Chapter 71
Charles, who was in the coffee shop on the corner of the street, wondered why Josie invited him for a meal all of a sudden.
Charles felt that Josie was behaving abnormally.
When Josie was lifteen years old, she started to become withdrawn.
Thus, in Charles’s memory. Josie had never contacted him on her own initiative. Moments ago, Josie even unusually called him Charlie. In the past, she would only call him so when her elders were around.
Sure enough, Charles felt anxious deep down. He knew that Josie was coming here with a purpose.
To obtain what he wanted, Charles was indeed plotting against Josie. He even worked with Ashley to force Josie to divorce Henry
Gosh! Does Josie know about it? Or… Charles could not help pondering.
In truth, Charles had always thought that he was fearless. However, when he had to deal with Josie, who was acting strange, he did not feel as confident as he had always been.
As the glass door of the coffee shop was pushed open, a waiter greeted, “Welcome!”
Josie still had a pale complexion. Under the sunlight, she looked sorrowful.
Jo. Charles called out as he made a gesture at Josie.
Josie walked straight over without wearing any expression on her face.
“Why did you suddenly… Charles was a little nervous as he had been avoiding Josie after what had happened the other day. He did not expect that Josie would want to meet up with him.
As for Josie, she sat quietly for quite some time before slowly asking, “What do you know about my father’s death?”
Josie knew that calling Charles by his nickname was the only way to ask him out.
Charles was a very self-contradictory person, and Josie had long known it.
Since his early teens, Charles had been committed to surpassing Henry in his academic performance and personal skills.
Whenever Charles’ grandfather and John praised Henry, Charles would surely wear a gloomy expression.
Verily, Charles disliked Henry, thinking that the latter was hypocritical.
Alas, Henry would always do better than Charles, and it had always been that way since the beginning.
Charles was momentarily stunned upon hearing what Josie had said. As realization dawned on him, he looked at Josie and voiced. “This matter is not as simple as you think-”
Furrowing his brows, Charles remarked inwardly, “Henry seems suspicious based on the clues I have. But there wasn’t any concrete evidence to prove that the accident had something to do with him. Ten years had already passed after the accident. Henry was only eighteen years old at that time. No one would believe that an eighteen-year-old teenager had planned a car
accident.”
In actuality, Charles had always known that Henry was not as simple as he seemed. He reckoned Henry must have something to do with Hayden’s death.
Chapter 71
“What do you know?” Josie interrupted Charles quietly
Josie… Must I tell you everything that I know? I reckon you wouldn’t think so, would you?” Charles uttered with a frown. He thought it would be dangerous for Josie to investigate the matter rashly, as it might anger Henry,
In reality, after what had happened last time, Henry had already taken action to deal with the Larson family.
If the Larson Dunly had not been deeply rooted in Gibson Corporation, they would have long been kicked out by Henry.
After all, Henry was a ruthless person.
“I reckon you know my purpose for coming here today.” Josie was as quiet as ever as she remained indifferent. “I want all the evidence and network resources in your hand. What do you want from me?”
“That’s straightforward.” Charles smiled. “As usual, under one condition. Marry me, and I’ll help you to investigate it thoroughly.”
“You don’t lack a marriage partner, and I’m not the best choice either. Just be straightforward. Tell me. Why do you want to marry me?” Josie knew Charles’ intention was not that simple. Since he was not short of women, it did not seem necessary for him to marry her at all costs.
“I want half of Henry’s shares. Those should belong to you. Legally, you can get them back from him after filing a lawsuit against him.” Charles, too, spoke straightforwardly.
“Okay. I agree to the deal. Josie nodded.
Charles was stunned for a moment as he was slightly taken aback.
In fact, he had never thought that Josie would agree without hesitation. “You…”
“But under one condition. Josie clenched her fists tightly. “I want to find out the truth first.”
Jo, do you think you’re coaxing a three-year-old kid?” Charles furrowed his eyebrows.
“Charles, what are you afraid of if you aren’t lying to me?” Josie questioned with a frown. Her voice was trembling as she added. “If Henry had something to do with my parent’s death, do you think I would go easy on him? I don’t just want to take back everything that belongs to me. I will make sure he loses everything…
Charles remained silent as he looked at Josie.
Inwardly, he commented, “Indeed, the death of her parents was a devastating blow to her.”
“But if you lied to me and what happened back then had nothing to do with Henry… You have no reason to take advantage of me when dealing with Henry.” Josie’s voice sounded once again.
Since the entire area of the coffee shop was cleared, no one approached or disturbed them..
As the place was unusually quiet, Charles could even hear Josie’s heartbeat and her heavy breathing.
The car accident that happened ten years ago had indeed ruined all of Josie’s dreams.
“Okay. I have one condition, too.” Charles looked down as he continued, “No matter what, you can’t remarry Henry.”
Ashley once told Charles that Henry thought of remarrying Josie.
Nonetheless, Charles did not want Josie to play with fire again, regardless of her purpose.
“Ha…” Josie smiled weakly. “I will never remarry him in this lifetime.”
Chapter 71
Charles took a deep breath and looked at Jovie for quite a long time.
“All the clues I have pointed a finger at S p i k e Taibbi – Henry’s biological father. Even though Henry did not acknowledge S p i k e as his father, Henry continued to give financial support to the Taibbi family over the years. This shows that they either… have a mutually beneficial relationship, or S p i k e has leverage against Henry”
Josie listened quietly and nodded in response,
Actually, Josie had investigated S p i k e and Taibbi Corporation. She knew that the Thibbi family used to have a cooperative relationship with the Gibson family.
“There’s one more thing. S p i k e is a womanizer. Back then, he was infamous for being a s c u m b a g and widely known as a p l a y b o y among the silver-spooned kids. He once fought for a woman in a nightclub, and that woman was your mother, Kathy Yates.”
Josie looked up at Charles in utter shock. “Does my father know S p i e?”
“I suppose the first time your father met Kathy was when he went to the nightclub with Spi
k e and the rest. You should know that the social circle in Hofcaster wasn’t big, so basi cally, all of them were friends.”
As chills spread through her fingertips, Josie tightened her grip on her glass of water.
The most interesting thing is that Henry’s biological mother and your mother, Kathy, were classmates. They used to be on excellent terms, and she was the one who introduced your mother to work in the nightclub.”
Josie took a deep breath and picked up the glass of water. “Is she still alive?”
“Of course, and you know her.” Charles took out his phone and showed Josie a celebrity’s information and her photo with his phone. “Hazel Locke, the A-list actress. She is Henry’s biological mother.”
At that moment, the astonishment in Josie’s eyes grew stronger.
“Hazel Locke… No wonder… It was no wonder Henry got infuriated for no reason when I was watching the award ceremony at home one year ago. So it was because Hazel was receiving an award for her movie,” Josie thought.
Tve never really tried to understand him over the years…” Josie smiled bitterly as she spoke.
“He deliberately made you lead a self-contained life for fear that you would figure out the truth. Henry is hiding it from you on purpose.” Charles frowned. He thought that Henry was being “overprotective” toward Josie over the three years of their marriage.
“Hazel got pregnant out of wedlock. After abandoning Henry, she went to Glenport to build her career. She only returned to the inland city three years ago and signed a contract with Clusia Media Group,” added Charles.
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