Chapter 910



“So, Miss Payne, you’re not denying it anymore?” he asked, his tone mocking. “Spare me your further performance. Since I have this footage, imagine what else I might have. The moment Jake sees the unmistakable evidence of your actions, any trust he has in you will vanish.”

A pang of unease settled over Lacey, yet she fought to stay strong.

“Fine. I was behind it. Big deal! What’s your endgame here? Even if you show this to Jake, it won’t make him run back to Kallie. Their problems are far beyond fixing.”

Cody’s expression shifted as he shot her a look.

“Reconciliation? That’s not my goal. You’re overthinking it. I just figure that if Jake sees this, he’ll never trust you again. Would you like to test that theory, Miss Payne?”

Lacey’s heart sank. She couldn’t afford to let that happen. She had spent years earning Jake’s trust, and their relationship was finally progressing. If Jake saw this, all her efforts would be in vain. It was far too late for second thoughts now.

Swallowing her pride, Lacey looked at Cody, fighting back tears.

“Isn’t there any other way besides agreeing to your terms?”

Cody nodded, his voice calm.

“I don’t need money or anything else. Just your cooperation.”

“Don’t worry. Together, we could make a powerful team.”

Lacey closed her eyes, a wave of resignation washing over her. In her heart, she silently apologized to Jake.

Lacey and Cody finalized the details and signed the contract. Lacey walked away, her shoulders slumped, her eyes devoid of any hope.

gⱯlnσν𝒆𝓁s․com delivers what you seek Just then, Gerald Todd, the elderly man working for Cody, returned, a look of displeasure on his face.

“Mr. Hopkins, why do you insist on cooperating with that woman? She’s nothing but trouble.”

Cody calmly put the contract away. “You’re right about her. Although she and I share some of the same ruthless and calculating traits, she’s too clumsy and inept,” he said.

Gerald snorted. “If I hadn’t handled the loose ends for her three years ago, Jake would have seen through her.”

Gerald frowned. He added, his displeasure evident, “Why are we working with her? She’s such an idiot.”

Cody let out a hearty laugh. “You don’t see the big picture, Gerald. I chose to work with her solely because her ambition has consumed her. Her delusional thoughts are clouding her judgment, making it easier for us to manipulate her. Besides, she knows a bit about medicine and is close to Jake. If she becomes Jake’s wife, we’ll have the Reeves Group wrapped around our little finger.”

Gerald’s eyes widened in understanding.

“Brilliant move!” he exclaimed, nodding eagerly.

Elsewhere, Lacey returned to Jake’s place, only to find him absent. Lacey suddenly remembered that Jake had gone to the Reeves Group to reclaim control from Kallie. So, Jake and Kallie had met again today. Why hadn’t Jake returned yet? Did they get back together? Lacey felt it was possible, especially considering how cold and distant Jake had been on the phone earlier. He showed little regard for her safety. He had never acted like that before. Maybe he was with Kallie right now.

The thought of being under Cody’s control filled Lacey with a sense of dread and restlessness. Overcome with fear and anxiety, Lacey frantically called Leo Barton, Jake’s assistant.

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