Chapter 122 Delusion of Capturing Vera
In a luxury car not far away, Rachel stared intently at Arabella, who was being swallowed by the crowd, a flash of resentment flickering in her eyes.
She was finished. The Reeves family incident required the Watson family to provide an explanation. Her brother and mother had personally taken her to the Reeves family's home to apologize, and the Reeves family had only one demand: whatever Gloria had lost, she must lose as well.
The final negotiation resulted in her being forbidden to marry for ten years. Even after ten years, she couldn't marry into nobility of the same social tier. If she ever married in the future, it had to be to an ordinary person.
This was the Reeves family's fury toward her. Whether it was her brother or mother, for the sake of the family business, they could only agree. The only way she could break free from this situation was to find a boyfriend more powerful and influential than the Reeves family to marry. Only then would the Reeves family not dare to interfere. Otherwise, she would truly have no choice but to marry an ordinary person.
All of this was Arabella's fault! If she wasn't going to have a good life, she wouldn't let Arabella have one either!
So even though she knew her brother and mother would be furious, she had still arranged for people to come here and make a big spectacle of publicizing Arabella's affairs. She wanted to completely ruin Arabella's reputation! Seeing Arabella being cursed at by those people, Rachel felt much better. She stopped enjoying Arabella's misery and instructed her driver, "Let's go."
She had more important things to do today.
She had received insider information that James's mother had returned to the country yesterday and would be meeting with friends today at Club Valence, the most exclusive club in Majestic City. James was an internationally renowned economist, reportedly from a top-tier wealthy family with immeasurable wealth. When he gave a lecture at her university last time, she had barely managed to get an outer section ticket and caught a glimpse of James from afar. Although she couldn't see his face clearly, that distinguished silhouette had left a deep impression on her.
She had originally wanted to take that opportunity to interact more with James, but after his lecture, he only answered a few questions from students in the front rows before leaving under heavy security protection. She didn't even get a chance to approach him. Plus, James's identity was mysterious. At any public event he attended, photography and recording were strictly forbidden, so she still didn't know what he actually looked like. But she was certain James must be handsome.
The news about James's mother returning to the country had cost her a fortune to obtain. Unlike the university event, Club Valence, despite its strong privacy measures, gave her a real opportunity to make an impression on James's mother. As long as James's mother liked her, sooner or later she would have a chance to shine in front of James.
Rachel's gaze was determined. James was her only chance. She already admired and liked him, and marrying him would be more than she could ask for. If she couldn't marry James, she would truly have to live according to the Reeves family's demands, spending the rest of her life in obscurity. She absolutely refused to accept that. So this time, she was determined to win over both James's mother and James himself!
The luxury car left without a trace. Meanwhile, at the company entrance, faced with the slander from those two strangers and the disdain of the onlookers, Arabella didn't explain a single word. She directly took out her phone, opened the video function, and recorded for one minute. Then she called the police.
"Hello, I'm an employee of Brightwell Pharmaceuticals. Someone is spreading rumors and slandering me with banners outside our company building. I want to report this."
Hearing her call the police, the two troublemakers were clearly panicked. They pointed at her and cursed, "You're shameless and won't let others talk about it? Calling the police because you feel guilty—do you think the cops will side with you? What a joke! Everyone here knows what kind of slut you are. What good will calling the police do!"
The onlookers deeply agreed. The few who wanted to say something fair were drowned out by the overwhelming criticism. Arabella stood outside the crowd, her hands trembling slightly, but her expression remained calm. She didn't say a word in rebuttal.
Three years ago, when dealing with her parents' affairs, she had learned one thing: before the police arrived, she had to remain silent, couldn't speak carelessly, and definitely couldn't act impulsively. Otherwise, even if she was wrongly accused, she would bring trouble upon herself.
Seeing her silence, the two troublemakers raised their voices even louder. "You're just a slut who can't stay faithful even after marriage. Now you're messing around with some pretty boy, and who knows how many people in the company have had their way with you. How else could you have such good performance?"
Arabella still didn't take the bait.
The two had originally thought that with such harsh words, she definitely wouldn't be able to stand it. Once she couldn't stand it, she would come forward to fight with them—that's what women do, right? Once she started fighting, they would immediately fall to the ground. When the police arrived, they could say Arabella was the one causing trouble. Then Arabella would be taken to the police station too. Even if the police figured things out and released her, her reputation would still be ruined, and they would have completed their employer's request.
But unexpectedly, Arabella gave them no reaction at all. It had been two minutes since she called the police, and the police response was fast. If they delayed any longer, not only would they be arrested, but they wouldn't have managed to drag Arabella down with them.
The two exchanged glances and immediately began packing up without hesitation. In just half a minute, they had loaded everything into their car and sped away.
Arabella didn't stop them. With surveillance so advanced these days, as the victim, if she insisted on pursuing criminal charges, the police would find them. The question was how far the police could investigate with the Watson family's interference. They were probably just hired hands, and the Watson family likely wouldn't protect them—they'd probably abandon them.
With the troublemakers gone, the surrounding spectators looked at each other uncertainly. Just then, loud police sirens sounded. Seeing this, the crowd quickly dispersed, following the principle that it's better to avoid trouble.
On the other side of the city, Roy also received the news. Anything concerning Ms. Bourbon couldn't be delayed for even half a second. He immediately stood up, walked to the CEO's office, and knocked on the door.
Hearing a "Come in" from inside, he pushed the door open and respectfully said, "Mr. FitzRoy, someone is smearing Ms. Bourbon's reputation outside her company building." He handed over the real-time video footage.
Alexander took the tablet and watched for a while. His expression grew increasingly dark as he said coldly, "Why haven't they called the police? Are the company security guards just for show?"
Roy heard the anger in his tone and quickly explained, "Security did call the police, and Ms. Bourbon called them too. Moreover, Ms. Bourbon didn't say a word from beginning to end and didn't fight back. The situation is favorable to us. I've already sent a lawyer to the police station to see how we can get to the bottom of this."
Hearing this, Alexander's expression improved somewhat. He watched the figure on the screen standing behind the crowd, body trembling slightly but head held high, not saying a word. His gaze softened a bit. After a long moment, he said, "Clear up the rumors against her. Besides sending the lawyer, don't interfere with anything else."
Roy was stunned. "What if Ms. Bourbon gets hurt?"
Alexander smiled. "She handled it very well. She won't get hurt. Have the lawyer follow up on the aftermath. Use whatever means necessary when the time comes, and find the mastermind behind this for me."
Roy nodded, silently praying for the unknown mastermind. Provoking Mr. FitzRoy was like kicking an iron plate.
"By the way," Roy continued, "Your Mom just called saying she's having lunch with friends at Club Valence today and wants you to come over when you're free."
"Tell her I'm not going." Alexander waved his hand dismissively. "If there's nothing else, you can leave."
Roy groaned inwardly. Ever since Vera learned that Mr. FitzRoy had secretly married someone of ordinary background who was also divorced, every time she returned to the country, she tried to arrange blind dates for Mr. FitzRoy. She never said it directly, claiming she wanted to introduce him to her friends.
Mr. FitzRoy fell for it the first time, only to discover when he arrived that all those madams had brought their daughters of perfect age and beauty.
Since then, he never attended any of Vera's invitations, which really made things difficult for Roy, who had to rack his brains to make excuses for Mr. FitzRoy.
At Club Valence, Vera received Roy's call and was so angry her face nearly twisted.
Alex was so excited to receive her invitation that he rushed to come, but accidentally sprained his ankle while going down the stairs and could only regretfully miss this mother-son gathering?
If they were going to make up excuses, at least make them believable. Did he think she was easy to fool?
Seeing her expression, her friends knew she hadn't managed to get him to come. They quickly consoled her, "It's okay. We all know Alex's temperament. Him not coming is normal."
After being disappointed several times, everyone had figured out the pattern. So they'd gone from initial hope to accepting reality. After all, his background was incomparably higher than any of their daughters. They accompanied Vera just hoping to maintain the relationship with the FitzRoy family, not daring to dream that the FitzRoy family heir would notice their daughters.
But Vera was furious. Time after time, he kept standing her up. She was starting to think this son was raised for nothing—forgetting his mother after getting a wife. When she got old, she probably couldn't count on him either. He'd probably dump her in the wilderness when she was bedridden and couldn't move!
She had a spoiled temperament. Even the FitzRoy family indulged her, let alone in front of these madams of lower status. She could change her expression at will. She slammed the table and said, "You all eat. I'm going out for some air."
The other madams and young ladies didn't dare say anything, meekly responding, "Okay."
Vera got up and left the private room. She first went to the restroom to wash her hands. Still angry, she took out her phone to call her husband and complain.
After cursing Alexander a hundred times and receiving her husband's endless comfort and coaxing, she finally felt better. She ended with, "It's all your fault for insisting I give birth to a son. If I'd had a daughter, she'd be so much more caring now! Useless thing!"
After hanging up, she wondered whether she should find another opportunity to meet with Arabella. Since she couldn't break through with Alex, maybe she could find a breakthrough with Arabella. After all, she was just a poor girl. She didn't believe money couldn't drive her away.
But if she did that, both Alex and Chloe would probably turn against her. She needed to think of a more reliable plan.
While scheming, Vera walked forward and suddenly bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?" The girl looked flustered and worried as she looked at her. "I was just taking a call and wasn't watching where I was going. I'm so sorry. I must have hurt you."
Vera didn't take it to heart. It was just a light bump—she wasn't made of glass. Plus, the other person had apologized politely, so she waved dismissively. "It's fine, forget about it."
A flicker of uncertainty passed through Rachel's eyes. She wasn't entirely sure if the person in front of her was James's mother.
Logically, if James was around thirty, his mother should be around fifty, right? But this woman, although clearly a matron, looked so young with that baby face! She looked like she wasn't even thirty, let alone fifty... Could someone like this be James's mother?
But this was the information she had received. After hesitating for a few seconds, Rachel didn't want to give up such a good opportunity. She said awkwardly, "How about I treat you to a meal? Consider it my apology."
Vera waved generously. "No need."
She was about to leave when Rachel hurriedly blocked her path. "It's just a small gesture. Please don't refuse. How about you give me your contact information, and when you're free..."
Vera looked at her strangely. Given her status and position, she naturally wasn't lacking in girls trying to climb the social ladder. She had initially thought this girl was quite polite, but now it seemed she had ulterior motives. Her attitude turned cold as she pushed away Rachel's hand.
"I said no need." That expression practically had "stay away from me" written all over it.
Rachel was rebuffed but didn't want to give up. However, seeing Vera's expression, she didn't dare insist on getting her contact information, fearing it would cause more disgust. She could only say dejectedly, "Then, maybe next time..."
Vera had no interest in hearing her finish and left directly, not giving her another glance. What a joke. Although she didn't approve of her current daughter-in-law, she was very picky about daughters-in-law. What kind of trash thought they could test her waters now?
Rachel watched her figure enter the most prestigious private room. After hesitating for a while, she ultimately didn't have the courage to make any moves against Vera and could only give up for now, going downstairs to think of other ways.
Meanwhile, Arabella submitted the video as evidence, left her contact information, and came out of the police station. Because of the lunch commotion, when she returned to the company, her colleagues looked at her with somewhat strange expressions. But what surprised her was that no one said anything. She had been prepared for rumors. When had the company colleagues become so friendly?
Although it was strange, Arabella didn't think much about it. When it was time to leave work, Alexander called, saying he happened to be doing business nearby and would pick her up on the way home. Arabella waited for him downstairs.
Within a few minutes, Alexander's car arrived. Some company colleagues saw her get into an ordinary sedan and posted photos in the gossip group, sparking extensive discussion.
"Well, that car costs 200,000 at most. If she was really that kind of woman, would she settle for this kind of car?"
"I think so too. She's actually pretty normal at the company. She even helped me once before."
"If sleeping your way to the top only gets you this far, that's pretty pathetic."
Thus, the rumors about Arabella being a gold-digger fell apart. Although some people questioned how she could cheat on her ex-husband Anthony with some pretty boy, wealthy families had deep waters—anything could happen. People were actually quite understanding.
Arabella was completely unaware of everything Alexander had done for her. As soon as they got home, Alexander received a call from his mother. Vera's voice was coquettish and annoyed. "Alex, I sprained my ankle. Come pick me up quickly."
Alexander paused while putting down his car keys, asking matter-of-factly, "Where are you?" His mom could sprain her ankle three times a month.
Vera complained, "At the entrance of Club Valence. Hurry up and come. I'm about to lose my mind—I don't like scheming women, and I can't shake her off."