Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

They arrived at the office first.

His secretary handed him two sheets of paper. ”President Ainsworth, these are the prepared answers for the press conference. You and your wife should memorize them.”

Jean Grant took one of the sheets from Nicholas Ainsworth and glanced at it. She thought the script was complete nonsense. She didn’t need to look at it; she already knew exactly what she was going to say.

Nicholas Ainsworth, however, memorized it earnestly. Twenty minutes later, they were notified that it was time for the press conference.

The two of them went to the conference room together.

When they pushed the door open, blinding lights flashed, and the sound of camera shutters filled the air, SNAPPING nonstop.

The moment they stepped onto the stage, a reporter below began asking questions.

”President Ainsworth, you saw last night’s news, didn’t you? What is your explanation for it? Is it true, as the media claims, that your sexual orientation is ’abnormal’?”

Nicholas Ainsworth gave an awkward laugh. ”If my sexual orientation were ’abnormal,’ why would I have gotten married? Besides, my wife and I are trying to have a baby. We’re getting ready to conceive.”

”Many gay men marry women. That’s quite common. President Ainsworth, since you deny being gay, please provide some solid proof and an explanation. The news broke with over a dozen photos showing one man in women’s clothing sitting on a bed, another man completely naked, and you yourself wearing nothing but a scarf. Do you have a specific explanation for this?”

”That’s right. What were you doing in the hotel? What is your explanation for what the previous reporter mentioned?” another reporter pressed.

Nicholas Ainsworth replied calmly, ”I went to the hotel to meet my wife. We had an arrangement. She knows those men, too. I just happened to arrive first.”

All the reporters’ eyes turned in unison to Jean Grant.

”Miss Jean Grant, is what your husband said true? Why did he go ahead without you? Or is this just a superficial lie you two concocted to fool the media and the public?”

Jean Grant raised a hand, tucking a strand of long hair behind her ear, her smile tinged with determination.

”Of course not.” The three words were a bombshell, sending the media into an uproar. A look of disbelief and confusion crossed Nicholas Ainsworth’s face.

’Didn’t we agree on everything before we came?’

’Or does she not want to be with me anymore?’

”I swear that every word I’m about to say is the absolute truth. I will not tell a single lie, because I don’t want to lie. I didn’t know about this at first. He came back in a hurry and asked me to come here this morning to be his witness. That’s when I saw the news online. And after seeing it, I am absolutely convinced that the news published by the media is true...”

Nicholas Ainsworth’s expression had already changed. He barked, ”This press conference is over!”

But with so many reporters present, it wasn’t up to him to decide when it ended.

Nicholas Ainsworth ordered, ”Security, get them out of here!”

Jean Grant shot him a cold glance. ”Kick them out, and we can just talk outside.”

Nicholas Ainsworth’s eyes were glacial. ”Jean Grant, if you dare say another word, I swear you’ll meet a horrible end.”

Jean Grant chuckled. ”See? He’s getting desperate. As I was saying, the reason I believe the news is true is because I personally saw him go to the Onyx Bar. Furthermore, last night, I did not have plans to meet him at the hotel. I knew nothing about it. From the looks of it, he is indeed gay. And bisexual, at that.”

Her words left every member of the media utterly shocked.

Nicholas Ainsworth seemed to throw all caution to the wind. ”Well, well, Jean Grant. So you were trying to get rid of me. You have no idea what a rotten person you are yourself. On our wedding day, you were with your ex-husband. You got pregnant with his child and had an abortion. You expose me, and I won’t let you off easy either.”

In contrast to his agitation, Jean Grant remained perfectly calm. She had been through too much.

”Nicholas Ainsworth, say whatever you want. I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ll leave the divorce papers on the table at your house. Don’t forget to sign.”

She stepped down from the stage, and as she passed him, she smiled. ”I, Jean Grant, may be foolish, but I never forgot whose family I belong to. Your little scheme will never succeed!”

She walked out of the Ainsworth Group’s office building in her high heels. Standing at the main entrance, Jean Grant smiled through a stream of tears. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes.

’Everything has to come to an end eventually.’

’What’s coming will come.’

”Miss, the Young Master sent us to escort you home to pack your things.”

She turned around and saw that a large group of Men in Black had appeared behind her, at least a hundred of them.

”Where’s my brother?”

”The Young Master is already on a plane. I don’t know his destination.”

”Alright. Follow me.”

They arrived at the Ainsworth Residence.

Jean Grant strode inside. She knew this would be the last time she ever came back.

’The home she once longed for.’

Entering the living room, Sharon Ainsworth shot her a look. ”Why are you back again? Weren’t you at the press conference with my brother? You...”

Her voice trailed off as she saw the Men in Black filing in behind Jean. She sat up straight. ”Jean Grant, what do you think you’re doing?”

”Nothing much. Just packing my things.”

Sharon Ainsworth looked at the expressionless Men in Black, her lips twitched, and she chose to say nothing.

Jean Grant went upstairs and piled her belongings together. She tossed all her clothes aside. Finally, she opened a red box, took the wedding ring off her finger, placed it inside, and then clutched the box tightly.

Last was a crumpled letter.

A love letter Ethan Ellsworth had once written her.

Her eyes moist, she gazed at the handwriting, memorizing every single word as if it were carved onto a stone tablet in her heart, never to be erased.

She took out a lighter and set her clothes on fire. The flames devoured the pile. Jean Grant then yanked the comforter off the bed and threw the sheets into the fire as well.

As the fire grew, she walked out, clutching the box with the ring and her bag, and closed the bedroom door behind her.

Step by step, she descended the stairs.

Mr. Ainsworth and Catherine Callahan were downstairs. Mr. Ainsworth narrowed his eyes. ”Jean, what do you think you’re doing?”

Jean Grant placed the divorce papers on the table. ”Tell Nicholas Ainsworth to sign these papers. If he doesn’t, I have other ways to make him divorce me. Also, your son is gay, and now the whole world knows. No wonder his private life is so depraved. With a father like you, how could the son turn out any better?!”

”Jean Grant!” Sharon Ainsworth shot to her feet. ”Watch your mouth! Do you even know how to speak?!”

”You’re hearing me, aren’t you? If you can understand me, it means I know how to speak. If you can’t understand human language, then there’s nothing more for me to say. Also...” She placed the diamond ring box from her palm onto the coffee table. ”Take this back. The Grant Family has plenty of money. I wouldn’t give a cheap little ring like this a second glance. It’s filthy.”

Jean Grant lifted her chin slightly, a mocking smile on her lips, which infuriated Sharon Ainsworth.

”Since you’re the one asking for a divorce, then fine! I’m all for it! As soon as my brother gets back, he’ll sign them. Now take your people and get out! Bitch!”

Jean Grant looked at the Men in Black. ”This woman was insolent to me. Slap her.”

Several of the Men in Black immediately stepped forward and delivered a few resounding slaps to Sharon Ainsworth’s face, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.

The corner of Sharon Ainsworth’s mouth was swollen, and she was too furious to speak.

Mr. Ainsworth was enraged. ”If you’re leaving, then leave now!”

Jean Grant snorted. ”You old pervert. Staying in this pathetic little house for one more minute is suffocating. Let’s go.”

Watching them leave, Sharon Ainsworth exploded. ”Dad, why can’t our family just hire more bodyguards?!”

Mr. Ainsworth let out a long sigh. ”Even if we hired more bodyguards, you could afford them for a day or two, a month or two. But to keep them long-term? Do you know how much that would cost every day? All for the small chance of a sudden incident? Besides, no matter how many you have, can you compete with Quentin Grant? His people are state-sanctioned. If you were to keep a few thousand men, the government would immediately investigate you and convict you of illegal assembly. When all is said and done, it’s true that our family can’t compare to the Grant Family.”

Sharon Ainsworth naturally understood all this. ”Well, at least she’s the one who initiated the divorce. A divorce is fine. It’s for the best.”

Just as she finished speaking, she shot up from her seat. ”Dad, look!”

She pointed toward the top of the stairs. Mr. Ainsworth and Catherine Callahan turned to look and were completely dumbfounded.

Thick smoke was billowing from the top of the staircase. Mr. Ainsworth immediately dashed out the door. ”Fire!!!”

But Sharon Ainsworth charged straight up the stairs. Mr. Ainsworth turned and shouted after her, ”Sharon, don’t go! The fire looks bad!”

Sharon, however, insisted on going up. ”My money is still up there.”

With that, she plunged into the thick smoke and disappeared from sight.

Mr. Ainsworth pulled Catherine Callahan out the door.

Once outside, Mr. Ainsworth realized the fire hadn’t spread very far.

When Sharon Ainsworth ran out, Mr. Ainsworth and Catherine Callahan were stunned. Sharon’s long hair had been burned into a choppy, singed mess, as if a dog had chewed on it.

She clutched her bank cards and jewelry, letting out a long sigh of relief.

After the fire department’s emergency response, the fire was gradually extinguished.

Nicholas Ainsworth’s bedroom suffered the most damage. It was obvious the fire had started in that room.

Nicholas Ainsworth rushed back. Seeing Sharon Ainsworth, his brow furrowed. ”Sharon, your hair.”

”Huh? My hair?” Sharon casually touched her head. The moment she did, she practically jumped out of her skin. ”Where’s my hair?! Am I bald?! My hair’s been burned off! That damned Jean Grant, she must have been the one who set the fire!”

Nicholas Ainsworth’s fists clenched. ”Jean Grant!”

”Brother, you really brought a wolf into our home.”

Nicholas Ainsworth turned and strode out the door.

”Brother, where are you going?”

Without looking back, Nicholas Ainsworth headed for the main gate.

He got in his car and called Jean Grant’s phone over and over, but she didn’t answer. Finally, the phone was turned off.

Furious, Nicholas Ainsworth had no choice but to drive to the Grant Residence to find Jean Grant.

The Grant Family did not let him in.

Finally, after calling Jean’s phone several more times, it was turned on and she picked up.

”What is it?” Her voice was laced with cold indifference.

”Why did you burn down my house?”

”Why? Hah. Nicholas Ainsworth, this is nothing compared to the revenge you deserve for giving me an STD.”

Nicholas Ainsworth vehemently denied it. ”An STD? That must be the result of you sleeping around with other men! And you dare to blame me for it? Jean Grant, you’re nothing but a slut!”