The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 428

"I'm going up to wash up," he added. "I have another meeting this afternoon."

"Alright."

Nicole looked down at the card in her hand, a sense of unease creeping over her. "Martha, please start lunch. Make sure to prepare extra of Bruce's favorites."

"Of course."

Nicole went back to supervising the boys' practice. A short while later, Bruce hurried back downstairs.

"Bruce, at least eat before you head back to the office!"

"No time. You guys go ahead." Without another word, he strode out the door.

Nicole watched him go, completely baffled.

He didn't even have time for a lunch break? How could he be this busy?

"Don't worry, Nicole. Dad won't let himself starve. Let's eat," Kenneth said, tugging her toward the dining room. She smiled and patted his head.

*****

"That's enough." Jasper snatched the glass out of Jaron's hand, his brow furrowed in frustration.

Jaron was suffering from a massive hangover. The doctor had only just left, and yet he was already drinking again.

"Jasper, I can't live with this," Jaron groaned. "A life was lost." He had already heard the official report: it was an accident. But thinking about how heartbroken and hopeless Tiffany had been before she died only deepened his guilt.

"It was an accident. It wasn't your fault."

"Maybe not on paper, but I feel like it was. The Collins family almost went bankrupt because of me, yet she stayed by my side. It was me... I'm the one who failed her."

Jaron was consumed by regret when he remembered how cold he had been during their breakup.

How terrified must Tiffany have been in those flames? And what was he doing at the time? He had heartlessly abandoned her to chase after his so-called "true love."

No wonder Nicole called him a scumbag. He really was one.

The phone rang.

Jasper was about to offer a few more words of comfort when the call cut him off. It was Cody, sounding frantic. "Mr. Moore, something has happened."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember the new medical product Moore Group and Shaw Group were co-developing?"

"Yes, I know the one."

"Moore Group just launched it solo," Cody said. "They've claimed full ownership and completely scrapped the partnership. Word is that an assistant named Kevin stole the core technology and defected from the Shaws."

Jasper's brow furrowed. "Since when?"

"I just found out myself. It's not just this project, either; there are other issues. Vincent looked absolutely livid when he left today."

Cody had been stunned when he heard the news. It made sense now why Jasper had been kept entirely in the dark about these specific dealings—with his temperament, he never would have allowed this to happen.

With things escalating like this, a fallout between the two families was inevitable. Cody couldn't help but worry about Jasper and Nicole. If they were forced apart, Jasper would be devastated.

"I'm on my way," Jasper said.

He hung up, his expression grim. He couldn't wrap his head around why his father would do something like this. Turning to Jaron, he said, "Pull yourself together."

"Go on," Jaron replied hollowly. "Whatever it is, just go."

But he knew the truth would come out eventually.

"I'll come see you tomorrow," Jasper promised.

"Okay." She had planned to spoil him a little, but their schedules never seemed to align lately. "By the way, how is Jaron doing?"

She had heard about Tiffany's accident. It had come as a shock, a tragic reminder of how unpredictable life could be.

"He's consumed by guilt. He thinks Tiffany died because of him, so he's just been drinking to numb the pain."

Nicole sighed, feeling a pang of concern. She called him a scumbag often enough, but they had grown up together. He was still an old friend.

"We should go see him tomorrow," Nicole said.

"Alright," Jasper agreed.

"You sound exhausted. Have you been getting enough sleep?"

A faint smile touched Jasper's tired face. "I'm fine."

"Go home and get some rest. Do as you're told."

"Okay," he murmured. "I'll be good."

Just then, Cody walked in to report that Felix had returned to the Moore estate.

"Nicole, I have to go home now."

"Go on then. Get to bed early—I'll be checking in on you in my dreams."

"Nicole? I love you."

The sudden confession brought a flush of crimson to her cheeks.