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“Sienna, wake up! The maid has just informed me that John and Anthony are fighting at the entrance!”
I was roused from my sleep when I heard Emma’s anxious voice. Immediately after I put on my jacket, I rushed out of the house with her in tow.
By the time I reached the entrance, Anthony’s car had departed, leaving an injured John behind. Judging by his bruised cheeks and bleeding lips, I knew they had gotten into an intense fight.
Emma rushed over and asked her husband concernedly, “Are you okay?”
Confused, I had my eyes glued to Anthony’s departing car. I had a bad feeling about how he had departed before he saw Summer and I in person.
I had rushed out of the house in time to catch a glimpse of Anthony’s indifferent expression just now. I was taken aback by the sight and currently had a hard time shrugging it off my mind.
Anthony should have long considered John and the rest of the Stanhope family close acquaintances of his. Hence, his indifferent expression towards John had taken me by surprise.
I tucked my arms closer to my body because I couldn’t stand the gentle breeze in the morning. When I looked at John blankly, a flash of realization about how he couldn’t keep me in the dark anymore appeared in his eyes.
I headed into Louis’ room with John and was immediately greeted by their serious expressions.
A few minutes after I took my seat, Louis broke the silence and announced, “Sienna, you don’t have to return to the Featherstones anymore. The Stanhope family will take care of you and Summer in the future.”
It seemed like John had been keeping Emma in the dark as well. I couldn’t figure out the reason they wanted me to stay there forever. Hence, I asked, “Why?”
My godfather furrowed his brows and looked elsewhere. He seemed to be stupefied because of my question.
After waiting in silence for a hot minute, I confronted John and demanded, “You tell me then.”
Louis might have his concerns because he was a senior of ours. However, John and I had been through all sorts of ups and downs in our lives; we had nothing to keep from one another.
When John heard me, he snapped out of his process of thought and looked at me with his bloodshot pair of eyes.
After a gruesome ten seconds of silence, he said, “I’m sure you’re aware of the things Featherstone Corporation is going through. If Anthony insists, he’s only going to drag you and Summer down with him. As your brother, I can’t afford to expose you to such excessive risks.”
As an expert in wreaking havoc himself, John could sense danger way ahead of others. Since it was pretty much the same as I had speculated, I regained my composure and replied calmly, “I’m well aware of the things that are currently happening. As his wife, however, it’s part of my duty to be by his side when he needs me most. Do you really think I’ll leave him just because of the risk associated with his decision?”
Although I knew they merely wanted to keep me safe, I found their decisions ironic. Staring at John, I brought something up and asked, “Who’s the high-ranking official that’s behind the scenes?”
If that mysterious figure is able to intimidate Louis of all people, I need to give Anthony a heads-up!
When John heard me, he got worked up and jolted up from his seat in anger. Staring at me with his chest held high, he remarked sarcastically, “Has he considered your safety? What makes you think you have to take the risk with him? Do you really think such a capable man isn’t aware of the foe he’s going up against?”
His response took me by surprise, and I had a hard time figuring out the reason behind his wrath. John had never seemed afraid when he performed reckless things with Anthony before.
Overwhelmed by wrath, John banged the door shut after making his way out of the room. Prior to his departure, he warned me, “You have to stay here. I won’t allow you to return to him anymore!”
Bang! My heart skipped a beat as a result of the thunderous sound.
Soon, Louis and I were the only ones left behind. He heaved a long sigh and explained, “I’m sure you know him better than me. Please don’t blame him for reacting in this manner. Your brother is merely afraid something bad will happen to you.”
I nodded my head and forced a smile, assuring him it wasn’t a big deal.
It would take something much more serious than that to get me to sever ties with him.
Louis nodded at my reaction and brought up another topic. “Are you aware your late grandmother is closely acquainted with Anthony’s grandfather?”
I nodded my head once more and replied, “That’s also the reason Anthony’s grandfather has insisted on having us married to one another.”
He responded with a nod, but a few seconds later, he looked at me with a serious expression and asked, “Has Anthony ever shared anything about his parents with you?”
Conscious of the things he was about to bring up, my heart sank. Anthony had once told me that his parents had passed on because they had been deceived. I would have the shock of my life if Louis were to tell me Anthony’s parents’ death had anything to do with Grandma and Anthony’s Grandpa.
Louis took a deep breath and orated, “Back in the day, the Murphys were suspected of illegal mining of petroleum. As the person in charge of the investigation, I found out the Featherstones from J City had something to do with him. Since there was solid evidence to get them convicted, I brought a team of elites and the required documents to take them into custody with me. When we were on our way to J
City, we heard the bad news of the Featherstones’ members passing on because of an accident. Only a limited few had the rights to mine petroleum. As the person in charge, your grandmother must have been aware of the things the Murphys had been doing behind the scenes…”
My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach when I heard him. Confused, I asked, “Does that mean Grandma brought upon Anthony’s parents’ demise?”
Louis instantly shook his head and asserted in a serious tone, “I can’t be certain, but judging by the gathered evidence, that seems to be the case.”
“Since that particular incident, the Murphys had been behaving themselves. I thought the incidents had come to an end, but when I saw the patriarch of the Oberick family during the banquet held for the twins, I sent John to investigate if there was anything going on behind the scenes. To my surprise, Anthony had been busy getting to the bottom of the truth over the years. He was determined to get his revenge against those at fault at all costs. I’m afraid it’s going to be another futile effort to pick on those in power…”
I couldn’t recall the rest of our conversation from that point onwards. By the time I returned to my senses, I was on the couch in the living room. Overwhelmed by the truth, I had a hard time gathering my thoughts.
Anthony had never stopped expanding the corporation ever since he was appointed the person in charge of Starlight Group. He had acquired OrbitTech and merged it with Quinn Corporation after receiving funds from globally renowned angel capitalists. If he has been aware of the truth all this while, why did he get married to me? If it weren’t because of his grandfather’s offer to have him inherit the company, would he have chosen to marry me?
After a long while, John showed up at the entrance. He stood there for some time in silence before making his way over. He took a seat by my side and asked gently, “Are you feeling okay?”
I couldn’t bring myself to form a complete sentence, too shocked by the new piece of news I had just received.
Nonetheless, John was conscious of the things I had in mind. He caressed my hand and assured me gently, “Please don’t take the words I said just now seriously. I didn’t mean it. As long as I’m around, the Stanhope family will always be your strongest backings. Just stay with us and allow us to keep you safe. No one will try to pick on us.”
I took a deep breath, calming myself down before I looked at John and gasped out my reply, “I wish to talk to Anthony in person.”
“That will not be possible.” John made himself clear he would not give in to my request. “You’re not supposed to return to him because he’s not the only one I’m wary of! He has offended the mafia, and I will never allow you and Summer to be exposed to such uncertainties!”
John’s right. They had the audacity to come after us in M Country when Anthony’s plan to acquire his revenge had yet to be revealed, let alone when the plan blows up.
But… the thing I care about the most is Anthony’s feelings. Since John said Anthony held a grudge against those who had brought upon his parents’ demise, I wonder if he hates me as well… My heart skipped a beat as all my concerns came flooding out at once. I felt lightheaded and thought I could hear the ambient noise in the living room. Clenching my fists with all my might, I suddenly felt a strong urge to get to the bottom of the incident.
John noticed something was wrong and immediately tried to console me. He took my hands into his own and said, “You need to calm down. Try and refrain from getting overly worked up for the children’s sake.”
As I caressed my baby bump, I couldn’t help but furrow my brows in confusion.
In the end, I decided to stay with the Stanhope family for the time being. When John realized I was serious, he finally returned my phone to me. To my disappointment, I hadn’t received a single missed call from Anthony even after I checked my call log a few times.
Perhaps Anthony was of the same idea with John and thought it would be better to have me stay with the Stanhope family, or perhaps not.
Anthony’s decision to dominate the market after acquiring the capital he needed had slowly spiraled out of control. I began seeing pictures and videos of him on the headlines of different media pages. Judging by the man’s pale and haggard look, I was sure he had been having it tough over the past few days.
After I settled down at the Stanhope residence, we entrusted a doctor from a private hospital to deal with my prenatal check-up. Therefore, when Lydia showed up at the doorstep, I was shocked.
When the woman paid a visit, I was in the middle of a short break in the garden with Emma. Thus, I asked the maid to show her the way to us.
“It’s never an easy task to reach you, huh?” Lydia had put on a white tulle dress that made her seemed like a young lady from the neighborhood.
Emma suggested, “Please have a seat.”
“I’m fine. Thanks,” Lydia replied with a courteous smile before looking at me. “Sienna, I’m sure you know the reason I’m here, don’t you?”
“I’m guessing it’s because of?” The only mutual connection we had was Jackson. Perhaps she was there to persuade me to give up the custody over Summer.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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