Chapter 545:

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“Dad, even Evans Group is being targeted by netizens now, and Pioneer Group is also getting dragged in. Their anger’s overwhelming. Even companies as powerful as Evans Group and Pioneer Group cannot escape it,” Emmalyn said as she scrolled through the latest comments.

Watching those two companies get pulled into the chaos filled Emmalyn with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

In the past, Hayley had always relied on them to keep her in check.

Rendell glanced at Harold and Emmalyn, his tone steady and composed. “Don’t celebrate too soon. Don’t you find it odd? At a time like this, Hayley hasn’t made a single move, and Kaden hasn’t responded either. Something about this doesn’t add up.”

Harold’s brows knit together when he heard this. “You’re right. It is strange.”

“Dad, there’s an update from Evans Group,” Emmalyn said suddenly. “They’ve just issued a statement saying that everything related to Hayley has nothing to do with them. They’re asking the public not to direct their anger at the company.”

“What?” Harold’s expression shifted. He immediately picked up his tablet to verify it.

The moment he read the statement, he froze. “This doesn’t make sense. Kaden has always protected Hayley. Why would he release something like this now?”

“Dad, doesn’t this merely confirm that Kaden and Hayley’s marriage is one of convenience? Now that she has become a public target, would Kaden truly intervene on her behalf?” Emmalyn said with a dismissive scoff. “Under the current circumstances, unless he is foolish, he would not defend her.”

𝗥𝖾а𝖽 f𝘳e𝗲 𝗇𝗼𝘷e𝗹s 𝗼ո 𝗴𝘢𝗹𝗻𝗼𝘷е𝘭𝘴.co𝗆

“You’re right.” Harold nodded slowly.

Rendell frowned, falling into a long silence. Something about it didn’t feel right. Things couldn’t be that simple. Kaden was too proud and arrogant to sit back and do nothing, even if it was only a marriage of convenience.

“Dad, should we proceed to the next step?” Emmalyn’s eyes gleamed with malice, barely concealing her anticipation. She couldn’t wait to strike Hayley with a fatal blow.

Harold took a slow drag from his cigar, then closed his eyes. “Proceed. We show no mercy. Hayley must be completely crushed.”

“Dad, are you really going to be this cruel?” Frankie suddenly stormed in, his voice thick with anger. “Hayley is your biological daughter!”

“Frankie, you ungrateful traitor! Get out of my sight!” Harold roared, slamming the table and hurling his cigar straight at him. “If you weren’t my son, do you think you’d still have a place in this company?”

Frankie stood there, stunned. His father’s cold, furious gaze made him seem like a stranger.

So this was the same kind of cruelty Hayley had faced, the same heartless words she had heard.

Guilt weighed heavily on him, but given his position, what could he possibly do?

“You’ll regret this, Dad,” Frankie said after a steady breath, his voice filled with sorrow. Then he turned and walked out of the office.

“What an ungrateful son!” Harold scoffed as he sat back down, his gaze turning cold. “What kind of spell has Hayley cast on him to make him turn against me?”

“Dad, calm down. Even if Frankie has gone against you, you still have me.” Emmalyn stepped forward, gently massaging his shoulders. “By the way, given the current situation, can I return to the company?”

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