Chapter 83
That adoptive father of Selene’s–he used his so–called kindness as leverage to force Harrison into marrying that woman. Harrison never had a choice.
But now, finally, that unworthy country girl has been thrown out of our house for good!
Gemma’s expression softened, brightening like a garden in spring. “Now, all of you, keep your eyes open and help me find a few eligible young ladies from within the city’s high society. It’s time I started arranging some introductions for Harrison. My precious grandson can’t grow up without a mother’s love.”
At once, the other society ladies perked up, each one eager to know what sort of daughter–in–law Gemma preferred.
Suddenly, someone let out a surprised gasp. “Oh my! Selene’s being interviewed by a National Broadcast Network reporter! Incredible! She just placed first in the ALI Math Competition preliminaries–what an achievement!”
The moment Selene’s name was mentioned, Gemma’s smile vanished.
The other women began to chatter excitedly. “The ALI Math Competition is a big deal! Anyone who makes it to the top twenty in the finals gets courted by major corporations, government agencies, and the best universities!”
“I thought Selene only had a bachelor’s degree. How could she possibly win first place in a math competition?”
“Maybe the committee gave her the top spot because she’s Mrs. Vaughn? They might be doing it as a favor to the Vaughn family!”
“I doubt it,” someone retorted. “All the judges for the ALI Math Competition are seasoned academics. Besides, Selene said in the interview that she’s divorced. She
doesn’t get any perks from being Mrs. Vaughn anymore!”
Gemma sat in silence, lost in thought, until a realization struck her. “ALI Group and Vaughn Enterprises are business partners. I’ll have Harrison reach out to ALI Group and make it clear they shouldn’t give that woman any special treatment because of
us.”
She let out a dry laugh. “If the committee really did put her in first place because i Vaughn Enterprises, and she has the nerve to accept a National Broadcast Network interview does she really think she’s that talented? Let’s see how she fares in the finals. The bigger the stage, the harder the fall!”
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08:10 1
The other ladies nodded, quick to agree with Gemma’s assessment.
Just then, Gemma’s phone rang.
She glanced at the screen–it was her assistant. She answered.
“Ms. Yates, they’re inside!” her assistant blurted out, voice tense with urgency.
“What?” Gemma’s brow furrowed in irritation. “Who’s inside? Can’t you speak clearly-”
“Ms. Gemma Yates.”
A man’s voice cut through the confusion, sharp and authoritative.
Gemma hadn’t heard anyone address her by her full name in years. For a moment, she was almost disoriented.
She looked up to see more than a dozen uniformed officials standing before her.
The lead prosecutor stepped forward and presented his badge. “You are under investigation for your involvement in Jason Lewis’s embezzlement and bribery case. Please come with us.”
All the society women watched in stunned silence as Gemma was escorted out by the authorities, their faces a mixture of shock and fear.
Vaughn Enterprises, CEO’s office:
Harrison reclined in his executive chair, eyes closed as if resting. The cold, pale daylight spilled across his finely–chiseled features, making him look almost sculpted from marble.
IBM Corporation had planned to increase its investment in Vaughn Enterprises‘ tech division, but after his divorce from Selene, they backed out. The shareholders weren’t pleased. Some had hoped to brag about Selene’s televised interview to the president of Morgania, but instead, they’d become a laughingstock internationally.
Harrison pressed his fingers to his temple, his brow furrowing.
If Selene managed to do well in the finals too… well, perhaps he’d consider lowering himself to coax her back for the company’s sake.
