< Chapter 63
Chapter 63
As soon as Mr. Carter finished speaking, the bodyguards immediately stepped forward and quickly surrounded the people holding banners
The crowd instantly panicked and some tried to run but were stopped by the bodyguards
Mr. Carter leaned on his cane and slowly walked into Nova Al, taking the elevator directly to the R&D group.
Clara Bennett stood in the elevator hall her face looking rather pale.
The commotion downstairs had long since caught her attention. She hadn’t expected that this matter would alarm Mr. Carter.
Even more unexpectedly, Mr. Carter would step in to help her resolve these troubles
“Don’t be nervous.”
Mr. Carter, supported by his bodyguard walked out of the elevator, a rare gentle smile on his face.
For some reason that smile reminded Clara of the first time she met James Carter.
Kind and compassionate.
But time had passed and she and the old man had ended up at odds
How very sad
Ive already had the group’s PR department deal with the rumors”
Tll find out who’s behind this and dear your name.”
James patted her shoulder reassuringly, his tone compassionate. “Including Anderson Industries”
Robert Anderson shorted Anderson Industries leaving behind a mess. You want to restructure it, but those people Robert left behind won’t make it easy for you.”
“Grandpa will help you sort all of this out.”
Clara’s body stiffened.
Anderson Industries was her grandfather and mother’s life’s work, and she did want to rebuild it.
But with wolves cirding, all wanting to take the opportunity to acquire it, and those leeches tripping her up, coupled with the fact that she wasn’t particularly skilled in company management, she was indeed feeling overwhelmed.
James noticed her reaction, aware that the Carter family was the one who owed Clara in the first place.
Clara had always been a good woman, and he knew that better than anyone.
He wondered if this belated compensation would mean anything to her.
But he had to do it anyway.
“I’ll help you secure the controlling stake in Anderson Industries, and I’ll send in capable people to help you manage the company. Those old-timers Robert left behind? I’ll take care of them too.”
Clara looked at Mr. Carter, her expression unreadable, unsure what to say.
“I know you’re harboring grievances,” he said.
Mr. Carter softened his tone.”Clara, I made a lot of mistakes in the past.
“I’m only doing this to make amends. You have to give me a chance to make things right, don’t you?”
“Oh, and I just came from the hospital. The tests aren’t finished yet. If you’re free, would you mind accompanying me for the rest?” Clara looked at his face, flushed from coughing, and realized that he seemed more worn and frail than she remembered.
He looked like a withered leaf clinging precariously to a branch. Thinking of it that way, she found she couldn’t refuse the old man. She simply nodded. “Okay.”
At the same time, the Carter Group’s official blog released a lengthy statement: “Miss Olivia Bennett has never been romantically involved with Mr. Carter. While they have been seen together at social events, these were strictly work-related. Mrs. Carter is someone else, and there was no third party involved in any breakup.”
“Furthermore, her departure from the Carter Group was due to her deliberate attempt to harm the Carter family’s unborn heir and her manipulation and misleading of young Lucas. We urge everyone to remain rational, avoid spreading rumors, and refrain from believing them.
“Should anyone continue to fabricate stories regarding Mr. Carter’s personal life, the Carter Group will pursue legal action against those spreading such falsehoods.”
Within ten minutes of the tweet being posted, the comment section exploded.
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The hashtags #OliviaBennettEvil and #OliviaBennett ChildManipulator shot to the top of the trending charts with incredible speed. The internet users who had previously criticized Clara Bennett completely reversed their stance, their outrage practically overflowing from the
screen:
Mera
“Holy shit! So Olivia Bennett is actually a snake in sheep’s clothing! She tried to harm a baby to get ahead-doesn’t she fear divine retribution?”
“I felt sorry for her before, thinking Clara Bennett stole her boyfriend, but now it’s clear she brought it on herself. And she implied Clara ruined her relationship with Mr. Carter? She was using us as shields!”
“Harming an unborn child? Isn’t that a crime? Why isn’t the Carter Group calling the cops on her? Why let her keep hurting people?”
“It’s terrifying to think about! Were those articles online bashing Clara Bennett bought by her? Deliberately manipulating public opinion to frame her-that’s disgusting!”
“Olivia Bennett needs to be banished from the business world! Someone with such a tainted character should be blacklisted by the entire industry!”
“We support Carter Group’s lawsuit! She needs to pay the price; otherwise, we won’t find peace!”
The comments section had turned into a full-blown condemnation, with the screen flooded with accusations of “villainous woman” and “scheming manipulator.” Even the influencers and verified accounts who had shared her interview videos were exposed for taking her promotional fees and had to urgently delete their posts and issue apologies.
Olivia stared at the dense barrage of insults on her phone, her face paling with each passing second.
Well, this was it. She was truly done for. With Carter Group’s statement, not only would her father find out what she’d done, but her reputation in the industry would be ruined.
And that wasn’t all; it could very well implicate Stellar Horizon AI.
Thinking this, she quickly dialed Emma Anderson’s number.
“Mrs. Walker…”
On the other end, she could hear the rustling of papers. Emma’s voice was soft, but she could tell she was hurried.
“Ms. Bennett, I understand your situation, but Mason and I really don’t have the bandwidth to deal with the online backlash right now.” “Because of Carter Group’s statement, Stellar Horizon has also been affected. I can only tell you that Clara Bennett had an abortion long ago. You were just made a scapegoat.”
“Only if you get your hands on that evidence can you clear
your name.”
Hearing this, a glimmer of hope ignited within Olivia, and after thanking Emma, she hung up the phone.
Emma truly didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with Olivia right now. She had just received a message from her assistant that the chip project, a collaboration between Walker Venture Partners and a state-owned enterprise, had been snatched away by Carter Group, citing “questionable credibility of the partner.
Even Stellar Horizon, the funding parties that had been lined up suddenly withdrew their investments, and the banks tightened their lending policies.
And those media reporters she had previously bribed not only returned the money but also sent their chat logs to Carter Group’s PR department, fearing implication.
Hanging up the phone, Emma’s face was grim. She originally thought that no matter what, Clara wouldn’t be able to turn things around this time, but she didn’t expect Carter Group to step in to help her!
But before Emma could catch her breath, Patricia’s call came in, her voice filled with panic, “Emma! Your dad’s Eastside Smart Campus project is dead in the water!”
“Carter Group suddenly joined forces with three other companies to drive down the price, and they also submitted evidence that we had previously violated regulations by modifying the design drawings. The bidders directly revoked our qualifications!”
“Carter Group is clearly targeting us. What do we do now?”
Emma held the phone, her fingertips icy, a layer of cold sweat breaking out on her back.
Carter Group was pushing them to the brink of destruction!
She collapsed onto the sofa, gazing at the gloomy sky outside, feeling utterly despondent,
At the hospital, James Carter sat on the bed, his face grim as he issued instructions to his subordinates.
“Tell Mason Walker that if he wants his Al company to survive, he’ll publicly apologize and take all the blame.” “Also, have the IRS investigate Emma Anderson’s accounts. I recall she helped Robert Anderson transfer assets before.” He turned to Clara Bennett, his expression softening.”Don’t worry, those who bullied you won’t get away with it.”
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Smelling the distinct antiseptic scent of the hospital, Clara looked down at James Carter’s medical report.
The words “advanced stage” and “poor prognosis” on the report pierced her eyes like needles.
Menu
Even James’s doctor had spoken to her privately, saying, “Mr. Carter probably doesn’t have much time left. As family, we should ensure his final journey is as peaceful as possible.”
She looked up at the pale-faced old man in the hospital bed, a complex mix of emotions surging within her.
James Carter leaned against the pillows, his voice weaker than before.”I don’t have much time left. My only wish is for you and that rascal to live happily together.”
“Clara, I heard you filed for divorce. You want to divorce that idiot, Ethan.”
“I was wrong before, and I contributed to the situation between you and Ethan today.”
“But all I want is for you to live well with that boy.”
Clara looked at the old man, who was nearing the end of his life.
She knew that solving Anderson Industries’ problems and reclaiming her mother’s company depended solely on James Carter.
Regardless of whether the old man was sincere or not today, at least he promised to help her get Anderson Industries back.
And the old man wouldn’t live for more than two months.
*
*Just endure it, she told herself.
It was only two months; her divorce from Ethan Carter was inevitable. Clara’s eyes grew cold.”Grandpa, I can temporarily withdraw the lawsuit.”
“But I won’t move back in with him.”
“My marriage with Ethan Carter has reached its end. That’s a given.”
“I’m withdrawing the lawsuit only for your sake. I want you to be able to pass away peacefully.”
Clara continued, her tone unwavering, “But you have to promise me something.
In the time before you pass, Ethan Carter cannot interfere with my work or life for any reason, nor can he force me to do anything in the name of ‘husband and wife.”
“Once you’re gone, I will immediately restart the divorce proceedings.”
James Carter looked into her unwavering eyes, knowing this was the biggest concession Clara Bennett was willing to make.
But regardless, as long as the two didn’t divorce now, as long as they could drag things out long enough, there was still a chance for them to reconcile.
No matter how low the odds, he had to give it his all; it was the last thing he could do for the Carter family.
He sighed and slowly nodded.”Alright, I promise you. As for Anderson Industries, I’ve already sent people to handle it.”
Clara saw that James Carter was unwell. After chatting with him for a while, she got up to leave.
A moment later, Ethan Carter pushed open the door and walked into the hospital room.
He saw James Carter in the hospital bed, and his brow furrowed slightly.”Grandpa, I’ll handle Clara’s matter. Your health isn’t good right now. You should be resting.”
“You handle it? How do you plan to handle it?”
James Carter said grumpily, “Force her to beg you again using your methods?”
“That girl Clara is receptive to gentle approaches but not to force. Doing that will only push her further away.”
“I’ve already persuaded her to withdraw the lawsuit. She’s agreed to give you another chance.”
“I’m telling you, you can’t mess up again this time. If you really break her heart and she wants a divorce again, I won’t care anymore.”
A hint of understanding flashed in Ethan Carter’s eyes.
So Clara was just throwing a tantrum.
“Got it.”
“Don’t take this lightly!”
James Carter, seeing right through him, tapped his cane against the bed frame, his tone stern.”Clara has put up with a lot over the years with
you. You need to treat her better!”
“I’ve helped you both sort this out. You, as her show some appreciation. Go pick out a gift for her!”
“sband, s
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Ethan pursed his lips, not arguing, essentially agreeing.
Menu
He stayed with James in the hospital room for half an hour. Once James’s condition was stable, Ethan got up and left, heading to a high-end jewelry store.
Ever since Clara moved out, he had commissioned a jewelry set, intending to give it to her as an apology. Now was the perfect time to put it to
use.
Looking at the emerald jewelry set, imagining Clara wearing it, Ethan’s lips curved into a smile.
Come to think of it, after being married for so many years, he had never actually given her a gift.
As the city lights began to twinkle, Walker Venture Partners was brightly lit.
Mason Walker stared at his computer screen, his expression grim. The phone on his desk rang incessantly.
“Mr. Walker.”
The assistant carefully observed his expression. “Mr. Carter wants you to personally clarify the matter of Clara leaking confidential information.”
“This is bound to damage Walker Venture Partners’ reputation…”
Mason slammed the mouse on the desk, his eyes filled with resentment.
Clara Bennett really landed herself a good catch!
He’d worked so hard for so many years, but even with the Walker family regaining some of its former glory, they still couldn’t compete with the Carters!
Emma Anderson sat on the sofa in the office, gently caressing her lower abdomen, a glint in her eyes.”Mason, I think this is a good opportunity.”
“Even if we issue an apology, the internet already knows we weren’t framing Clara. We just did what any patriotic American would do.” “On the other hand, once Olivia Bennett gets the proof of her abortion, Clara will lose the Carter family as her backer.”
“The higher the Carters lift her up now, the harder she’ll fall later.”
“When that happens, the Carters might even compensate us.”
”
A flicker of unease crossed Mason’s face as he looked at Emma, his gaze lingering on her belly. He hesitated, then told his assistant, “Do as my wife says.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant nodded and left.
Mason turned to Emma.”Do you really think Olivia will go looking for evidence? Does she even have the guts anymore?”
“She will.”
Emma smiled.”It’s her only way
out.”
Meanwhile, Olivia Bennett, staring at the reporters blocking her doorway, bit her nails, her eyes filled with malice.
Clara Bennett!
You dared to bribe reporters to stake out my place!
You think just because you have the Carter family backing you, I can’t touch you?
Don’t forget, I have the entire Bennett family of Boston behind me!
She picked up her phone and made a call.”Big brother, I need you to pull Clara Bennett’s OB-GYN medical records.”
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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