Chapter 45 You’re Not Allowed to Die
Yvette couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Aunt Lexi and Jackson froze like statues, utterly stunned by my audacity to slap my own dad.
I watched as my dad’s expression shifted from shock to anger, as if a volcano was about to erupt at any moment. But I only smiled faintly.
“Alright, after that slap, we’re even now. Dad, I forgive you.”
This slap was for myself. It marked the complete dissolution of the remaining father–son bond between us.
As for my mom’s revenge, I would use every penny from the Yates family to make those scumbags pay, watching them fight among themselves.
The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds before Lexi broke the silence.
She gave a dry laugh and said, “Owen, how could you treat your dad like that? You’re really hurting his heart!”
She then turned to Yvette, trying to change the subject.
“Ms. Jenning, actually, William wanted to discuss some company matters with you today. Owen loves to say all sorts of irrelevant things. Please don’t mind him. Let’s sit down and have a discussion.”
The topic smoothly shifted back to business. My dad naturally wouldn’t miss this rare opportunity to speak with Yvette.
He quickly suppressed his anger toward me and addressed her with an ingratiating tone. “Ms. Jenning, I’m not sure if Owen has mentioned our investment plans…”
I stood quietly by the side, silent. However, Yvette looked at my dad with an almost indifferent gaze, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“I never interfere with the Yate family’s investments. If Owen says invest, I’ll invest; if he doesn’t want to, then we don’t.”
Her words hit like a sledgehammer, and an inexplicable surge of emotions welled up in my chest. I couldn’t help but glance at her.
Her profile was flawless, her tone calm as though discussing the dinner menu. But the determination and strength in her voice stirred something deep within me.
Today, Yvette seemed different.
With that sentence, she had quietly placed me in control of the Yate family’s financial power. From now on, no one in the Yates family could openly oppose me–they would have to tolerate or even flatter me.
Recalling my previous life, Yvette had always been cold to me. But in front of others, she would always defend me. Aside from that one time she mentioned divorce because of another man, she never took the initiative to hurt me.
Perhaps she never loved me. But as a friend, she wasn’t so bad.
I pressed my lips together and turned my gaze to my dad. His expression shifted between moods. But in an instant, he put on a forced smile, his eyes filled with pleading.
“Owen, you’re well aware of the situation at the company. Now that Ms. Jenning has made her stance clear, can you help me out?”
Aunt Lexi chimed in, “Owen, we are family, after all. Can you really bear to watch William’s company fall apart? Your mom would be upset if she knew.
“Although you’re now part of the Jenning family and don’t come back to the Yates residence as much, you’re William’s only son. If you don’t help him, who else can he count on?” Jackson stood quietly to the side. His eyes were filled with jealousy and dissatisfaction, and he looked disgruntled.
All eyes in the room were now focused on me. I was about to speak and shut down these greedy ideas, but suddenly, I felt something tighten around my waist.
Yvette had somehow quietly moved behind me. She gently wrapped her delicate arm around me, interrupting my words.
I looked up in surprise. Lowering my voice, I asked, “What are you doing?”
I was puzzled–wasn’t I supposed to be in control of everything?
She slightly tilted her head, her expression calm and distant. “The investment issue can be discussed another day. Grandpa wants to see Owen tonight. I’m here to take him back to the Jenning residence for dinner. It’s getting late.”
It suddenly dawned on me–she had been sent by Alex.
Instead of being angry, my dad smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly. “Right, right, accompanying Mr. Jenning Senior is more important. We can discuss the investment tomorrow. Owen, remember to behave well and don’t upset Mr. Jenning Senior.”
accomp away fo uneasy
Aunt Lexi also laughed along. Yvette said nothing more. She simply took my hand and led me away from the Yates residence, a
I took out my phone and followed her. Her hand was warm and firm, but it made me feel somewhat uneasy.
place
In my memory, Yvette had always been a very indifferent person. Except in bed, she rarely made any overt gestures of affection.
Yet, this time, to put on a show, she had taken the initiative to hold my hand. This sacrifice stirred a mixture of emotions within me.
full of intrigue.
Once outside the Yates residence, I pulled my hand free from Yvette’s grasp and said gratefully, “Alright, we’re safe now. Thanks for helping me out today.” She cast a sidelong glance at me, her expression as calm and composed as ever. “Why didn’t you notify me?”
I was taken aback. “Why should I notify you? So they could drag you into this mess too?”
Thinking back to what had just happened, I couldn’t help but ask, “And why did you stop me earlier? Don’t tell me you’re actually planning to help them?”
She looked at me as if I were an idiot. “That was a strategy. You’ve already offended everyone, and now you want to cut off their financial support? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Her words left me speechless. I followed silently as she led the way to the luxury car parked nearby.
As we walked, she added indifferently, “I didn’t expect things to be this strained between you and your family.
“But if you don’t want to give them money and still want to protect yourself, you need to learn to exploit their weaknesses. Build your plan slowly, then strike when the time is right. That way, no one will be able to control you.”
It suddenly clicked for me. I followed her steps, quietly admiring Yvette’s cleverness. As I walked toward the luxury car with her, I felt like I was starting to understand a lot more.
Now it made sense why I could never outsmart her–she had so many tricks up her sleeve, crafty like a fox. No wonder she was so successful in business.
Meanwhile, I just lived for the moment, not thinking about the future.
“You said that Alex asked you to find me for dinner. But how did you even know I was at the Yates residence since you never asked me?”
I couldn’t help but think about how different things were from my previous life. Back then, I had suffered alone in the Yates residence without anyone stepping in, let alone Alex mentioning dinner. It felt like the script had been completely rewritten.
A cool breeze drifted through the air, carrying a faint hint of Yvette’s signature rose fragrance. It was subtle yet captivating.
“I had a dream. You were suffering at the Yates residence.” She turned to me, her face tinged with a rare complexity. “Now it seems the dream was half true. At least you didn’t get slapped.”
Chapter 45 You’re Not Allowed to Die
2/2
I couldn’t help but laugh. Yvette dreaming about me? That was interesting.
It was the second time. Last time, I had died a miserable death in her dream. Now, it was about me getting bullied.
It seemed like she was always worried about something bad happening to me.
Once inside the car, the black Bentley exuded a dignified presence under the night sky. Yvette and I sat at opposite ends of the back seat, with Samson driving silently up front.
Resting my chin on my hand, I stared out the window, pondering how to handle the conversation with Alex.
In the past, I had been madly in love with Yvette. Alex had known all along.
But now, that small spark in my heart was long gone. I couldn’t even pretend anymore. I wasn’t sure if Alex would notice.
I had planned on waiting until after the divorce to tell him, wanting to spare him any more worries about us. Suddenly, I felt a weight on my shoulder. Yvette had gently leaned her head on me and fallen asleep.
Her long hair draped over her chest. Her profile was so beautiful, it made my heart flutter. Her lashes were long, making my heart melt as I watched her.
If it had been before, I would have been thrilled and maybe even tried to take advantage of the moment.
But now, all I felt was the heaviness on my shoulder.
“Hey, Yvette, wake up,” I whispered.
From the rearview mirror, Samson glanced at me and said softly, “Mr. Yates, Ms. Jenning barely slept last night and had nightmares today. Since you’re here, please let her rest a bit longer.” “Alright, fine.” Considering she had helped me tonight, I decided to let it go.
I asked Samson to speed up, but the atmosphere made me sleepy too.
Just then, Yvette stirred, as if the nightmare had caught up with her.
She suddenly grabbed my hand, a hint of panic in her voice. “Owen can’t die. He can’t leave without my permission… No one is allowed…”
