Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)
Chapter 481

Hearing my question, Ronan chuckled, "Yes! Your father joined us voluntarily. He's always been a visionary and knew that VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals would, sooner or later, get the same kind of attention as Medsafe Liyah Inc., so he decided to join forces with us and plan a sting operation. The aim was to expose the puppet master pulling the strings."

"You mean it wasn't just to deal with Jaylan?" I asked, struggling to believe it.

"Jaylan was just a pawn. Once he was out of the picture, the real power behind the throne would have to find a new path. But they would never be able to resist the bait of a cancer-fighting drug. Now they've taken the bait!" Ronan spoke with gravity, "The genius of the old man is that he took the initiative to remove any obstacle! Let me tell you something, the cancer drug project was originally your family's own team's brainchild!"

"What?" I was utterly gobsmacked. I didn't even know about it. What else was my father keeping from me?

Ronan raised an eyebrow but didn't continue.

"So, you're saying that Jaylan missing out on the partnership with VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals isn't really a lost opportunity for us?" I pressed, recalling how worried I had been about potentially losing out on the investment after my divorce and takeover of Medsafe Liyah Inc.

"Of course not! It was all part of your dad's strategy!" Ronan's eyes twinkled with amusement, "He's still sharp as a tack. A real business savant!"

I scoffed, "Hmph... He keeps his own daughter in the dark! I've been agonizing over this for a long time. Who's he trying to torture here?"

"That's what makes it convincing!" Ronan replied, "Besides, isn't this also a way to test you? How else will you be ready to take the reins at VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals?"

"But without Jaylan's investment, won't I be losing out on a significant amount of money?" I grumbled, feeling a pang of regret, "My precious dollars!"

Ronan laughed harder and playfully flicked my nose, "You're quite the little miser! When did you develop such a lust for money?"

"What? That money was rightfully mine. I regret ever letting that jerk Jaylan take over Medsafe Liyah Inc., giving Jerome the opportunity. If Addrion and I had kept at it, we'd be in a much stronger position by now!" I argued with conviction.

"Don't worry, your dad wouldn't let you come out on the losing end. Once they bite the bait and come in with an investment, it's going to dwarf whatever Jaylan lost. Still worried about the money?" Ronan said confidently, "Plus, everything's on track now. If all goes well, we should be hearing from our contact with VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals soon!"

I looked at him skeptically, my mind buzzing with suspicions about the foxes I seemed to be surrounded by, myself feeling like the only naive rabbit in the den.

Could I be benefiting from a fight among titans? That seemed almost too good to be true!

But then again, something Ronan said struck a chord - my old man, cunning as he was, wouldn't let me down.

"Didn't you say you have your own lab too?" I asked.

"Absolutely, that was the catalyst for my alliance with your father," Ronan confirmed without breaking eye contact.

Feeling the intensity of his gaze, I quickly looked away, muttering, "First things first, I want Carl back safe and sound. I don't care about your schemes; I just want to get out of here and live a peaceful life with my kids."

He reached out to grasp my hand, and I felt a jolt of electricity as I tried to pull away unsuccessfully, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Relax. I promise you, within a week, I'll bring Carl back to you," Ronan reassured me, his voice instilling a deep sense of security.

I looked up at him, "Really?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "I need to step out for a moment."

"Allie..." The call came from the staircase as Hannah, stretching lazily, descended.

She clamped her mouth shut upon seeing the scene below, retreating swiftly.

I quickly withdrew my hand, my cheeks burning, and called out, "Come back here..."

Then I turned to Ronan, "Didn't you have something to take care of? You better go!"

Ronan, looking slightly embarrassed after glancing at Hannah on the stairs, said to me, "I'll be off then."

I waved him off, "Go on, get going! Oh... and let me know if there's any news."

Just then, Ronan's phone rang. He glanced at it and, without excusing himself, answered it right in front of me, "Talk to me."

The voice on the other end was clear enough for me to hear, "Boss, our guys have combed the place. It's empty, Jerome is still under surveillance, but Clara has vanished!" Startled, I looked at Ronan with an anxiety that was hard to conceal.