CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: AVRIL

"Desmond, after sending you messages so many times, you finally agreed to meet me. I’ve ordered your favorite coffee, have a taste," Anna said to Desmond Fairchild who was sitting opposite her.

"I remember telling you a long time ago, to me, you’re nothing more than a sister," Desmond said.

Hearing Desmond’s words, Anna’s expression stiffened for a moment, then she raised her head and looked at Desmond with a calm face.

"Desmond, don’t you think we’re the most suitable for each other? We’ve grown up together, how could I not understand you? I have enough capability to help you achieve everything you want. I always thought that if you ever got married, it would definitely be with me."

She sighed deeply at this point: "That’s why I was so at ease going abroad for so many years, but I never expected the variable of Seraphina Sinclair. You love her, don’t you? But feelings are such irrational things. I should be your best choice."

Desmond didn’t speak, just quietly listened to Anna.

"Since childhood, in order to catch up with you, I put in all my effort, attending the same school as you, learning subjects that would be helpful to you later. I did all of this, and yet, I still didn’t end up with you."

Anna suddenly recalled everything she had done over the years in this pursuit.

"If it weren’t for Seraphina Sinclair, you would choose me, wouldn’t you?" Anna asked, looking at the silent Desmond.

"Anna, you’re just a sister I grew up with. If you’re only saying these things because I blocked drinks for you before, there’s no need," Desmond said without hesitation.

Anna let out a sarcastic laugh, her gaze towards Desmond becoming more obscure: "Desmond Fairchild, you’ve changed."

"If that’s the case, you should return to Continent Y. Shadow has returned to Diamond Island and recently snatched several deals from Continent Y. It would do you good to calm down," Desmond said.

Hearing this, Anna looked incredulous: "You’re sending me back to Continent Y just because of this? Desmond Fairchild, do you remember how you used to be?

"

"I’ve always been very clear about the kind of person I am," Desmond remained unmoved.

The reason for sending Anna back to Continent Y was twofold: one was to let her calm down, and two, indeed because Shadow returned to Diamond Island. Previously, they could take advantage of Diamond Island and win several orders precisely because Shadow had disappeared for a while.

With Shadow’s return this time, the first thing was to "give back" for the previous actions of Continent Y, catching them off guard and causing Continent Y to stumble several times.

This time, Shadow even directly leaked Continent Y’s operations, forcing a planned operation to be suspended, not only resulting in a massive financial loss but also exposing several undercover agents they had planted.

When Seraphina Sinclair saw Desmond Fairchild and Anna at Azure Gardens, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, her whole body cold, clutching a USB drive tightly in her hand.

She originally went to inspect the industrial park today, but on the way, she saw Avril standing by the river, attempting suicide, so she had someone save her. At first, she only felt she looked familiar, but after hearing her speak, she realized who she was and, seeing her covered in injuries, brought her to the hospital.

"It’s just a fever. Fortunately, the weather is cold now, so her burns haven’t gotten infected, but her face... sigh," the doctor said with some regret after flipping through the medical records.

Seraphina understood, it seemed to be true disfigurement, but shouldn’t Avril still be hospitalized? Why was she at such a place?

"Thank you, doctor," Seraphina said and then turned to enter the ward.

"How are you feeling? Better?" She poured a cup of water and placed it on the cabinet beside Avril.

Avril nodded lightly, speaking weakly: "Much better, thank you, President Sinclair, for saving me. If you hadn’t saved me, I might have really died today."

Her voice hadn’t been damaged in that fire and still sounded the same as before. However, listening to her voice and looking at her completely disfigured face, Seraphina suddenly felt a sense of cruelty.

"Why were you there? Shouldn’t you be in the hospital? Didn’t Ethan Lloyd compensate your parents?" Seraphina asked.

At Seraphina’s words, Avril fell silent. After a long while, she let out a faint laugh, speaking with exhaustion and numbness: "That seventy thousand, it was just for their precious son. Besides that, they took all my bank cards. They should have returned to their hometown by now, built a new house, bought a new car, and found a wife for their son. I had no money for follow-up treatments, so I had to be discharged from the hospital. The house burned down, I was homeless, and when I had nowhere to go, I thought of committing suicide."

After hearing this, Seraphina remained silent for a while, unsure of how to comfort her.

"Take good care of yourself and focus on recovering. I will cover your medical expenses," Seraphina said.

Avril suddenly reached out her unharmed right hand to grasp Seraphina’s: "President Sinclair, I know you and President Fairchild have a grudge against Ethan Lloyd. I’ve been beside him for some time, and I know all the things he’s done. I can tell you everything."

"Just because I saved you?" Seraphina asked.

Avril released her hand, touching her own face with trembling fingers, feeling only ominous scars under her touch, her voice full of hatred: "Do you know how I got disfigured? It was Melanie Lloyd. She pushed me out to shield herself. I can still recall the feeling of fire burning my face. Yet, now, those two pretend to be a loving couple in front of the media. It’s so fake it makes me sick."

For a moment, Seraphina didn’t know how to respond. She never expected it to be like this. She had met Avril before.

For a young woman, being disfigured, especially being disfigured due to the actions of others, must be a disaster.

"I know if those things end up in your hands, Ethan Lloyd and Melanie Lloyd will surely pay the price. So, President Sinclair, what are you thinking?" Avril asked, looking at Seraphina.

Seraphina didn’t immediately respond, and Avril grew anxious: "President Sinclair, you don’t have to worry that I’m deceiving you. There’s no benefit for me in deceiving you now. In the pocket of my clothes, there’s a USB drive. Inside are the evidence of Ethan Lloyd’s tax evasion. Once you check it, you’ll know if I’m telling the truth."