Chapter 152 âThere are things, Dad, things I never got around to telling you. Victoria, sheâd reached out to me a while back. She even took a job as a janitor at Hayes Corp, can you believe it? And at the companyâs big anniversary bash, she cornered me. She threatened her own life if I didnât cough up some cash.
âShe drove me to the edge, Dad. My depression kicked back in full force. Iâm done letting her puppeteer my life. Ripping off the bandaid hurts, sure, but itâs a heck of a lot better than living in constant fear of touching that wound.â
As Casey listened, tears rimmed his eyes. He had no clue what his daughter had been through while he was sick. He clapped a hand on Claraâs shoulder and said, âYouâve got me by your side, kiddo. Together, weâll face anything.â
After leaving Claraâs place, lan drove straight to the Campbell estate. His black RollsâRoyce Cullinan cut through the morning like a bolt of lightning, tearing into the Campbellsâ manicured grounds.
Tall and imposing, he got out of the car with a cold and oppressive aura and headed straight for the firstâfloor hall.
Paolo, lounging on a sofa with the morning paper, looked up and greeted him with a grin. âlan, what brings you by so bright and early?â
lanâs voice was a blade of ice. âWhereâs Heidi?â
âHeidi? Probably still in bed. Whatâs up?â
âCall her down. I need to speak with her.â The chill in his tone couldnât mask the simmering rage beneath.
Paolo waved at the housekeeper to fetch Heidi and then turned back to lan with a smile. âYou two have a fight? Heidiâs been out of sorts lately. Go easy on her. After all, that leg injury happened on the clock for Hayes Corp.â
lan let out a derisive snort. âPaolo, you know me. Cross my line, and I donât play nice. If Heidi keeps on this path, donât expect me to play the gentleman out of respect for our families.â
Paoloâs brow furrowed as he caught the threat in lanâs words. âDid Heidi get Chapter 152 herself into trouble?â
âYou can ask her about that.â
Just then, Heidi came downstairs wearing a light purple nightdress. Spotting lan, she raced over as though it were any other day.
âlan! Did you come for me?â
His steely gaze swept over her injured thigh.
time to heal. Youâre up and about already?â
Your injuries should take a long Heidiâs smile flickered, then steadied. âThe doctor your mom found is amazing. I healed up fast.â
lanâs eyes darkened, his voice frosty. âWhereâs Victoria?â
Heidi feigned ignorance. âVictoria? I donât know her. A friend of yours, lan?â
âI gave you a chance, Heidi. I have warned you to leave Clara be, but you didnât listen. Donât blame me for being ruthless now.â
With a snap, he tossed a stack of photos onto the coffee table. They were shots of Heidiâs clandestine meetings with Victoria.
âNot only did you sneak her into Hayes Corporation, you egged her on to pressure Clara. Then you orchestrated her escape from the asylum to join the delegation. And you made that video to smear Clara. Heidi, donât think I canât touch you just because I havenât nailed you for the drugging and kidnapping yet. Thereâs no one on this earth that I canât reach.â
His words were merciless, sending a chill down Heidiâs spine as she sought refuge in Paoloâs embrace. âDad, help me! I didnât do those things, I swear donât even know any Victoria.â
I Just then, a gentle and soothing voice echoed through the hall. âAnd what about the woman hidden in the basement of the old house? Do you know her?â
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