Chapter 451 Innocence
“Poisoning is not difficult.” Lauren smiled confidently. “As long as Kathleen winds up dead, there will always be a way.”
Ashley then murmured, “You still need to keep it under wraps. Make sure nobody finds out about this.”
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen,” Lauren smiled meaningfully.
Ashley’s face showed a hint of distress.
“How are you going to work out your engagement ceremony with Samuel?” Lauren asked curiously.
“He didn’t mention it.” Ashley shook her head slowly.
“He did not mention it, yes, but it wasn’t an outright refusal, right?” asked Lauren again.
“Yes.”
“Since that’s the case, what are you still waiting for? Hurry up and have it sorted,” Lauren urged. “As long as you and Samuel are engaged, he will be yours. Then you’ll have some sort of backing. Why would you still be scared of Kathleen?”
Ashley mused over this, thinking that Lauren’s words made perfect sense. “Yes, I’ll step up on preparations then.”
“Alright. Then I’ll decide on which poison to administer to Old Mrs. Macari. Things should be happening right on schedule,” said Lauren with a wry smile.
Ashley was also looking forward to this.
Samuel arrived at the Macari Group for work.
As soon as he appeared, the entire company was abuzz with gossip.
“The CEO is back, but he seems to have a foot injury. Why is he on crutches?”
“Don’t worry. Kathleen will definitely have him in good shape again. She’s a famous doctor, after all.”
“Don’t be stupid. The CEO is about to get engaged to Ashley, so how can Kathleen treat the CEO’s injuries?”
“He doesn’t really like Ashley, does he?”
“Why wouldn’t he? I heard that it was Ashley who rescued him. She injured her arm so badly in the process that she couldn’t move it for a bit. Anyone would be moved by that gesture.”
“Did Mr. Macari break up with Kathleen just because of this?”
“There’s too much happening between him and Kathleen. The relationship is not as fraught with Ashley.”
“Stop talking, all of you! He is our boss! What if he overhears us? Do you want to lose your jobs?”
Everyone shut up just as Samuel walked into his office.
He stood in the center of the office, looking left and right. Nothing seemed familiar to him at all.
He then turned and walked to his desk.
On the desk were three framed pictures.
One was of Kathleen, the other a wedding portrait, and the third was a picture of him and his two children.
“Mr. Macari, that’s Eilam and Desiree. You raised them both. After your accident, they were very sad,” came Tyson’s explanation.
Samuel asked coldly, “Why don’t I have a picture of all of us together?”
“That…” Tyson hesitated. “That is a long story.”
“Then start talking.” Samuel sat at the desk.
“Okay.” Tyson stood in front of him and recanted everything that had happened.
One hour later, Tyson was done. His mouth felt quite dry.
“All I can say is that you love your wife very much, Mr. Macari. And she loves you all the same,” said Tyson.
“She loves me?” Samuel’s handsome face was indifferent. “She didn’t even go to see me yesterday. If Ashley had not arranged for her to stay in our previous chambers, then Kathleen wouldn’t have come to see me at all.”
“But Mr. Macari, doesn’t that imply that she misses the past?” queried Tyson. “I reckon she is angry that you and Ashley are engaged.”
“That’s what Ashley said,” said Samuel.
“But you didn’t deny it, sir.” Tyson sounded hesitant again. “Even before your accident, Ms. Johnson never liked Ashley. The fact that Ashley magically showed up to save you in Smealand is inconceivable. Her gripe is that based on that one incident, you assumed Ashley was a good person.”
Samuel was silent.
“Ashley’s aunt, Luna, also has a bone to pick with Ms. Johnson. This is why she is so incensed about the whole affair,” continued Tyson.
“I had no idea,” Samuel said coldly.
Tyson was stunned.
“Do you know about Ronald?” Samuel asked mildly.
“Of course I do, that wretched traitor!” Tyson said angrily. “He took so much away, including your designs and idea!”
Samuel’s tone was icy. “Call him in. I have something to ask him.”
“What if he doesn’t come?” asked Tyson quietly.
“You won’t think of a way?” Samuel frowned.
“Yes, I understand.” Tyson nodded. He then left the office.
Samuel sat alone in the office, looking at the photos thoughtfully.
Half an hour later, Ronald appeared in Samuel’s office, trembling like a leaf.
“Mr. Macari?” Ronald’s voice appeared to waver slightly.
Initially, it was his assumption that Samuel wouldn’t return that emboldened his actions.
However, Samuel beat the odds and came back after all.
“I heard that you quit while I was away?” Samuel asked with a cold expression.
Ronald’s face was embarrassed.
“Out of the many companies in Jadeborough, why did you pick Hoover Group?” asked Samuel indifferently.
In hushed tones, Ronald replied, “I didn’t actually want to go. It was Trevor who came to me.”
“So if he asked you to jump off a cliff, you would too?” retorted Tyson sardonically. “Nobody is going to stop you from changing jobs. However, you took away the whole operation! The team, other things belonging to the CEO… Where is your spine? Your pride?”
Ronald lowered his head, not daring to look at Samuel.
Samuel’s face was still motionless. “So what has Trevor offered you?”
“He tripled my pay.”
Of course, Trevor promised him other things, but he didn’t tell Samuel.
Samuel had other things he needed to clarify. “Who was the middleman between you and Trevor?”
A look of shock immediately registered on Ronald’s face. “How did you know?”
Samuel’s black eyes were sharp.
“There was someone doing all this in secret,” Ronald said.
“Who is it?” Samuel asked icily.
An embarrassed expression appeared on Ronald’s face. “Mr. Macari, I think you shouldn’t—”
“Speak!” Samuel said sharply.
“I-it’s Kathleen,” Ronald stammered.
“That is preposterous!” hissed Tyson.
“I’m not lying! Trevor can easily back up this claim!” retorted Ronald.
“Do you have any evidence?” Tyson was very angry.
They’ve all gone nuts! How dare they accuse Kathleen so brashly?
“What evidence? How can she leave anything behind when she’s so careful?” whispered Ronald harshly. “Anyway, she’s a blood relative to Trevor. She will gladly help him. Also, she’s the one who bears a grudge over the death of her child!”
“Shut up!” roared Tyson. “You know sh*t!”
“Mr. Hackney, you’ve all been deceived by her. She’s not a good person at all! Why would she be fraternizing with so many men, eh?” asked Ronald, sounding a tad smug.
“This is between Mr. Macari and his wife! It’s not your job to speculate!” hissed Tyson through gritted teeth.
What a horrid person!
Samuel glanced at Tyson indifferently. “Leave us be, for now.”
With him present, Samuel could not quite get the answers he wanted.
“Mr. Macari, you can’t believe in what he said!” said Tyson, seemingly agitated. “The man is a traitor, and he’s trying to make himself seem innocent!”
