CHAPTER 145: CHAPTER 145: NO REGRETS, NO FORGIVENESS, NO TURNING BACK

Julian’s words exploded like a bomb among everyone.

Seraphina Kennedy and Gregory Lancaster were completely stunned.

Rachel Shaw was even more shocked, her pupils dilating.

So that’s it, she thought, why did Damien suddenly have Julian bring her back home?

So this was the reason.

Rachel’s heart started pounding wildly, knowing that Damien was already aware, which meant she was doomed.

The fear of having her arm broken came back vividly.

After a long while, Seraphina finally looked at Rachel, her face full of shock.

Rachel reacted, grabbing Seraphina’s arm, shaking her head repeatedly, "Auntie, he’s lying, I didn’t!"

"I’m lying? Miss Shaw, are you saying I’ve falsely accused you? I have no grudges against you, why would I suddenly accuse you?" Julian questioned.

Seraphina grabbed Rachel forcefully, her reddened eyes glaring at her, "Tell me, is what he said true?"

"No, Auntie, how could I do such a thing?" Rachel’s heart was pounding with fear, but she knew clearly that any hint of a flaw would be her undoing; adamant denial was her only hope.

"Uncle, Auntie, after Grandpa Lancaster’s birthday banquet, I went abroad, which you know. While I was abroad, what could I possibly do?"

Seraphina’s eyes were filled with suspicion at this moment.

Zachary Lancaster added, "Even abroad, with money, what’s impossible?"

Seraphina frowned. That’s right. Even if Rachel was abroad, if she wanted to do something, she could easily hire someone with money, so what couldn’t she accomplish?

Julian stated, "Miss Shaw hired foreign assassins to harm Madam and Miss Sophie."

Rachel kept shaking her head, "Auntie, you have to believe me, I really didn’t do it. I’ve already told you that Sophie is Ivy Summers’ child. I’ve always hoped the Lancaster Family could find their child from back then, so why on earth would I want to harm the child? Auntie, Julian’s words are complete slander."

Upon hearing this, Seraphina’s face immediately showed signs of wavering.

Yes, Rachel had told them long ago that Sophie was the Lancaster child, but they hadn’t believed it.

Rachel made so much effort to bring Sophie back to the Lancaster Family, so what motive would she have to harm her?

Besides, everything had started with Annelise Lancaster’s kidnapping.

Seraphina had also investigated, understanding the kidnappers’ intentions. Those kidnappers had previously kidnapped Sophie and were wanted by the police, unable to leave Aethelgard.

They kidnapped the Lancaster child to threaten them for money and use the child as a hostage to coerce Damien into helping them escape Aethelgard.

These matters, both in motive and execution, had nothing to do with Rachel, so how could it have been Rachel who harmed Sophie?

Upon thinking this through, Seraphina put away her doubts and turned to Julian, "Julian, did you misunderstand something? How could this possibly be Rachel’s doing?"

Seeing that Seraphina believed in her, Rachel seized the opportunity to say, "Julian, why are you slandering me?"

Julian underestimated Rachel’s shamelessness, "Am I slandering you? Did Mr. Lancaster also slander you? Madam, this matter was investigated personally by Mr. Lancaster. If you don’t believe me, do you not even believe him?"

Seraphina furrowed her brows, once again casting a suspicious glance at Rachel.

Rachel felt a pang in her heart, her eyes instantly reddening with the grievance of being wrongfully accused.

"Uncle, Auntie, I really didn’t do it. Julian, you said this matter was investigated by Damien himself, right?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me, when did Damien investigate it?"

"The day before yesterday."

Julian answered truthfully.

Rachel immediately turned to Gregory and Seraphina, "Uncle, Auntie, listen, Julian said it was investigated by Damien personally. But if Damien really had found this out, why wouldn’t he tell you himself over two days? How could it fall to Julian to speak here?"

"They collaborated with the kidnappers to abduct Annelise Lancaster, threatening the Lancaster Family with her life in exchange for Sophie. The target was Sophie, so why not directly target Sophie? Because during those days, Damien himself was taking Sophie to and from school, leaving no opportunity for the kidnappers."

Amidst their arguing, Ivy Summers spoke in a calm and reasoned voice.

"After Damien exchanged Sophie, the kidnappers sent me a message to come over—it was me they targeted. The kidnappers simply wanted to leave Aethelgard, and having Annelise as a hostage was enough; why bother to exchange her for Sophie and kidnap me? It only added unwarranted risk."

"After that, when I escaped with Sophie, we were captured again by another group. Their aim was even clearer—our lives. These people were not ordinary kidnappers; they were armed, they were assassins, mercenaries."

After Ivy finished speaking, Gregory and Seraphina instinctively looked at Rachel, their suspicion deepening.

Rachel’s gaze was scattered and unfocused, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"That’s right, Madam is correct," Julian said with a serious expression.

Rachel gritted her teeth, "You’ve said so much, where’s the evidence? Ivy Summers, all you’ve mentioned—the kidnapping, the threats—what do they have to do with me? Is there any evidence pointing to my involvement?"

Ivy didn’t have any, but she made it clear that this matter targeted her and Sophie, and anyone with a brain would realize Rachel, who had severe grudges with Ivy, was the most likely suspect.

"Miss Shaw, as I just said, the evidence is Mr. Lancaster personally discovering you hired assassins to harm Madam and Miss Sophie. What do you have to say to that?"

"Julian!" Rachel shouted angrily, "Damien has already divorced this vile woman, and yet this vile woman caused Damien so much harm, and you still refer to her as Madam! With your loyalty to her, haven’t you already been bought off by her? You’re accusing me just when Damien is unconscious."

Rachel was agitated.

And the words "bought off" made Gregory’s eyes narrow dangerously.

The Lancaster Family has no place for disloyalty.

Julian felt his chest ache with anger; he’d never encountered such a shameless person. No wonder Ivy slapped her again and again, and no wonder Damien later detested her.

Even he wanted to slap her. "Stop your baseless accusations. It was clearly you..."

Rachel raised her chin, continuing, "Special Assistant Jacobs, you never meddled in others’ affairs before. Why are you now repeatedly standing up for someone who nearly killed Damien? Doesn’t that make you suspicious?"

After speaking, she turned to Gregory Lancaster and Seraphina Kennedy, "Uncle, Aunt, you watched me grow up. I beg you, don’t be deceived by them. Ivy Summers has always had a grudge against me. It’s obvious they’re colluding to slander me while Damien is in a coma."

Julian Jacobs was astounded, this woman is truly eloquent, she twisted every word to her advantage.

"Precisely because I am the special assistant to Mr. Lancaster, I must convey his intentions..."

"Enough!" Gregory Lancaster scolded, "Everyone stop arguing. Julian, clean up your things and go handle your resignation. The Lancaster Family does not need unfaithful subordinates."

Julian’s eyes widened, "I..."

"Enough, no more talking. I believe Rachel." Gregory Lancaster waved his hand, clearly trusting Rachel Shaw more than Julian.

Julian gritted his teeth in anger, "Even if you fire me, I have to say, President Lancaster, no wonder the old man handed the company to Mr. Lancaster instead of you. With that mind, perhaps you should consider working on a construction site."

"You! What do you mean?"

Julian turned around and looked at Ivy Summers, "Madam, I’ve said everything I need to say. It’s unfortunate they don’t believe me. I couldn’t help you, I’m sorry, I’ll take my leave now."

"Stop right there." For the first time, Gregory Lancaster was belittled by a subordinate like this, and he was furious.

"I’ve been dismissed, why would I listen to you?" Julian walked away nonchalantly.

Gregory Lancaster pressed his lips together, his expression showing he was quite provoked.

Rachel Shaw approached Gregory Lancaster and advised, "Uncle, don’t be angry; how can it be good for your health?"

Ella Morgan stood with her arms crossed next to Ivy Summers, feeling a bit sorry for the old man. If not for having Damien as his grandson, the old man would be doomed.

"Let’s go."

Ivy Summers lowered her gaze and turned to leave.

"Ivy Summers! Stop right there!"

Rachel Shaw wanted to stop Ivy Summers, but she was intercepted by Seraphina Kennedy.

"Enough, let’s not worry about her now; Damien is the priority."

Seraphina Kennedy lifted her head and glanced deeply at Rachel Shaw, eyes tinged with undeniable suspicion.

Because she knew, a woman’s jealousy can be terrifying.

Ivy Summers had said this incident was aimed at her and Sophie, Rachel Shaw wanted to chase Ivy Summers away and marry Damien Lancaster, which she was aware of.

So Rachel Shaw was very likely willing to go to any lengths to remove Ivy Summers, in order to marry Damien Lancaster.

However, despite these thoughts, without solid evidence, Seraphina Kennedy kept her doubts to herself.

Rachel Shaw’s eyes shifted subtly, revealing nothing, but inside, she was already panicking.

Damien Lancaster already knew she was behind all this. If he woke up, she’d be finished.

Thinking of this, Rachel Shaw felt a shiver run through her.

Now that Sophie is already dead, she might as well give Ivy Summers one last strike.

As long as Ivy Summers is gone, she believes even if Damien Lancaster were to be angry, he would eventually forgive her in time.

...

Ivy Summers returned to the hospital room, not expecting Julian Jacobs to be waiting for her at the door.

Julian Jacobs, "Madam."

Ivy Summers lowered her gaze, "Damien and I are already divorced; there’s no need to call me madam anymore."

Julian shook his head, "Madam, in my eyes, it’s not just a title, and because Mr. Lancaster cares for you, I call you Madam."

Ivy Summers smirked coldly, "So, why did you come to say this?"

"About earlier..."

"I stabbed Damien Lancaster, and he’s now on the brink of death; he might die. Aren’t you, as his subordinate, angry with me? Why are you still speaking up for me?"

Julian lowered his gaze, "I’m also doing it for him. He definitely doesn’t want Rachel Shaw to become his fiancée."

"That may not be so. They were childhood sweethearts, and their feelings run deep. No matter what mistake Rachel Shaw makes, she’s always worth forgiving in Damien’s eyes."

"That’s not the case." Julian wanted to tell Ivy Summers that Damien actually cares about her.

But Ivy Summers wasn’t willing to listen, "You spoke the truth earlier, and I thank you for that, but you lost your job because of it..."

"It’s alright. With my abilities, even if the Lancaster Group doesn’t want me, I’ll find a place elsewhere. You don’t need to worry about me, but about Mr. Lancaster..."

At the mention of Damien Lancaster, Julian didn’t know how to continue.

After all, Ivy Summers wants Damien Lancaster dead.

"I’m tired, thank you. You should go now." Ivy Summers lowered her gaze and returned to the hospital room.

"Madam, no matter what, Mr. Lancaster truly knows he’s wrong. Please... take care..."

Ivy Summers paused slightly, walked inside, and closed the door.

Knowing he was wrong, so what?

Can Sophie come back?

If everything could lightly pass with the words "I know I was wrong," the world would likely have fewer heartbroken people.

So knowing he was wrong doesn’t redeem anything.

She would never regret stabbing Damien Lancaster, and she will never forgive him.