Chapter 5
I ended the call feeling hopeless. Another bank had turned down my loan request.
The Froning Group’s biggest overseas venture was taken over unfairly, and the company was on the brink of bankruptcy.
My father’s health worsened, and the doctor suggested transferring him to a different hospital, but I didn’t have any extra money.
On a rainy evening, I stood alone on the rooftop of the company building, staring at the faint lights of the city as tears rolled down my cheeks.
“Is this how it ends?” I whispered to myself.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Rowan.
“Victoria, I know what’s happening with the Froning Group. Just say the word, and I’m ready to help,” he said earnestly.
I forced a bitter smile and replied, “Thank you, Mr. Landis, but it’s not
necessary.”
The next day, Maverick came to visit my father personally.
“Mr. Froning, even though the marriage didn’t work out, we are ready to take over the Froning Group,” he said politely, though his eyes showed he had other plans.
I stood in the doorway and interrupted firmly, “Mr. Standifer, my father needs rest. Please leave.”
After seeing Maverick off, I received an anonymous email offering a large
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investment.
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The money was just enough to get me through the tough spot, but I was too afraid to accept it right away.
Meanwhile, Thomas sat in a wheelchair, studying Froning Group’s financial reports on his computer.
“Invest in Froning Group’s project using my name, but keep my identity confidential,” he instructed his assistant.
“Mr. Patnick, do you really think this is a good idea? She’s completely cut ties with you,” the assistant asked nervously.
Thomas stayed silent, focusing on the documents in front of him.
Sienna slipped into the office quietly, deliberately knocking the documents over. As she bent down, her collar fell open.
“Mr. Patnick, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” she said, pretending to be startled.
Thomas shot her a cold look. “Ms. Adelson, stop playing games.”
Sienna’s face flickered with annoyance but quickly returned to her usual charm. “Does Mr. Patnick still have feelings for your ex–fiancée?”
“I don’t owe you an explanation about my feelings,” Thomas replied icily.
After Sienna left, Thomas called his trusted aide. “Keep digging into Sienna’s background. Something feels off.”
Three days later, I got a call from Arthur asking me to meet him at a secluded café.
In the low light, he handed me a folder. “I found some suspicious things about Sienna.”
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I opened it and saw pictures of Sienna meeting secretly with the Standifer family.
Arthur said coldly, “She’s been secretly in contact with the Standifer family. I fear she has ulterior motives.”
I looked at him with doubt and asked, “Why are you helping me?”
Arthur grabbed his coffee, hiding his feelings. “I dislike sneaky tactics, plus…” He quickly changed the subject, “Thomas has also been looking into this matter lately.”
I smiled bitterly. “He doesn’t trust me, what more is there to investigate?”
“Perhaps he never truly let go,” Arthur replied with a hint of meaning.
I left the café feeling unsure, my thoughts tangled.
A week passed, and I got an invitation to a charity auction.
At the event, I ran into Thomas by chance. When our eyes met, the air seemed to freeze.
He walked slowly toward me, no longer using a wheelchair, as if he had regained his ability to walk.
“Victoria, can we talk? There are things we need to clear up,” he murmured.
I forced calm into my voice, “There’s nothing left for us to discuss.”
Just as we reached an awkward silence, Sienna arrived, holding Maverick’s hand and flashing me a proud smile.
Maverick sneered, “Looks like your ex–fiancé has forgotten all about you.”
I turned to leave, but Thomas caught my wrist and said, “Wait, don’t go.
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Chapter 5
Things aren’t what they seem.”
“Let me go!” I cried, tears blurring my eyes again.
Suddenly, Arthur showed up, “Ms. Froning, I need to talk to you urgently.”
He smoothly stepped in and helped me get away from the place.
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“I’ve discovered something. Someone plans to hurt Thomas, maybe even tonight,” Arthur said hurriedly.
I paused and asked, “What does that have to do with me?”
Arthur looked serious and said, “This is more complicated than you think. If you still care about him…”
I stared out at the stormy sky, lightning flashing, feeling torn inside.
Finally, I clenched my jaw and said, “Fine, do it your way!”
Meanwhile, Sienna was secretly pouring a colorless liquid into Thomas’s wine glass.
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