Chapter 202 Willing to Make Sacrifices

Ursa, the manager, stared blankly at her phone screen, feeling increasingly uneasy.

She had a nagging feeling that Serenity had crossed paths with someone she shouldn't have.

She quickly called Serenity to ask what was going on, but Serenity stammered and claimed she didn't know.

She said she would try to find out from Melinda...

Ursa, Serenity's manager, was always a sharp and capable woman.

After making several inquiries, she finally got in touch with Melinda.

Melinda sat in her spacious, well-lit office, her gaze as cold as ice. She twirled a pen in her hand and spoke with a calm yet firm voice, "Ursa, you should ask Serenity what she's been up to."

On the other end of the line, Ursa was stunned. She had a vague sense that things were more complicated than they seemed.

After hanging up, she immediately found Serenity and sternly questioned her, "Serenity, be honest with me. Where did you go and what did you do on the day of the Thomas Group's press conference?"

Serenity's face turned pale instantly. She trembled and finally admitted that she had tried to seduce Raymond at the press conference.

Ursa was furious, shaking with anger. She scolded Serenity for her foolishness and warned her, "Melinda can blacklist you. Do you have any idea what the Thomas family means in Shadow City? Offending Melinda could ruin your career here. You've really caused me a lot of trouble."

Serenity was filled with regret. She hadn't expected Melinda to come after her so quickly.

Sure enough, in the following days, all the endorsement deals she had lined up were canceled. No one wanted to offend the Thomas Group.

The losses amounted to millions of dollars, and the agency was demanding she pay the penalty for breach of contract.

At that moment, Vincent walked into Melinda's office.

With a gentle smile, he made a request to Melinda, "Melinda, Kaia wants to be the spokesperson for our new product launch."

Melinda was slightly taken aback, then remembered the help and kindness Vincent had shown her in the past. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to give Kaia the opportunity, "Alright, I'll call the Thomas Group's planning department to arrange it."

Vincent's eyes flashed with gratitude.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Melinda, "Thank you, Melinda."

After Vincent left, the office door was gently pushed open again, and Raymond walked

in. He immediately embraced Melinda and stole a quick kiss.

Melinda struggled to push him away, realizing the blinds were still open, and people outside could see them clearly. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she whispered, "Raymond, what are you doing? The blinds are still open!"

Raymond laughed nonchalantly, "It's fine, I don't mind being seen." He glanced around and suddenly asked, "Vincent was here?"

"Yes, he just left," Melinda replied honestly.

Jealousy surged in Raymond's heart as he stared intently into Melinda's eyes, "What did he want? Is he trying to bother you again?"

Melinda couldn't help but laugh at his reaction.

She closed the blinds and then kissed Raymond on the lips, "Raymond, stop being jealous. Vincent was just here to get an endorsement opportunity for Kaia. Besides, my heart belongs to you."

Raymond was moved by Melinda's initiative and confession. He kissed her back passionately until they were both breathless.

This scene was accidentally witnessed by Kathy, the assistant, who awkwardly cleared her throat and assured them she wouldn't say a word.

Watching Melinda and Raymond's sweet interaction, Kathy couldn't help but think, "Mrs. Thomas is looking more beautiful than ever."

Meanwhile, at a fruit store near the hospital, Claire was picking out fruit for Beck. She overheard people nearby discussing bank debts, and her heart tightened.

Claire quickly paid for the fruit and hurried back to the hospital room. As she approached, she overheard her parents' conversation.

Beck's voice was low and weak, "I've done my best, but the bank is pressing us hard. We can't repay the over three billion dollars in debt."

Sabrina's voice was tearful, "What are we going to do? Are we really going to watch our house get taken away?"

"The Jenkins family has agreed to help pay off the debt, but their condition is that Claire marries Otis," Beck sighed helplessly. "I know it's unfair to Claire, but we have no other choice."

Claire's heart ached. She knew she had no choice. For her parents, for her family, she had to make a sacrifice.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and walked in.

"Mom, Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm willing to marry Otis," Claire said firmly.

Her parents looked at her in shock, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Are you sure about this?" her father asked, his voice trembling. "Yes," Claire nodded.

She took out her phone and dialed Otis's number.

Otis's deep, magnetic voice came through the line, "Claire, what's up?"

"Otis, I'm willing to marry you," Claire said directly.

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by Otis's light laughter, "Really? That's great! I'll be back in the country on Friday. Let's meet and discuss the details. By the way, I'll pay off part of the debt to the bank first. Once we're married, I'll consider paying off the rest."

Claire's heart tightened, but she knew she had no way out. She took a deep breath and said softly, "Okay, I'll wait for you."

Meanwhile, in the women's prison, Elsie and Emily ran into each other. They had once been good friends, but now they were both in this dire situation.

"Well, if it isn't Elsie," Emily sneered, "How did you end up here too?"

Elsie glared at her without saying a word.

While Elsie was working, Emily suddenly walked over and dumped a bowl of hot soup on her.

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Elsie screamed and jumped up, glaring at Emily in fury.

Emily smirked and slapped Elsie across the face, "You bitch! You had this coming!"

The two immediately started fighting, and the guards rushed over to separate them. "Behave yourselves!" the guard shouted sternly.

Elsie and Emily stood there, panting and glaring at each other.

"Elsie, who do you think you are?" Emily spat venomously. "That night Melinda was set up, it was Raymond who went into the room! He gave Melinda a necklace afterward, but she threw it away. The staff thought it was mine and gave it to me. Later, Raymond found me, thinking I was the one who spent the night with him. He gave me a mansion, a sports car, a black card... I spent fifty million dollars of his money! In the end, Melinda had me thrown in jail for extortion, all because of you. I told you to get rid of Sam, but you didn't listen!"

Elsie's face turned ashen. She stared wide-eyed at Emily, the woman she had once considered a friend.

Emily's lips curled into a smug smile, filled with mockery and disdain for Elsie.

"So you knew everything. Why did you lie to me and make me your accomplice?" Elsie's voice trembled with disbelief.

Emily swayed slightly, as if savoring Elsie's pain.

"Because you're an idiot! Hahaha!" Her laughter echoed in the air, grating on Elsie's

ears.

Elsie suddenly felt dizzy. She had once envied Melinda for having Raymond's love and protection, but now she realized she had been easily deceived by someone like Emily.

She thought about all the wrongs she had done in the past, and now they seemed so ridiculous and pathetic.

Looking at Emily, Elsie finally understood.

She deserved this fate. It was her own doing.

She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall, her heart filled with endless regret and pain.