Chapter 8 Selene looked at Genevieve’s haggard face and couldn’t contain her self–blame and sorrow. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant? If only I hadn’t taken you out. I’m sorry…” Genevieve paused momentarily. Her eyes welled up in tears as she forced a bitter smile. “What does it have to do with you? Rosalie deliberately set me up. If she fails this time, there will be a next time. You’re not the one I should be hating.” Despair swirled in her eyes as she spoke. Pain relentlessly gnawed at her heart, and she swore to make Rosalie pay for it. Selene drew in a deep breath and said, “The video and pictures from that night have spread online, and people on the internet are condemning them. Anthony is searching for you everywhere. I think he probably wants to settle it privately with you soon. Genevieve, don’t be soft–hearted!” Genevieve’s eyes shimmered. “Don’t worry. I’m not the hopeless romantic I used to be.” ‘He’ll be disappointed if he thinks I’d cooperate with him and clean up the mess like before. I’ll only add fuel to the fire now, she thought. Once Selene left, Genevieve took out her phone. There were dozens of missed calls from Anthony, Matthew, and even some from the Hoffman residence. She looked at the trending topic online. The topics read: [Intrusion of homewrecker into a wealthy family.][Tragic accident befalls the legal wife. The perpetrator is the homewrecker.] The video showed the dashboard camera footage from the vehicles around the clubhouse. It presented the whole scenario from the time Genevieve waited there to the moment she got hit. The comment section below was flooded with anger and sympathy for her. 1/3 OveTalk Chapter 8 [She’s utterly inhumane. This is clearly intentional!] [That woman is the mother of Anthony’s illegitimate child, right? She really resorted to every conceivable means to get what she wanted!] [Anthony must be blind. Genevieve is worlds better than that woman!] [I really feel sad for the legal wife. She discarded her dignity to do anything and everything for that man only to get betrayed in return. It seems like to a man, any other woman out there is better than his wife.] [Arrest her and charge her with first–degree murder!] Most of the netizens were condemning and criticizing Anthony and Rosalie. Hoffman Group’s stocks also plummeted to a historic low. This was a major incident in the history of Hoffman Group; no wonder Anthony was anxious. Genevieve suspected the Lawrence family’s interference since even the Hoffman family couldn’t control the public opinion. Although Darrell had said he would stay out of it, it was impossible for him to just stand by and watch. ‘Well, that’s good, too. It would show the world Rosalie’s true colors. Leveraging public opinion is not that difficult, is it? Did Anthony think he could single–handedly control the internet?‘ Genevieve pondered to herself. Letting out a sneer, she turned off her phone. However, that was far from enough for her. She needed to recuperate first and then settle the score with them slowly. Apart from Selene and Darrell, no one else knew the true state of Genevieve’s health. The servants only knew about her car accident and frail condition, so they provided her with the best supplements to aid her recovery. 2/7 Chapter 8 Half a month passed. Genevieve had almost recovered by then. She received news from the lawyer that Anthony was still unwilling to sign the divorce agreement. She smiled, not surprised by the news. If he did sign it, wouldn’t that further confirm the rumors? Genevieve changed and went out. She intended to resolve the matter once and for all. Seated in a café near Hoffman Group’s building, she noticed someone writing threatening words with red paint right at the company’s entrance. The words read: [A life for a life.] The cleaners were busy scrubbing away the stain. A lump rose in her throat. Touched, she knew who was standing up for her. ‘The Lawrence family will always be my support!‘ she exclaimed inwardly. With that thought, she asked someone to investigate Rosalie’s phone number. Then, she sent a message over to her. Anthony showed up less than half an hour later, looking somewhat weary. Wearing a cold and irritated expression, he headed straight toward the café. Genevieve knew Anthony’s informants were everywhere. His gaze, deep and inscrutable lingered on Genevieve for a few seconds. Then, he questioned in a husky, cold tone, “Where have you been?” Anthony had been incredibly stressed lately with everything that had happened. To make matters worse, he couldn’t find Genevieve at all, as if she had yanished into thin air. Under the pressure of public opinion, the police had repeatedly taken Rosalie away for questioning. Anthony’s lawyer was scrambling with work as well. 3/7 Chapter 8 This case had gone out of control and was becoming increasingly tricky to deal with. Genevieve slowly lowered her head and took a sip of her coffee. Her expression carried an air of detachment and indifference as she spoke. “Have you signed the divorce agreement? If you have time today, let’s go and settle the formalities.” She went straight to the point, not wasting a single second. Anthony gazed deeply at her and pursed his lips. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before saying, “Driving rules differ domestically and internationally, and at night, visibility is hindered. She might not have seen you…” Genevieve knew who he was referring to. She abruptly slammed her coffee cup on the table and stood up. Unable to hold back her anger any longer, she blurted out, “You should know that she caused my miscarriage and your child’s death. Should I forgive her?” Anthony’s face stiffened, and his gaze turned complex. He paused for a moment. Enduring the ache in his chest, he softened his voice which still carried a cold, heavy tone. “We’ll have more children, Genevieve. I’ll send her away…” Anthony felt helpless for the first time in his life during Genevieve’s disappearance the past few days. He had indeed been excessively cruel to Genevieve. Perhaps he had neglected her feelings too much in the past. Coldness and desolation would envelop him even in his dreams when he recalled how he used to treat her. However, it was too late. Genevieve couldn’t help but throw her head back and laugh. Her chest heaving with anger. ‘Sending Rosalie away to have a secret mistress? So this is his great plan? Should I be grateful? Why did I have expectations of him? What was I hoping for? Why did I anticipate even a trace of compassion or remorse from Anthony toward his own child? I forgot he 4/7 OveTalk Chapter B had always favored Rosalie!‘ she thought to herself. Genevieve’s gaze turned icy. She stared at Anthony emotionlessly. Her voice was cold and clear as she spoke. “I forgot that you two have children of your own, so it doesn’t matter if mine is dead.” Anthony shuddered slightly, a dull ache assailing his chest as if it was hit by something. ‘No, it’s not like that, he denied it in his heart. He frowned and was about to explain when Genevieve interrupted him, not giving him the chance to do so. “Sign the divorce agreement, and I’ll let her off. Otherwise, I’ll make her taste the pain of losing a child too.” Her voice was chillingly cold, devoid of any warmth. It was a glaring threat. Anthony’s expression froze. The look in his eyes hardened as they lingered on Genevieve for a moment, his aura turning cold. However, after a moment’s contemplation, he softened his tone and kept his emotions in check. “I’ll make it up to you, Genevieve. Don’t hurt the innocent.” His voice was stern, and he did not notice the derisive shift in Genevieve’s expression. ‘Innocent? Am I not innocent? If Rosalie could harm my child, then why couldn’t I do the same?‘ Genevieve pondered. She did not believe that Rosalie was innocent. Just then, Anthony’s phone rang. He glanced at the name on the screen and furrowed his brows before answering the phone. Rosalie’s crying voice came through. “Anthony, Samson is missing! I only took my eyes off him for a moment, and he’s gone! What do I do…” Anthony’s penetrating gaze immediately locked onto Genevieve across the table. His eyes were filled with coldness. 5/7 Chapter B He gave Rosalie a few comforting words before hanging up the phone. Then, he looked at Genevieve in silence. His voice was cold and hoarse as he asked, “Was it you?” Genevieve remained silent. Her silence, in Anthony’s eyes, was her way of replying in the affirmative. His green eyes held a hint of urgency. “Where is he?” He couldn’t believe Genevieve would do such a cruel thing like harming the innocent. Yet, he had no choice but to believe it. Genevieve tapped the divorce agreement on the table as if she was negotiating a deal. She appeared confident. Anthony stared at her in silence for a full minute. Gradually, his heart sank. He realized that there was nothing he could do. His guilt wouldn’t solve anything. His attempts to compensate Genevieve were unwanted. If he didn’t agree to the divorce, he feared Genevieve might do something even more extreme and foolish. His chest tightened, and his throat constricted slightly as he gradually calmed down. Amidst a whirlwind of complex thoughts, he complied, “Fine, I agree to the divorce.” He picked up the pen and swiftly signed on it. Then, he pushed the document across the table, his expression grim. “Where’s the child?” Genevieve lowered her gaze and stood up with the agreement and bag in her hand. “Let’s go get the divorce certificate first to avoid any further trouble.” 6/7