h Geoffrey nowhere in sight, Maureen grew restless alone in her room.
Strangely, Jessica hadn’t appeared since their return.
Didn’t she complain to Nicholas?
In the eastern wing’s traditional–style house,
Nicholas sat at the head sipping tea, steward Jonathan standing beside him. Geoffrey occupied the right seat.
Opposite sat Willie with his parents–Geoffrey’s cousin Edward Sutton and Edward’s wife Kathleen Wright.
Grandpa, Kathleen and I rushed back from overseas right after finishing our business deal.
I heard Geoff hired an outsider as CEO.
Edward got straight to the point, “I believe family businesses should be managed by family.”
“If Geoff’s too busy, Kathleen and I can help.”
How shameless.
The Sutton Group had been built from scratch by Geoffrey alone, while these two had long secured loss–free companies from Nicholas for their own gain.
Geoffrey listened silently, his lips curled into a cold sneer, waiting to see how far their greed would stretch.
Nicholas, ever the old fox, saw right through them: “Since you offered to help Geoff, you should ask him directly,”
Edward choked, flushing with embarrassment.
Kathleen, knowing Nicholas wouldn’t yield easily, shot their son Willie a meaningful glance.
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Willie instantly understood, widening his eyes imploringly at his great–grandpa: “Please help Mom and Dad, Great–grandpa! Uncle listens to you most.
Nicholas’s weak spot was this child. Seeing Willie’s plea, his resolve softened, and he turned to speak to Geoffrey.
Unexpectedly, Geoffrey’s face hardened instantly.
I hired a CEO who used to be an executive at a multinational corporation – his competence speaks for itself.
If I recall correctly, my cousin and his wife have brought their own company to the verge of bankruptcy in recent years.
Wouldn’t such family members be even less trustworthy?
If Willie hadn’t been there, Geoffrey could’ve been even more cutting with his words.
When Edward and Kathleen came out of the old master’s room, their faces burned crimson
with shame.
Edward completely abandoned decorum: “Who does that Geoffrey think he is, lecturing me?
I’m his elder!”
Standing nearby, Kathleen gripped Willie’s hand, fury radiating from her.
“That cousin of yours didn’t spare you any dignity, humiliating us right in front of Willie and the old master.”
Kathleen’s gaze drifted toward Geoffrey’s quarters, a cold smirk twisting her lips. “He probably still doesn’t realize who the real joke is.”
Edward frowned. “What do you mean?”
Kathleen scoffed. “Haven’t you heard? He brought that deaf girl back.”
“So what?”
Edward pictured Maureen–stunning but cursed with hearing loss, always needing aids outdoors.
“Don’t worry, honey,” Kathleen’s voice turned icy. “I’ll make him regret today’s insults.”
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She bit her lip. “None of you know–that little deaf girl’s true love was never him!”
This secret belonged solely to Kathleen, stumbled upon by chance.
She’d kept silent before, waiting to watch Maureen’s humiliation unfold.
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Now, she wanted Geoffrey to experience what true uselessness felt like, what a real joke was!
When Geoffrey returned to the room, Maureen was already in bed, reading.
Soft light fell on her, making her profile appear exceptionally gentle.
Geoffrey tossed his jacket aside, ripped off his tie, and began unbuttoning his shirt one by one: “What did my mother want with you?”
By the time Maureen looked up, the man had stripped down to just his pants.
His chiseled torso made Maureen immediately avert her gaze: “She wants us to have a child. Said she’d give me two billion for each one.”
“You agreed?”
Geoffrey moved closer, his breath hot by her ear.
“No. I won’t sell my own children.”
As Maureen turned her head, her lips brushed against his cheek.
Geoffrey’s chest tightened with an inexplicable ache. He scooped Maureen up with one arm.
Maureen pushed against him.
“Promise me one thing?”
Geoffrey breathed heavily. “Later.”
“No. Now.”
Stuck in a tricky spot, Geoffrey relented. “Speak.”
“Tomorrow’s Harvest Festival. I want to see Steven.”
“No.”
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Geoffrey refused flatly. “You just saw him two days ago.”
“I’ve never met a mother who complains about seeing her child too little. I miss him terribly. If tomorrow doesn’t work, could you give me another time?
I want to spend quality time with him.”
After so many encounters, Maureen knew exactly how to get Geoffrey to agree.
She deliberately avoided his touch, shifting backward–making it clear nothing would continue unless he consented.
Sure enough, men’s judgment clouds at such moments. Even Geoffrey was no exception.
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Maureen nodded.
Geoffrey’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “How will you thank me?”
Puzzled, Maureen asked, “Thank you for what?”
“Tonight… you’ll make me very happy.”
Geoffrey had truly mastered Steven’s tactics to perfection.
Maureen instantly understood his implication, finding it utterly shameless.
Flushing crimson, she stammered, “But… I don’t know how.”
Geoffrey gazed at her fondly. “No matter. I’ll teach you.”
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