Empire 25

Chapter 25 

“You’re unbelievable. I’ve never seen a homewrecker act sobrazenly!” 

Penelope seethed, but outmatched by the group, she had no choice but to slink away in defeat. 

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Back at the Stinson residence, the moment Penelope stepped inside, Rebecca’s warm smile greeted her. 

Penelope turned her fury on her. “Mom, I just got humiliated out there, and you’re still smiling?” 

Rebecca took in Penelope’s flushed face and rushed over, steadying her with one arm and pressing a hand to her forehead. “Penelope, you’re burning up. Are you running a fever?” 

Penelope shoved her away and flopped onto the couch with a huff, launching straight into her tirade. “It’s all because of Jacklyn! That bitch!” 

Realizing it had something to do with Jacklyn again, Rebecca sat beside her, her grip tightening around Penelope’s hand. “Is Jacklyn picking on you again?” 

“She must’ve heard I joined a yoga class and got jealous. So, she followed me there and threw herself at Gene just to humiliate me in front of everyone!” 

Penelope’s agitation mounted as she spoke, her arm slashing across the coffee table and sending cups and saucers crashing to the floor. 

“What? Jacklyn actually had the nerve to pull this? She’s really spreading her wings, huh? Just because Eugene’s backing her doesn’t make her special. He’s your man now!! 

“She called Eugene away, and you should hear what they’re saying about me at the yoga studio. I nearly drowned in their gossip!” 

Rebecca drew a sharp breath, hissed a curse, then softened her voice. “Sweetheart, don’t work yourself up like this. Even if you don’t care about yourself, think about the golden ticket you’re carrying. As long as it’s in you, Eugene will come crawling back.” 

Penelope’s hand drifted to her stomach, her anger dissolving into smug satisfaction. “You’re right, Mom. Jacklyn’s barren. She should’ve handed over the title of Mrs. Lloyd to me years ago.” 

Eugene dropped Jacklyn off at Lloyd Manor and drove away. The moment his car disappeared, a message from Liam came through. 

Before long, she arrived at the designated spot and spotted Liam waiting at a table by the window. A bespectacled stranger sat beside him. 

Jacklyn strode over. “And this is?” 

“Hi, Ms. Stinson. I’m John Carter, an investment firm manager.” 

Investment firm? 

“I’m not looking to invest.” 

She looked at Liam, a hint of confusion in her gaze. 

Liam motioned for her to sit. “When you asked me to find a buyer for what you’re holding, I could tell you 

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Chapter 25 

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cash fast. But have you thought about how unsafe it is to keep that money yourself? He can help.” 

Leaning back, he shot John a glance. Without a word, John placed a file before Jacklyn. 

“Ms. Stinson, if you obtained these funds during your marriage, keeping them in your name is risky. If Eugene finds out you have this much and proves he paid for those assets, you could lose it all,” John said earnestly, adjusting his glasses. 

Jacklyn understood. She’d already considered moving the assets. The only problem had been Eugene, breathing down her neck at every turn, leaving her no room to maneuver. 

But now? Everything was falling into place. 

“Look, Ms. Stinson. If you invest anonymously, even Eugene won’t be able to trace it back to you.” 

Jacklyn nodded. 

She and John ironed out the remaining details before he left 

“Thanks.” 

Jacklyn turned to Liam, a flicker of emotion stirring in her chest. 

Ever since she’d uncovered Eugene’s betrayal, it was as if half her world had crumbled, dragging the rest into shadow. Trust had become a luxury she couldn’t afford. 

Then, Liam had appeared, right when she’d needed someone most. 

“I told you I’d help you,” he said, his eyes glinting with something she couldn’t decipher. 

Night had settled by the time Liam dropped Jacklyn off at Lloyd Manor and drove away. The moment she stepped inside, she sensed something was wrong. The house held its breath. 

The air thickened as she crossed into the living room, pressing down on her. And there, on the couch, sat a familiar figure. 

Eugene? What was he doing back? 

“Where have you been?” 

His gaze swept over Jacklyn, sharp and assessing, his brows furrowed. 

She paused mid–step, her tone flat as she answered, “I went out to dinner with someone.” 

“You were with Liam, weren’t you?” Eugene remained seated on the couch, his displeasure simmering as he watched her, cool and untouched. 

Jacklyn knew exactly what he was thinking and had no interest in entertaining it. She sidestepped him, heading for the stairs. 

Eugene shot to his feet, blocking her path and seizing her wrist. 

“What the hell do you want?” Jacklyn wrenched her arm free with a sharp jerk, her skin already flushing red where his fingers had bitten in. 

Eugene’s eyes burned with fury. Then, wordlessly, he flung a stack of photos onto the table. 

Jacklyn went still. Her gaze dropped. The images showed only a man and a woman–her and Liam. 

Slowly, she straightened, her eyes locking onto his in disbelief. “You were having me followed?” 

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Chapter 26 

Chapter 26