Chapter 424
âItâs not like that, Neil, said calmly. âIn truth, Iâm
Neil wasnât too surprised. He remembered six months ago when Gina first visited the Jackson family. During his birthday banquet, sheâd exposed the fake painting Olivia had gifted him, supposedly by Ms.
.
And Ginaâs certainty back then, asserting Ms. Gena hadnât produced any new works in a year. Even though Gina later reached out to another painting master to conceal her identity as Ms. Gena, Neil now understood.
Who would know better than Ms. Gena herself that she hadnât created anything year?
Moreover, Gina was exceptionally talented. Having an alter ego was quite normal.
âGina, youâve kept it well hidden. Gabriel sure knows how to pick them. He is not one for romance, but once he , itâs with a remarkable as you. The Jackson family is truly blessed.â
Gina couldnât help but feel a pang hearing the word âblessed.â After all, how could she, a girl whoâd been abandoned, unloved by her parents, and almost killed after being recognized, be considered a blessing?
But she was now, hearing Neil say that the Jackson family and Gabriel were blessed to have her warmed her heart.
âNeil, you can take as many of my pieces for your collection as you want from on. Iâll be ready to paint anytime,â
Gina said.
âFantastic, fantastic!â Neil exclaimed with a wide grin.
âNeil, do you any particular requests for me to paint now.
inquired.
Neil pondered for a moment. âLet me think.â
But before could dwell on it further, there was a knock on the study door. Before Neil could invite the the door open
The audacious intruder turned out to be none other than Harry.
person in,
Noticing Ginaâs presence in the room, Harryâs expression darkened. However, knowing that he couldnât easily challenge Gina, especially since Neil was protective of his future daughter âlaw. Instead, he casually remarked, âMiss Miller, youâre here too?â
Preferring not to engage in any friction with Harry, Gina responded calmly, âHmm.â
Seeing Harry refraining from causing trouble, Neil felt relieved.
Neil continued to paint as he gestured for Harry to take a seat. âSo, what brings you here so early today?â
Harry sat down and shared, âI have some good news I wanted to share with you.â
âReally? Go on,â Neil prompted, intrigued.
âIn ten months, youâll be able to hold Ashleyâs child in your arms.â
âAshley underwent in vitro fertilization. Sheâs always yearned for a child, and now her wish has come true.â
âAh, indeed, thatâs good news! Well, I eagerly anticipate holding Ashleyâs child,â Neil said with a smile.
âHarry glanced at Gina and noticed her apparent indifference to the matter. Wasnât she the one who arranged for someone to cause Ashley to miscarry deliberately? Even though her plan failed, Ashley had confided in him about it.
Unfortunately, Ashley lacked any evidence to support her claims. Otherwise, he would have confronted Neil and
11:51
Chapter 424
accused Gina of being woman. Having such a nasty woman in the Jackson family would disrupt their peace for years to come, if not for the rest of their lives.
Harry engaged in idle conversation with Neil, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Ginaâs schemes.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of Ginaâs phone. She gestured apologetically to Neil. âExcuse , Neil, I need take this .â
âOf course,â Neil nodded.
Gina stepped out, closing the study door behind her. It was Dylan on the line. â
, Iâm at the Jackson mansionâs entrance. The fingerprint test for the key is done. Besides yours and Mr. Jacksonâs, Mrs. Emilyâs prints are on it. Seems like it belonged to her.â
Gina paused briefly. âUnderstood.â
âIâll head out to grab the key
After receiving the key, Gina returned to the study, holding the sealed item. She intended to inform Neil that it was Emilyâs
âNeil, this was found last the media room,â Gina explained, referring to the dropped picture frame.
âItâs Mrs. Emilyâs,â Gina continued, and Neilâs brush slipped from hand, hitting the floor. âFrom Emily?â
EmilyâGabrielâs .
Harry, initially preoccupied, suddenly focused on hearing Emilyâs name and her possession. His eyes widened in thought. âWhatâs she playing ? Why conceal a key in a picture frame? What does it open?â
Lost in memories, Neil was consumed by grief, paying no attention to Harryâs question. Gina, too, brushed off inquiry. Harryâs expression stiffened, his dissatisfaction, but he remained silent.
Tears welled in Neilâs eyes, choking his words. He reached out toward , his hand trembling. âI⦠1â¦â
Understanding his silent plea, Gina approached and handed him the key. Neil accepted it, tears streaming down his face. âEmilyâ¦
The key held memories of Emily, once carefully preserved by Neil in a room where he could spend days in solitude.
Emily passed , he remained in that room, consumed by grief. He had even contemplated joining her, but Gabrielâs marriage intervened. Yet, a fire swept through the room, consuming everything within. Neil blamed himself; he had fallen asleep while smoking, and the lit cigarette sparked the blaze. So now, even the sight of a key stirred intense emotions within him.
Neil held the key tightly, his tears flowing freely. Gina gently patted his . âNeil⦠Take all the time you need to grieve.â
Harry glanced at the key, his expression darkening. What Emily have intended to leave this key behind?
Neil an effort to compose himself through the sorrow. âGina, thank you. This is Emilyâs⦠I will keep it .â
After a moment of hesitation, Gina spoke. âNeil, I canât give you key yet. It serves a purpose and Gabriel and I want to know why Emily left it. Perhaps she left us a message.
Neil nodded in agreement. âAlright, I understand.â
After hearing this, Harry couldnât help but tighten his grip on the armrest. What was Emilyâs plan? Despite his , he never expected her to leave a key behind.
what infuriated him more was that Gina had found it.
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