Chapter 496

Chapter 496

The cop looked at Rita.

Rita’s eyes were filled with fear, and her face was smeared with tears.

Rita’s back was drenched in cold sweat. She’s itching to get the hell out of there right away.

She’s busted her ass to win Ryan’s favor and for the life she had now. She can’t let it all go down the drain because

of some chick named Maja, who had nothing to

do with her

The cop didn’t really grill them about anything, and let he Maja and Rita go.

Rita didn’t dare stay at RosenGarden anymore, and Maja was heading back to Rosewood Manor, so they both

bounced at the same time

Rita’s legs wesre shaking like crazy. Having Maja right next to her gave her the creeps,

At the curb, Maja reminded her

“Miss Rita, I hope you won’t be a pain in my ass again.”

Maja was smiling, but her eyes were sharp as knives.

Rita froze. “I wouldn’t dare”

Maja got in the car and left

After Maja was gone, Rita almost collapsed right there, her back still covered in cold sweat.

Rita’s crying her eyes out, her cheeks aching.

Maja really scared the living daylights out of her. She didn’t dare tell Ryan about it.

As Maja drove off, she didn’t notice a car parked a short distance away or someone watching her

“Are you sure it’s her?”

A man’s voice rang out, and someone answered him.

“We’ve been investigating for a while. Although there’s no concrete evidence, this woman did have a brief

encounter with Eric back in the day at Crystalbrook Valley” The man stayed silent for a moment, then asked, “What

about Carlene?”

“We’ve looked into her too. There was nothing out of the ordinary with Carlene, but she could be lying low”

“Keep digging”

Either Carlene or Maja.

“Alright, also, Eric’s old drafts were taken. Someone might have caught on to our plan”

The man’s gaze turned heavy, watching the direction Maja disappeared in, deep in thought

Maja didn’t have a clue about any of this. When she got back to Rosewood Manor, she’s beat

She’s out like a light the minute her head hit the pillow

Ever since the deal to acquire the Pennyfeather Group hit a snag a week ago, Carlene had been keeping a low

profile. She hadn’t left the house, she’s too embarrassed to show her face.

She felt like she’s lost her face completely

The Shepard family company had already announced the acquisition of the Neilian Group. Carlene herself had even

posted on social media about going to the Neilian Group office

And then Maja swooped in and became the CEO of the Pennyfeather Group with a high stake. Carlene felt like a

laughing stock.

Even though Carlene had deleted that post, the shame still sticked to her like glue.

Then Carlene got a call from Maureen.

Back when she was dating lan, Carlene made sure she knew everyone in the Raymond family

“Carlene,” Maureen’s voice was gentle, “Has lan said anything to you since he came back?”

Maureen had been on edge. If lan really liked Carlene and was determined to marry her, given his personality, he

wouldn’t mess around with other women.

lan even stayed abroad for three years to oppose arranged marriages. That’s how much Carlene meaned to him

So, what’s the deal with Penny?

Carlene stiffened up. lan already told her they wouldn’t get back together and that she shouldn’t waste her time.

But she didn’t believe it. She was his first girlfriend, and he was always so good to her

“lan said he wants to marry me”

Maureen frowned. “Are you sure? I ran into him and Penny at the hotel. They spent the night together”

Carlene’s pupils shrink. She jumped up from the couch, her chest heaving.

“That’s impossible!!”

Hearing Carlene’s denial, Maureen realized Carlene was lying lan probably hadn’t planned to marry her

So Maureen hanged up.

Carlene was so pissed that she chucked her phone at the wall

She had already suspected that lan had other women in his hotel room, especially when she entered his bedroom

that day and felt something was off Carlene felt a sharp pain in her chest.

She’s been cooped up in the house for a week, and now she got this shocking news, Carlene was like a madwoman.

She wanted to go out, she wanted to confront

lan.

But then she remembered lan saying they wouldn’t get back together, and her pupils shrink.

Could it be because of Penny that lan didn’t want to get back with her?

Carlene immediately calmed down, her nails digging into her palms. She took a deep breath and dialed fan.

lan was in the hotel room, looking at the unopened gift on the bed, feeling a bit bummed out

Holding the gift, he went to the living room, thinking he needed to find some time to give it away

When his phone rang, he’s a bit annoyed. But when he saw it’s Carlene, he picked up.

Carlene’s voice was calm, but her face was twisted in anger.

“lan, I suddenly remembered that Eric did give me something a while ago.