Chapter 5


    Ugh, talked about being two-faced and utterly hypocritical.


    In front of Orion, he acted all humble and ttering, but behind his back he was spreading rumors and


    badmouthing him. She remembered when she was young, she stepped on Orion’s doll and called him


    a “crazy boy”. It seems it was because he whispered in her ear


    back then.


    In her past life, she was blinded by love, willing to listen and believe everything he said, not even


    seeing such obvious attempts to drive a wedge between them.


    Matthew choked a bit, “Even if it’s just rumors, there’s no smoke without fire. Better safe. than sorry.


    Xan, let me help you.”


    “No need, I’m fine now.”


    Xanthea walked away on her own.


    Matthew watched, stunned as the girl who had just been weakly leaning on Orion now strode away as


    if carried by the wind.


    That evening, a sleek silver Rolls-Royce Phantom sped along the outskirts of the city. Inside, the man


    in the shadows of the tinted windows slowly unclenched his fist, still seemingly feeling the delicate


    touch and scent of that young girl’s waist.


    Ever since the Nightshade family g, Mr. Lockwood seemed to be in a foul mood.


    Cedric, driving the car, nced nervously in the rearview mirror and saw Orion deeply inhaling the


    scent from his palm. His expression was that of an addict in the throes of withdrawal, so obsessed it


    was almost frightening!


    The birthday partysted until 8 PM, and after the Nightshade couple had seen off all the guests,


    Xanthea couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, Dad, why did Orione to mying-of-age party? Did you


    invite him?”


    “Mr. Lockwood?” Christopher shook his head, The Lockwood Group’s a big name in Crestwood, far


    beyond my reach. Mr. Lockwood had his own reasons for attending.”


    “Reasons? What reasons?”


    Seeing Xan’s rare interest in someone other than Matthew, Christopher borated, “Haven’t there


    been rumors that Lucian, founder of Twin Towers, is stepping down, and his youngest son Timothy and


    eldest grandson Orion are vying for the top spot at the Lockwood Group?


    One is a seasoned veteran with deep roots in thepany, the other a business prodigy who boosted


    the Lockwood Group to the top within just two years as CEO. The board’s split in their support for them.


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    Chapter 5


    The Lockwood Group is also negotiating a huge deal with the international MJ Group, a deal sorge


    most can’t even fathom. Lucian then announced that whoever secures this deal will inherit his position


    and shares.


    So, both parties started reaching out to MJ Group. MJ Group’s CEO, Tyson, not wanting to get tangled


    in Lockwood’s internal strife and being an avid gem gambler, came up with an idea.


    In three days, there will be a gem gambling event at Eden Heights Estates. Both Timothy and Orion


    can bring teams. Whoever cuts the most beautiful gem wins the deal with MJ Group.”


    Susanna added, “Remember that stone your dad found at K.K Mountain? It looked just ordinary back


    then; turns out it contains a gem of considerable value.


    Mr. Lockwood’s visit today was to inspect that stone, likely trying to discover its qualities to gain an


    edge at the gem gambling event.”


    As they exined, Xanthea vaguely remembered something, not about the gem betting event but


    about a shocking car ident in Crestwood three dayster.


    #A severe traffic ident on Lumina Avenue, a Rolls-Royce collided with a truck. One dead and the


    other seriously injured, from the Lockwood Group board, Timothy and Orion#


    Once released, the news shocked the nation, and rumors spread online that “Orion bribed the driver to


    seize control of the Lockwood Group by murdering his uncle”, even reaching Xanthea, who usually


    didn’t pry into others’ lives.


    Clearly, it was an ident, but Orion bore all the me. Could it be?


    At the gem betting event, Orion lost to Timothy who officially took over the Lockwood Group. When


    Timothy was suddenly killed, everyone suspected Orion.


    No wonder his reputation suffered so badly afterward. It was all media spection a malicious


    conjecture!


    If Orion wanted to kill Timothy, why would he share a car with him and end up serious injured himself?


    With his status and talents, taking over the Lockwood Group was onl matter of time. There was no


    need for such drastic measures.


    Xanthea clenched her fists, angered. No, she had to stop this!


    Miranda, noticing her unusual demeanor, was a bit curious, “Sis, what’s wrong? Why the sudden


    interest in Mr. Lockwood?”


    “Just feel strange; that’s all.”


    “Okay.” Miranda nodded, and then suddenly addressed, “Matt said he’s not a good perso It might be


    better for you to stay away from him.”


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    Chapter 5


    Xanthea looked at her. Those words sounded painfully familiar.


    In public, she pretended to be knowledgeable and gentle, but behind closed doors, she was cruel and


    spiteful. She and Matthew really were a perfect match. How had she not seen it before?


    Or maybe, like in her past life, Matthew and she just wanted her to be a naive puppet, easily controlled


    and kept away from the outside world?


    ” see, thanks for the heads-up.”


    Xanthea curled her lips up, thinking. “Orion might not be a saint in your eyes, but to me, he’s been a


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