Helen's POV:
Who would have the guts to falsify government documents just to lure me into a trap? All of a sudden,
George's mother's threat flashed through my mind.She told me that if I did not divorce George, I would
have to pay the price.I did not think that she was capable enough to pull this off.
But if there was one thing I was sure of, it was not to underestimate the cunningness of an angry
woman.
If something went wrong in the project, not only would my career be destroyed but also the reputation
of the law firm.
"I'm going to Yeadon Real Estate," I said in a resolute tone.
I still had a glimmer of hope.I wanted to go to the Land Management Bureau in person as well to verify
what was wrong.
Without waiting for their response, I walked over to my desk, took my car key, and turned around to
leave.But just as I was about to walk out of the door, Anya spoke.
"By the time you arrive at Princeton, it's already evening.You won't be able to do anything!"
Although the tone of her voice was cold, I could hear her concern.
Looking at her, I could feel tears welling in my eyes
"Miss Pierce, I'll take responsibility of this," I replied.
I had to go there, no matter how late it was.
After all, I was not only responsible for myself but also for my clients, the law firm, and Anya and Phil.
Regardless of Anya’s dissuasion, I left for Princeton.
On the way, I recalled the project over and over again.
Every step of the process, from the beginning up to the final review, strictly followed the protocol.It was
impossible to make such a rookie mistake.I had no clue what I had missed.
Halfway, I received a call from George.
"What do you want for dinner? I'm in the supermarket."
My eyes brimmed with tears when I heard his gentle voice.I clutched the steering wheel tightly and
forced myself to calm down before answering.
"Sorry, but I won't go home tonight. Anya has asked me to go on a business trip.I'm on the way
already."
"Business trip? Where are you going?"
"In the neighboring city.I'll be back tomorrow,"
I bit my lip and tried, with all my might, to control myself for fear that George would notice my voice
cracking.
"I see.Well, be careful on the road.Call me as soon as you arrive there."
"I will"
When the call ended, I felt as if a knife had pierced through my heart.
Moreover, the world seemed to have darkened.
If I took another step forward, I would see an endless abyss in front of me.
Just as I thought that things could not get any worse, Cece called me as soon as I hung up the call with
George.
"Helen, did something go wrong with Leeson Holdings's project? I heard that its acquisition program
had been suspended and that Devin had asked us to stop the advertisement."
My mind went blank all of a sudden.
This project was Cece's first venture project in New York.She invested all her money into this.
If the project was suspended, or worse, terminated, she would go bankrupt.I stepped on the brakes and
the car came to a screeching halt.I could not breathe.I felt like I was drowning, except that I was not
underwater.
My vision was also blurry with tears.
"Helen, are you okay?" Cece asked with concern.
I did not know how to answer her, so I made up a lie.
"Everything's okay so far.We're also investigating the matter.Don't worry.I'll inform you as soon as I
receive any news."
A lot of things had not been confirmed yet, so! could not reveal the details of the project, especially to
Cece.
"Okay."
Cece breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "By the way, I'm thinking of hiring a caregiver for your
mother.I've been really busy these past few days and I'm afraid l have to continue working long
hours.I'm worried about her staying at home on her own."
She was in the early stage of her business.She had been busy recently and barely got time for herself.
What was more, the suburbs was far from the company, so she had to spend a lot of time on the road.
Because of this, most of the time she would just sleep on her office.I thought for a while.
Although her suggestion was appealing, I disagreed with it.
"You don't have to do that.She's stronger and more stable than you think.Besides, I can watch her
through the surveillance camera, so I can check up on her from time to time."
Once the call ended, I booked the hotel where I stayed last time.I also called George and talked to him
for a few minutes.
Then, I hung up the call with an excuse that I had a meeting to attend.I tossed and turned the whole
night.
The next morning when I surmised that the people of Yeadon Real Estate were already at work, I went
to find Mason Browns, their representative who was in charge of the project in Princeton.
I had come here before, so the receptionist recognized me.
"Helen, Mr.Browns has resigned," she whispered.
"He has resigned? Wasn't he the second major shareholder of Yeadon Real Estate? Why would he do
that?" I asked incredulously.
I could not wait to find out the truth about the matter, but I had a bad feeling about this.
But since it was work hours, the receptionist refused to go into detail for fear that others would hear
her.But I was persistent.I sat on the chair and waited until the remaining employees had clocked in.
"Why did Mason resign? And when did he leave?" I anxiously asked.
The receptionist looked around the place.
Once she made sure that there was no one around, she explained in a hushed voice, "He took
advantage of his position and transferred Yeadon Real Estate's projects to different people.Then, he
ran away with the money after he got exposed."
My heart sank, and I got weak on my knees.I felt cold all over as I walked out of Yeadon Real Estate.It
was only when I sat in my car for a long time did I come to my senses.I did not dare to delay any
longer.
Without further ado, I drove to the Land Management Bureau to verify the ownership of the piece of
land that Leeson Holdings had paid for.
When I arrived, I looked for the security guard who took me upstairs that day, but he was nowhere to
be found.
Instead, another security guard was standing not far away.
I walked up to him and straightforwardly asked, "Hi, didn't the other security guard come today? Where
can I find him?"
He looked at me in confusion.
"Uh, sorry, but I'm the only security guard here." I recalled the man I had met the other day and
described his appearance.
"He's tall and slightly fat.He also has a mole near his ear.Please think carefully.I have something very
important to ask him."
The security guard pondered for a moment and then shook his head.
"You must've gotten the wrong person.I've been working here for a long time, but I don't know anyone
who fits the description.Maybe you talked to a maintenance personnel?"
How could the maintenance personnel wear the uniform of security guards? I was certain I
remembered correctly.иσνєℓєвσσк.¢σмI had no idea what was going on, but I tried to remain calm and
composed.
"Is the temporary business window on the second floor now open to the public? Can you take me
there?"
"The business windows are all on the first floor.The second floor is the administration offices.Nobody
can go up without an appointment," the security guard answered.
He seemed pretty confident that what I was talking about did not exist.
Achill ran down my spine.It must have been George's mother who set up all the traps.
The project, the security guard, and the ownership of the land were all fake.And all these were done
just to make me fall into the abyss.
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