Chapter 167: Chapter 168

Christopher merely nodded in response.

Noah was even more excited than when Columbus first discovered Atharia.

His expression was filled with disbelief at Christopher’s rival being his idol.

Gerald was someone he looked up to, as he became an influential figure within several short years.

Noah patted Christopher’s shoulders firmly once he’d figured everything out. “Good luck, Chris.”

However, he was thrilled to witness two such formidable individuals going toe-to-toe.

His gloating tone earned him a ferocious glare from Christopher.

As such, Noah swiftly switched topics at the warning. “Fine, fine. I’ll find out who exactly is pulling strings behind this.”

It barely took Noah any effort to pinpoint the message, as the sender was caught off guard.

Since it contained priceless information, the evidence diminished the likelihood of the mastermind being a rival.

Although Christopher initially wondered if it was a situation where a third to benefit from a fight, the possibility of it was now ruled out.

party served Despite Noah successfully intercepting the other party’s information, it turned out to be false after comparison.

It had probably been obtained through black market dealings recently.

Finally, Noah had no choice but to question Christopher, “Did you somewhere?”

offend someone Christopher mulled over it, yet no one came to mind, as he believed himself to be righteous and lawful.

“Could it be from one of your jilted lovers who harbors jealous resentment now that you’ve fallen back in love with Kimberly? Thus, they’re intentionally disturbing you?” Noah’s suggestion shook Christopher to the core.

He imported the pictures into the computer and zoomed in to the max in search of clues.

III O “It’s highly probable.” Noah’s voice rang out again. “If you pay close attention to these photos, it is clear that the photographer has an ulterior motive with how they strategically selected angles depicting the pair positioned intimately close to one another.”

Noah’s logical analysis piqued Christopher’s interest.

He’d merely skimmed through the photos just now, as his thoughts had been clouded by jealousy.

This time, however, he focused on the suspicious aspects of the photos highlighted by Noah and discovered that it was indeed so.

A weight had just been lifted off his shoulders when confusion instantly took its place.

He mused, “My jilted lover?”

While Kiara was the first to pop up in his mind, he discarded the possibility almost at once, for she’d been abandoned at a farm in Alendor ever since that incident, as far as he was concerned.

Christopher hadn’t heard any news of her thus far.

The second person to come to mind was Ivy, whose unrequited feelings he was aware of.

Yet, with the distance between Norham and Dellmoor, Ivy couldn’t have flown there to re those ph capture those photos, as she’d been present during the meeting earlier that day.

The time and location indicated on the photos meant the photographer was near Kimberly half an hour ago to sneak in those shots.

Christopher and Noah exchanged blank looks then, at a loss as to who the suspect was.

*****

The food at the viral restaurant suited Kimberly’s taste as she wolfed them down with her head down.

Gerald, on the other hand, constantly kept serving her.

Kimberly gave him a thumbs-up and joked, “Men like you are as scarce as hen’s teeth these days.”

The corners of Gerald’s lips lifted. “As in?”

He was especially curious about what she thought of him.

|||

O Kimberly was perfectly forthright and listed all of his positive traits.

First and foremost, he had both good looks and wealth.

Secondly, he’s caring and gentle.

Kimberly uttered with a faint smile, “Possessing these two qualities alone means you’ve defeated 99 percent of the country’s male population.”

Alas, Gerald seemed dissatisfied at the imperfect score and asked, “What about the remaining one percent?”

“It’s you, of course.” Kimberly was tickled by him.

Gerald cared so much about her opinion of him that he became caught up in her statement.

Nevertheless, he regained his upbeat mood promptly.

Kimberly happened to meet Gerald’s soulful stare when she lifted her gaze and felt as if she was going to be scorched by the intensity of it.

“Kimberly, I’m serious in intending to pursue you,” Gerald declared peremptorily.

It turned out that he had revealed his feelings half-jokingly.

He made it official there and then his promise to pursue and eventually marry her.

“I’m a divorced woman with three kids.” Kimberly played dumb. “You deserve someone better with how amazing you are.”

Gerald understood that she was belittling herself to deter his advances.

“A good woman is worth her weight in gold. You have no clue how relieved I am that you’re divorced instead of married,” he replied dispassionately.

One simple word meant the world of a difference, as the fact that she was divorced meant Gerald stood a chance.

Gerald’s voice held an irresistible charm and magnetism when he uttered those words.

It sounded so pleasing to the ears that it attested to the saying that a man in love was most alluring.

Kimberly expressed her thoughts honestly, as she disliked ambiguity. “I have lost the courage to love after a failed marriage. I rather enjoy being single these days.”

“It doesn’t matter. Let me help you find the courage to fall for someone again.” Gerald O was insistent.

8.97%

In short, the pair were like two master fighters in a sparring match. No matter how blunt Kimberly’s refusal was, Gerald would refute them with his forbearance.

Ultimately, Gerald confessed that he had already known everything about her and that it was a premeditated move when he approached her for the first time.

Kimberly listened mutely to his confession, as she’d used up all of her tricks.

Her mind swirled with thoughts. ‘So this is how it feels to be in love!

She’d never experienced such a thing in her entire life.

Her marriage back then had been a cat-and-mouse game.

She and her ex-husband were destined to always be at odds with one another. Their relationship was like a predator and prey’s, so much so that they’d never paused to communicate properly.

Gerald finally informed Kimberly that he would be staying in Dellmoor long-term.

Just then, it suddenly occurred to Kimberly that the flowers sent by Gerald to her unit had disturbed company operations.

Hence, she specially warned him not to do so again.

“You should give more to charity with how capable you are! Look at how pitiful the children living in the mountainous regions are!” Kimberly advised sternly.

Gerald didn’t go along with her, as it was the norm for Patterson Finance Group to be ranked among one of the most charitable organizations annually.

He grinned. “You’re right, Kimberly. It was my negligence. It’s the thought that matters the most. I’ll deliver them personally to you next time so you’ll feel the full weight of my sincerity.”

Gerald’s remark markedly confounded Kimberly, and she thought, ‘I’m in awe of how much of a smooth-talker he is.’