Chapter 9
At the annual report meeting held by the Special Economic Zone Administration, Hugo went as far as publicly accusing my father. He claimed my father had hidden our family’s background to get policy benefits.
Not long after, the president’s office sent someone to summon me. I was brought straight to the State Administration Building.
Right at the entrance, I saw Hugo grinning proudly. “Madeline, I warned you you’d come crawling back one day, but now it’s too late. Your entire family is suspected of cheating the country. That’s a serious charge!
“So what if your dad runs the Gordelith Group? He’s nothing next to the president. You brought this upon yourself. You’ve ruined your family. What a joke!”
I looked at him calmly. “Don’t waste your time laughing at me. You should be more concerned about what’s coming for you.”
He snorted. “Once I get control of Gordelith Group’s military resources, you won’t be so smug.”
When I entered the hall, I gave a respectful bow and started speaking. But Hugo jumped in and tried to take over.
“Mr. Crawford, she’s the one! I’ve been married to Madeline for five years and didn’t even know her true identity. Not long ago, she showed up at my son’s baptism with people from the Gordelith Group and caused a huge scene. That’s when I realized her identity wasn’t real. I’m also guilty, and I’m turning myself in for judgment!”
Isaac, seated above, narrowed his eyes slightly and stood up. He walked
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toward me.
Hugo assumed I was about to be reprimanded. But instead, Isaac reached out to help me up. “Maddie, you’re back in America? Why didn’t you come visit us first?”
I smiled and gently held his hand. “Mr. Crawford, I didn’t want to disturb your busy schedule.”
“My wife misses you a lot. You should come over more often.”
“Of course.” I replied.
Hugo widened his eyes in disbelief. “Mr. Crawford, Madeline-”
“Shut up!” Isaac shouted, then kicked Hugo aside.
“I already know her identity. Maddie grew up under our family’s care. She’s close to the head of state. How dare your family mistreat her? Do you think I’ll let that slide?”
Hugo turned pale and trembled all over.
Meanwhile, my father stepped forward and handed over a folder. “Here’s the evidence, Mr. Crawford. Hugo misused his position and helped the Lloyd family profit illegally in real estate, healthcare, logistics, and more. They even used force to drive people from their homes.”
Isaac’s face darkened. He slammed his hand on the table. “Arrest him now. The Lloyd family members involved will be brought to justice!”
Hugo collapsed from fear and was dragged out by the guards.
Three days later, I signed the divorce papers.
The sentence came down fast. Hugo lost his job, his assets were frozen, and he was deported along with his mother and the rest of the Lloyd
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family members.
The Lloyd family’s core members were found guilty of serious crimes and received the death penalty.
That same night, Emily tried to run away through the villa’s back door, carrying jewelry and her child. But the butler stopped her.
Everyone was shocked to find an unfamiliar man hiding in the car.
The truth came out during the investigation–the boy wasn’t Hugo’s. Emily had that child with a drug dealer.
Fannie was so furious that she killed Emily and the man right there, then tossed the child into a well.
When I heard the news, I calmly set down my teacup and said, “They brought this on themselves.”
Lillian strode over. “Ms. Schultz, the car is ready. You should take a break.”
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She was right. It was time to move on.
The sun had finally come out, and all the shadows had faded.
