CHAPTER 240: CHAPTER 240: THE PEAK I AIM FOR IS FAR HIGHER THAN THIS

"If he steps in, Sylvia Sheridan will most likely be fine. But for now, he is only arranging bail and hasn’t interfered in anything else," Raine Kane said.

Juliana Jacobs twirled her fingers, remaining silent for a moment.

Although she hadn’t considered doing anything to Sylvia Sheridan, Elias Langley’s actions revealed another truth to her.

When a man loves you, even his rebellion is tinged with consideration, but if he stops loving, these contrary actions become daggers stabbing at your heart.

After sending Raine Kane off, Juliana Jacobs went to Caleb Shaw’s office.

"I’ve made up my mind. Let’s do it," she said.

Caleb Shaw paused in his task of handling documents.

"But do you realize what this means?"

He turned the computer screen toward her, showing her the company structure diagram.

"This research achievement could elevate you and the company to the pinnacle of the world, but it will also place you in danger. We can use offshore shell companies to encapsulate the technology into ’black box’ modules and collaborate with various parties anonymously. Once its strategic value is proven, the state machinery will naturally become our shield. This is the most prudent path."

Juliana Jacobs looked at the complex company network diagram on the screen, silent.

Caleb Shaw continued, "I hope you consider this seriously. Once you stand unprotected and alone in front of the stage, you’ll turn from hunter to the target of global intelligence agencies, with open attacks and covert schemes never ending."

Juliana Jacobs, upon hearing his words, suddenly relaxed the frown that had been heavy between her brows.

She even smiled.

"Living to today is also a kind of luck. The future you worry about is not much different from my current situation. But when my name merges with this world-changing technology, my life gains enough weight, giving me an additional layer of protection. Moreover..."

She paused, "Don’t you want to save your sister anymore?"

Caleb Shaw seemed pierced by this deepest vulnerability, frozen in place, with all remaining persuasion shattering in his throat.

He opened his mouth to say something, but complex emotions made it difficult for him to speak.

Juliana Jacobs gave him a faint smile, "Summer became like this because of me. It’s my responsibility to fight for a way out for her, and I have other purposes for doing this, so you don’t need to feel any indebtedness towards me. The publication has to be quick and impactful, I’ll leave that to you."

With that, she left Caleb Shaw’s office.

In the evening, she went to Celestial Vista.

Rosalind Linton prepared a table full of dishes and even called Adrian Langley back.

Juliana Jacobs stood by the window, looking down at the community below.

Rosalind Linton brought out the last dish from the kitchen and reassured, "It’s okay. Jared Langley is awake, and Victor Langley’s attention is all on him. He definitely won’t think of us tonight."

Juliana Jacobs drew the curtains, her expression calm, "But you can’t always be the dispensable shadows around him."

Adrian Langley paused as he was placing down the chopsticks, lifting his gaze to regain his composure.

"It won’t always be like this. The projects I’m handling will soon yield results. Even if Jared returns, there will certainly be a place for me in the company."

Juliana Jacobs sat down at the dining table, her tone indifferent, "Elias Langley owes me a favor. I negotiated for you to get the contact position for Project Helios and the Helios Association to give you the leverage to establish yourself. But how far you go ultimately depends on you."

A dark gleam flashed in Adrian Langley’s eyes, "I understand. I’ve already enrolled in an MBA course to prepare for taking over Blackstar Technologies fully."

As his voice fell, the room grew quiet.

Juliana Jacobs’ lips curled into a slight, almost imperceptible smile.

Rosalind Linton timely ushered them, "Since everyone understands, let’s eat first."

Saying that, she picked up a piece of steamed beef for Juliana Jacobs, seamlessly shifting the topic.

"Mason Sheridan’s condition is quite serious, and the subsequent treatment will be a huge expense. The Sheridan Family claims the incident happened in Kenton and refuses to pay. Leona Sheridan is too proud to let her family know she couldn’t make it with the Langley Family and agreed to divorce, in exchange for Victor Langley’s monetary aid for her brother, plus a considerable alimony."

Juliana Jacobs heard this with an unchanging expression, only replying flatly, "There’s a cooling-off period for divorce now. Once her objective is achieved, she could change her mind anytime. You need to push Victor Langley towards a court divorce; that way it’s faster, and even if she regrets it later, it won’t matter."

Remembering her own divorce from Evan Grant, Juliana Jacobs added, "Once the divorce proceedings are initiated, no matter what happens, he must not withdraw them."

It was because she fell for Evan Grant’s ruse then that it took so long to finalize.

A knowing smile flitted in Rosalind Linton’s eyes, "I’m aware of what Leona Sheridan did to you. Leave it to me, even if she divorces Victor Langley, I’ll make sure she wishes she hadn’t."

After a moment of silence, Juliana Jacobs spoke, "I need to take a trip to Kingsford soon and might stay for a while. I’ll leave things here to you two."

Rosalind Linton asked in surprise, "Things are going well here in Kenton, why go to such a place of trouble?"

Juliana Jacobs gave a light smile, "I won’t have peace here until the scores over there are settled thoroughly. This trip is necessary."

Adrian Langley put down his chopsticks, his expression serious, "Everything here is under control. If you need help, contact me anytime."

Juliana Jacobs nodded without saying more.

Everyone quietly ate for a while.

Just then, Juliana Jacobs’ phone rang.

It was Jared Langley calling, wanting to meet her.

Juliana Jacobs didn’t refuse. The next afternoon, after arranging company matters, she went to the hospital.

Jared Langley was able to get out of bed and move around, looking much better.

For this solitary meeting, he had dismissed all outsiders.

Hearing Juliana Jacobs enter the hospital room, Jared Langley turned slowly from the window, his gaze deeply fixed on her.

"If I didn’t call you, would you never look at me again?"

Juliana Jacobs met his gaze, her face unperturbed,

She calmly said, "Kenton might be big, but eventually, we’ll run into each other elsewhere."

Jared Langley let out a low hum in response to her detached demeanor, "Actually, if you want, your status as my fiancée can continue."

Juliana Jacobs’ lips curved into a cold arc, "Are you sure you’ve recovered properly, young master?"

Jared Langley’s eyes darkened, "I admit, regardless of right or wrong, I was overly biased towards my mother. I was wrong. But then I was ill, which justifies my actions. Now I remember everything, and those things will never happen again."

Juliana Jacobs confirmed an undeniable fact—that Jared Langley was slightly better than Evan Grant.

Evan Grant is "never wrong", but at least Jared admits his mistakes.

Yet whether it’s Evan Grant No.1 or Evan Grant No.2, she couldn’t bring herself to like them, didn’t even want ordinary contact.

Juliana Jacobs raised an eyebrow, "Since you remember everything, then you should know I owe you nothing."

Jared Langley’s lips pressed into a straight line, his tone growing deeper.

"The reason you’re in such a mess today, speaking frankly, is because you have no background. What I’m offering you is a chance to rid yourself of ’humility’. Being a daughter-in-law of the Langley Family is the kind of asset many dream of. You’re choosing not to take the high road but to maintain your ridiculous pride in the ditch. Is that wise or foolish?"

Juliana Jacobs didn’t get angry; instead, an almost imperceptible mockery flashed in her eyes, her gaze sharp and clear.

"I do need background and status. But the Langley Family you speak of is not a peak worth climbing in my eyes. The summit I want to reach is far higher than this. I’ll walk my path."

Before her words had fully landed, Jared Langley abruptly turned and advanced towards her.

Sensing danger, Juliana Jacobs hurriedly stepped back.

Jared Langley, radiating intense pressure, cornered her against the wall, one hand heavily braced beside her ear on the wall.