CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: SECRETS, PREPARING TO STRIKE BACK

"The Night Owl?" Aiden Fordham’s eyes flickered. That was an "old acquaintance," but he couldn’t equate this well-dressed Andy Lockwood with that murderous maniac!

Quentin Lockwood continued, "He stayed hidden very well. Later, for some unknown reason, he washed his hands of it and began legitimate business, gradually cleaning up his identity."

"After that, he transferred most of his assets to F-Country. If it weren’t for my contacts in the Grellin Q Bureau, I’d never have found this information."

Aiden Fordham took the file and quickly browsed through it.

Seeing Andy Lockwood’s past "glorious deeds," he wasn’t very surprised, but rather, he laughed.

The smile carried a hint of coldness, a hint of understanding.

"Heh."

"Yesterday, he did spend a lot to buy such a big trending topic for me."

"This time, I should ’return the favor!’

His fingers lightly tapped the table, his eyes flashing with dangerous light.

Let’s test the waters with a stone! A new storm was brewing.

...

Just one day later, the trending search for the two pairs of main characters was cleared completely, as if nothing had happened at all.

Yet, it seemed everything had happened.

Corinne Kensington’s popularity skyrocketed after Aiden Fordham’s globally sensational confession.

The reservation numbers for her new show soared to over a million online, it was an absolute win.

And Aiden Fordham had long been blacklisted by Stella Grant, and calling her would always meet with a cold, automated female voice:

The number you dialed is currently busy.

As night fell, Aiden Fordham’s mood was still utterly lousy.

Inexplicably, he found himself driving back to The Sovereign Estate.

The Coregarde at The Sovereign Estate, after being renovated, was more lush than in memory, the air thick with the rich, sweet scent of lilies, indescribably beautiful.

Not long ago, it had been engulfed by fire, and now there was not a single trace of burning.

But it had indeed been burned, completely reduced to ashes.

Aiden Fordham stood alone on the balcony on the second floor, downing glass after glass of strong liquor, his crimson eyes fixed on the entrance of the garden path.

Every time, she would come from there, step by step towards him, towards his bed... then with him, descend into the abyss.

From now on, she would never come again! A sharp pain pierced his heart.

The woman he once loathed immensely, wishing he could strangle her with his own hands, now densely occupied his entire heart.

As the effects of the alcohol surged, he got drunk, he fell asleep.

In the backlight, a slender figure slowly emerged from the depths of the lilies.

In his dream, he saw the face he thought of day and night again, he dashed into the flowers, pulling that figure tightly into his arms, his burning lips fiercely pressing onto hers, scorching and lingering, with desperate possession...

The next day, a bombshell news rocked the entire medical field, no, the entire upper society of Celestia.

Andy Lockwood, the CEO of The Lockwood Group and a medical authority, was exposed as a core member of The Mafia in Nation A, with blood-stained hands, involved in countless illegal dealings, smuggling, trafficking QG... each allegation was shocking.

Such accusations would be devastating to any ordinary person, let alone a captain of a listed company standing at the top of the pyramid like Andy Lockwood.

As soon as the news broke, the stock price of the Lockwood Group plummeted, nearly hitting the limit down.

The entire Lockwood Group was in turmoil, feeling precarious amidst the storm.

Indeed, Aiden Fordham’s counterattack had arrived.

Quick and ruthless, striking right at the weak spot.

Andy Lockwood’s slender fingers held the tablet, displaying the news that pinned him to the pillar of shame.

He stared at it for a long time, a cold curve forming at the corner of his lips.

Playing hard? Very well, Aiden Fordham, then I won’t hold back either.

Hope you can handle it!

He picked up the phone on his desk, dialed a number, and as soon as the call connected, he coldly uttered three words:

"Begin!"

Just after hanging up, his office door was knocked, Stella Grant pushed the door open and entered, with visible worry on her face.

"Senior, are you okay? That news..." She hesitated, unable to hide her anxiety.

"The entire Lockwood Group is in chaos now, many contracted agents are calling, demanding an explanation from the Lockwood Group. Also, several key exhibitors for next year’s medical summit suddenly changed their minds, saying they want to pull out..."

Upon hearing this, Andy Lockwood gently laughed.

He reached out, gently ruffling her hair, soothing her like comforting a scared little cat.

"Don’t worry, Stella." His voice remained steady, carrying a reassuring strength, "These are all false. I, Andy Lockwood, have always acted with integrity, and I’m not afraid of anyone framing me."

Framing? Was he referring to... Aiden Fordham?

Stella Grant bit her lip, "Then... should we issue a public statement immediately to clarify? Or hold a press conference to explain everything?"

Andy Lockwood shook his head, his deep eyes flashing with strategic confidence.

"No need," he said, "let the bullets fly for a while; now is not the best time. In a few days, when we’re ready to leave, I’ll reveal the whole truth to the public."

"Trust me, rumors find rest with the wise, especially with the absolute truth."

Looking at his determined expression, Stella Grant felt her panic strangely calm down.

"Mm." She nodded vigorously before walking out.

After spending all day in the office, feeling a bit low, the deal with God N was almost signed.

Nearing the end of the workday, Vivi Sterling called.

"Come down quickly, I’m downstairs, let’s go for a feast and meet some hotties!"

Stella Grant gathered her things and headed downstairs.

Downstairs, Vivi Sterling was in her red supercar, wearing sunglasses and a white backless spaghetti strap gown, radiant and flamboyant.

Seeing her outfit, Stella Grant knew where they were headed, "Let’s go, we’re almost late for the show!"

Vivi Sterling chuckled, "You always know me best!"

Soon, Vivi Sterling and Stella Grant arrived at the familiar boxing gym; today was Wednesday, the day No. 17 was fighting.

Although they arrived rather early, the venue was already jam-packed.

Vivi Sterling told Stella Grant she was heading to the restroom and then ran backstage alone!

The backstage of the boxing gym was enveloped in heat and sweat, and the testosterone was almost palpable.

Looking around, there were taut muscles everywhere, copper skin slick with sweat under the lights.

Boxers occupied various spots, warming up, their joints making light crackling sounds, the air thick with primitive tension.

Vivi Sterling’s appearance was like a drop of water in boiling oil.

Her high heels clicked on the sweat-stained floor, the sound echoing abruptly and enticingly.

"Hey there, beautiful!"

Two men who were pounding on a sandbag stopped, unabashedly whistling, their gaze lingering on her shapely curves.

Several boxers even started showing off their enviable chest muscles, bouncing them up and down in blatant display.

Vivi Sterling kept her gaze forward, her doe-like eyes scanning quickly like a radar.

Suddenly, a conversation between two boxers caught her ear.

"That Corinne Kensington, tsk tsk, looks pure enough to squeeze water out of, but deep down, she’s wild, really tempting!" one voice lowered, with a boasting tone.

"Let me tell you, a few days ago in Borrin, I even had a go with her, and the feeling..."

The other man obviously didn’t believe it, scoffing: "That’s Magnate Fordham’s woman, a multimillion-dollar celebrity; you’re just bragging!"

"Hey, don’t you dare not believe!" the previous man proudly stated, "Tomorrow night, she even asked me to bring a couple of buddies to her private villa for a pool party, specifically named me. Then, you can come along. Let her see what real men are like!"

"Really?"

Vivi Sterling’s eyes deepened, but her mouth curled into an amused smile.

Hehe! It was worth the trip!

"This isn’t a place you should be."

A slightly hoarse male voice with a magnetic charm said from behind, "Leave."

Vivi Sterling turned around. Her heart skipped a beat.