CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: IRIS CRAWFORD IS STILL ALIVE!

Yvonne Jennings suddenly loathed the woman before her; this woman surely anticipated all of this. She deliberately provoked them, calculating the fact that Jordan Jacobs was wealthy, and thus decided to extort money!

Actually, in retrospect, Peach realized that when Iris Crawford asked her for the scalpel, Iris didn’t actually need any tool if she really wanted to harm Yvonne. Asking for the scalpel in front of them was merely to intimidate Jordan Jacobs and Yvonne, frightening them into thinking she was truly desperate, thus achieving her goal of stirring their emotions.

Afterward, those who are provoked will definitely harbor thoughts of retaliation against Iris Crawford.

How could Iris Crawford have moved so quickly and yet failed to dodge Jordan Jacobs’ slap?

Perhaps she deliberately offered her face to the slap!

Jordan Jacobs realized he had been provoked and ensnared by Iris Crawford, now caught in a difficult position. The fifty million was far more than just compensation for that slap; it included hush money. It concerned the incident of them attacking someone on the street and their issue at the milk tea shop—that’s what this was all about!

Seeing Iris Crawford in this state, Jordan Jacobs ground his teeth; fifty million?

Back then, the figure of fifty million was what the kidnappers demanded when Iris Crawford was kidnapped—life was at stake. Now she sits comfortably in a hospital bed, daring to ask them for fifty million; is she even worthy?

At this moment, a dark thought crossed Jordan Jacobs’ mind: if he pretended to agree, transferred fifty thousand first, and then reported them for extortion, couldn’t he turn the tables and send this woman to jail?

Thinking of this, Jordan Jacobs smiled slyly, speaking readily, "Everything’s negotiable... as long as you can calm down, all of this is negotiable..."

Yvonne Jennings was still pondering how Iris Crawford could have her way, yet unexpectedly, Jordan Jacobs agreed, instantly leaving her isolated and helpless. Yvonne quickly turned to look at her beloved, "Jacobs, why would you agree?"

Jordan Jacobs was contemplating how to use the accusation of extortion to send Iris Crawford to jail, so naturally, he had to appear compliant and push Yvonne forward, "I’ll let Yvonne apologize to you, and we can draft an agreement contract..."

The contract was explicitly about the transfer of funds.

Iris Crawford narrowed her eyes, showing alertness to Jordan Jacobs’ sudden change in attitude, while Yvonne expressed overwhelming frustration, "Jacobs, you absolutely can’t go along with them; fifty million is not a small amount!"

"During the kidnapping case, Young Master Jacobs could produce fifty million." Iris Crawford smirked from her hospital bed, her eyes sharp and mocking, "Surely fifty million now is even less of an issue, right?"

Jordan Jacobs stiffened unexpectedly, not anticipating the woman before him to actively bring up the past. What exactly did she intend to do? He glanced at Iris Crawford with alertness, maintaining his persona as he spoke, "Back then, a life was at stake; fifty million had to be paid."

"Indeed," the woman chuckled, "a life for Yvonne Jennings costs fifty million; in your eyes, Iris Crawford’s life is worthless."

Jordan Jacobs’ hand holding the phone stiffened as he looked at Iris Crawford, "What do you mean..."

Iris Crawford’s voice hauntingly echoed, pleasant yet in a tone that made Yvonne fear, "I’m asking for fifty million belatedly."

To save his reputation, spending fifty million, yet allowing his wife’s life to dangle precariously, even choosing to first rescue the mistress outside. Jordan Jacobs, you are worse than a beast!

The words tugged at Jordan Jacobs’ mind, drawing him back to that kidnapping incident. He stared firmly at the woman’s face, unable to discern any traces of the chubby Iris Crawford of the past, yet why... does she feel both unfamiliar and familiar?

Ultimately... is it you...

Yvonne Jennings, with red eyes, begged her love not to foot the bill for everything. Jordan Jacobs, however, summoned the assistant directly to draft the hush money agreement. Lachlan Wyatt furrowed his brow, instantly comprehending Jordan’s intent. He was quick to relent, clearly harboring ulterior motives.

Unbelievably... Lachlan Wyatt coldly sneered within; Jordan Jacobs is ruthless, still plotting to send Iris Crawford to prison under the guise of extortion, even at this stage. Whether he knows or not, the person he wants to frame was once his bedmate.

For some reason, he did not intervene by speaking up. He wanted to see if the current Iris Crawford would feel heart-wrenching pain upon sensing Jordan’s cunning cruelty.

Yvonne Jennings hadn’t grasped Jordan Jacobs’ thoughts; she thought Jordan quickly agreeing meant he had designs on Iris Crawford.

Could it be... Jacobs has a crush on this lowly woman from nowhere?

So Jacobs foots the bill, perhaps to curry favor with that woman!

Yvonne Jennings felt both angry and anxious, wishing now that Iris Crawford would drop dead, leaving no one to obstruct her and Jordan Jacobs.

Unexpectedly, with one Iris Crawford dead, another woman with a mysterious connection to Iris surfaced, grabbing Jordan Jacobs’ hand, "Jacobs, we absolutely must not be led by them; we can’t let them lead us by the nose."

Jordan Jacobs now stoically betrayed selfish motives, "Blame your incompetent brother; how could his milk tea shop encounter such trouble, forcing us to foot the public relations bill!"

Yvonne Jennings heard Jordan Jacobs scold her mercilessly; feeling wronged, yet angrier at Iris Crawford, "But this is plainly extortion..."

Jordan Jacobs began reasoning, "We’ve done nothing wrong; how could we leave an opening for others? Remember this, Yvonne: never do anything against your conscience."

Iris Crawford clapped on the spot, listening to this shameless man’s words, at the pinnacle of audacity! Clear wrongdoing, yet now he educates others not to act against their conscience.

Jordan Jacobs, aren’t you afraid of karma!

Seeing Iris Crawford with a mocking expression, Jordan Jacobs surprisingly retained composure; he once came up with the saying, "Getting promoted, making a fortune, and losing a wife are life’s three great joys." Do not expect him to have a moral compass. When the assistant brought the contract, Jordan Jacobs eagerly awaited Iris Crawford to sign her name.

But due to traffic jams, the assistant couldn’t arrive promptly, rendering Jordan Jacobs and Yvonne awkwardly standing there as James Chesterton reminded them of the purpose, "Weren’t you supposed to apologize? Young Master Jacobs and Mrs. Jacobs haven’t shown any sign..."

Peach remarked from the side, "Rich people, can’t swallow their pride."

Planning to pay, yet an apology is also sought?

Yvonne Jennings felt her psychological defenses rattled, never having experienced such humiliating circumstances. She lashed out at Iris Crawford, "Don’t overstep your boundaries!"

Iris Crawford pressed her temples, "Whenever you speak, my head aches... Amida Buddha."

Yvonne Jennings’ face flushed red with anger, yet now she couldn’t lay a finger on Iris Crawford; a single hit costs fifty million. She dared not act rashly.

Peach said, "We didn’t force you to hit anyone; now you refuse to accept responsibility after the act. Why are all wealthy families like this? Forget the contract; we’ll just call the media."

Jordan Jacobs hurriedly approached Peach, "We can still talk; Yvonne, please come over!"

Yvonne Jennings was stunned when summoned to the bedside.

Iris Crawford toyed with her slender nails, smirking as she watched Yvonne reluctantly approach upon being called by Jordan Jacobs.

Karma’s truly a revolving wheel; now it’s Yvonne apologizing to Iris Crawford.

Two years ago, it was an identical scene: Iris Crawford was hospitalized, and Yvonne Jennings came in with borrowed arrogance, blurting, "You’re about to become secondhand goods," then hurled the divorce agreement at her face.

The tables turned, now it was Iris Crawford’s turn to grin imperiously, saying, "Ah, Mrs. Jacobs, could you feel unwilling?"

Yvonne Jennings clenched her teeth, furious and tearful, squeezing out grudgingly, "Miss, it was our impudence on the street back then..."

"Where are the words ’I’m sorry’?"

Iris Crawford deadpanned, saying, "Just say sorry; skip the formalities. Bowing is also acceptable."

Yvonne Jennings spoke tremulously from anger; she couldn’t force herself to utter the words ’I’m sorry.’ She glanced at Jordan Jacobs, who indicated silently for her to say it quickly.

Unable to bear such humiliation, Yvonne Jennings clutched her face and ran out sobbing. Seeing this, Jordan Jacobs was momentarily stunned, but Lachlan Wyatt remarked, "Oh dear, it seems your madam is somewhat emotionally unstable..."

Jordan Jacobs promptly responded, "I’ll go persuade her; about the apology..."

"No hurry; it’s better to first go comfort her." Lachlan Wyatt observed Iris Crawford’s expression, hearing this, Jordan Jacobs turned and chased after her, leaving the hospital room quiet.

Iris Crawford had her head down, her stray hair falling over, making it hard to see her face.

Lachlan Wyatt sneered coldly, "Are you happy?"

Iris shuddered.

He thought she was upset that Jordan Jacobs had run out, but instead, he saw Iris lift her trembling shoulders, fiercely grab a handful of stray hair from her forehead, and with her other hand clutching her collar, she laughed boldly, saying, "Haha, I’ve never felt so thrilled, these two bastards!"

Sorry? What Yvonne Jennings owed Iris Crawford was far more than could be encapsulated in a mere apology.

In the future, Yvonne would have to pay a more disastrous price!

Seeing Iris’s laughter still brought redness to her eyes, Lachlan’s expression was somewhat indifferent; perhaps he could see the hidden pain beneath Iris’s fearless exterior.

He said, "Did you really let Jordan hit you on purpose?"

Both true and false.

"That moment when I got hit."

Iris smiled, her features stunning, as she pressed her chest as if ensuring her heart was still beating.

That was where the true pain resided.

She said, "I thought taking a slap from him on purpose wouldn’t hurt."

Looking up at Lachlan, Iris murmured, "Didn’t expect it to almost kill me with pain."

So much so that later, her muscles spasmed, making her unable to move — real or fake, love or hate, all those emotions mingled together, bringing back the past with a slap, everything replayed before her eyes. The person she had loved deeply had now become an enemy she loathed to the core.

Now Lachlan asked her again, was it really on purpose, maybe it was; she walked onto the knife’s edge to confirm if this heart could still feel pain.

"Idiot," Lachlan suddenly curled his lips into a mocking smile, "How dull, you wouldn’t still be longing for Jordan, would you? If you decide to degrade yourself next time, do it alone, don’t drag me to see it."

Iris felt a sharp pain in her heart.

She had indeed loved Jordan Jacobs, the love had truly existed, she couldn’t deceive her own body. Although she set up a trap to provoke Jordan and Yvonne into attacking first, the moment she got hit, she indeed got disoriented.

But that didn’t mean she would show mercy now.

"Not speaking? Silence means consent?" Lachlan approached Iris closely, almost kissing her.

The man squinting his beautiful eyes, with an unruly playful attitude, he laughed, "If you can’t bear it, I might as well let Yvonne die, and you go back to Jordan. After all, you have no shame, maybe you’ll miraculously revive your relationship. This revenge thing, ultimately, is just your wishful thinking, in fact, your real aim is to make Jordan take you back, right?"

Even Peach chimed in, "Wyatt, stop it!"

Listen, Lachlan knew best how to speak piercing words to her.

Iris took a deep breath, underestimating Lachlan’s ruthlessness.

He was far more inhuman than Jordan Jacobs and Yvonne Jennings.

He could turn hostile at the drop of a hat, unpredictable in his moods, who dared to defy him?

Iris turned her face to the side, whispering in Lachlan’s ear. She knew she couldn’t compete with him, nor was she as ruthless, yet she still said, "Lachlan, let me tell you, I’ll repay your life-saving debt, but any man I choose to be with has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with you."

No need for him to mock her with that disgusting tone!

Lachlan’s pupils contracted, and the next second, he grinned with intense aggression, tearing apart her facade, gripping her shoulders, and pulling her upright, "I really like watching you pretend everything is fine. Without me, you’d still be the poor soul unable to attain love."

One day as she’s stripped bare of her blood-stained armor, crying and begging, it’d definitely be a beautiful sight.

He loved, loved watching Iris Crawford being destroyed, her display of despair yet beauty.

After seeing countless uninteresting women, it’s better to watch the fierce yet shattered Iris.

Upon hearing Lachlan say this, Iris clenched her fingers, and after the man released her, throwing her back onto the bed, he turned to James Chesterton, "Where are Jordan Jacobs and Yvonne Jennings?"

Being out for so long and not returning?

It turned out Jordan Jacobs and Yvonne Jennings were currently at the hospital’s reception.

When the receptionist saw Jordan’s identity information, she was taken aback, this was the eldest young master of the Jacobs Family; why did he suddenly ask for the name of the woman recently admitted?

But being the eldest of the Jacobs Family, he surely wouldn’t mean harm; he said he wanted to visit the patient, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

So, she flipped through the information, saying, "It’s the lady in the VIP room, right? Let me see, the name registered during the hospital admission is Iris Crawford..."

Jordan Jacobs was like struck by lightning, standing there in disbelief!

What was going on?! Iris... Iris?!

Yvonne, beside him, turned deathly pale, clutching the reception desk, "Which Iris, which Crawford?"

It must be a name coincidence, it must be...

The response she got was, Iris as in the river, Crawford as in the kite.

Jordan staggered back a step, his eyes full of shock, his heart beating rapidly like it was about to explode any second.

Iris! It was Iris! Why was the name registered as hers? Could it be that woman... is truly Iris?

Wasn’t Iris a chubby girl, hadn’t she died!

Jordan’s mind was flooded with questions, he finally understood those mysterious words the woman had said which puzzled him, it was all true!

She knew so much about the situation back then because she was Iris!

The complex emotions overwhelmed his heart, the image of bleeding Iris in his arms vividly reappeared, suddenly transforming into the current tall and stunning woman speaking to him with thorns.

Jordan felt like his body was being torn in two.

One part was panicking that Iris wasn’t really dead, the other part somehow relieved... Iris was alive.

Yet Yvonne was so frightened she grabbed Jordan’s hand, "Jacobs, what’s going on... Is this a ghost story? Why has Iris died and come back to life, is she here to take revenge on us..."

"Maybe she never died, played it out perfectly back then..."

With red eyes, Jordan turned around to head back, leaving Yvonne standing alone, roaring with anger as he stormed out, "So you didn’t die, Iris!!"