Chapter 161 Perhaps Louis might never return to confront Genevieve’s false display of affection, or perhaps the unexpected expose by David brought him a plethora of troubles to navigate. Genevieve, for her part, lingered on the balcony late into the night. Following the expose, she found herself utterly devoid of any leverage. This realization instilled a sense of insecurity within her. The days seemed to blur together, with two passing by in what felt like the blink of an eye. Genevieve remained in the dark about the world beyond the manor’s walls. The servants kept their conversations with her strictly to the topic of meals. Louis‘ absence became a constant, leaving Genevieve grappling with a growing sense of unease. The dawn of the third day brought with it the arrival of Linda. Taking in Genevieve’s noticeably diminished figure, Linda couldn’t help but sympathize. It was unclear to Genevieve whether Linda was privy to Louis‘ true identity. Nonetheless, Linda chose to remain silent on the matter. ‘Louis is quite pitiful, isn’t he?‘ she thought. Linda pursed her lips before saying, “Gen, I’ve been sent to check up on you. Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” Genevieve’s response was a shake of her head. Linda was not surprised. Instead, she offered a comforting smile as she tenderly bru aside a strand of Genevieve’s hair. From her bag, Linda produced a minuscule cube, no larger than a fingernail, and discreetly filled it with a substance. “This,” Linda began, “is a special medication designed to induce an acute heart attack. When they take you to the hospital, a car will be waiting for you. The first step to freedom was to extricate herself from the manor. Genevieve accepted the cube with a blank expression, her eyes lifting to meet Linda’s as a myriad of emotions flitted across her face. Linda smiled warmly, patted Genevieve’s shoulder in a reassuring manner, and stood up to leave. ‘Did Louis send Linda here? If not, who asked her to help me?” Genevieve pondered, staring at the small cube in her hand with hesitation. The following morning, after breakfast and under the cover of the servant’s inattention, she ingested the pill. Opting not to retreat upstairs, she remained in the living room, feigning interest in a film. It wasn’t long before the medication’s effects manifested. A subtle, tingling pain emanated from her chest. Her complexion turned deathly pale in moments. As she collapsed, clutching her chest in agony, the servants rushed to her aid. The pill’s potency was undeniable; her heart fluttered painfully with each beat. Curled up on the floor, Genevieve’s body twitched slightly. A buzzing in her ears rendered her deaf to the frantic voices around her. Yet, she could see the butler making a call, his expression grave. Before she knew it, Genevieve was being ushered into a black Lincoln, her vision blurred by tears–though whether from pain or emotion, she couldn’t tell. The servant attempted to comfort her as the car sped away, but the relentless pain was beyond soothing. Out of nowhere, the car’s stability was compromised, jerking erratically as though the driver had made a desperate attempt to regain control by slapping the steering wheel and jamming the brakes. Suddenly, the vehicle veered sharply, and without warning, Genevieve was swired into a waiting car parked beyond the greenbelt. Amidst the turmoil, a servant’s voice pierced the air with a frantic scream, urgently calling for help. Simultaneously, the driver and bodyguards leaped from the black Lincoln, determined to give chase. This Lincoln was distinguished by its unique license plate. An inconspicuous luxury car drove straight ahead and crashed into the Lincoln. David could unmistakably identify Louis‘ car from the myriad others. His expulsion from Fallon Group had obliterated years of his toil in mere moments. Despite having undeniable evidence in his possession, he had been stripped of everything. David’s relationship with Austin, his stepson, had always been strained, marked by hostility and disdain. Years ago, David had convinced Linda to sever ties with Austin, suggesting they send him to the Hoffman family and focus on having another child of their own. Since then, Austin harbored deep–seated resentment toward David and allied with the real Louis, aiming to thwart David at every turn. David, driven by a desire for retribution, meticulously orchestrated what was to be Austin’s fatal car accident. Yet, in his eyes, it was never too late for Austin to meet his end. With his vision blurred by rage, David accelerated toward the Lincoln. A loud band resonated as flames erupted and smoke billowed into the sky, dyeing it a sinister shade of red. Amidst the chaos, the car harboring Genevieve merged seamlessly into the traffic. The aftermath left Louis‘ bodyguards and servants reeling in shock, grateful for their narrow escape. They reached out to Louis, only to be met with a busy signal. Meanwhile, Linda, observing the scene unfold from a nearby high–rise, was enveloped in a shroud of sorrow, Clutching the phone, she steadied herself and announced, “Let her go. I’ve dealt with David myself, on your behalf. After his demise, no one will dare question you.” As she ended the call, tears streamed down her face, one after the other. Over the years, under Austin’s watchful eye, she had led a life of comfort and lu and grime of such deeds. So how could she get his hands dirty now? far removed from the dirt She had planted her people in the company and was well aware of the truths that Louis had confided in his office. Linda knew the real circumstances surrounding “Austin’s” presumed death and David’s malicious intent. ‘All this shouldn’t have happened, she pondered. Chapter 161 At Fallon Group, Louis found himself on a high–rise balcony, overlooking the city shrouded in fog. Tension gripped him as he shed any semblance of his usual composed demeanor, his gaze sharp and piercing. The incessant vibration of his phone eventually drew his attention, but only after a considerable delay. As he listened to his bodyguard relay the events preceding and following Genevieve’s disappearance, a profound sense of dread weighed down on Louis‘ heart. His inability to articulate his feelings left him engulfed in a void of discomfort and helplessness. Deep down, Louis had never intended for David’s demise to be swift, nor had he wished for Genevieve’s release. Yet, the uncertainty of Genevieve’s fate if she remained confined gnawed at him. In the end, it was Linda who made the call for him. ‘Perhaps it’s better this way, Louis thought. With that, he disconnected the line. Fabio tapped lightly on the door before entering. “Mr. Fallon, we’ve managed to keep the news under wraps, and a revised test report has been circulated among all shareholders.” This meant that Louis‘ grip on the reins of Fallon Group seemed more secure than ever. Yet, Louis appeared indifferent to these developments. His tone was detached, bordering on frosty, as he inquired, “What’s the latest update with Hoffman Group?” “Anthony’s been eyeing Jacinta’s share in Eagle Entertainment, but Jacinta’s holding firm. This makes me wonder if she’s got some personal stake in Eagle Entertainment? Mr. Fallon, stepping in might get complicated,” Fabio explained. It seemed Anthony was testing the waters, leaving Louis to benefit from efforts he hadn’t made himself. The outcome was somewhat unforeseen. A shadow of concern momentarily darkened Louis‘ expression. After a moment, he announced, “We’re heading to Clusia.” Fabio was taken aback. Louis rose, adjusting his sleeve. “We need to find Gen and apologize.” The thought of letting her slip away, of surrendering her to another, was unbearable. So, he decided to retract, positioning himself advantageously before moving forward with his plan. 色