Chapter 23
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“There should be 99 of them.” Carlos recalled having seen news coverage about it. Zachary had mentioned in an interview that there were a total of 99 holographic projections, symbolizing 99 lifetimes of love.
The statement was once considered a classic by many of Yvette’s fans. Being a popular actress in the entertainment industry, Yvette naturally commanded a sizable fan following
“Take down every single one of them,” Jonathan decreed.
“All?” Carlos was surprised.
“All, Jonathan affirmed firmly.
“Okay, I’ll attend to it.” Jonathan’s sudden request to take down all the Xanthos family’s projection advertising caught Carlos off guard. He thought, “Could it be that the Xanthos family and Hamilton families had offended Mr. Youngblood? Or was Mr. Youngblood no longer in favor of the marriage of convenience between the two families? But hadn’t Mr. Youngblood accepted the engagement party invitations from both the Xanthos and Hamilton families before?”
Carlos found himself engulfed in a haze of perplexity. Suddenly, he jolted. A thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
“Could it be that Mr. Youngblood wanted to take down the projection advertising because of… Rosalie’s involvement?” Carlos was startled by his own notion.
“Would Mr. Youngblood really do this for a woman? Would he hold grudges against the Xanthos family and the Hamilton. family because of a woman? Even in the case of the late Melanie, the woman who was to be Mr. Youngblood’s wife, he never jeopardized his standing in the business world by antagonizing rivals on her behalf. What does Rosalie really mean to Mr. Youngblood? Carlos wrestled with bewilderment.
As she stood in the hotel corridor, Loretta gazed at the man dressed impeccably in a suit before her. He possessed a handsome appearance with a touch of scholarly aura. “Zachary, my brother-in-law… Ah, wair. I suppose I can’t address you as brother-in-law any more. You and my sister are a thing of the past.”
Xanthos Group was planning for an ambitious large-scale film production. Once Loretta got wind of that development, she diligently ascertained that Zachary was scheduled to dine at the hotel and promptly seized the opportunity to meet him.
Since Rosalie wouldn’t come to plead with Zachary, then it was up to her!
When he heard the word “sister” from her lips, Zachary experienced a momentary pause. Recollections of the recent episode at the club, wherein he had encountered Rosalie, resurfaced in his thoughts.
Although that woman was someone he had once loved, she had also come perilously close to causing the downfall of the Xanthos family.
Had he not ended the relationship with her in time, and if the Hamilton family hadn’t stepped in to support the Xanthos family, the latter might have descended into the realm of third-rate enterprises!
On that particular day, she was clad in the attire of a sanitary worker, looking disheveled. He would never have anticipated that the once proud and outstanding new lawyer would eventually be relegated to the status of a menial sanitary worker following her release from prison.
As he reflected on that, the scene flashed before his eyes again. It was the one where she had her nails pulled out but still crawled desperately toward him.
She had repeatedly claimed that she was wrongly accused!
For a fleeting moment, he had been swayed by her words. Nonetheless, eyewitnesses and evidence were firmly in place. How could she possibly be falsely accused?
She remained obstinately defiant in acknowledging any wrongdoing, even till the very end.
Chapter 23
“I’m glad that you’re aware,” Zachary said coldly.
Summoning her courage, Loretta continued, “Um… at present, our family can only rely on me. I hope I can take on more substantial roles and augment my income to support the family. But I lack influential connections, and Rosie has been to jail. It’s difficult for me to fight for better roles.”
Loretta tried her best to make her situation sound even direr, hoping to evoke sympathy from the other party.
However, Zachary’s countenance remained resolute and unyielding Unfazed, Loretta pushed on, putting more effort into her words. “After all, Rosie once had her moments of glory, I do not want to see her suffer unduly. I hope to earn more money and provide her with a better life. I wonder if you, my brother-in-law…”
“Who’s your brother-in-law?” A voice suddenly cut in. A woman draped in a refined brown coat stepped forward. As soon as she saw Loretta, she let out a mocking laugh. “Who did I think it was? It turns out to be the sister of that murderer
Loretta’s expression instantly turned unsightly. She recognized the woman before her as Yvette, the rightful fiancée of Zachary.
Yvette stepped forward, her gaze full of disdain as she stared at Loretta. “I recall you’re merely a minor actress, right? What’s the matter? You came to see Zachary today and keep calling him brother-in-law. Are you hoping Zachary might hand you another female lead role? Your audacity truly knows no bounds.”
Loretta felt incredibly embarrassed by the scolding. Unfortunately, other people were passing by the corridor, watching the scene unfold as if it were a scripted play.
Caught in the predicament. Loretta’s thoughts turned resentfully toward Rosalie. “Were it not for her involvement in a fatal accident while driving, I might already have become a popular celebrity in my own right. basking in the spotlight and not suffering like this.”
At that moment, Loretta conveniently forgot that Rosalie’s connections had also facilitated her initial opportunities and respectable rules.
“What’s the matter? Aren’t you leaving?” Yvette spoke impatiently.
Loretta could only force a smile and look at Zachary pitifully. “If I were to depart now, wouldn’t my endeavor to meet him today be in vain?”
“You should head back. Rosalie and I no longer have anything to do with each other,” Zachary declared.
“But…” Loretta was about to say something more in response to his declaration.
Yvette let out a cold snort and directed it at Loretta. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll have the security throw you out!”
Loretta bit her lips and reluctantly left, planning to find another opportunity in the future.
Yvette turned to Zachary and said, “Could it be that you’re still thinking about Rosalie? Just moments ago, Loretta kept calling you brother-in-law. Aren’t you afraid that Jonathan might catch wind of this? Don’t forget, Mel almost married him back then.”
Her words sounded like a warning.
Zachary’s eyes darkened. How could he forget it? The name “Jonathan” was like an impending sword hanging over the Xanthos family’s head. Over the past three years, the Xanthos family had not enjoyed a single day of true peace.
Even the rendezvous he had arranged with Jonathan a few days ago fell through due to Rosalie’s influence.
“Just a three-year sentence for Rosalie is really letting her off too lightly. Mel lost her life just like that, and you’re still letting her call you brother-in-law? Zachary, do you really think I’m dead?” Yvette expressed with a surge of anger.
“Okay, I know. I won’t pay any attention to Loretta. She’s simply seeking social advancement. I made it clear to her that I’ve completely cut ties with Rosalie!” Zachary embraced Yvette in his arms. “Remember a few days ago when William subjected Rosalie to such treatment? Didn’t I step in to help her?”
15:52 wed, o sept
Chapter 23
Yvette’s mood improved slightly, and she returned to the private room with Zachary,
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Their friends from the same social circle were in the private room. They were gathered for a pre-engagement celebration.
Suddenly, someone brought up the topic of Zachary putting up 99 holographic projection advertising across the city.
As a result, a surge of enthusiasm swept through the gathering, prompting romantic utterances from them. Among them, Meredith, who was closest to Yvette, chimed in, “Oh, by the way, isn’t Silverstone Tower right across from our hotel? I remember there being holographic projection advertising on that tower too, and we should be able to see them from here. It’s quite likely that we can enjoy them live from here.”
As Meredith spoke, she pulled open the curtains.
As she sported a sweet face, Yvette remarked in jest, “You guys are quite something…”
However, upon unveiling the curtains and the subsequent passage of time, the anticipated holographic projection advertising failed to materialize. The building across the street remained illuminated solely by regular lights.
“What’s happening? Could it be that the projection advertising is malfunctioning?” Meredith uttered in astonishment.
