Chapter 502
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Once Irvin began suspecting Timothy might still be alive, his douls about the entire situation only grew the more he mulled it
over.
He started to believe that my and Mr. Holland’s kidnapping from when we were taken, to him successfully finding the cruise ship in international waters—had all been part of Timothy’s meticolously orchestrated plant.
Otherwise, there was no way Timothy could’ve come up with such perfectly staged death at their very first meeting.
That criminal organization’s operations had changed over the last two years . They had also quickly infiltrated the country.
The more William thought about it, the more he felt Irvin was righ Maybe Timothy really hadn’t died at all.
That being said, Timothy was the Hardwell heir, which meant he ready had a fortune. His wife was also pregnant at the time .
So, why had he chosen to fake his own death? What could he have possibly gained from it? Wasn’t he worried that Irvin would take his place as heir and leave him with nothing?
Then, it suddenly hit William.
Irvin was currently living under Timothy’s identity. Even the shares and everything he owned were still under Timothy’s name.
If Timothy wanted to come back, he wouldn’t need Irvin to disappear. Even if Irvin was still around, all he needed to do was claim he had miraculously survived.
Magnus and Agatha already favored Timothy over Irvin. Plus, everything Irvin “owned” was under Timothy’s name and identity. Given all this, the Hardwell family and everything that came with it would revert to being Timothy’s again.
To put it simply, by faking his death, Timothy could live freely outside. And when he had had enough and decided to return, everything would still be his.
As for Irvin? He would just be the sucker who had done all the hard work for nothing.
William couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for Irvin.
He and Irvin were both exceptionally intelligent men. So, if William had reached this conclusion, Irvin naturally had as well. That was why Irvin felt as though his entire life was one big joke.
Irvin’s birth had been slightly more painful than Timothy’s for Agatha. And just because of this, he had been deemed the “born evil seed” and was abandoned by her.
He had also spent half his life consumed by guilt, believing he was the reason Lizzie’s health had declined after childbirth. But then, he learned she was never truly unwell. Lizzie had faked her frailty simply because she didn’t want to care for a child that wasn’t biologically hers. 1
Later on, Irvin believed the older brother he had never even met had died saving him. Moved by Timothy’s actions, he even wanted to repay that sacrifice with all his heart. But in the end, the entire thing had just been another scheme too.
Irvin had always thought himself clever. Yet, he kept being manipulated his whole life. So, if his life wasn’t a joke, then what was it?
The more William and Irvin contemplated, the more convinced they were that Timothy had pretended to be Irvin and kidnapped me. In other words, I had been abducted by that criminal organization.
With that realization, both men sprang into action. They immediately tapped into their respective networks and connections.
By the time I regained consciousness, I was already inside the research compound of the criminal organization’s base camp.
This place was no man’s land. It wasn’t under any country’s jurisdiction and was crawling with armed militia. Very few people had ever made it out of here alive.
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As soon as the person guarding me noticed I was awake, be immediately left to report it.
Moments later, a refined–looking and slim man entered the room
“Ms. Quill, you’re awake, ” he said.
+25 BONUS
The slim man was smiling warmly and gently. Looking at his appearance, one would never imagine he could be involved in something criminal.
Anyone associated with this organization couldn’t possibly be a good person. So, no matter how mild–mannered or harmless his smile seemed, I still instinctively recoiled.
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