Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

Grayson shook his head with frustration. "Well, they say Helen wasn't the brightest. Jocelyn had been married to someone who had moved to Gerby. That guy took off with all her assets shortly after tying the knot. Rumor has it that Jocelyn was devastated. She became a huge joke.

"Helen was kind enough to comfort Jocelyn and even gave her a generous allowance to help her get back on her feet. These are all stories from their classmates. Some of them suspected it was all a setup, and Helen ended up suffering the consequences."

I was surprised. "That was such a calculated move."

"It serves Helen right for being so naive and lacking common sense!" Lauren exclaimed in frustration.

Anyone hearing this story could see through it. I couldn't help but wonder how Beatrice felt when she learned about all this.

As her good friend, I felt a twinge of guilt.

I had been too selfish then, focusing entirely on starting a business and neglecting the upheaval in the Chandler family. What kind of friend was I?

Ironically, I encountered a man with a similar story to Helen's.

I shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if I had not discovered what Matthew was up to at the time.

In a way, Helen and I shared similar fates. The difference was that I had Atlas, who had been waiting for me for over a decade.

For Helen, this might have cost her her daughter's life.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I felt increasingly restless. I had to help Beatrice.

Grayson told me, "According to the information we've gathered, Byron and Jocelyn had quite a comfortable life outside. Surprising, isn't it?" Grayson added, "Nothing can stay hidden forever."

I slammed the table. Grayson noticed my reaction and hastily said, "Chlo, you're getting worked up. Don't worry, there's more. Let me continue the story."

He grinned at me with a mischievous charm.

"We also discovered that the cable factory Byron acquired had quite a backstory," Grayson continued.

I asked, "What is it?"

"In his sixth year working there, the original factory manager suddenly died in a car accident, leaving behind two children, both quite young. The widow, who didn't understand Cable manufacturing, struggled to sustain the factory."

"So, Byron seized the opportunity," Lauren interjected.

Grayson nodded. "Byron negotiated with the widow, offering her money to support the two children. He sweet-talked the widow into agreeing, expressing his gratitude for allowing him to take over the factory." "He's quite the opportunist." I sighed.

"He is," Lauren agreed.

"Professional appraisers were

brought in at the time. After discussions with the widow, they decided on a price of 150 thousand.

Byron bought the cable factory which had an annual output exceeding millions, in one fell

swoop."

"Why did these idiots let Byron get away with it?" Lauren complained.

"He's just too shrewd!" I shook my head.

"He even generously gave an

additional 50 thousand to make it a

for

round figure. He claimed it was for the two children, saying they were

el?

still young and struggling. The, widow almost knelt in gratitude. Byron gained a reputation for his

kindness!" Grayson sneered.

"Byron is inhumane! I guess he hired those people who decided on the price." Lauren snapped.

"Kindness? He has no conscience," Grayson snorted. "He extorted that 200 thousand from Helen. That was Helen's private fund. Yet he continued to have a life outside."

"He's just an empty shell wearing the mask of benevolence. He's playing with manipulative tactics!" I couldn't bear to listen anymore. "How could such a good person like Beatrice have a father like him?"

"He became this way because of Helen, who allowed him to act recklessly and play with everything at his fingertips."

Lauren couldn't control her emotions. She was furious at the injustice.

Grayson looked at us as if he hadn't slept all night. He animatedly asked, "Are you still listening? If not, I'm going to sleep."