Chapter 422 Kelly Tries to Test Oscar
The entire night, Kelly couldn’t find a moment of peace..
Flushed
Eric’s words echoed in her mind, filling her with dread, while Zev’s silence only deepened her anxiety.
Patrick
So it’s really him.
For years. Patrick hid his true nature so well.
If the forces behind all of this truly are Patrick and his network… Melody is his daughter–in–law. During the trip to Oasisvale, he knew Melody was part of the medical team, yet he still ordered the Lynches to betray everyone.
The thought was horrifying–an unsettling realization.
She remembered a bitter conversation with Melody from back then, when Melody had vented about her mother–in–law. She’d complained about how the woman disapproved of her, preferring a daughter–in–law with a more prestigious background and a degree in business.
Yet, when it came to Patrick, Melody had only praise. She spoke of him as if he were a saint–generous, kind, humble. As the CEO of the Wagner Group, Patrick didn’t act like a powerful man. He was modest, frugal, and never looked down on Melody for being a doctor.
Kelly hadn’t thought much of Patrick at first. Even with her sharp instincts, she had been taken in by his charm.
Outside of a few obvious flaws–like Shawn and his mother–Patrick seemed like the perfect man.
He was admired for how well he treated Oscar’s mother, appearing to genuinely care for her. Yet, behind the scenes, no one knew about his mistresses or illegitimate children.
He stayed out of the Wagner Group’s operations and, to the public, seemed to lack significant power. But in the shadows, he controlled the largest black–market operation in the country.
He was so invested in Zev that he even had Shawn removed from his position–all for Zev’s sake. It was unnervingly calculated.
Kelly curled up in bed, clutching Zev’s pillow, whispering bitterly to herself, “If you don’t come back soon, I might just have to remarry….
“1
. She laughed, but the sound was hollow.
Without Zev, she felt completely vulnerable.
If Patrick decides to act and Zev doesn’t return in time…
I might have no choice but to marry Shawn, just to survive, to protect my children.
Kelly wasn’t afraid of dying, but the thought of her sons growing up like Zev–entangled in the family’s betrayals–was unbearable. She couldn’t let that happen to Jasper and Shane.
“Zev, where are you? Even just a sign of life … Let me know you’re still out there…” Kelly’s voice trembled, the weight of her fear pressing down on her chest.
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Chapter 422 Kelly Tries to Test Oscar
She was afraid Zev wouldn’t come back before it was too late.
434%
Finished
Lockhart Group.
Not long after their conversation, Eric had been in a severe car accident. His arm was broken, and doctors said it would take two to three months for him to fully recover.
Kelly was surprised. Eric seemed to have gone all out on this matter.
But this time, it worked in his favor.
Now, the situation was in Kelly’s hands.
In the past few days, Kelly had met with Melody a few times, subtly probing her reactions and trying to gauge her position.
Melody told Kelly that, at first, both Patrick and Oscar’s mother had opposed their marriage. But when Oscar insisted on marrying her, Patrick had reluctantly agreed.
The incident with the medical team in Oasisvale had been pure bad luck. Melody hadn’t been part of the team initially, but when someone fell ill and had to drop out, Melody was brought in as a replacement.
Kelly shuddered. Is it possible that Patrick never liked Melody, and instead of breaking his image as a loving father, he chose to eliminate his daughter–in–law?
“Ms. Yeager, the CEO of Wagner Group, Mr. Shawn, is here.” Hanson’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He noticed her distraction and repeated the call. “Ms. Yeager?”
Kelly snapped back to reality and glanced at him. “Let him in.”
Hanson nodded and stepped out, returning with Shawn shortly.
Patrick likely didn’t trust Shawn fully, which is why he had him under surveillance.
“Any news on Zev?” Shawn asked.
Kelly shook her head. “I’m too tired… If there’s no word soon, I might not be able to keep going.”
Shawn nodded sympathetically. “Kelly, if it gets too much… you might want to think about a simpler life.”
Kelly met his gaze. “I believe Zev will return … No news is the best news.”
She knew Shawn was being watched, so she had to buy time, stall.
“I understand. I’ll wait for you, Kelly,” Shawn said quietly.
Kelly scribbled something on a piece of paper. “Is Oscar trustworthy?”
Shawn glanced at the note but didn’t respond. Instead, he wrote, “Be careful of Patrick.”
Shawn didn’t trust anyone, nor was he familiar with Oscar.
From what Shawn had gathered about Patrick, he seemed to favor Shawn and kept Oscar out of the company’s operations.
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Chapter 422 Kelly Tries to Test Oscar
But Oscar was the only son that he truly cared about.
Finished
Kelly stared at the note for a long moment before speaking. “Let’s have dinner tonight. I’ll invite Oscar and Melody–let’s all get together.”
Shawn immediately declined. “I don’t want to go. Oscar and Melody won’t accept me.”
“If we … get married in the future, we’ll need their approval,” Kelly said firmly. “I don’t have any family left- Oscar and Melody are the closest I have. If we’re going to marry, they must approve.”
Kelly said this for Patrick, hoping he would hear that she intended to marry Shawn only if Oscar–his sori- and Melody accepted it.
Oscar was fiercely protective of his cousin, Zev. If Kelly grew close to Shawn before hearing any news of Zev, Oscar would never approve of her remarrying.
But if Oscar agreed, it would confirm Kelly’s worst fear–Oscar was just as involved in the deceit.
Kelly saw this dinner as not just a test for Oscar but a way to disrupt Patrick’s plans.
After all, it was Patrick’s son who would be the most resistant to her remarriage.
Shawn looked at Kelly with a flicker of admiration. He couldn’t help but appreciate her sharpness. “Okay, then.”
That evening, Kelly met with Melody and Oscar at a restaurant.
Melody arrived early, but Oscar, caught up in work, was running late.
“Kelly!” Melody greeted her with a hug. “Has there been any news about Zev?”
Kelly shook her head, her face betraying her exhaustion.
Melody’s voice softened with concern. “Don’t worry too much. No news is good news. Oscar’s been checking in, too.”
Kelly nodded with a smile when she heard that.
As they were about to sit down, they saw Shawn already at the table. Melody’s expression hardened. “What’s he doing here?”
Kelly smiled reassuringly. “Shawn’s been a big help to me. You and Oscar might have some misunderstandings about him. I thought tonight would be a good chance for you to get to know him better.”
Melody frowned, pulling Kelly aside. “Kelly, don’t let him deceive you. People like him have more tricks up their sleeves than you can imagine. He’s probably here for his own reasons.”
Kelly shook her head. “You’re mistaken about him.”
Melody still looked uneasy. She expected Kelly to elaborate, but she never did.
Soon after, Oscar–arrived. He looked tired, his face drawn, as if his schedule had been relentless.
“Why are you two standing over there, whispering?” Oscar asked, then immediately froze upon seeing
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Chapter 422 Kelly Tries to Test Oscar
Shawn. “What’s he doing here?”
Fmished
Shawn smiled. “Hey, Oscar. Zev’s in trouble, and Kelly’s been overwhelmed. I’ve been helping her out, and she invited me to dinner.”
Oscar eyed him with suspicion, his voice low. “Shawn, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re hoping Zev stays out of the picture so you can take advantage, huh? Whatever your plans are, don’t drag Kelly into it, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Send Gifts
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