CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: SCHEMES

Nathaniel Green was full of praise, "Miss Lucy, you look stunning in that dress."

"It’s the dress you bought that looks nice."

"No, no, no, it’s your great figure that makes the dress look even better on you."

"You really know how to talk." Lucy Eaton glanced at Jacob Green, "Mr. Green, how do you feel?"

Jacob Green gave her a once-over, "Hmm... it’s passable."

"..."

After getting in the car, she sat in the passenger seat while Nathaniel drove, and Jacob sat in the back.

The matchmaking banquet was held at the amusement city.

By the time they arrived, most of the people were already there.

Lucy attended as Nathaniel’s girlfriend, linking her arm with his as soon as they got off the car.

This action drew a clear line between her and Jacob Green.

From this, everyone could plainly see whose companion she was, so naturally there was no doubt.

As soon as Jacob entered, quite a few people came up to greet him.

Men and women alike.

Men for business, women for marriage.

Their intentions were obvious.

Jacob smiled and nodded, leading Nathaniel and Lucy continuously moving inside until they reached the VIP seating area on the second floor.

The sofa was by the glass railing, where you could overlook the entire first-floor hall.

Nathaniel and Lucy sat opposite Jacob, and when a waiter brought drinks over, Jacob refused directly, "No need."

It wasn’t long after that Stellan Quinn appeared, dressed extravagantly like a noble princess, with Grace Hughes and Autumn Fletcher accompanying her.

Seeing Jacob, Stellan felt a pang in her heart and turned her head to the side, pretending not to see him.

Perhaps it’s true that without comparison there’s no harm; previously, Jacob was completely devoted to her, treating her exceptionally well, but having lost his affection, Stellan found herself not used to it. During the day it was bearable, but at night when she was alone, her heart felt heavy, and she couldn’t quite say why.

Lucy’s gaze fell on Autumn Fletcher, a well-maintained woman who might not have considered that her other daughter was also present at the event?

Certainly not.

How could she have thought of that?

She didn’t even know her name, ignoring her for over twenty years.

Yet, she played the role of a compassionate mother to her other daughter.

Lucy’s eyes turned cold; perhaps her gaze was too intense, Autumn Fletcher suddenly looked over and met her eyes.

Without dodging, her expression had already become calm.

Autumn Fletcher merely thought she had seen wrongly.

"Why would Nathaniel bring his girlfriend to such a banquet? It’s really inappropriate." Stellan said coldly.

"I heard his girlfriend works at the crematorium, her family situation isn’t very favorable. He’s probably just bringing her to broaden her horizons; ordinary people wouldn’t have been to such a place," Lucy said.

"She’s dressed beautifully," Grace complimented, "even though I can’t see the full effect, the dress obviously is expensive. Nathaniel treats his girlfriend really well."

Only then did Stellan notice Lucy’s attire by the glass on the second floor, and let out a disdainful sound through her nose, "So what? I have plenty of such dresses in my wardrobe."

"Stellan, you and Grace sit here; I’ll go up to have a few words with Jacob," Autumn said.

"Mom, what’s there to talk about with him?"

"You child, our company has business dealings with Clan Green, so why shouldn’t Mom go and have a few words?" Autumn said as she walked toward the stairs.

Once she was about a meter away from Jacob, Autumn Fletcher smiled graciously, "President Green, may I invite you to sit over there for a moment? There are a few words I’d like to say to you privately."

Jacob couldn’t refuse her, so he got up and joined her elsewhere.

As soon as they left, Lucy quietly instructed Nathaniel to follow.

"Then wait here," Nathaniel said.

Lucy nodded.

More and more people arrived, each single man or woman accompanied by family, and soon the doors were closed.

About fifteen minutes passed, and Jacob and Nathaniel still hadn’t returned, so Lucy called Nathaniel, but the phone rang twice with no answer.

Checking the direction where Stellan and Grace were, the two who were there two minutes ago were now nowhere to be found.

Lucy couldn’t sit still; she lifted her dress and descended from the second floor.

Following the direction they went earlier, she searched.

Beyond the entrance, she discovered a hidden area.

There were six VIP suites.

Each suite was occupied.

So she knocked on each one.

When she reached the fourth room, there was no answer for a long time.

She dialed Nathaniel’s phone again, and it was now turned off.

Lucy then called Jacob’s, and got the same result.

Her heart sank heavily; she urgently knocked on the other rooms, confirming it wasn’t there before she concluded they were in the room before her.

Autumn Fletcher’s intentions were as clear as day.

Who would have thought she’d be this bold, daring to openly make a move against Jacob?

She couldn’t seek anyone’s help, as she didn’t know what was happening inside.

At this moment, Grace Hughes walked over from behind, pulling her aside and handing her a key.

"Miss Lucy, this is the key to this room. I got it from the organizers. Quickly, go in and see Jacob and Nathaniel."

Lucy instantly understood; Grace had transferred her allegiance from Stellan to herself.

Stellan lost Jacob’s affection, so Grace had no substantial opportunity to get close to Jacob anymore.

And she was outwardly Nathaniel’s girlfriend; Nathaniel was Jacob’s closest subordinate, therefore...

Grace was scheming all along; if she hadn’t known her purpose beforehand, she wouldn’t have connected these dots.

Lucy took the key without saying a word and quickly unlocked the door.

Grace promptly departed after seeing this.

When the door opened, Lucy barged in, grabbed the keys, and closed the door behind her.

Autumn Fletcher jumped in fright when Lucy suddenly appeared.

"How... did you get in?!"

Lucy’s gaze fell on Nathaniel.

He was sitting against the wall, clearly having been standing before, but had slid down after being knocked out.

Jacob and Stellan were lying on the bed, holding each other.

Obviously a setup by Autumn Fletcher.

"You’re absolutely shameless!!!"

Lucy strode inside, her eyes fixed on the phone in her hand, reaching out to grab it, but Autumn Fletcher swiftly drew a gun and pointed it at Lucy’s temple.

"Young lady, this has nothing to do with you. You can take your boyfriend and leave now. As for anything else, don’t interfere, pretend you saw nothing."

"I hate people pointing guns at me; the one who needs to leave is you." Lucy fearlessly pushed the gun away from her forehead, "Mrs. Fletcher, there’s only us here; I’m Nathaniel’s girlfriend. The only ones who could kill me are you or your precious daughter. If I’m dead, will Mr. Green and my boyfriend let you go? And tell me, what reputation will you mother and daughter live with for the rest of your lives?"