Goodbye, My Love

Just as Becker's shaking subsided, the bodyguard spoke up, taking a sharp breath.

"But sir, he's no longer part of the Bryant family. He was expelled."

The news was like a sharp slap, and in a fit of rage, Becker's hand struck his subordinate's face, mirroring the shock he felt. He angrily dismissed the man and took a moment to collect himself. A smug smile curled his lips as he declared, "No wonder! I knew that Loraine couldn't possibly associate with such a magnate. He's nothing but a downfallen baron now, skulking back to the countryside."

Though Becker might not have been able to challenge the CEO of the

Bryant Group, a disgraced figure like Marco, cast out by his own family, was a different matter entirely. He could bend such a man to his will!

Zaria, too, was momentarily stunned by Marco's revealed identity, and a realization suddenly struck her.

"Becker, Marco boasted that he's now Loraine's kept man. Consider this

- a former CEO of the Bryant Group must possess immense pride. If he's truly subservient to Loraine, there might be other forces at play. Dare we risk provoking them?" Becker's smirk widened into a menacing grin.

"A dog ousted from its own pack will gnaw even the toughest bone to survive! If Loraine has some powerful benefactor, all the better. A discarded plaything Like Marco, now kept by another master, will they bother to protect her?"

Understanding dawned on Zaria's face, and Becker's laughter filled the room, triumphant and chilling. "Once the village learns that Loraine isn't wealthy, and she can't finance their road repairs, who will lend her an ear? That girl may be young, but she's grown up under our watchful eyes. It's high time we, as her elders, teach her a lesson!" he finished, his voice dripping with a toxic blend of arrogance and malice.

ANGELA's LIBRARY

Fortuitous Event Long..

Zaria found herself swayed by Becker's argument and asked, "What are you planning?"

Becker cast his eyes toward the upstairs, his expression grave.

"Over the years, I've groomed our daughter to curry favor with the villagers.

It's time to reap what we've sown."

He elaborated, "You must tell Judie about that kept man's true identity. She will incite the villagers herself and reveal that Loraine can't supply the money she pledged. This way, the villagers will rise against Loraine on our behalf."

Zaria's hands twisted anxiously as she hesitated.

"Send Judie? Isn't that a precarious task? You know how she was humiliated at the banquet today. Judie's reputation among the villagers is already tarnished.

Loraine is no simple adversary. If Judie fails again and is further disgraced, what then?"

Becker's nostrils flared with impatience. "You naive woman! So, you have a better plan?"

"Why not send the bodyguards? We pay them, yet they've done nothing but bring shame to our family. Why must our daughter endure this humiliation?"