Chapter 641 Accuse Lawrence of Kidnapping
Rock's gaze dropped as he looked at her. "I saw it on the news. A company in Fantasyville released a more advanced chip, blindsiding the Rodriguez Group. Their stock's been tanking for two days straight, losing over forty billion dollars in market value."
Winnie was floored. "Forty billion dollars? No wonder Lawrence left in such a hurry that night."
"How could it drop so much?" she asked.
"Lawrence was too high-profile. When they developed the chip, the Rodriguez Group hyped it as the most advanced in the world. Jeremy even signed contracts with over two hundred companies globally. Those companies paid hefty deposits to get the chip. But when Fantasyville NexGen Innovations released their chip, everyone felt duped. Rumor has it Jeremy stole the chip from the Rodriguez lab and destroyed all the data. After Sean kicked him out, Jeremy vanished. No one knows where he is."
"What?" Winnie was stunned. 'Jeremy is Lawrence's best friend. He couldn't have stolen the chip data,' she thought. There had to be a conspiracy.
Lawrence always seemed invincible in the business world, always planning meticulously and staying ahead. It was hard to believe he wouldn't have known about Fantasyville NexGen Innovations' chip.
'This whole thing is too strange. Lawrence's downfall was too sudden, and Jeremy being the 'accomplice' doesn't add up. It feels like someone is orchestrating this to take down the Rodriguez Group.'
Winnie asked quietly, "What's the situation with the Rodriguez family now?"
"They've lost their top spot in Veridiania to the Peterson Group. The Rodriguez Group's market value is now even lower than my company's."
Winnie was shocked.
Rock smiled faintly. "We'll see what happens tomorrow. If Lawrence doesn't compensate those two hundred companies for default, the Rodriguez Group's reputation will be trashed, and no one will want to work with them. But if they pay the breach of contract fees, they'll be drained and headed for bankruptcy. Their other industries are already in ruins. Lawrence won't have the money to invest in chip development anymore. Without new chips, the Rodriguez Group will quickly become a second-rate company, eliminated by the market."
Winnie got it. 'Lawrence is at a dead end this time.'
She sighed inwardly. 'The top business family in Veridiania collapsed so quickly.'
"Winnie, Lawrence can't threaten us anymore." Rock took a deep breath, gripping her shoulders firmly. "And I won't let him get away with taking my bride."
Winnie looked up, feeling his strong grip and the hatred in his eyes.
Her heart trembled. "Rock."
"You'll support me in seeking revenge, won't you?" Rock asked, his eyes filled with sorrow and anger. "As a man, my wife was taken from me in public on our wedding day. How can I pretend nothing happened? Besides, you've suffered so much being imprisoned on that island. It's time to settle old and new scores with him."
Winnie's eyelashes fluttered. She got it—no man could tolerate what Rock had been through.
She hated Lawrence too. The day he left, they had a huge fight, and she even cursed him to live a miserable life, abandoned by everyone.
She never thought this day would actually come. But she didn't feel as satisfied as she thought she would. She wasn't happy.
Did she really want to take revenge on Lawrence? When he forced himself on her, she did, but now that she had calmed down, she didn't.
'It shouldn't be like this. Had I been tormented by Lawrence to the point of having a masochistic tendency, unable to feel anger?'
Winnie shuddered inwardly, not daring to think further. She lowered her head. "Rock, if you want revenge, what do you plan to do?"
"When you return, we'll accuse him of kidnapping," Rock said coldly. "You're the victim. Just tell the police he imprisoned you, restricted your freedom, and harmed you. He'll be sentenced to prison."
'Harmed?' Winnie understood his implication, which made her embarrassed.
After a long while, she squeezed out a few words. "Rock, what kind of harm do you want me to tell the police?"
A flash of deep pain and hatred crossed Rock's eyes. He smiled bitterly. "Winnie, we're both hurting, but we have to face it. You've been gone for a whole month. Frankly, I don't believe Lawrence didn't touch you. But you're my wife. As long as it wasn't consensual, his actions are a crime—rape."
Winnie clenched the chair tightly, her heart quivering with unease.
She bowed her head into the shadows. After a prolonged internal struggle, she gently freed herself from Rock's grasp and rose, seeking solace by the window.
Rock's persistent voice came from behind. "I'm speaking the truth. He forced you, didn't he? Winnie, don't fret. Since I've come to seek you out, I won't blame you."
His voice became incredibly tender. "I've been consumed with worry for you every moment of this past month. I've carried the weight of not coming to your aid sooner, but this is something you can't evade. Lawrence's arrogance and lack of humanity are glaring. He deserves to face consequences for the pain and disgrace he has inflicted upon us!"
His words pierced her foggy mind like nails, bringing her to a painful clarity.
'Yes. What Lawrence did to me was illegal. I hadn't been willing this past month. It's normal for someone to be sentenced for breaking the law. I didn't need to hesitate or feel conflicted. Even if Lawrence went to prison and the Rodriguez Group collapsed, it wouldn't be my fault.'
"Winnie, I know it will be humiliating to tell the police and the public about this, but haven't I lost my dignity too?"
Rock spoke with emotion, his eyes filled with bitterness. "I've been mocked online for a whole month. But I found you, and we'll face the future together. I won't leave you. I swear, I won't leave you."
Winnie was overwhelmed by his sincerity, feeling even more ashamed.
The more Rock treated her with kindness, the heavier the burden like a massive stone on her heart became.
Many hours later, it was night in Trento City. A helicopter landed near the Dazzling Estate villa, where Elliot, Lena, and Sidney had been waiting for a long time.
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