Chapter 18
The next day, John reported to the embassy. He received a warm welcome and high praise from the embassy officials. As he exited, he wore a broad smile.
Seeing her father so happy made Loretta cheerful as well. She said, “Once we donate the Nine Dragons Goblet to the government, our company will surely gain the government’s profection. If the Lindsey family tries to oppose us again, we’ll have a powerful backing.”
John nodded in agreement. “Both the Lindsey family and we started in the antique business, and now we’re both involved in the jewelry industry. If it weren’t for Malcolm shifting to a different industry, we would probably be locked in a fiercer battle with them over this market.”
“Even if it’s just the two of us, I’ve never been afraid of them,” Loretta snorted.
The Lindsey family had the numbers and financial power, but the Broderick family’s jewelry design team was the most talented in the industry. Each season, the Broderick Group’s jewelry collections set the trend.
Over the years, the Lindsey family had tried many times to poach members of the Broderick Group’s design team, but no matter how hard they tried, they could never succeed.
With this matter settled. John fulfilled his promise and took Loretta out for some fun.
However, they didn’t anticipate that the embassy would take their donation so seriously. They quickly contacted the leaders. of Zyntara.
Upon hearing the news, the Zyntaran leaders placed great importance on the event and immediately issued a directive. “As soon as they board the plane, we must start promoting this. Such entrepreneurs deserve the utmost attention.”
John and Loretta decided to spend two days at the beach. As soon as they arrived, they went fishing.
Once the yacht was out at sea, John, wearing a short–sleeve T–shirt and beach shorts, plopped down on a chair and put on a straw hat, ready to fish. He called over to Loretta, “Just wait, daughter. Tonight, I’ll treat you to a feast of fish.
Loretta sat beside him, dressed in a floral–patterned beach dress and sporting a large straw hat. Holding a sketchbook, she drew while watching him fish.
Hearing her father’s words, she paused to make her requests. Then I want fish tacos, fish and chips, fish ceviche, grilled fish…”
John chuckled, “We’ll have to see if the chef here can make those dishes.”
“It doesn’t matter if they can’t. Whatever they serve is fine with me, as long as it’s fish you caught. I won’t be picky,” said Loretta.
John laughed heartily. His fishing skills were impressive, and within a few hours, he had filled several buckets with fish. Watching the buckets filled with wriggling fish, Loretta stopped drawing and crouched down, poking her finger at a fish’s back. “This one can be used for soup, this one can be grilled, and this one…”
Seeing Loretta’s sweet smile and recalling what Bruno had done John’s heart swell with anger.
If he hadn’t investigated, he wouldn’t have known that Bruno wa a manipulator who asked someone to spike that drink. Fortunately, the drink accidentally ended up in Amy’s hands. Moreover, Bruno and Amy had been having an affair behind Loretta’s back since long ago.
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Chapter 18
Noticing her father’s anger, Loretta looked up and asked, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
Instead of answering. John countered with a question. Loretta, are you really over Bruno?”
He feared she might have said that out of spite. Initially, John thought Bruno was a decent guy, but after digging deeper, he felt he was nothing but trash and certainly unworthy of his precious daughter.
“I never really loved him that much, Loretta said, planning to clarify things for her father to ease his worries. “I agreed to be Bruno’s girlfriend because he saved me during my freshman year, and he always acted like a perfect gentleman, never forcing me to do things I didn’t want to do.”
In truth, Loretta never really loved Bruno. The most important thing is that I had a lot of admirers at the time, and 1 wanted to deter them, so I chose Bruno.”
Seeing Loretta’s expression as she spoke, John noticed she didn’t seem sad at all. He finally believed that she was over Bruno.
However, he still reached out to pat her head and said, “In the future, when you look for a boyfriend, make sure it’s someone you truly love. We have everything in our family, as long as the guy has good personalities and is devoted to you, I won’t object.”
Loretta shook her head. ‘I don’t want a boyfriend anymore. Those guys either care about my looks or our family’s wealth. I’d rather be an independent woman.”
about this. If
After saying that, she walked over to John, squatted down, and hagged his arm. “Dad, you don’t need to worry you want a grandkid, I can go for artificial insemination and have one for you. Anyway, I don’t want a boyfriend”
Hearing this, John felt a mix of helplessness and disagreements a young woman, you should find someone to protect
you.
ta
“Bodyguards can protect me, and besides, I’m a great boxer, most people can’t beat me anyway, Loretta said.
At this, John flicked her forehead and said, “Girls shouldn’t think about fighting all the time.”
Loretta covered her forehead and smiled at him. “Got it, Dad.”
John and Loretta returned to the shore around four o’clock, and John instructed the bodyguard to take the fish to the hotel where they would be staying that night. The two of them strolled along the coastal road at a leisurely pace.
This area was a resort, boasting beautiful scenery but also bustling with people. Under the setting sun, many were playing on the beach, while young lovers and older couples rode tandem bicycles along the road.
At 45 years old, John stood at 6’1, his physique showing no signs of decline. His handsome face bore the refined charm that comes with middle age, exuding a mature and composed yet attractive aura.
As for Loretta, she was even more striking. Standing at 5’8‘, her oval face held a hint of blush, and her eyes carried a blend of allure and a cool, aloof demeanor, giving her an air of an unapproachable queen.
John and Loretta shared a few similar features, making them the center of attention wherever they went. As they walked, they attracted many amazed gazes.
Just as they neared the entrance of a restaurant, they unexpectedly bumped into a group of people emerging from inside. Most of them were foreigners, but they were all gathered around Malcolm.
Upon catching sight of Loretta, the group instinctively slowed down to admire her, their eyes sparkling with awe. Only Malcolm, with his hands in his pockets, ignored her completely, treating her as if she were invisible.
As they brushed past each other, one man walking beside Malcolm couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, that woman was gorgeous! She must be Holvarisian.
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Chapter 18
“Zyntaran, Malcolm said.
“What?” Everyone turned to Malcolm, surprised. “Malcolm, do you know her?”
With his gaze fixed ahead, he replied coolly, “No, I don’t know her.”
“Then how did you know she’s Zyntaran?” the others were more puzzled.
