Chapter 2

As Frank strode out of Lane Manor, he turned to look at the place he lived at for three years. He had come here all alone and now left empty-handed. Just then, a Rolls-Royce sped toward him from a distance, stopping just beside him. The door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed sharply in a suit alighted, grinning broadly as he jogged up to Frank. "Mr. Lawrence…" "What are you doing here?" Frank asked as he stared at the man—he was Trevor Zurich, the CEO of Trevor International. "I've recently partnered with your wife for a development project in West City, and I've come to discuss the details with her," Trevor admitted. Frank nodded but said, "There's no need for a discussion—Helen now has the Wesley family's backing and doesn't need ours, and she's no longer my wife." "What?!" Trevor exclaimed, flabbergasted. "What's going on?" "Helen and I got divorced," Frank admitted. "From now on, there's no connection between myself and the Lanes." Then, turning toward Trevor and gently clapping him on the shoulder, Frank said, "Thanks for your help over the last three years, brother." While Trevor's business was mostly based abroad, he was asked to return to support the Lanes and basically earned zero profit over that period of time. Even so, Trevor promptly bowed his head and said, "No, Mr. Lawrence—it's my honor to work in your service… that said, why would Ms. Lane suddenly divorce you? Is the Wesley boy responsible for this?" Frowning, Trevor clapped himself on the chest and declared, "In that case, I'll personally visit Ms. Lane and talk things out with her." Over the last three years, the only reason he partnered with Lane Holdings was because Frank asked. The Lanes were so far beneath him that they did not even deserve to lick his boots, let alone his partnership! How shortsighted Helen was, divorcing Lawrence just because her company went public! Nonetheless, Frank shook his head. "Forget it. Helen and I are divorced—we have nothing to do with each other now. You can go if there's nothing else." Trevor smacked himself on the forehead as he remembered. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you. Remember the wonderroot you asked me to find? Well, I've found it, but…" Frank wheeled on him right then, asking, "But what?" "But it's a family heirloom of the Turnbulls. There's no way they're selling it," Trevor replied, though his tone soon changed sharply. "However, I've also caught wind that Walter Turnbull's only daughter was afflicted with a terrible illness five years ago, and she doesn't have long to live. The good news is that she's here in Riverton, and if you help her, Mr. Lawrence, the wonderroot would definitely be yours." Frank narrowed his eyes—he really needed the wonderroot, especially after that fight at South Sea three years ago. With his strength greatly diminished, the only way to restore himself to peak condition was through Mother Nature's greatest treasures. As such, there was no way he could miss out on the wonderroot! His gaze flashing sharply, Frank asked, "I take it that you've discussed the matter with the Turnbulls? Trevor gulped, sweat appearing over his forehead as he said, "Of course—I'd never try to deceive you. Walter Turnbull himself promised the wonderroot should his daughter be treated, along with any other condition you care to state." Frank clasped his hands behind his back and did not press the issue. "In that case, let's pay the Turnbulls a visit." Delighted, Trevor opened the door for Frank and was just about to get in himself when a BMW sped toward them and parked in front of Lane Manor. Peter Lane—Helen's younger brother—promptly alighted and hurried toward Trevor. "Have you finished your discussion with my sister, Mr. Zurich?" Peter asked. "Why don't you stay a while longer?" "Hmph." Trevor shot him a look and snorted in disdain. He quickly got in his Rolls-Royce and left—there was no need to play nice with the Lanes now that Frank and Helen were divorced. Naturally, his reaction left Peter, who was left wondering how he had upset Trevor, dumbfounded. He had not done a thing! Then, he was left gaping as Trevor's Rolls-Royce sped past him, unable to believe what he had just seen. What was Frank doing in Trevor's car?! What the hell was going on?! - Meanwhile, Helen was sitting in her study, glancing at her watch from time to time. Trevor said he would be visiting just this morning, but it was already past noon! Gina was worried too and urged her, "Maybe you should call Mr. Zurich and ask." "No," Helen replied. "He never specified a time, so we should wait." "But the West City project is so important," Gina complained. "You need to be more proactive here—just call him!" While Helen frowned in thought, Gina was losing her mind. "I'll call him if you won't." "Fine, I'll do it." Helen sighed, worried that her mother would make a mess of things. Though she was hesitant, she made the call, and Trevor soon answered. Even though she was talking on the phone, her expression was mild and her tone polite. "Hello, Mr. Zurich. I was just wondering what time you are coming by? I would like to be on hand to receive you." "Actually, Ms. Lane, I'm afraid that I'm withdrawing from our partnership," Trevor replied coolly. "Huh? What… Why?" The sudden bombshell left Helen in a daze. "You see, I believed you to be loyal, but it seems that I've misjudged you." Trevor scoffed. "I really wouldn't dare keep characters like you around myself, so consider our partnership annulled." And with that, he hung up, leaving Helen dumbfounded and utterly confused. What was going on?! She had always shown Trevor due respect and never offended him. What on earth was wrong with her character? "So? What did Mr. Zurich say?" Gina quickly asked just then. "He's calling off our partnership," Helen murmured. "What?!" Gina exclaimed. "Why?" "I don't know!" Helen retorted, rubbing between her brows. Peter rushed into the room just then, and seeing both his mother and sister, he asked, "Helen, did you finish your discussion with Mr. Zurich?" "Discussion?! He never came at all!" Gina snapped angrily. "And he just annulled our partnership!" Peter was left gaping. "What?! But I just saw him outside!" "What did you say?!" Helen exclaimed in disbelief—if Trevor actually came, did that not mean that he left without coming inside the manor?! Why?! Peter suddenly gasped as he smacked himself on the thigh. "It was Frank. That b*st*rd must have been talking to Mr. Zurich… I mean, I just saw him get into Mr. Zurich's car myself!" "Urgh, that must be it," Gina groaned as she realized with a start. "That good-for-nothing usually looks down-to-earth, but he turns out to be so vile, messing with us before he left!" Helen frowned but waved them off. "No. He's not the type who runs his mouth." She more or less knew Frank after being married to him for three years, and she never once found him badmouthing anyone. "Come on, Helen. You can never tell what lurks beneath a friendly face!" Peter exclaimed indignantly. "He's been staying under our roof for three years and knows everything about us. He would have no trouble slandering us!" "Peter's right," Gina agreed adamantly. "Why would Mr. Zurich suddenly leave when he's already at our doorstep?" "Yeah. He must have talked." Helen, who had been pacing around, found that her mother's words made sense—there was no explaining Trevor's strange behavior otherwise! Her knuckles clenched right then. How could Frank do this?! She never mistreated him!