Chapter 14

After returning to his room, Zachary didn't want Mason to project his longing for a mother onto Cynthia. She was just a woman with ulterior motives who merely shared the same face as Janice. Taking out his phone, he dialed Janice's number. "We're sorry, the number you're calling is currently engaged. Please try again later." The automated message played. He frowned. Assuming Janice was busy, he ended the call. … Elsewhere, Liam switched off the phone and tossed it into the bathtub. He looked over at Janice, who was unconscious on the bed, and his eyes were filled with smug satisfaction. Tonight had simply been perfect. The phone on the table rang, yet this time it was his own. Smirking, Liam picked it up. "Hazel, what's the matter?" Hazel's voice was filled with anticipation. "Mr. Wilbur, I just wanted to ask—did it work? Was it successful?" Earlier, Liam had promised her 30,000 dollars if he got Cynthia, and Janice had also promised a reward once things went as planned. Together, the money would last her for months, so she devised the scheme to lure Cynthia over. Now, Hazel was eager for an update. Liam couldn't stop grinning. "It worked! She's right here beside me. Young ladies are just the best—soft, fair, and delicate. From tonight on, she's staying with me. I won't let her go back. We'll handle the paperwork later. Your money will be wired to you tomorrow morning." 'Cynthia' was such a beautiful woman—he simply wanted her by his side every day. Hazel laughed at this and said without hesitation, "Great! I have no objections. Just remember, she's always been fiery. Keep her locked up and teach her well." "Don't worry about that. No one escapes my house's secret room," Liam assured her confidently. The two continued their discussion, scheming like rats in the gutter. Meanwhile, the unconscious Janice had become their prey. … Cynthia had no idea the extent of the plot Hazel had cooked up against her or that such chaos had unfolded. After leaving the villa, she decided not to return and instead called her best friend, Dolly Johnson. Dolly arrived in her pink car, and after hearing Cynthia recount the entire situation, she cursed furiously, "That wretched old hag actually treated you like this? She must've lost her conscience! She's no better than a dog—she's not even human! "But Cynthia, you got to run into your son by accident, and now, you'll be spending time with Mr. Beaver every day. This is a blessing in disguise! I'm so jealous I could die! Do you think you and Mr. Beaver are about to start one of those 'aloof CEO falls for me' dramas?" Cynthia rolled her eyes. "Aren't you too old to still be watching those ridiculous shows? But promise me one thing—don't ever let Yasmine find out who her father is." For years, she had told Yasmine that her father had passed away. If Yasmine ever learned her father was alive, and worse, that he was someone as annoyingly perfect-looking as Zachary, her starstruck daughter would definitely abandon her in a heartbeat. Dolly stared at her. "Why not? He's Zachary Beaver—every woman's dream man and every guy's role model. If he knew you were the mother of his son and had such an adorable daughter, he'd definitely marry you. Then, you'd go from rags to riches and live a life of luxury. Isn't that great?" Cynthia shook her head vehemently. "No, no! I have no interest in a blind man who can't even tell his wife apart. Right now, all I want is for Mason to regain his innocence and happiness, for my sister and Zachary to leave Scatham soon, and for my life to go back to being peaceful." Her tone was firm and serious. Dolly shook her head in disbelief. Most women would dream of being linked to Zachary. How could this fool be so dense? Then again, being dense might work in her favor. Wasn't she just the kind of woman aloof CEOs would usually fall for in those dramas? Cynthia didn't want to continue the pointless discussion and changed the subject. "Alright, I asked you to pick me up because I need your help with something. Can you take Yasmine out of the house and let her stay with you for a while? "You know how Hazel used to be awful to me, but at least she treats Yasmine well. That's why I've been staying there, because rent is expensive and I need help looking after Yasmine. But now, knowing Hazel deliberately tried to marry me off to Liam despite his... predatory tendencies, I can't trust her anymore. "I'm terrified that while I'm busy taking care of Mason, she'll do something to Yasmine—maybe even sell her off." Dolly nodded. "That old hag is pure evil. She'd definitely do something like that. I'll go pick Yasmine up right away." "Thank you," Cynthia said gratefully. "Don't thank me. Just remember me when you and Mr. Beaver finally end up together," Dolly teased with a grin. Cynthia was rendered speechless. She genuinely didn't want any connection to Zachary, no matter how small. Why couldn't she get this idea out of Dolly's head? All she felt was pure headache now.