Chapter 124 Father and Daughter Meet

Chapter 124 Father and Daughter Meet

Michael studied her for a long moment before suddenly speaking. "Ruth, once I finish handling things in Los Angeles, I want to make your identity public."

Ruth paused slightly, lifting her gaze to meet his.

Michael's tone was serious. "I kept it hidden before because I didn't want to bring you trouble. But things are different now. You don't need to hide in anyone's shadow anymore. You're the Becker family's daughter, the Tobias Consortium's heir—that's something everyone should know."

Ruth fell silent for a few seconds, her eyes stinging slightly. She knew perfectly well that her adoptive father had concealed her identity to protect her, and now he wanted to reveal it for the same reason—to shield her completely.

"Dad, I'll do whatever you think is best," she said softly.

Only then did Michael reveal a contented smile, reaching out to pat the back of her hand. "Then I'll wrap things up there as quickly as possible and come back to be with you during your pregnancy. When that happens, no one will dare mess with you again."

Ruth nodded, swallowing down the lump in her throat.

Michael left the estate early the next morning.

As the car pulled away from the gates, Ruth stood by the second-floor window, watching it disappear into the distance, a trace of reluctance in her eyes.

But at least they wouldn't be apart for long.

Meanwhile, the Grey family had descended into complete chaos.

The fallout from the evidence exposed at Vivian's birthday party proved far more explosive than Shawn had anticipated.

The Grey family's stock price had evaporated nearly forty percent in just one week. Shareholders collectively revolted, demanding an emergency board meeting where Shawn would explain in person where the company's funds had gone.

In the conference room, several veteran shareholders took turns pounding the table. "Mr. Grey, what's the story with those wire transfers? Why is company money flowing into offshore accounts? You owe us an explanation today!"

Shawn sat at the head of the table, dark circles heavy beneath his eyes, having lost considerable weight.

His voice came out hoarse. "That money represents normal investment flows. The project cycle isn't complete yet, so the funds can't be recovered immediately..."

"Investments?" Another shareholder let out a cold laugh. "More like investments in your mistress, right? Mr. Grey, we staked our lives and fortunes on the Grey family—not so you could use it to keep a woman!"

The conference room erupted in chaos, the situation spiraling out of control.

The meeting ultimately ended badly.

But these shareholders continued pressuring Shawn relentlessly behind the scenes.

Between facing the shareholders and mobilizing resources to search for Ruth's whereabouts, Shawn was only sleeping three or four hours a night. Within days, he was barely recognizable.

One day, while Shawn was still dealing with company business, Caleb knocked on his office door and placed a resignation letter on his desk.

Shawn stared at the letter before looking up in disbelief. "You're leaving too?"

Caleb's expression remained calm. "Mr. Grey, thank you for mentoring me all these years. But I have some family matters that require my attention. I really can't continue in this position."

"What family matters?" Shawn shot to his feet. "Is someone pressuring you? Or did you find something out?"

Caleb avoided his gaze, his tone still even. "No, it's purely personal reasons. I'll complete the handover within three days. You have my word."

Seeing the man's resolve, and unable to persuade him otherwise, Shawn finally waved him away.

Caleb bowed slightly and turned to leave the office.

The moment the door closed, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to the number Ruth had left him.

[I've resigned. Lady Ruth, take care.]

When Ruth received the message, she reflected on how much Caleb had helped her. Without him, she wouldn't have been able to transfer assets so smoothly.

She proactively wrote him a letter of recommendation and arranged for Caleb to join Michael's company.

This meant Caleb learned before anyone else that Ruth was actually the Tobias family heir.

He couldn't help but marvel inwardly at what a pearl Shawn had let slip through his fingers.

Though it wasn't really an assistant's place to judge.

When Shawn personally took over company affairs, he discovered the situation was even worse than he'd imagined.

A portion of the company's liquid assets had been quietly transferred—where, he had no idea.

He stared at the transfer records in his hand, grinding his teeth. "Find out who the hell did this!"

His subordinates investigated thoroughly, but the final report was that the funds' destination couldn't be traced.

Shawn thought of Caleb and tried calling, only to find the number had been disconnected.

After calming down, he suddenly wondered—had someone set him up?

That evening, Shawn returned to Rosewood Estates and, almost possessed, went to Ruth's bedroom.

He looked around the room. Everything appeared exactly as it had when Ruth left. But when he opened drawers and cabinets, he discovered many things were missing.

All the jewelry he'd given Ruth, the handbags, the haute couture dresses—gone.

He stood there in a daze, suddenly recalling Ruth's behavior over the past months. How she'd constantly asked him to buy her jewelry and other items. How her care for him had grown increasingly perfunctory...

All those details he'd previously overlooked now rushed back, piecing together into an undeniable truth.

Perhaps Ruth's departure hadn't been an accident at all...

The moment the words 'carefully orchestrated' surfaced in his mind, Shawn threw his head back with a hoarse laugh. "Ruth! Why would you do this to me! Why!"

He rushed out of the dressing room, grabbed his phone, and called another assistant, his voice thick with barely suppressed rage. "I want you to investigate. Look into everywhere Ruth went before the car accident, and find out who leaked those photos and recordings from the birthday party. I want to know!"

The assistant on the other end hesitated. "Mr. Grey... I'm afraid only Caleb would be able to investigate those matters. I..."

Shawn cursed. "Useless! What good are you!"

He hung up and stood in the empty hallway, feeling bone-deep cold for the first time.

He remembered the vows he'd made before the priest when he married Ruth.

If he betrayed Ruth, everything he cherished would leave him, one by one.

Meanwhile, Grandma Brenda, seeing the situation spiraling further out of control, arranged a meeting with Vivian.

Vivian sat there anxiously, not daring to even glance at the old woman.

Grandma Brenda's gaze was heavy. "I've heard the gossip circulating outside, but the Grey family cannot be without an heir. The child in your belly is a Grey—you need to seize this opportunity."