Chapter 30: Enemy Alert! It’s a Rival!
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The visit to the Smiths was purely to settle the score. As long as she was around, Lindsey wouldn’t exploit the Jansons anymore. After today, the Smiths would no longer assume a close relationship with the Jansons.
The news of her visit was expected; the only surprise was Lindsey’s fainting spell. The Smiths‘ staff were notorious gossips, hence the numerous rumors about Amy and Lindsey’s close bond. ‘Lindsey had deliberately allowed those rumors to spread. This swift dissemination of today’s events was a case of poetic justice. She likely hadn’t anticipated her own embarrassing situation becoming public knowledge.
Lindsey had long been manipulative, subtly using Amy to gain advantages from the Janson family. It was deeply irritating! Today, Lily had gotten a small taste of revenge.
On the drive home, Lily was engrossed in her phone, while John gently stroked her hair, his focused expression resembling that of a master craftsman creating a masterpiece. They were silent, the atmosphere harmonious.
The road was lined with plane trees. Sunlight streamed through the half–open window, casting dancing shadows on them.
While checking the distance to the car behind them at a red light, the driver inadvertently observed the couple in the back seat. He’d worked for the Janson family for eight years, and John always either worked or slept in the car. His expression was perpetually tense and serious, like an emotionless machine, devoid of personal interests or hobbies. The driver thought even those who hated the rich wouldn’t envy John’s wealth – it came at too high a cost! He pushed himself to the limit every day, as if tireless.
But today was different. In eight years, the driver had never seen John so relaxed.
A horn blared from behind, snapping him back to reality. He focused on the road, accelerating through the green light.
Lily was responding to messages. Her inbox had exploded since the Facebook post, but these weren’t random messages from strangers. They were
strangers. They were from people who knew her. [Hello, is this you?]
[Sister Lily? Is that you?]
[Ms. Lynch? Is that really you?]
Each message was from someone who followed Lily on that account. As John had predicted, the Facebook post had reached her old friends. Some questioned the authenticity of the post, while others sent voice messages, their voices choked with emotion, asking if she was back…
Following John’s suggestion, Lily explained her fifteen–year absence as a period spent recuperating in a tranquil, remote location, adding that her health had prevented her from contacting the outside world. No one questioned this; they didn’t need After Lily’s replies, many expressed their desire to visit, inquiring about her health. Some were abroad, others in other cities…
- to.
Lily said she was very busy and would arrange a meeting later. She still needed to deal with her
children!
Keplying to each message, explaining everything, Lily finally put down her phone as the sun set.
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Chapter 30: Enemy Alert! It’s a Riv…
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She stretched, a smile playing on her lips. Many of her old friends were unlike Bella!
In the study…
John reviewed documents, while Lily sat on the sofa, checking the bodyguard’s updates on Amy. “Our silly girl! The bodyguard says she spent the entire day at the hospital caring for Hanson’s
mother.”
That old woman! Even with her own son present, she exploited Amy’s kindness to Hanson, assigning her tasks while showering her with praise. Unlike Hanson, Brown’s mother was a master manipulator.
In a one–minute video, Brown’s mother constantly praised Amy while subtly mentioning her son’s qualities, encouraging Amy to work harder.
“Let her be. Amy isn’t stupid. She may not realize it now, but she’ll figure it out eventually,” John said calmly. Their daughter was headstrong; only a setback with Hanson could teach her a lesson.
Lily closed the video.“Let’s wait another two or three days. If the Hans don’t reveal their true colors, I will,” she said, exhaling.
After a moment, she brightened.“Andy is sending me a painting!”
John raised an eyebrow.“A painting?”
“He asked if I liked it. I said it was beautiful, and he said he’ll give it to me next time we meet.” She beamed. Her son remembered she liked art!
She showed John the photo her son sent.“Is this from an auction house?” she asked, pointing to the watermark at the bottom: NoDi Auction House. The time stamp in the corner indicated the upcoming auction–the day after tomorrow.
John’s expression was complex.“Don’t you remember?”
“Remember what?” Lily asked, puzzled.
John pointed to the watermark. Lily thought for a moment. NoDi… NoDi…
“NoDi?!”
Lily exclaimed, her voice sharp.
John
nodded. Lily’s interest was piqued.“Let’s
go! Are you free
then?”
“I’m free.” He’d be there, even if the sky fell.
John regretted mentioning it.
“Why do you suddenly want to go there?”
“I want to buy something for Andy, as a gift!” This was her first gift to her son since her return. Before John mentioned NoDi, when she had asked about the auction house, she had this idea.
John watched her, silently hoping it wasn’t something more. Why was he so tense? Because NoDi was a man’s name–a name Lily herself had given. The NoDi Auction House was named after him.
Even though NoDi was unlikely to be there, John was still uneasy. NoDi had a history of questionable behavior! Even knowing he was Lily’s boyfriend, he’d relentlessly pursued her! He Jacked any moral compass; he saw an opportunity as long as she wasn’t married. He’d remained
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Chapter 30: Enemy Alert! It’s a Riv…
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single, claiming dedication to art, but who knew if his feelings for Lily still lingered? After his failed pursuit of Lily, he apparently hadn’t dated anyone else! John mentally crossed NoDi off his list.
Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous!
John clung to the hope of avoiding him, but as the saying goes, fate always brings enemies together. And indeed, NoDi would be at the auction.
This wasn’t just true for John; it also applied to Lily because Bella and Lindsey would also be there. It was going to be interesting.
