Chapter 196 Find Out What Happened
Nathaniel, too, felt something was amiss about this. “Why?”
“Because she is my stepsister, and I don’t want to strain my relationship with my family,” Christina replied with a wry chuckle.
Even she found that excuse hard to believe.
Oh? She won’t tell me the truth, huh?
Nathaniel arched an eyebrow at her and said, “All right, then. I’ll make the arrangements.”
Christina felt relieved when she heard that.
“Thanks. I’ll take my leave now so as to not disturb you any further,” she said and walked out of his office.
Sebastian stared at Nathaniel with a confused look on his face. “Is it just me, or is Mrs. Hadley acting a little strange lately?”
Why would she ask Mr. Hadley to not take legal action against Gideon?
“Go investigate and find out what’s going on,” Nathaniel ordered with a gloomy expression.
“Yes, sir.”
After leaving Hadley Corporation, Christina made her way over to Radiant Corporation.
She was walking past a store when she bumped into someone who happened to be leaving.
Because Christina was a little absent–minded at the time, she lost her balance and staggered backward.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going, you-
Christina paused herself mid–sentence when she realized who it was.
“I’m sorry. I have a cold, and I’m struggling to stay awake,” said Francis, whose voice sounded a little muffled because he had a face mask on.
Oh no… He must’ve caught a cold that night!
Christina’s face was beet red as she helped him pick up the cold medicine that had scattered all over the floor.
While doing so, the two of them noticed a camera pointed in their direction.
Realizing that they were being followed by a paparazzo, Francis grabbed Christina by the wrist and led her into an MPV parked by the road.
The driver quickly started the car and drove off.
Christina was still struggling to catch her breath when her phone started ringing again.
She reluctantly answered the call when she saw Miranda’s name on the caller ID.
“I heard you’re pretty close with Mr. Fernando. He’s about to start filming a new show soon. I want you to
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get Emilia a role in that show. It has to be an important role, okay?”
Christina’s expression slid into a frown when she heard that.
Miranda had asked her to get Emilia a few advertisement jobs in just one week.
Christina sounded a little angry as she replied, “I don’t know Mr. Fernando, and I’ve done more than enough to help Emilia! Stop asking me for more favors!”
Honestly, you give these people an inch and they’ll take a mile!
“You are in no position to refuse, Christina! Do as I say, or I will have the nurses feed your mother with hogwash!” Miranda yelled desperately.
Christina exploded with anger when she heard that. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Why wouldn’t I? I’ll even send you a video of it!” Miranda snapped back at her and hung up the phone.
She was certain that Christina wouldn’t dare disobey her as long as she threatened the younger woman
with Sharon.
Unless, of course, Christina wanted to watch her mother eat hogwash.
Christina got so mad that she wished she could slap Miranda through the screen of her phone.
How would I bring myself to ask Francis for such a favor? Maybe I could ask Nathaniel if he is sponsoring any films and get Emilia into one of them?
She was snapped out of her train of thought when Francis whipped out his phone and called the film crew. “You’re looking for a fourth actress, right? I have a candidate to suggest. Her name is Emilia Steele. All right; you can save her that spot, then. Thanks.”
Christina’s eyes went wide the moment she heard that.
Francis must have heard my conversation with Miranda earlier! That’s probably why he’s helping me out!
“I don’t know how I could ever thank you enough,” Christina said with an embarra*sed smile.
Francis cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes as he replied, “Then tell me why you have to obey that person’s orders.”
He could tell that Christina was extremely reluctant but had to comply for some reason.
What could possibly force this headstrong woman into absolute obedience?
“You’re no match for Miranda when it comes to schemes and trickery. I might be able to help you out if you tell me what you’re up against,” Francis added.
Christina hesitated for a bit before giving him a brief summary of the situation.
Miranda was holding Sharon captive somewhere, so she had to comply with Miranda’s demands because she feared for Sharon’s safety.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you find your mother,” Francis said confidently.
Christina felt somewhat touched to receive help from someone during such a difficult time.
“I’ll have someone help track her down right away. This is what I have in mind…” Christina then leaned in close and whispered her plan into Francis‘ ear.
“Okay. I’ll play along and help you find your mother.”
Christina returned to work at Radiant Corporation as usual after getting off the car.
Little did she know, her strange behavior from earlier had aroused Nathaniel’s suspicion. The men in charge of tailing her reported their findings to Nathaniel, and his face clouded over almost instantly.
Why did Christina get into Francis‘ car? What were they talking about?
“Continue to keep an eye on her,” Nathaniel ordered.
“Understood.”
Sebastian had a bad feeling in his gut when he saw Nathaniel’s icy–cold expression.
What would Mrs. Hadley be doing with Mr. Fernando? She knows how much Mr. Hadley hates him! Mr. Hadley treats everyone a*sociated with Mr. Fernando as enemies!
“I have looked up Mrs. Hadley’s recent activities. While I did not find anything out of the ordinary, I heard that her mother, Sharon Zapler, has gone missing after being brought back to the Steele residence.”
It’s likely that the Steele family is threatening her with her mother, but why would she not tell Mr. Hadley about this? Judging by the way she was hesitating earlier, I’m guessing she had wanted to tell him about it. Maybe she just didn’t know how to bring it up.
“Go find out where Sharon is.”
“Yes, sir.”
Christina went straight to the Steele residence after getting off work.
Gideon was out while Miranda was trying on and comparing a few pretty dresses after returning from a shopping trip.
“There’s no need to compare those dresses. You’re nothing but a disgusting homewrecker no matter what you wear.”
Christina’s icy–cold voice ruined Miranda’s mood instantly.
The smile on her face slowly faded as her expression grew cold.
“I’m simply spending the money that your mother refused to spend. I was able to replace her because she didn’t know how to secure her position in this household. Instead of wasting your energy insulting me, you should ask your father to spend his money on your mother!” Miranda retorted with a gleeful smile on her face.
It was as though she wanted to brag to the whole world about how she tore the family apart, forced Sharon out of the picture, and took over the latter’s position.
“All
you did was buy some good–looking clothes. That’s nothing to gloat about. The Steele family’s prized possession is an emerald pendant that has been pa*sed down for generations. It is worth tens of millions, –and my father gave it to my mother. He never asked her to return it even though they have been divorced
for so many years now. That means you’re not the one he truly loves!” Christina stated coldly.
The look on Miranda’s face changed the moment she heard that.
I have indeed heard about the Steele family owning an emerald pendant that’s worth a lot of money, but I’ve never
seen it after forcing my way in. I can’t believe Sharon has been holding on to it all this while!
