Chapter 597 Staged

Nigel had, without a doubt, robbed Timothy of too many things. Since the day Christina revealed Nigel’s. ploy to Timothy, the latter had become even more guarded toward his brother.

The most important thing now, though, was to resolve Gibson Corporation’s financial problems. Only with that done could Timothy concentrate on settling his family affairs.

When news of Anya’s kidnapping first spread to the Gibson family, the man Timothy had sent to keep an eye on Christina quickly reported that the latter hadn’t had any contact with Anya for a long time.

If that were the case, there couldn’t have been new conflicts between the two women, which meant. Christina wouldn’t have a reason to plot against Anya.

Of course, Nathaniel couldn’t have been the culprit, either. After all, anyone who dared mess with him. usually ended up dead.

Besides, he couldn’t care less about Anya, so why would he spend that much time. and effort on her?

Timothy ordered his subordinates to dig deeper, and it didn’t take long before the truth was finally unveiled; the mastermind was none other than Anya Gibson herself.

She had staged the entire kidnapping act, hoping she could kill two birds with one stone by framing. Christina and demanding a huge ransom from her own family.

Even though more investigation was needed to find out why Anya wanted the money, there was no doubt. that she was guilty of the fake kidnapping.

Timothy stared at his legs, his gaze darkening with every second.

“Jasper, take me back to the hotel.”

Meanwhile, Anya was still blissfully unaware that her plan had been discovered as she sat on the couch in the dilapidated house and enjoyed a spread of fruits and desserts.

Just then, Emilia called, prompting Anya to roll her eyes and grimace.

“What is it?”

“Ms. Gibson, have you contacted the manager I told you about?” Emilia asked. “She only takes one new artist under her wing every year, so if we miss the selection deadline, I’d have to wait another year. You don’t want to continue living in fear, do you?”

Needless to say. Anya was furious at how Emilia had threatened her and wanted nothing more than to bite the latter’s neck off.

“I’m already doing my best. The manager’s very popular in the entertainment industry, and everyone’s trying to curry favor with her. She knows it too, which is why she keeps putting on airs... You have to give me some time.”

“I want a reply by tomorrow at the latest. There’s a limit to my patience,” Emilia snapped before hanging up the phone.

“Argh! Emilia Steele’s a b*tch!” Anya yelled as she slammed her phone onto the couch and kicked the table before her.

Alas, even after smashing everything around her, she still couldn’t quell her anger and resentment.

Her two subordinates merely stood outside the door, not daring to approach her for fear of ending up as collateral damage.

Anya, too, wanted to fulfill Emilia’s request as soon as possible, but what could she do when the Gibson family was no longer as influential as before?

In fact, the manager wasn’t shy about making snarky comments when she learned that Anya had sought her out. However, she didn’t dare to provoke the Gibsons, either, so she listed out what she wanted in return-an annual salary of five million and a ten percent cut of all of Emilia’s media appearances.

Sadly, Anya’s net worth wasn’t even worth three million, so the constant thought of failure weighed heavily on her.

As a result, she decided to fake her own kidnapping and use the opportunity to extort the Gibsons.

Then again, when news of her abduction reached the Gibson residence, her priority wasn’t to call the Gibsons for the ransom.

Instead, she had her subordinates spread rumors so she could frame Christina for the crime.

That way, even if the kidnapping case had nothing to do with Christina, the slander would be enough to destroy her relationship with the Gibsons and her reputation. There was no way she’d be accepted in the upper-class circles again!

However, now that Emilia was rushing her, Anya knew she couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

“Hey! Where the f*ck is everyone?” she yelled.

Two men instantly rushed into the house. “We’re here, Ms. Gibson. How can we help you?”

The next second, Anya grabbed a phone from the table and tossed it at them unceremoniously. “Since you can’t reach my father, try calling my grandmother. Get her to prepare five million... No. On second thoughts, ask for a twenty million ransom, and threaten to kill me if she fails to pay up!”

It went without saying that Anya had been utterly blinded by greed, and there was no turning back.

Meanwhile, Christina returned to Scenic Garden Manor to meet Nathaniel so they could leave for the Hadley residence together.

When Camila saw Christina stepping out of the car, she instantly threw the hose aside and prepared to leap into the latter’s arms. “Daddy, Mommy, you’ve finally come to visit me and Lucas!”

Alas, Camila’s plan was foiled when Nathaniel held his hands out and scooped her up.

“Hmph. I don’t want Daddy to carry me,” Camila muttered as she pouted angrily.

“Be good, Camila,” Nathaniel gently coaxed. “Mommy has a baby in her tummy, so it’s hard for her to carry you.”

Thankfully, the little girl’s mood came and went quickly, so it didn’t take long for her to wrap her arms around Nathaniel’s neck and nuzzle him.

“Hehe... I want Daddy to carry me, then,” she coord.

With that, Nathaniel lovingly ruffled the little girl’s hair.

The sight left Christina feeling warm and fuzzy, but her smile quickly vanished when her gaze shifted to Lucas.

“My goodness’ Darling, did you fall into the water?” she exclaimed as she approached her son. “Why are your clothes and shoes all wet? You’ll catch a cold in this weather. Come on. Let’s head into the house so can wash up and change out of these.”

Lucas immediately gave Camila a reproachful glance. “No. I didn’t fall into the water. I merely got splashed while watering the flowers.”

It’s all Camila’s fault! She tossed the garden hose aside without looking, so now I look like a drowned rat....

Ever the little troublemaker, Camila covered her mouth and snickered.

Upon seeing that, Nathaniel lightly pinched her cheek and chided, “Don’t bully your brother. Understood?”

Thankfully, no matter how naughty Camila was, she’d never have the guts to defy her father. “Yes, Daddy. I didn’t mean to spray water on Lucas. I’ll apologize to him later.”

“All right. Let’s get into the house first. It’s cold out here” Nathaniel said as he strode toward his wife and Not wanting to waste another second, Christina quickly wrapped her jacket around Lucas and led him into the mansion.

Charlie and Julia were coming down the stairs when Lucas miserable state caught their eye, causing them to reel in shock.

“Oh, you poor boy! How did you get yourself drenched?” Julia exclaimed before turning to glare at her husband. “This is all your fault. It’s the dead of winter, yet you insist on letting the kids play outside because you don’t want them to grow up pampered and sheltered. Are you happy now? If they fall sick. I won’t let you hear the end of it!”

Charlie rubbed his nose sheepishly. “Let the butler give them a warm bath and a change of clothes first. We can talk about other things later...”

That, however, wasn’t enough to alleviate Julia’s concerns. “I’d better go with you guys,” Julia said as she held the children’s hands and walked them up the stairs.

Knowing they had gotten into trouble, Lucas and Camila stayed silent and followed their grandmother obediently.

Christina and Nathaniel merely exchanged glances, and it was clear neither could bring themselves to blame Charlie or Julia.

Just then, Charlie broke the awkward silence with a cough.

“Take a seat. There’s something I want to talk to you two in private.”