It sounded like Debbie. Irene's expression changed for a split second, but she soon regained her calm. Of course she would be asking for a meeting now to brag."Where?" Irene asked, agreeing to it right then—she should be the audience if Debbie wanted to brag, should she not?"Two Beaches Coffee." "Got it," Irene said and hung up. Stephen looked up at her, swallowed his food and told her, "Just do what you have to. We'll hold down the fort here."Irene nodded and cleaned up the table after finishing her lunch. "Thanks for your help, everyone.""Oh, it's fine," everyone answered in unison. Over the last few days, Mark's research team had heard about how Irene stole Mead Clinic's research data and hence grew to respect her. They grew to think that she was a woman who saw the big picture, and they were willing to help.Irene was grateful. Though she said nothing, she was ready to reward them generously once the antidote was made.Though they were being kind to her, she sho
Naturally, Debbie did not bring Irene to the cafe just to brag. She wanted Irene to give up on Isaac completely. If she could not claim Isaac's heart, her only option was to make Irene betray him, so that she would have an opening—a chance to win over Isaac. In fact, once she captured him, she had already hatched the plan to use Ricky as hostage and coerce Irene."It's not as if I can't consider freeing him.""What do you want?" Irene, however, knew that she would not do so easily—Debbie would demand something from her."I know that Isaac agreed to marry me mostly to save your son," Debbie said. "But even if he doesn't love me, his heart would definitely break if you love another man, and that gives me an opportunity. So, get yourself another man and tell Isaac that you don't love him anymore, and I'll consider letting Ricky go."Irene was laughing inwardly. "You've really covered all the bases, haven't you?""I have no choice." Debbie smirked.She certainly had to be thoro
Isaac could tell that Irene was venting her frustrations at him.However, he could not tell her that Ricky had been captured by Debbie so that she would not have to worry. And yet, Debbie herself had sought out Irene to tell her just that, while also demanding that she get a lover.How was he supposed to abide with that?"I'll find Ricky as soon as I can."Irene restrained her temper just then—things were hard for Isaac right now as well. "Debbie knows your methods after working for you over the years. She won't let you find Ricky so easily—not after she's burned all bridges. Be prepared and wary, because I'm worried that she'd have other cards aside from Ricky and Tommy. Try to get her to talk the next time she's with you."Looking up and into his eyes just then, Irene murmured, "I just hope that this will be over soon.""Yeah," Isaac replied. "I know."He had sent his people out to look, after all."I have to go now," Irene said, not wanting further trouble. Isaac caugh
Peter's pupils dilated as he read the news post. "What… How?!"But that was not all—the families of the deceased had now come forward, demanding justice for the dead. The old workers who used to be employed at the factory were also testifying that the factory had no fire safety measures as well, even stating the model numbers of the factory equipment used—all of which were prohibited for violating safety regulations.And it was only gaining further traction now."It seems that Tim Goldman doesn't just want money… He wants me dead too!" Peter growled, his gaze darkening as his hands clenched into fists. There was no way he would take this lying down.He whipped out his phone to make calls to the press, intent on paying them to take down the news posts.What he did not know, however, was that Zachary Slate was working with Tim, and they were offering the press double—even triple—of what Peter would pay them. As such, there was simply nothing Peter could do to enforce a press gag
Even with his evidence, Zachary could not topple the Lindts in a single stroke.However, that was not the case now that he had Ember's confession.He sent her home to wait for his updates, after which he quickly uploaded the recording online.The incident had already caused significant unrest, and in this age of networking, no individual or event gets to hide.Soon, Peter Lindt was named, and a horde of journalists as well as outraged netizens arrived at the hospital.They both returned home, their faces ashen, but another bombshell landed almost as soon as they sat on the couch."You have to listen to this…"Shirley showed Peter the recording that was circulating online, and they both could hear that it was their daughter."How could she say something like that… And at a time like this?!"As the Lindts were pushed to the brink, Peter was left seething and barking, "Call her here already!"Shirley quickly did so, and Ember soon arrived—she had returned to the hospital after l
While Shirley hesitated, Ember kept persuading her. "Mom, we don't even know if Dad would be abused while he's being arrested. We need to get him out soon—you're the only one who can make the decision and sign the papers."Shirley was soon convinced—bailing out her husband was the priority anyway.Turning toward Zachary, she asked, "So? What am I supposed to do?"A dark look appeared over Zachary's face just then, but he kept solemn as he said, "There's some papers you need to sign.""Okay," Shirley said, agreeing to it right away without thinking.Zachary took out the papers he prepared beforehand and handed it to Ember. "There's no helping it. Some of the company's businesses must be sacrificed to save your father."Ember took his words at face value and did not even check the papers before passing it to her mother. "You have to sign it while Dad's away, Mom."Shirley's fingers clenched, but she braced herself and signed the papers, doing it so quickly that she did not read th
Zachary quietly said, "Perfect timing."His words sparkled Ember's remaining hopes and she slowly walked up to him, mustering a smile as she said, "Tim Goldman was just slandering you, right?""It's all true," Zachary said, cutting her short icily. "Now, sign this."Ember finally saw the paper on the table, and the title that read 'Divorce Agreement'!She wobbled and turned toward Zachary in disbelief. "Y-You want to divorce me?!"Then, she turned to Mrs. Slate, who had always supported her.And right now, she needed Mrs. Slate's help.However, Mrs. Slate simply averted her gaze, rose to her feet, and left.After all, she knew that Zachary was no longer the son she could browbeat or manipulate at her whim.However, Ember was still counting on her. "Zachary is going to divorce me! Aren't you doing anything about this?" Mrs. Slate finally sighed. "I can't even save myself."Before Ember arrived, Zachary had told her that he would not hold Lulu Adams's death against her, but i
As a matter of fact, the police had already been investigating Peter Lindt in secret.Everything that was exposed online—from testimonies to physical evidence—only served to give them more evidence.Even so, Ember still had not given up. "Don't you have any feelings for me at all?"Zachary actually wanted to laugh right then. "Me? Having feelings for you?" He growled every word heavily. "All I feel toward you is spite!"Ember was left dumbstruck for a while, but soon reared her head and laughed with madness and hate. "You want a divorce? You want your freedom? Dream on! I'll never divorce you if it kills me!" She laughed maniacally. "You think you could divorce me to find that dead woman? Fine! Just kill yourself and meet her in hell!"Zachary simply ignored her raving. "You already have nothing to negotiate with."However, Ember had been pampered rotten and never lost to anyone. Still unable to see the truth even now, she was still convinced that her parents' business would