SWNOVELS Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Joshua sensed some hostility from Mr. Yates, but upon closer inspection, he figured he was just overthinking it. “I’m talking about the artificial intelligence project.”
“We have several AI projects.” Mr. Yates replied quickly, his gaze focused on Joshua, “Which one are you referring to?”
Joshua clarified, “The AI robot project.”
“That is indeed an impressive project, but we’ve already partnered with another company for it,” Mr. Yates said.
“No problem,” Joshua replied, knowing he was not there for serious business. He glanced at Cynthia and, with a meaningful smile, asked, “I’m curious, aside from Shirley, does Chairman Yates have any other daughters?”
“What do you mean?” Mr. Yates responded naturally.
At that moment, Shirley looked up at them.
Joshua continued calmly and seriously, “Some time ago, I heard someone in Jiverton claiming to be an heir to Yates Group. I thought maybe Chairman Yates had another daughter besides Mrs. Neal.”
“I’m my father’s only daughter,” Shirley confirmed, leaning against the hospital bed with a youthful voice.
Shirley was the apple of their family’s eye!
Mr. Yates seemed more relaxed now and joked, “You shouldn’t take such rumors too seriously. Many claims are just idle talk. For example, I’ve heard quite a few people say they want to have a child with Mr. Neal here.”
“I suppose,” Joshua agreed, chatting casually with Mr. Yates.
Shirley could not help but let her gaze wander to Cynthia from time to time.
On her tenth glance, Joshua looked up and asked in a low voice, “Does Ms. Yates know wife?
Cynthia remained silent.
Shirley would not expose her, would she?
“She’s your wife?” Shirley finally asked openly, looking at her sister.
Joshua gave a vague answer, “For now.”
“For now?” Mr. Yates inquired.
my
“We’re in the process of getting a divorce,” Joshua explained casually, observing Chairman Yates‘ reaction. If Chairman Yates were truly Cynthia’s father, he would surely be upset by this
news.
However, Mr. Yates did not show any emotional reaction.
“Dad!” Shirley found an excuse to confront Joshua, excitedly telling Mr. Yates, “Don’t you
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Chapter 29
think Mr. Neal’s wife looks a lot like someone we used to know?”
Mr. Yates looked puzzled, wondering what she was up to.
Shirley whispered, “We need to back Cynthia up!”
Mr. Yates hissed, “You might expose Cynthia!”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Shirley reassured him in whispers.
Despite her confidence, Mr. Yates remained uneasy.
“Who?” he asked, ceasing his eye contact with Shirley.
“My personal bodyguard from elementary school, Cynthia,” Shirley provided, her eyes shining with excitement.
Mr. Yates and Cynthia both fell silent.
Joshua furrowed his brow slightly, murmuring, “Your personal bodyguard?”
“Cynthia?” Mr. Yates feigned ignorance, not knowing how to continue the conversation.
Shirley’s acting was impeccable, helping her father recall, “When I was nine, didn’t you bring home a girl five years older than me to ensure my safety and prevent me from being bullied at school?”
Mr. Yates frowned, unsure how to respond. Should he pretend to remember or continue feigning forgetfulness?
Shirley was indeed five years younger than Cynthia.
He hesitated, not wanting to ruin Shirley’s.
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