Arnaud panted heavily while pacing the room. He spat viciously, “Doesn’t she like Curtis? Why is she suddenly seeing Jefferson and pregnant to boot?” His fury exploded, and he kicked several bar stools over. “Why is he so lucky? He never has to work hard for anything in his life! Father always gives the best to him and never asks if I want it! I worked so hard to get everything I have today, yet he simply picks up a wife and a child! And as if fighting with me wasn’t enough, even his kid has to join in! F*ck him!”
He continued smashing things around the room like an unrestrained beast.
He even punched an LED screen, ignoring the blood trickling down his fist.
“Cyrus, that’s enough! Stop it!” Naomi rushed forward and hugged him tightly from behind. “Please stop hurting yourself. It breaks my heart to see you like this. All of this is rightfully yours. I’ll help you get everything back. I’ll never let him inherit the Terblanc family.”
Perhaps her comforting words got through to Arnaud, for he finally calmed down.
He muttered gloomily, “Jefferson probably has no idea that Rayna is pregnant, or he would’ve rushed down to Norwal City to be with her. You’ve got to think of some way to trap Jefferson in Jetroina.”
Rayna attended to his wounds and replied, “I know exactly what’s on your mind. Focus on your work and leave the rest to me. I won’t let you down.”
Once she removed her hands from his skin, Arnaud caressed her cheek and murmured, “Thank you. Sorry for troubling you.”
She shook her head adamantly and pressed her cheek deeper into his palm. “I love you, and I’ll do anything for you. If you don’t have enough money, I can take over my dad’s company and get you more resources, Cyrus. Just say the word.”
Arnaud narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and said, “I don’t need it yet. Curtis pulled some strings and restricted my entry to Jetroina. Your father’s company can help me gather information instead.”
“Sure. Just let me know how I can help.”
The two of them moved to the couch, where Arnaud pulled Naomi onto his lap.
He stroked her hair and asked, “Is there any progress on Aoba Project?”
“No. There are too many wealthy businessmen in Chanaea. It’s impossible to investigate all of them, especially when you throw those from Horbah and Terrandya into the mix. But it’s fine if we can’t find an investor. I managed to get your men inside,” explained Naomi.
“That’s a good girl.” Arnaud kissed her as a reward.
That drew a sweet smile from Naomi. Still, her joy was short-lived. Worry tinged her features as she uttered, “Jefferson has plenty of informants. He knows about Aoba Project too.”
Arnaud seemed unperturbed by this revelation. “Well, all he can do is wait and see. He can’t do any better than me if I can’t find the person. The only capable people he has are Ringo and Rayna.”
“I knew I should’ve upped the dosage of that drug.” Naomi pursed her lips in displeasure. “If he dies, the Terblanc family will be yours. We wouldn’t even be in this situation.”
Arnaud lay on the couch and said, “If he dies under mysterious circumstances, Father will surely suspect my involvement. Plus, the real threat is the baby in Rayna’s belly.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the plan goes off without a hitch.” After her reassuring promise, Naomi pounced on him and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing and cuddling him. “Cyrus, spend the night with me, hmm?”
Arnaud grinned wickedly and moved his hand up her back. “I’m a busy man, but if you can convince me to stay, I won’t leave.”
Meanwhile, Rayna sprained her ankle after tripping during her shower last night.
Despite using a cold spray on the injured ankle, she still spent the better half of the night tossing and turning in pain.
Once her alarm clock rang, she packed her bags and hurried to the airport. She was, at best, half-awake as she entered the VIP waiting area.
Rayna had a flight attendant show her to a couch where she could rest.
She only managed to catch a few winks when she felt someone patting her shoulder.
“It’s time to board the plane, Rayna.” A rich baritone sounded beside her ear.
“Wait,” Rayna mumbled while swatting the hand away. “Let me sleep a bit more.”
Instead, the person replied insistently, “Wake up. You can sleep once you’re on the plane.”
“Ugh, don’t disturb me.” Rayna felt around for a blanket and tossed it over her head.
The flight attendant who had shown Rayna to the couch stared at the distinguished man.
She had noticed his failure to wake Rayna up and grew anxious on his behalf. “Your friend seems to be very tired. Should we change the flight schedule?”
“That won’t be necessary,” replied Curtis as he unbuttoned his suit coat. He bent over and tried to lift her.
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