Chapter6
The further I scrolled, the more absurd the rumors became, with netizens speculating
wildly.
he most outrageous part? Gianna had even accepted an interview with a reporter.
On camera, her face was streaked with tears as she spoke.
“Miss Gianna, there are rumors online suggesting an inappropriate relationship between Margaret and your father. Is this true?”
“I don’t know much about that,” she said, her voice trembling. “But my dad has always favored my sister more. Even secretly buying her a mansion wouldn’t come as a surprise.”
Every word avoided a direct confirmation or denial, but her vague insinuations effectively solidified the public’s suspicions.
A fiery rage ignited in my chest, surging to the top of my head. I could tolerate baseless rumors about myself, but Gianna dragging Jacob into this crossed the line.
Alright, Gianna. You’ve asked for this.
Just then, Robert called.
“See? What did I say, Miss Butler? These rumors are getting more and more ridiculous. You need to announce your true identity to the media, or soon they’ll be saying you have an illegitimate child on top of everything else.”
“Arrange for a press conference,” I said coldly. “Frame it as the first public appearance of the Butler Group’s founder.”
“Finally, you’re catching on. I’ll get it sorted right away.”
“And one more thing–have someone drive up the price of that South District land.”
“But didn’t you say that land had issues?”
A faint smirk curled at my lips, and my gaze turned icy.
“My goal isn’t the land. Just inflate the price, but don’t go too far–pull out at the right
moment.”
The news of the press conference quickly overshadowed the fake–heiress scandal.
Everyone in the business world knew how formidable the Butler Group was. They called its founder a business genius, someone who had risen to the top of the city’s commercial elite
less than a year, yet never showed their face publicly.
The mystery only heightened curiosity. Even those eager to network with the company had never found an opportunity.
I hadn’t even shared this secret with my adoptive father. At thirteen, I was accepted into Harvard to study finance and economics. Though the Barnes family had a solid foundation, my ambitions were greater–I wanted to build my own business empire.
Jacob knew I was starting my own business but never interfered.
Robert, on the other hand, had a natural talent for business. We met abroad and later I learned he was an illegitimate child. His family never acknowledged him, so he had followed his mother overseas.
His return to the country was to prove to the Hughes family that he, the illegitimate son, was far more capable than any of them. And he succeeded.
I gave him a share of the company, and he managed it exceptionally well. To avoid becoming a target for the Hughes family during the early stages, we kept his involvement
hidden.
It was only at my engagement party that the media discovered he was an illegitimate child.
Robert worked quickly. The price of the South District land skyrocketed to 100 billion, and Christian bought it.
From what I heard, both Christian and Gianna participated in the purchase. Fearing Jacob’s disapproval, Gianna even stole the company’s seal to finalize the deal.
I’d predicted it. The more people fight over something, the more Christian sees it as a
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Marrying Without My Eight–Year Boyfriend Knowing
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Chapter6
treasure, and Gianna would undoubtedly find a way to invest alongside him.
The Torres family was already in decline. With this latest blow, they wouldn’t last much
longer.
Chapter7
Chapter7
