Raymond froze, surprise lighting up his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips.
Melinda wrapped her arms around him, feeling the warmth of his back.
“Thanks.” Her breath tickled his neck.
Raymond turned his head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of her face, but Melinda gently turned him back. She cupped his face with her hands, “I just want to hold you like this.”
Raymond placed his hands on her shoulders, smiling, “Why?”
“Because you’re amazing.” Melinda pressed against his chest, feeling his warmth.
Raymond took her hand and gently kissed it, “Have I ever told you how much I love this gift?”
“Okay.” Melinda rested her head on his shoulder, thinking that his words moved her more than a thousand “I love you’s.”
Raymond’s voice sounded in her ear, “I made breakfast for you and Sam.”
“Such an honor.” Melinda sipped her coffee, watching him bustle around the kitchen.
A few minutes later, two plates of delicious breakfast were served.
Melinda dug in without any pretense.
She thought to herself, a man who can cook is just so attractive!
Her earlier frustration was simply because she hadn’t eaten breakfast.
“The day after tomorrow, my grandfather is having guests over. Would you come with me?” Raymond put down his utensils, asking tentatively.
After the Rufus incident, he worried Melinda might be reluctant to visit the Thomas family again.
Melinda thought for a moment and nodded, “Sure.”
Raymond breathed a sigh of relief, glad she agreed.
Meanwhile, Celestia sat on a gloomy couch, a cold glint in her eyes.
She had completely lost Raymond’s trust.
That night’s failure had made Raymond despise her.
Celestia needed to restore her image in Raymond’s eyes.
She knew there would be a small party at the Thomas Villa tomorrow night, and Raymond would definitely bring Melinda.
She had to seize this opportunity. Celestia dialed Marshall’s number.
“I need money urgently. Bring some things to the villa.”
“You just asked for money last week. What now?” Marshall questioned.
“What I do is none of your business!” Celestia snapped.
Marshall was silent for a moment before coldly saying, “Wait.”
After the call ended, Celestia smirked.
She intended to keep squeezing Marshall for all he was worth, ensuring he would do anything for her.
Half an hour later, Marshall arrived with his men.
“I brought what you asked for.” Marshall tossed a bag to her.
Celestia stared at him.
Marshall looked away indifferently.
Inside the bag was a knife and a coil of rope.
“Have you thought this through? How will you explain this to Raymond?” Marshall didn’t leave, instead, he asked.
Seeing the knife and rope in her hands, it seemed the plan was already exposed.
Celestia narrowed her eyes, “Don’t ask about this. Worry about yourself.”
She said coldly, “You have a close relationship with the Thomas family. You should do something, right?”
Marshall’s heart tightened, “What are you planning now?”
“What do you think, dear father?” Celestia said lightly.
Marshall’s face darkened at her words.
Celestia ignored his thoughts. As long as she could get pregnant with Raymond’s child, Rufus would be safe, and everything the Thomas family owned would be hers.
This was the quickest way to acquire the Thomas Group’s assets. With the Thomas family’s heirs dwindling, Raymond was the only successor, and he had no children. Whoever bore his child would be treasured by the Thomas family.
Celestia clutched the letter tightly, her nails digging into the paper.
Marshall had told her that Raymond was investigating his childhood kidnapping case, in which Melinda’s father had died. This was why Raymond was determined to reopen the case.
This was what Rufus meant by “dangerous.” He feared Raymond would act against him in prison or uncover the truth, ensuring Rufus would never be free.
“Ms. Banks, Mr. Thomas isn’t here. We follow your lead.” The subordinates realized Rufus’s downfall. Now, with Celestia holding Rufus’s overseas assets, they could only benefit by sticking with her.
Celestia closed her eyes and said, “Leave.”
Rufus wouldn’t let her fail because Marshall’s son was still in his hands, controlling him.
She only knew the child was secretly imprisoned abroad by Rufus’s men, and only Rufus knew the location.
The Thomas family’s assets weren’t fully hers yet. Backing out now would be deadly.
She decided to take a gamble, determined to have Raymond’s child and enjoy the Thomas Group’s billions. Then, no one could touch her.
“Tell godfather I’ll follow his plan.” Celestia bit her lip.
Having been with a schemer for so many years, how could Celestia’s mind be simple?
Stuart was quietly having people investigate nearby surveillance. Finally, near a communication location, they retrieved footage showing a graceful woman on the phone.
Based on GPS, he believed this woman ordered the security to burn the archive.
“Any other footage, clearer?”
The subordinates operated other cameras, zooming in. Stuart clearly saw the woman in the footage, his pupils dilating.
The woman in the footage was Emily.
“Send this video to my email.” Stuart said sternly.
Back in his car with the evidence, Stuart called Raymond.
“Hello!” Raymond’s cold voice answered.
“Mr. Thomas, I just located the person who ordered the security to burn the archive. It’s Ms. Lowe.” Stuart reported urgently.
“Are you sure?” Raymond was shocked, finding it hard to believe.
“Yes, I’ll send the evidence shortly.” Stuart confirmed.
Raymond hung up and returned to his study. Soon, he received Stuart’s video.
He opened it, clearly seeing Emily on the phone.
Raymond knew Stuart’s evidence was reliable. The Thomas Group’s tracking system was linked to satellite positioning.
Why would Emily do this? Wasn’t she the victim back then? Raymond’s eyes filled with doubt.
He thought he knew Emily well, but through Melinda’s hints, he realized he might never have truly understood her.
Emily’s secrecy and Melinda’s hesitation made Raymond certain he needed to ask Melinda directly.
He went upstairs to find her.
“Do you have a moment? I need to ask you something.” Raymond sat beside her, opening his laptop and turning it towards her.
Melinda looked at the screen, confused, “Isn’t that Emily?”
“Forgive my investigation… I need to know what happened five years ago.” Raymond apologized first.
Melinda was slightly taken aback, not expecting Raymond to be so direct.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Raymond nodded.
“I’ve moved on from what happened five years ago… Bringing it up now is pointless.” Melinda said calmly.
Raymond frowned slightly, “So you’re going to hide the truth from back then?”