Chapter 9
However, that affectionate look only lasted a fleeting moment.
The next second, when Jacob noticed Emilia looking in his direction, his face swiftly returned to its cold, aloof demeanor.
However, his attempt at indifference was feeble at best.
Even in his pretense, Emilia caught him sneaking glances at her from
time to time.
Suppressing both laughter and bitterness in her heart, Emilia took a couple of steps closer and tugged at Jacob’s clothing, just as she used to when they were children. “Jacob, I’m back.”
That single sentence wiped away the coldness from the cross–armed
man’s face.
Jacob let out a snort, but the corners of his mouth curled into a warm smile, revealing boyish dimples. “So, you still remember the way back home, huh?”
Before Emilia could respond, he started to fuss.
“You’re truly heartless. What on earth are you wearing? I’ve already ordered the latest dresses for you, and they’ll be delivered shortly. Also, I remember you used to adore shiny things. I’ve already spoken to the jewelry store, and they’ll be sending over some samples for you to choose. from. If you find something you like, they’ll create a custom design based on your preferences.”
The man who was typically brash and haughty in front of his fans. displayed remarkable patience and familiarity with matters related to women’s items.
Emilia’s eyes grew moist, and her soft voice turned slightly hoarse at that moment. “Thank you, Jacob.”
Although they were just her cousins, each one of them had treated her with great kindness..
In her relentless pursuit of that man, she had engaged in bitter conflicts with them, but upon her return, all she received was boundless love and a warm embrace.
– En die other hand, the man she had cherished deeply for three years had-
Capter 9
only brought her pain and scars.
She had pretended to be indifferent to the three years of solitude and neglect, but upon returning to her loving home, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of grievance.
Emilia suppressed the myriad of emotions surging within her and whispered, “Jacob, Nathan and I have divorced.”
Jacob was taken aback and asked with indignation, “Did he mistreat you? If you’ve suffered any grievances, tell me, and I’ll make sure he learns a lesson for you!”
He thought to himself, “That rascal! In order to marry him, Lia concealed. her identity as the daughter of the Saunders family, gave up inheriting the Saunders Group at the perfect time, and even abandoned her overseas studies. How could he treat her like this? Lia was pampered like a princess by me since childhood. How dare that brat behave this way?”
Observing Jacob’s reaction, Emilia could discern his thoughts.
She cleared her throat, playfully reverting to her previous spoiled demeanor. “I’m not so easily bullied. I just want a new beau because I’m tired of him. Out with the old and in with the new, right? Please don’t bring up that person in front of me again. I’m looking forward to embracing a fresh start.”
Jacob paused for a moment and then affectionately patted Emilia on the head. He replied in a lighthearted tone, “No worries. I have no shortage of eligible men in my circle. I’ll get you dozens of candidates later!”
However, when Emilia couldn’t see him, Jacob’s eyes turned cold.
Nathan had inflicted immense pain on Emilia, to the point where she would become upset at the mere mention of his name.
Jacob silently vowed to remember this grudge.
Outside, the sky stretched clear for miles, but within the top–floor office of another skyscraper, the atmosphere was as icy as a cellar.
“Have you investigated everything?”
The man, drested in a sharp dark pinstriped suit that accentuated his maculate physique, radiated a stern and commanding aura. His mooth,
the unblemished forehead gave him an air of tidiness and severity.
demeanor exuded an undeniable
Shawn placed a document on the table and replied to his question, “Mr. Miller, this reporter claimed to have received an anonymous email before breaking the news. We’ve traced the sending address of this anonymous email, and it leads to an abandoned factory in a desolate area with no inhabitants nearby.”
The trail had seemingly gone cold.
Nathan, pensively placing his pen on the desk, fixed Shawn with an icy stare. “Have you investigated the whereabouts of Emilia and that man? Often, the one who stands to gain the most has the strongest motive.”
That woman had always delighted in such petty tricks, but Nathan was determined not to tolerate it any longer.
At the mention of this, Shawn’s expression turned slightly gloomy.
“Well? Is something the matter?”
“In fact, after we probed the abandoned factory, we conducted an investigation into Ms. Saunders.”
It had been a side task, driven by Shawn’s awareness of Nathan’s character. He was certain that Nathan would eventually instruct him to look into Emilia.
Yet, the results of the investigation had astonished him.
“We reviewed the information provided by Ms. Saunders when she married you, but there was no record of such a person at all. Furthermore, we couldn’t locate her whereabouts following her visit to City Hall, as if she had vanished from the city.”
Nathan’s gaze abruptly sharpened. He had complete confidence in Shawn’s capabilities, and Shawn was his most effective aide,
If Shawn couldn’t find this out, it signified that something truly unusual was afoot.
Shawn, unnerved by Nathan’s penetrating stare, ventured cautiously, “I suspect she might have retreated to a rural area. Despite the digital age we live in and the lack of privacy, there are still places in the mountains where the internet’s reach is limited.”
Besides this, there were no better explanations.
Nathan nodded and instructed, Continue the investigation.”
With that, he massaged his aching temples and inquired about another matter, “How is my grandfather faring?”
The news is spreading rapidly, but it hasn’t yet reached a wide audience. I’ve also spoken with the hospital staff, and for now, the situation should remain manageable. However…” Shawn hesitated for a moment. “I fear we won’t be able to conceal it for much longer.”
Noah held a special place in his heart for Emilia, almost considering her his own granddaughter, and had grown fond of her over the years. If he were to learn about her divorce from Nathan, it could potentially spark another bloodbath.
Of course, Nathan wasn’t concerned about facing retribution from Noah, but rather about the impact such events could have on Noah’s fragile health.
After all, Noah had been convalescing abroad for an extended period and had only recently shown signs of improvement. If there were to be any incidents…
Nathan thought, “Emilia, you’d better hope that nothing happens to Grandpa. Otherwise, I’ll ensure you pay a steep price!”
Setting one document aside, Nathan picked up the next one, a new business proposal.
“It’s already time to renew the contract with Saunders Group for that project?”
This particular project had originally entailed a five–year contract, and Nathan couldn’t fathom why a renewal was being discussed so soon, given that less than two years had passed since the previous signing.
Observing Nathan’s perplexed expression, Shawn proceeded to relay what he had recently learned.
I’ve heard that the daughter of the Saunders family has returned. She’s proven to be incredibly assertive. As soon as she arrived, she promptly dismissed a general manager, terminated an over–two–million–dollar inancing project, and initiated a comprehensive legal review of all of Saunders Group’s contracts.
This assertive and hands–on approach was nearly on par with Nathan’s
strategies.
‘s report Nathan’s typically grim mood
lighten somewhat. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration as he thought, “A woman who can wrest control of a company that was taken from her a decade ago and make such swift and decisive decisions is undoubtedly astute and courageous. Only someone like her is worthy of being my business partner.”
As he bent over to sign the document, Nathan continued, “Arrange a meeting with the new chairwoman of Saunders Group for me. I’d like to discuss about the collaboration.“”
Shawn nodded and prepared to leave to hand over to the secretary. However, just as he was turning away, Nathan added, “And also, dig up all the information you can find about this new chairwoman.”
Only by knowing one’s enemy would one be able to win battles against. them.
¡Send Gift
