Chapter 111
When she mentioned Sophia, my hand paused for a moment. Indeed, Sophia had been released for over ten days and seemed unusually quiet.
Grace glanced at me and sighed, "Speaking of which, this is all Gregory's fault. He and Sophia should never have had anything to do with each other in the first place. Originally, considering the relationship between our two families, we couldn't say much when she kept pestering Gregory. But then, as you know, that incident happened. If word got out that Gregory was involved with her, people would criticize us."
I didn't comment on what she said. Even if Sophia was pestering Gregory, Gregory had to be responding to her.
Seeing my silence, Grace gave a bitter smile and quickly said, "I know it's not really appropriate to talk to you about this, but I really don't know who else to tell. It's not that we're being harsh, but Sophia was locked up in the police station for so many days. Although she's been released on bail now, the things she did to Emma... I don't dare let Gregory have any connection with her anymore. She's been clinging to Gregory all day long, and I really don't know what to do."
I looked at her with a smile, "Are you telling me all this because you want me to help you get rid of her?"
Grace's eyes lit up, "I knew I was right to talk to you. I know you don't like her, and she seems quite afraid of you. If you talk to her, it would definitely be more appropriate than any of us doing it."
"Grace, don't you think it would be inappropriate for anyone to say such things? Gregory isn't a child. If he needs someone else to handle even this kind of thing, I really find it hard to believe he can run the company on his own." I shifted to a more comfortable position and looked calmly at Grace, who seemed a bit agitated.
My last sentence had elevated the matter to another level—an incompetent heir would ruin the company.
The smile on her face froze for a moment, then she quickly forced out a more amiable expression, "You're right, this is his own business. But I think Gregory listens to you more. Maybe you could talk to Gregory. Privately, if she needs money or something, that's fine. But publicly, it's best to draw clear boundaries. After all, Gregory and Emma's wedding never went through, and they never got a marriage certificate, so the Lopez family and the Brown family actually have no relationship."
I had long known that Grace was an extremely selfish person. She married me for profit back then, and later, seeing that I wasn't valued in the Brown family, she naturally turned a blind eye to Gregory and Sophia's ambiguity. Now she was eager to distance herself, still the same as ever.
"It's not appropriate for me to say these things, Grace. You're his mother. I think he should listen to you more." I had already laid down, making it clear I didn't want to continue the conversation.
Grace could only respond awkwardly, "I thought since you're all around the same age, you might be able to talk... Just keep this in mind. I won't disturb your rest. I'll come see you another day."
After Grace left, I finally felt much more peaceful. But she had reminded me of something. Because of Benjamin's situation, I hadn't paid any attention to Sophia. Since she was still pestering Gregory, let them be together forever and destroy themselves.
The next day, I called Michael, "Mr. Johnson, where did you lock him up?"
Michael answered, "In the basement under your research facility. After being locked up for so many days, it should be easy to make him tell the truth. Do you need me to come with you?"
My voice was flat, "No need, thank you."
"You don't need to thank me. I've told you this many times. You don't need to be so anxious, either. He can't run away, and he won't die." Michael's tone was cold as always.
"I know what I'm doing." These past few days, I had grown tired of my leisurely state. It was time to find something to do.
Oscar drove me to the abandoned factory. After confirming that no one was following us, we entered through the corrugated-iron gate and walked into the factory building, which looked like a warehouse.
Oscar stayed by my side, occasionally reminding me to watch my step. When we reached the center of the abandoned factory, opened a hidden door, and descended the stairs step by step, he finally showed a surprised expression, "You work fast. This place doesn't look like it could be built in a short time."
I smiled and nodded, "This was originally an underground parking lot. I just made some modifications. It wasn't that difficult."
When we got downstairs, the dim lights had brightened. Oscar looked at the modern rooms in the spacious area ahead, his eyes full of admiration, "The setup of these rooms looks quite sophisticated—definitely soundproof, dustproof, and bulletproof. After being back for so long, can I finally meet your mysterious research team today?"
I smiled at him, "That's why I brought you here, isn't it?"
Someone ahead opened a door, and light from outside shone in, instantly brightening the previously dark room.
The person huddled inside instinctively shielded his eyes from the bright light. He squinted toward the light source, and when he saw me, a flash of fear crossed his eyes.
"We meet again, Jeffrey. We really are fated." I slowly walked forward and stopped in front of him.
Jeffrey looked up at me, his eyes filled with despair, "Since I've fallen into your hands, do whatever you want with me. But don't expect to get anything out of me."
I smiled coldly, "Jeffrey, although I sent you to prison, you should understand that if it weren't for me back then, you'd probably be dead already. Why do you want me dead so badly? What grudge do you have against me?"
Jeffrey stiffened his neck, "I just take money to do jobs."
I looked at him calmly, "Benjamin brought you here; there must have been other arrangements, right? You've been locked up for so many days. Do you think he'll believe you're still keeping quiet about everything?"
Jeffrey's expression wavered for a moment, then he quickly looked at me coldly again, "Say whatever you want. At worst, I'll just die here. I'll see how long you can stay free."
Oscar calmly pressed down on my clenched hand, his tone teasing, "Don't waste words on him. Use some methods to torture him first. It's been so long since I left, I really miss those times. You both know the procedure, right? Close the door and keep him quiet. As long as we don't kill him, we're fine. Let's go tour the other areas first."
The bodyguard immediately responded and quickly closed the door that had just been opened. I saw panic in Jeffrey's eyes.
Oscar casually put his arm around my shoulder and said with a smile as if nothing had happened, "Come on, didn't you say you'd give me a tour? We have plenty of time now. We'll deal with him later."