âYes, Iâll go get it right away.â
Once Paul left the room, Gregory allowed his vulnerability to surface.
He slouched, overwhelmed by the waves of guilt and anguish that engulfed him like a violent storm,
causing an unbearable torment.
At this moment, his mind was a tumultuous sea of conflicting
thoughts.
âI donât know when it began, but Iâve become someone who canât
bear to be apart from you.â
ââEvery morning, her first thought is about how she should end her life, but she always canât bring
herself to abandon her young son,
Justin.â
ââEven if my mother once loved you, the moment she leaped from
the balcony of Tideview Manor, she stopped loving you.â
Suddenly, Gregoryâs eyes snapped open, his heart pounding
uncontrollably.
Just then, Paul entered with a glass of water.
âPaul, do you remember anything about Maryâs incident from twenty
years ago?â
Paul hesitated briefly before responding softly, âI have a good
memory. Wasnât it precisely because of this that you chose me to be your secretary? If you have
any questions, feel free to ask.â
âBack then, Mary suffered from depression. I recall sending you to take her to the hospital, and you
took care of her for quite some time.
How serious was her condition back then? Was it really severe?â Gregoryâs eyes brimmed with
sorrow and bitterness.
âThe doctor diagnosed Madam Mary with a severe tendency toward
depression, but with Justinâs company and active treatment, Ms.
Maryâs condition gradually improved,â Paul replied honestly.
âA woman who loved me, couldnât bear to leave her son, and simply
wished to leave the Salvador family quietly⦠Why would she suddenly
opt for suicide?â Gregory muttered, his brows furrowing deeply.
Maryâs suicide years ago had taken the entire Salvador family by
surprise.
Although many people with depression may choose to end their lives abruptly, at that time, it was
evident that Mary had already shown signs of improvement, and her outlook on life had become
much more positive than before. Everything seemed to be moving in a
better direction, especially with her son accompanying her. How
could this have happened?
With tightly pressed lips, Paul cautiously posed a question that sent a shiver down oneâs spine.
âChairman Salvador, thereâs something Iâve been holding back for twenty years, and Iâd like to ask
about it today. Regarding Madam Maryâs death, back then, did you never, even for a moment,
suspect foul play in her death?â
As the words trailed off, Gregoryâs demeanor suddenly shifted as he locked eyes with Paul, his ears
filled with a deafening buzz.
*
Meanwhile, in a presidential suite at a hotel in Terranova, Justin
stood by the window.
After the call with Gregory, his iron-clad fist pounded fiercely against
the window, his eyes bloodshot with hatred, and tears of shattered
emotions welled up in his eyes.
He was moments away from revealing Shannon as the true culprit
behind his motherâs death.
But he managed to hold back from telling the truth.
Now was not the time to speak out. Justin planned to expose the true nature of the woman Gregory
has adored for two decades in a more
brutal and theatrical manner.
Only then could he shatter his fatherâs pride completely, subject him to ridicule from the entire world,
and relish in his agony.
Ryan let out a long sigh and walked over, pulling out a cigarette to
offer to Justin.
âHere, have one. Relax.â
Justin instinctively reached for it. But then he hesitated and snapped
the cigarette in half.
âIâve quit smoking.â
âWhat?! What happened? This isnât like you,â Ryan exclaimed, eyes
wide.
It was surprising, given Justinâs well known reliance on cigarettes. He
could live without a woman, but never without a smoke!
âBella told me to quit smoking. So, I wonât be smoking from now on.â
Only thoughts of his beloved woman could thaw his cold resolve and bring a warm smile to his
face.