Hansen had long since made detailed arrangements.
A reshuffle was taking place in the market.
It turned out that the Richards Group’s businesses that had been seized by Zoella were swiftly won back by the Richards Group. Moreover, they had launched a new round of attacks against the Sky Sword Group.
As a result, the newly listed Sky Sword Group was severely afflicted by the Richards Group, until it was left shaken, and was on the verge of collapsing with its shares index dropping. If there were no new resources put in, it could only be bought over or reorganized.
The market was cruel, and there could only be one winner. What was more, Zoella offended Hansen of the Richards Group, who was ruthless. For the first time, Zoella could feel how obliterated to the ground.
Everything seemed to have returned to square one.
Only the latest ‘online shopping mode’ she created was barely holding on. Fortunately, she had relied on the ‘Miss Universe’ beauty pageant to push the Sky Sword Group’s online shopping feature towards global attention. Hence, the company was able to hang on. In terms of its financial situation, it had been utterly defeated. The moment Zoella announced the company’s bankruptcy, she would have to move the company back to C City.
“Miss Yates, don’t worry. Let’s take it slow. Although we have temporarily failed, we still have our chances in the future.” Octavia had been by Zoella’s side all the time, comforting her.
Hansen was indeed a business prodigy, and his skills were really peculiar. With no one holding onto his weakness and threatening him in the last three days, it was rumored that he was with Jenna and their child at the Seaside Resort for a holiday. Yet, he still almost managed to destroy the Sky Sword Group.
Zoella leaned against the back of the couch, as she stroked the scattered black hair in front of her forehead with her delicate hand. There was starlight shining in her cold eyes.
Being suppressed by the Richards Group, she had to retreat in defeat, but she was not as beaten down as she had imagined. Even though the light in her eyes was dim, the expression on her face was still quite calm.
“Octavia, thank you for being with me all the way. I can count on you to be there through thick or thin.” She lifted her delicate eyebrows and expressed her gratitude softly.
“Miss Yates, it’s my honor to be appreciated and valued by you. Without any hesitation, I’m willing to go through any difficulty and challenge for you.” Hearing this, Octavia hurriedly expressed her loyalty.
“Thank you. I’ll give you an important position in the future.” Zoella was also very grateful to have such a loyal person standing by her side.
Octavia’s face blushed, and she replied sincerely, “Miss Yates, I used to be an insignificant figure in a small company. I’ve learnt many business experiences and skills from you in these years, and you trusted me so much. I really have no regrets.”
“Excellent, Octavia. As long as you continue following me in the future, I’ll never mistreat you when I stand firm one day.” Zoella shifted her gaze to the mango tree outside the window and asked, “Where’s Liya now? How’s she?”
“Thank you for your trust, Miss Yates.” Octavia’s face was all smiles. She bowed and carefully uttered, “Miss Yates, Hansen has announced that the wedding’s just a show. I don’t think Liya has the guts to stay any longer. She left Richards Manor and concentrated on preparing for her Uncle Reid’s funeral. Yesterday, our people saw her at the cemetery. Her eyes were dull, her gaze was desolate, and her face was pale. She had long lost her glory.”
When Octavia said this, there was a hint of delight in her eyes.
“What about Oscar, that stupid pig? How has he been during this period of time?” At the thought of that nightmare, Oscar, anger surfaced in Zoella’s eyes.
“Miss Yates, after Old Master Jones called Oscar back, he received a good scolding. It was said that several women came looking for him at his manor. So, Old Master Jones was furious and punished him by ordering him to ponder over his misdeeds. He should not be allowed to leave these days.” Thinking of Oscar’s lecherous appearance, Octavia was overjoyed.
“Hmm. Well done.” Zoella nodded her head. Upon knowing that Liya was going to hold a wedding with Hansen, Oscar did not have the courage to fight against Hansen. Without Liya as her replacement, Zoella was afraid that she would be further ruined by Oscar. So, she came up with that idea.
Surely enough, Oscar had just been dealt with by Matteo. He would not be leaving his house for the next few days.
“Octavia, we can’t afford to offend Matteo now. We must make use of him. So, we can’t deal with Oscar for the time being. We can only keep him aside and utilize him when the time comes.” Zoella’s gaze showed pain and bewilderment as she mumbled to herself.
Octavia understood what she meant and nodded in agreement. Even though she saw that Zoella was slightly downcast, she could not think of anything to comfort her.
“Where’s Sergio?” Zoella asked again.
“Miss Yates, Sergio has been back in Capital City for several days now after Hansen’s wedding. I wonder if he’ll come back?” Octavia could not track Sergio’s movements in Capital City. She could only figure out his actions in A City.
Sergio Xanthe.
A sinister smile began to appear on Zoella’s face. That man was brave and resourceful. It was right for him to stop her that day. As expected, Hansen began to use his powerful means when she was no longer a threat to him and defeated her in an instant. What right did she have to fight with him?
At present, Liya could still be regarded as a pawn.
If she was not mistaken, Liya should be hating Hansen to the core right now.
Hansen had used her. Her beloved uncle, Reid, had died at Richards Manor, and it was during her wedding. She understood the pain of losing a loved one very well.
Liya would never let the matter slide. For now, she was still immersed in grief and hadn’t yet armed herself. Zoella had reason to believe that Liya would cause more trouble to Richards Manor once again.
“Octavia, don’t worry. Sergio will definitely return, and he will become even more terrifying.” Zoella suddenly laughed out loud in pleasure. “The charges against the Richards Group have not been dismissed. How can he, Sergio, let it go just like that? Besides, the crucial moment for Yadriel’s election is coming up.”
Octavia was stunned for a moment before she understood everything and laughed along with her.
“Since we can’t destroy Hansen in terms of strength, then let’s watch from the sidelines as they fight and reap the benefits after.” Zoella’s smile was creepy, whereas Octavia could roughly figure out what she said.
Time flew as they were having fun.
Jenna and Hansen lovingly spent three days in the Seaside Resort’s villa, enjoying their vacation. On the evening of the third day, the phone rang.
Hansen picked up the phone, and Trevor’s serious voice came from the other end of the line.
“Hansen, your grandmother is on her deathbed. Hurry up, bring Jenna and Jerry back.” Trevor’s voice was calm, but it couldn’t conceal his anxiety.
Grandma!
Hansen instantly scrambled from the bed as his expression changed drastically.
In this period of time, in order to save Claude, he did not visit Vivian everyday as he used to. When he heard what Trevor had said, a trace of pain and guilt surged in his heart.
“Alright, Dad. We’ll be right back.”
He hung up the phone as he spoke.
“Hansen, what’s wrong?” When Jenna noticed that Hansen seemed to become an entirely different person after picking up the call, she was anxious and immediately asked.
“Jenna, Grandma is dying. We must go back immediately.” Hansen spoke in a hurried and rapid tone. As he spoke, he had already started packing up his things. While he was doing that in a hurry, he called Alvin and ordered him to drive the car over to the seaside to pick them up.
Jenna knew how important Vivian was to Hansen as she rarely saw him so flustered. Right then, she quietly packed her things up.
The family of three boarded the cruise ship and returned to Richards Manor that night.
The night at Richards Manor was dark, and there weren’t even any stars. It seemed as if it was going to rain the next day.
In the hall of the Ink Garden.
Trevor’s whole family, Claude and his second wife, as well as Old Master Richards’ two sons-in-law and children, were all present. Even Sabrina was present.
When Hansen walked in with Jenna, Trevor was having a conversation with the doctor, Cadrez.
“Mr. Trevor, to be honest, Old Madam has fainted several times in recent days, and she has not been eating much. If there’s no incident, then she will only have three days left. It’s time to prepare for the funeral.” Although Cadrez’s words were somewhat heavy, he had to tell the truth.
The faces of everyone in the hall turned gloomy as they felt sorrowful.
“Is there any other medication that can be used? Please do your best.” Trevor’s heart was heavy, as he nodded solemnly while asking.
“Mr. Trevor, all the drugs used by Old Madam are imported and most advanced. Many state-of-the-art hospitals in the country can’t even get hold of those drugs. Our team of experts is also on duty round the clock. Therefore, we have tried our best. With Old Madam’s condition, it is commendable to have been delayed until now,” Cadrez explained in a serious manner.
With that said, everyone could understand that Old Madam was already in her advanced years, and even miracles couldn’t save her.
The two daughters began to cry when they heard the doctor’s words.
Trevor and Claude discussed for a while. In the end, Trevor issued the final announcement with a heavy heart.
“From today onwards, all of the descendants will have to live in the Ink Garden and prepare for the vigil.”
Everyone understood that it was time to pay their final respects.
Jenna couldn’t look too overwhelmed with sadness. She immediately notified Maud to begin tidying up the guest rooms in Ink Garden, as she was the head of the household. So, she had to be clear-headed.
“Quick, tell Norton to hurry back.” Trevor immediately instructed Jenna when he thought of Norton.
“Alright, Dad.” Jenna instantly dialed a foreign number.
Norton set off as soon as he received the call.
The Ink Garden was crowded. Half of the manor’s servants were transferred over. Jenna knew that from that day onwards, the Ink Garden would be busy until Vivian’s funeral. However, she did not know how long they would be busy.
“Jenna, let me help you.” As soon as Jenna sat down in the office of the Ink Garden, Sabrina came over.
“Sabrina, thank you for looking out for the Richards Group these days. Hansen was busy with the wedding, and we couldn’t have attended to the company’s affairs without you,” Jenna held Sabrina’s hand and thanked her sincerely.
“Jenna, don’t mention it. I didn’t have anything else to do either. I just regard it as a summer job. What’s more, I gained a lot of knowledge while working at Richards Manor, especially the recent days when we taught Sky Sword Group and Zoella a lesson. It felt amazing. Now I know that Hansen is powerful.” Sabrina commented earnestly, “I also learnt some dirty tricks to deal with people.”
Jenna wanted to laugh when she heard Sabrina’s words, but she couldn’t.