Chapter35

If they’d been lovers for over ten years, what did her three–year marriage to Geoffrey during that time even mean?

Just then, a video call buzzed through.

Maureen nced at the screen–it was her younger son Ethan calling.

She only answered after making sure she didn’t look like she’d been drinking. Otherwise, her son would lecture her again.

“Mommy Mwah~”

A frail, cooing voice came through the video. A boy who looked exactly like Jacoby pale on the hospital bed, call- ing out to Maureen in a soft and sweet tone.

Maureen’s heart melted instantly.

“Ethan, mwah.”

Ethan gazed at her with mncholy eyes. “Mommy, you didn’t call mest night. Nighty night.”

Unlike her eldest son Jacob–a warm but talkative boy–her younger son was a typical clingy child craving reassurance. At least, that’s how Maureen saw it.

“Sorry, Mommy forgot. Mwah, don’t be mad, okay?”

Since Ethan had always been frail and was now diagnosed with leukemia, Maureen paid him extra attention.

He puckered his lips. “I’ll forgive you this time.”

“But no next time!”

Watching the little one yfully pout, the gloom in Maureen’s heart vanished. She nodded repeatedly.

“Where’s Grandma and your brother?”

Hearing this, Ethan pretended to sulk. “If I knew you’d ask about them, I wouldn’t have called.”

Maureen couldn’t helpughing–this kid truly had Lin Daiyu’s mncholy air.

“Alright, no more questions. It’ste–get some rest now. Nighty night.”

After hanging up, the smile vanished from Ethan’s face as he red at his twin brother Jacob sitting in front of theptop.

“Mom’s drinking again.”

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Jacob closed theptop upon hearing this. “Guess I’ll head back to Karaville first to look after her.”

“Yeah.”

Ethan shut his eyes.

If it weren’t for his health, he’d want to return too–to see that infuriating father of theirs.

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Maureen had no idea about her sons‘ ns.

After washing up, she hugged two rabbit plushies andy down.

Whether it was the unfamiliar bed or encountering Geoffrey earlier, Maureen slept restlessly, drifting in and out of dreams.

Early next morning, she woke and checked the time: 5:10 AM.

That’s when she noticed an unread text message.

From one of Gareth’s assigned bodyguards.

Justin Lee: “Ms. Ramirez, after you returnedst night, I noticed a vehicle following you. It’s still parked outside.”

Justin had sent the message at 3 AM.

Maureen replied: “Still there now?”

Justin: “Yeah.”

Didn’t take a genius to guess it was Geoffrey’s men.

Maureen told Justin not to worry.

Since she needed to get close to Geoffrey anyway, his surveince actually yed right into her hands.

After breakfast, Maureen went out and had the driver take her to Sutton Group.

Meanwhile, at Sutton Group, CEO’s Office.

Geoffrey clutched the multimillion–dor check, lost in thought.

Five million!

Seemed she’d lived well these four years.

Wayne had people investigate Maureen overnight.

With an update, he promptly reported: “Checked surveince. Ms. Ramirez only appeared in public areasst night.”

“No records at airports or train stations–just like before. Like someone erased her tracks…”

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Geoffrey pursed his thin lips.

Vanished for four years!

This sudden return? No coincidence!

Wayne hesitated before adding: “Hereback’s unusual. Our men say her neighborhood’s under tight watch.”

“Keep digging!”

Geoffrey ordered.

“Yes.”

Geoffrey looked up sharply: “If she slips away again, you won’t be working in Karaville anymore.”

“Understood.”

After Wayne left, Geoffrey’s mood remained heavy.

He ached to have Maureen dragged back immediately–yet part of him wanted to see her game.

What amnesia!

He didn’t buy it at all!

Soon after Wayne’s departure, he knocked and reentered.

“Mr. Sutton, our tail reports Ms. Ramirez seems to be heading this way.”

Geoffrey’s throat tightened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his dark eyes.

He said nothing, but Wayne understood and quietly exited.

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Geoffrey looked up sharply: “If she slips away again, you won’t be working in Karaville anymore.”

“Understood.”

After Wayne left, Geoffrey’s mood remained heavy.

He ached to have Maureen dragged back immediately–yet part of him wanted to see her game.

What amnesia!

He didn’t buy it at all!

Soon after Wayne’s departure, he knocked and reentered.

“Mr. Sutton, our tail reports Ms. Ramirez seems to be heading this way.”

Geoffrey’s throat tightened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his dark eyes.

He said nothing, but Wayne understood and quietly exited.

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Rumors swirled through Sutton Group’s business division: a major investor wasing, offering substantial funds to support their Educational Charity Fund initiative–essentially free phnthropy.

Whispers rippled among the staff.

“What kind of fool would pour money into this?”

“Who knows?

Maybe he’s got more cash than he knows what to do with.”

“Heard he’s flying in from overseas…”

Meanwhile, Maureen sat in her car, arriving at Sutton Group’s headquarters.

Gazing up at the imposing skyscrapers, she noted how much vaster theplex had grown in just four years–a testa- ment to Geoffrey’s iron–fisted approach and the deep roots of the Sutton family…

She hadn’t wasted those four years either. With Gareth’s help, she’d built her ownpany and carved out financial

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independence.

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Before returning to Karaville, she’d meticulously prepared. Learning of Sutton Group’s nationwide Educational Chari-

ty Fund expansion, she’d seized the opportunity to propose a partnership.

This coboration gave her legitimate reason to approach Geoffrey.

Yesterday’s charity auction appearance? Merely bait to hook his attention.

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