you outside, Chairman Hoffman." The attending doctor looked at him with a mix of emotions.

They walked to the reception area.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2068-"Thank you for your care, doctor. I have a gift for you. My secretary has dropped the gift off in your office."

Ryan poured the doctor a drink. Unlike his previous arrogance, Ryan behaved in a friendly manner.

He left behind the person he was, making changes to himself for Carrie and to become an outstanding superior like his father.

"You're too kind, Chairman Hoffman. My duty is to the patients. I was only doing my job." Dr. Harold paused before uttering in a husky voice, "Chairman Hoffman, our examination of your wife today reveals she has endometriosis."

Ryan clutched his drink, his heart sinking. "What do you mean?"

"While it's not a life-threatening condition, there are various factors that can contribute to endometriosis. Unfortunately, in your wife's case, it's pretty severe. She has been suffering from extremely painful menstruation for years and has to rely on medication to manage the pain."

Ryan turned pale, and his breathing hitched.

While living together with Carrie, Yasmin had told him about Carrie's painful periods. Sometimes, Carrie would roll in bed in agony.

Ryan did not get it at the time, assuming it was normal for women.

To his dismay, the problem with her menstruation started a long time ago.

"Please help my wife get better, Dr. Harold. Money is no issue." Ryan's hasty voice trembled.

"We can get her the treatment she needs, but the chances of her getting pregnant are low." "Are you saying that my wife might not become a mother?"

With tearful eyes, Ryan heaved heavily. "Even if she gets better?"

"The disorder is only one part of the problem. The damage to your wife's internal organs is substantial. I previously mentioned that she may need long-term medication."

Dr. Harold sighed. "Given the circumstances, we'd generally advise against pregnancy. The chance of conception is low, and the fetus could be affected by the medications, leading to birth defects. I know you and your wife cherish each other and hope to have a child together, but we need to be realistic. An unhealthy child is a lifelong burden to you and your wife. It wouldn't be fair to the child either."

The journey from the reception area to the ward felt like a lifetime to Ryan. His throat was dry, and his breath was caught in a hitch.

He slipped into the men's room and doused his face with cold water. It took a long time to get a grip on himself before he returned to his wife.

In bed, Carrie leaned against the headboard and watched a variety show on a tablet while her face soaked up the afternoon sun.

"What are you so focused on, babe?" Ryan drew close and pulled her into his arms.

"Uh…" Carrie pointed at the little girl on the screen, her eyes sparkling.

She was watching a recently popular show about celebrities caring for their kids.

The child on the screen smiled innocently, ripping Ryan's heart apart.

Oblivious to Ryan's agony, Carrie raised the tablet with rosy cheeks and wrote on the screen. "Let's have a baby, Ryan."

 

 

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2069-Carrie flicked her finger on the screen, her face reflecting a motherly glow.

Hiding behind her, Ryan was crushed. His discolored lips quivered.

He held Carrie from the back, resting his chin on her shoulder with a lingering snuggle. He fought back the tears.

"I thought you didn't want to have children, babe." Ryan's raspy voice waned as his cold lips stuck to her ear. "Didn't you want to study art? Didn't you want to be my only girl?"

Carrie batted her lashes bashfully and wrote on the screen.

"That's in the past. I don't want that anymore." She felt a lump in her throat. "I know my health isn't doing well now. I need to take medications and shots every day. God knows when I'd ever get out of the hospital. I want a child. Gender doesn't matter. We can raise them. If I leave the world ahead of my time, at least our child will stay and keep you company."

The words were too much for Ryan to bear. In desperation, he forcefully wiped the words off the screen.

"I won't allow you to say that, Carrie. We will live a long life together. I don't need a child. You're all I need. I don't like children. I don't want one."

"Ah… Ah…"

Ryan's sudden fit threw Carrie off, and she clung to his hand and put it to her chest.

Bearing tears in his eyes, Ryan took her lips.

Carrie melted in his arms and suckled his tongue. As his breathing grew heavy, Ryan was quickly swept away by desire.

He had urges. Since Carrie's hospitalization, they had not engaged in any intimacy.

Sometimes, he could not hold himself back from hugging Carrie to sleep. He would rather finish the job himself than touch her.

Ryan went from a life of debauchery to abstinence. He would rather sacrifice himself than let Carrie experience any suffering.

Moments later, they parted, and Ryan rubbed away the saliva on her lips. He planted another kiss on her cheek.

Sensing Ryan's need, Carrie got out of bed and kneeled to unbuckle his pants.

"Carrie, no." Ryan pressed her hand and shook his head.

"Uh…" Carrie frowned.

She could not talk, but her eyes did all the talking.

It had been a long time since they engaged in intimacy. She wanted to relieve him.

"We have a lifetime ahead of us. We'll wait until you get better."

Ryan locked her in his embrace and closed his eyes, preventing his tears from falling.

Bella was fast asleep in the wee hours of the morning while Justin returned from the study after going through paperwork. He was going to slip under the covers when Ryan's call came in.

"Ryan?" Justin took the call.

"It's me, Mr. Salvador. I'm Dean."

Dean's voice sounded panicked and worried. "I'm sorry to bother you this late at night. Chairman Hoffman has a lot to drink. He's crying and throwing up, but I can't convince him to leave. I have never seen him like this."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2070-"Can you check in on Chairman Hoffman? He's acting like someone broke him."

Justin's heart clutched, and he walked out of the bedroom.

"Give me the address. I'll head there now."

Ryan was alone in the dusky bar when Justin got there. Sitting behind the counter, Ryan downed glasses of hard liquor.

Justin sent Dean to wait outside and made his way to Ryan. He put his hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"That's enough, Ryan. Too much liquor is bad for you. You're about to get married. You should take good care of yourself.

Ryan lifted his chin, his gaunt face swollen with tears. The bloodshot eyes were etched with sadness.

"Why are you crying?" Shocked, Justin looked intently at Ryan. "What happened? Just tell me. We can figure something out."

"Carrie… Carrie…"

Justin's eyes widened emotionally. "What happened to Carrie?"

"Carrie can't be a mother anymore. The doctor said she can't have her own child."

Ryan, a big man, wailed and cried in front of his dearest friend.

Justin's heart ached in silence to see Ryan on the verge of a breakdown.

Truth be told, Bella had read Carrie's medical report and test results. She told Justin beforehand that Carrie would have a slim chance at conception. Even if Carrie did bear a child, Bella could not promise that the fetus would be healthy.

Still, Justin felt sorry to hear it from Ryan.

"I know you have been wanting to have a child with Carrie, Ryan, but happiness can come in many other forms."

"No… I was just blowing hot air before. I don't care whether or not Carrie can give me a child. I love her all the same."

Resting his forehead on Justin's heart, Ryan whimpered. "But didn't I cause everything? I ruined her! She could've been healthy, but I… I destroyed her!"

The distress overwhelmed Justin.

Justin was no stranger to the feeling. Ryan and Carrie were walking the same path he and Bella took.

Like Ryan, Justin believed he destroyed the love of his life upon learning of her infertility. The guilt, self-blame, and remorse still haunt him to this day.

He could never forgive himself.

"In that case, you should make it up to Carrie." Justin comforted him and patted his trembling back. "Love and cherish her forever. Shower her with all the love and attention in the world."

"If Carrie finds out, she will be so upset." Ryan pounded his chest in devastation. "Just today, she talked about giving me a child. I just want to kill myself in that moment, Justin." "Trust and honesty are the most important things between husband and wife."

Reminded of Bella, Justin felt bad and teared up. "Ryan, Carrie is only with you because she loves you, not to give you a child. You should always remember that both your happiness matters most. Everything else is just a bonus."