Chapter 56: Peggy's Accusation
Gavin's POV
After getting engaged to Eva, with my strategic planning, Henry transferred 30% of Bell Corporation's shares to me.
Because of this share transfer, the cooperation between our two corporations became even closer.
Soon after, I began frequently using Adams Corporation's resources to infiltrate Bell Corporation's core business operations.
Last week, I personally led a team to hold a so-called "strategic cooperation meeting" with Bell Corporation's executives.
In the conference room, Henry sat beside me, his face full of smiles.
"Gavin, thanks to you, our Bell Group wouldn't have been able to obtain such excellent resources."
I lifted my coffee cup, taking a light sip, my tone flat.
"We should help each other. That's what partners do."
On the surface, it was win-win cooperation.
I even gave up a few insignificant profit points on projects to let Henry taste some benefits.
In reality, I had David plant our people under the guise of "management assistance" into Bell Corporation's finance and procurement departments, firmly controlling their lifeline.
Henry remained immersed in the joy of his daughter becoming the lady of the Adams family, completely unguarded against me.
He even proactively opened up more access to me.
At the current pace, I estimated that within three months, Bell Corporation would become an empty shell I had hollowed out.
Everything I did was to prove to Connor that I was more capable than Enzo and more suitable to assume the position of Godfather.
Once I completely swallowed up the Bell family fortune, I would be just one step away from becoming Godfather: recovering that batch of missing goods.
Nourished by desire and power, I was incredibly busy every day.
Last week, I went to Europe to personally negotiate a multi-hundred-million-dollar deal with several arms dealers there.
Cocktail parties, banquets, one after another.
I worked around the clock for three days and nights before finally getting that contract signed.
Returning home, I immediately plunged into handling the mountain of affairs piled up at the corporation.
My daily schedule was packed to the brim, without even a moment to breathe.
I used this nearly self-abusive work intensity to numb my nerves.
Trying to completely drive Mia's image from my mind.
But occasionally, in the dead of night, I would still inevitably think of her.
Think of how she looked crying and begging when I fucked her in bed, think of those stubborn yet seductive eyes of hers.
Think of how she looked after learning I had killed someone, terrified yet forcing herself to stay calm.
Whenever this happened, I would feel an inexplicable irritation.
Then I would light a cigarette, using nicotine to numb my nerves.
I attributed all of this to physical needs.
After all, it had been a long time since any woman could satisfy me the way she did.
Since Mia left, for Eva's convenience in taking care of Peggy, I had her move into the villa.
After that, I remained busy with the mafia's affairs and never returned to the villa, nor did I concern myself with their matters again.
Until I received Eva's phone call.
Mia had actually hidden Peggy away?
Hearing this news, my first reaction was scorn.
That woman, to see me, would actually use a child?
How many more tricks did she have that I didn't know about?
I had originally thought she was different from other women, but now it seemed there was no difference at all.
They were all women who would stop at nothing for money and status.
I suppressed that inexplicable disappointment in my heart. After Eva handed the phone to Mia, I said coldly to her:
"Mia, I'm warning you, don't try any more tricks."
"Even if you go to great lengths to keep Peggy by your side, I won't spare you an extra glance because of her."
"Give up this unrealistic idea of yours."
After saying this, I hung up the phone.
I tossed my phone on the desk, trying to refocus my attention on the documents before me.
But Mia's name and image kept lingering in my mind, making it impossible to concentrate on work.
I irritably loosened my tie, stood up, walked to the window, and lit another cigarette.
I told myself to stop thinking about that woman.
We were finished.
To me, she was just an interesting plaything. Now that this plaything had become disobedient, it should be discarded.
I forced myself to drive her out of my mind again and threw myself back into work.
I thought this matter would end there.
But not long after, the police called me.
"Is this Mr. Gavin? I'm Chief William from the city police department."
"Yes," my tone was impatient. "What is it?"
"It's like this," Chief William's voice carried a hint of flattery. "We received Eva's report and have successfully rescued Peggy."
"But since it involves a minor, we need the guardian to personally confirm and pick up the child. So, we need to trouble you to come to the villa in person."
I had never regarded Peggy as my daughter. Bringing her back to the country was originally for Mia's sake.
And now, Mia was no longer at the villa. I could simply leave Peggy to the nanny.
But for some reason, I didn't want to give up on Peggy so quickly.
When I arrived at the villa, the police and Eva were already waiting in the living room with Peggy.
"Mr. Adams," the lead officer stood up immediately upon seeing me. "We've brought the child back safely."
I nodded. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," the officer quickly replied. "This is what we should do."
After they departed, only Eva, Peggy in her arms, and I remained in the living room.
Eva walked toward me holding Peggy, as if seeking credit.
"Gavin, look, isn't Peggy adorable?"
I ignored her, looking instead at Peggy.
After just a few days, she seemed to have lost weight.
Her small face no longer held that liveliness and spirit from before.
Seeing my silence, Eva continued.
"Gavin, don't worry. I'll definitely take good care of Peggy from now on. I absolutely won't let her be kidnapped again."
As she spoke, she tried to kiss Peggy's cheek, but Peggy disgustedly dodged away.
"Don't touch me!" Peggy struggled, trying to get down from her arms.
"Peggy, what's wrong?"
Embarrassment flashed across Eva's face, but she still patiently coaxed her.
"I'm Eva. Don't you recognize me anymore?"
But Peggy completely ignored her, just crying and fussing.
"I don't want you! You're a bad woman! I want Mia!"
I frowned, watching this chaotic scene before me.
Peggy broke free from Eva's embrace, ran to me, grabbed my pant leg, and cried her demand.
"I want Mia! Take me to find her, okay?"
She looked up, her eyes full of pleading and tears.
She accused Eva: "It's all because of you! You abandoned me. I hate you."
Hearing Peggy's words, I sensed something wasn't right.