CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228: FALLEN INTO THE TRAP

Juliana Jacobs opened her mouth, but ultimately only whispered, "Almost."

Elias Langley remained silent, clearly dissatisfied with her answer.

The man’s hand caressed her back, sliding from under the hem of her clothing.

Juliana Jacobs pressed down on his hand and addressed the matter, "Can we keep my release from the police station a secret from the people at the Langley Residence for now?"

"Mason Sheridan must already know, but whether he’ll tell my brother... that I don’t know."

Juliana Jacobs bit her lip, released his hand, and took out her phone to send a message.

Elias Langley didn’t look at her message but instructed Quinn Shepherd, "To the apartment."

Juliana Jacobs put down her phone, "Let’s each go home."

Elias Langley played with his hair, smiling profoundly, "It’s been a few days, do you think that’s possible?"

Juliana Jacobs said, "I’m very tired."

Elias Langley replied, "I’ll do my thing, you can rest."

Juliana Jacobs, "..."

Not long after Juliana Jacobs was taken away, Mason Sheridan entered Victor Langley’s study.

"Brother-in-law, my sister was only detained for a few days, and the family immediately began facing issues—this just proves that she’s right to target Juliana Jacobs. Your illegitimate son’s performance tonight showed he’s unfit for great responsibility. Jared is the only hope for the Langley Family. For the good of this family and your father-son relationship, you should treat my sister better."

Victor Langley pondered over his words for a moment and then nodded.

"The issue you’re talking about is something I’ve been considering tonight. I can give Leona a chance, but... you know her temper, there won’t be a second time."

Seeing his willingness to let her go, Mason Sheridan was pleased, "I’ll stay here for a few more days to persuade her to change."

Victor Langley understood Leona Sheridan’s character and didn’t respond.

Just a few minutes after Mason Sheridan left, Rosalind Linton called.

"Weren’t you coming tonight? It’s so late; are you still coming?" Her voice was gentle.

Victor Langley was silent for a few seconds, "I’ll be very busy lately, and I probably won’t have much time to see you."

Experienced people, hearing this, understood.

He was still committed to his eldest son and family.

Rosalind Linton was straightforward, "Then when will you let Adrian return to me?"

"Very soon, I’ll have him make the transition tomorrow," said Victor Langley.

Rosalind Linton remained calm in her response, "Alright, but... I’m pregnant, should I abort it?"

"What?" Victor Langley frowned, "At your age, how could you..."

He clenched his fingers.

"My menstrual cycle has always been regular; you said at your age you shouldn’t be able to, so we didn’t take precautions—I’m surprised too."

Victor Langley pursed his lips, "First, do a paternity test to confirm it’s mine before discussing further."

The call was mercilessly ended, leaving a bitter taste in Rosalind Linton’s heart.

Even though this scheme was part of her plan, the undisguised suspicion and contempt felt like a needle piercing into her heart.

What kind of man had she fallen for back then?

...

The bodyguards watching over Leona Sheridan were withdrawn.

Mason Sheridan received a call, and his eyes flashed with a hint of malevolence.

He walked into the bedroom, glanced at the mess on the floor, sneered, and threw some of the things on the sofa aside before he sat down.

Seeing him, Leona Sheridan furiously said, "Little Five, as long as Juliana Jacobs is in the Langley Family, I won’t have peace for a day, but Jared likes her. I must find a way."

Mason Sheridan’s eyes were hard to read.

"How determined is Big Sister this time?"

Leona Sheridan caught the meaning in his words, "You think I can’t deal with her?"

Mason Sheridan smiled faintly, "Not necessarily; I just think we don’t have to do it ourselves."

Hearing he had a plan, Leona Sheridan quickly asked, "What are you thinking?"

Mason Sheridan’s smile gradually faded, "I can’t get her biological samples, but the report says she’s highly suspicious. Someone from above will come to Kenton, let them take her away—isn’t that better?"

Leona Sheridan was surprised, "What if... what if she really is, won’t it harm the Langley Family’s interests?"

Mason Sheridan sneered, "Whether or not she is, anyone who falls into their hands won’t have a good ending. The key is it won’t involve us. Brother-in-law built the company so big, it won’t scratch the surface."

Leona Sheridan’s eyes revealed a flicker of delight.

At this moment, Jared Langley opened the door and walked in with a stern face.

"Mom, Juliana Jacobs is my fiancée; I don’t agree with what you’re doing."

The siblings exchanged a look.

Leona Sheridan stood up, walked to him, and spoke earnestly, "Jared, haven’t you noticed the relationship between her and Adrian Langley? From the beginning, she’s always leaned towards Adrian, and now your father has a woman outside—your position as heir is at risk. You consider her your fiancée, but she doesn’t see you as a fiancé."

Jared Langley fell silent at her words.

Leona Sheridan held his hand, speaking sincerely, "Jared, in this world, only your mother won’t harm you. Once you take your father’s place, not to mention one Juliana, even ten or eight women like her will obediently let you choose. If you’re soft-hearted now, everything they have will be taken by Adrian."

Jared Langley’s hanging hand trembled slightly.

Even if there’s endless reluctance, personal feelings must yield to the family’s greater interests.

Noticing his expression, Leona Sheridan knew he had compromised and quickly signaled to her brother.

Mason Sheridan stood up, approached Jared Langley, and patted his shoulder.

"Good nephew, you only need to invite her to ’The Gilded Sin’ bar tomorrow night. I’ll handle the rest; you won’t have to bear any psychological burden."

Jared Langley closed his eyes, seemingly making a painful decision.

Mason Sheridan chuckled, "However, let me remind you, Juliana Jacobs has a bodyguard with her; you’ll need to shake her off."

...

Juliana Jacobs returned to the Langley Residence the following evening.

She was fine, but Aetherflame was still temporarily shut down. It needs formal approval from the Safety Supervision Bureau to resume operations.

After parting with Elias Langley in the morning, she and Caleb Shaw were busy all day, both striving for this approval.

Unfortunately, there was still no progress by now.

Jared Langley, seeing her with furrowed brows, took the initiative to help her.

"Director Ulrich from the Supervision Bureau loves socializing and drinking; he’s a regular at certain restaurants. For some matters, you can try handling them privately."

In fact, this was a good suggestion.

Juliana Jacobs looked at him deeply.

Jared Langley felt a bit uneasy, "Wh... what’s the matter?"

Juliana Jacobs smiled faintly, "When will you regain your memory?"

"Do you want me to remember everything?"

Juliana Jacobs nodded, "Though you’re fine as you are now, your Langley Family is really too complicated. The restored you can handle things more effortlessly."

Jared Langley pondered her words, as if his legs were weighed down with lead.

Juliana Jacobs had already reached the living room door. Seeing him still standing there, she looked back and smiled, "Not going? I was counting on you to lead me to where Director Ulrich is socializing."

Jared Langley suppressed the reluctance in his heart, forcing himself to walk over with seemingly nonchalant strides, "Alright, I’ll go with you."

At the entrance of a restaurant, Juliana Jacobs got out of the car first.

Jared Langley lowered the passenger window and said, "You go in first; I’ll park."

Juliana Jacobs nodded.

By this time, most patrons had finished dining and were leaving in groups.

As Juliana Jacobs walked into the lobby, a waiter approached.

"Are you here to see Director Ulrich?" the waiter asked.

Juliana Jacobs hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"He’s in a private room; let me show you the way," the waiter said.

But Juliana Jacobs didn’t move, "I’ll wait for my friend first."

The waiter looked behind her, "Isn’t that your friend?"

Juliana Jacobs turned around to find Raine Kane standing behind her.

She chuckled lightly, "Why are you here?"

Raine Kane lowered her voice, "Mr. Langley instructed me to appear at such gatherings to accompany you."

Juliana Jacobs smiled, "Don’t worry, I won’t drink; I’m just here to say a few words."

With Raine Kane around, she felt more at ease and told the waiter, "Lead the way."

The two followed the waiter through the bustling lobby and just as they turned into a corridor, a group of diners finishing their meal spilled out of a private room, separating Juliana Jacobs and Raine Kane.

Raine Kane weaved through the crowd, rushing to the other side.

However, the spot where Juliana Jacobs should have been standing was now empty...