Chapter 284
284
The response from the Hardwells only deepened my suspicions that Timothy was actually Irvin. This only made me even more Seager to see him again so I could confirm it for myself.
However, I couldn’t force a meeting if they didn’t allow it. I might be wealthy now, but I was nowhere near comparable to the Hardwell family. For the time being, I could only have someone else look into it.
After tending to company matters I had at hand, I put on my coat and headed out to meet a physics professor from Quantov University. It was thanks to him that I was able to invite the science research authority figures to help me clear my name.
Just as I was about to enter a private dining room, I spotted a familiar figure. I paused and saw Mr. Ashford being led by the restaurant’s manager toward a different private room.
I thought of greeting him, but then I recalled how our last meeting had ended somewhat unpleasantly. I was also worried he might ask me to date Noah again, so I decided against it.
Because of this, I didn’t notice that the person he was meeting with was none other than Timothy’s wife, Grace Keller.
Mr. Ashford and I entered our respective rooms at the same time.
In William Ashford’s private room, Grace elegantly poured him a drink as he sat down. Her movements were refined and graceful.
William couldn’t resist scoffing at her.
Grace looked up at the sound and asked, “Is something the matter, Mr. Ashford?”
“Nothing,” he replied with a smile.
Leaning back lazily in his chair, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette out of habit. However, his hand halted when he remembered Grace was pregnant, so he stuffed them back down instead.
William was a heavy smoker, but he couldn’t smoke right now. Thus, he was already a little impatient despite having just sat
down.
“So, why have you requested to meet me, Mrs. Hardwell?” he asked, cutting straight to the chase.
“When will your nephew take Ms. Quill out of the country with him?” she replied, placing his drink in front of him.
Ignoring it, William answered, “That’s not going to happen. Emilia Quill doesn’t have any romantic feelings for my nephew. She’s also fully capable of solving her problems without my help.”
There was an unmistakable hint of admiration in his voice when he said this.
Despite being backed into a corner, I had managed to turn the situation around–cleanly and beautifully. William had thought I would have to rely on him to get out of it, so I had surprised him,
Grace’s gaze instantly darkened at his words.
“Mr. Ashford, I’ve allowed her to remain in the country because your nephew likes her. If he can’t take her away…” she trailed
off.
Her unsaid threat was clear–she would take matters into her own hands.
Grace had instantly sensed something with the odd way I had reacted at Hardwell Manor. Thus, she had thoroughly looked into me after I left.
She had initially thought about dealing with me herself as a preventative measure. However, when she learned about Noah’s background, she hadn’t dared to and had approached William instead. Given Noah’s feelings for me, she had requested William to get him to take me away.
1/2
284
+25 BONUS
William huffed at her threatening tone.
“Your husband is dead, and you’ve hypnotized another man into masquerading as him. As if that wasn’t already shameless enough, now you want me to deal with the man’s ex–wife?
“You’ve already forcibly appropriated Irvin Sawyer, so don’t you think you’re pushing it by going after Emilia Quill as well?” he retorted.
Grace’s expression was thunderous.
When she first approached William , she naturally couldn’t tell him the real reason she had wanted me gone. Hence, she had simply said I had offended someone, and that person didn’t want me to remain in the country.
Grace didn’t know when William had found out about the truth, but given what he said , it seemed he already knew everything. As such, she knew it would be useless to deny it.
Thus, she plainly stated, “Tim died saving Irvin, so Irvin should take his place. It’s only right that Irvin takes on the responsibilities that Tim was meant to bear!”
Still lounging in his seat, William replied, “If you think that’s how it should be, then fine. Do whatever you want to Irvin Sawyer, but you’re not allowed to touch Emilia Quill. She holds my nephew’s heart , so if you mess with her, you mess with me!”
The Hardwells might be untouchable in Lestoria, but William wasn’t someone to be trifled with in Redwood either. Grace’s grip on her glass tightened as she countered, “You know you’re only alive right now because I risked my life to save you from drowning, Mr. Ashford. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t be able to sit here and threaten me.”
X
Today’s Bonus Offer
GET IT NOW