Chapter 151
Catherine gave her a reassuring pat on the head. "Alright, I'll spill the beans. I know you'll dig it up anyway, so might as well hear it from me. I just didn't think the necklace your dad mentioned would actually be from the Brown family."
"Thanks, Catherine," Rachel said, tears of joy streaming down her face. She was really worried Catherine wouldn't tell her.
Michael noticed Rachel's tears and felt a pang in his chest. He pulled out a fancy handkerchief from his suit pocket and offered it to her. "Here, dry your tears."
Rachel was taken aback at first, then shook her head. "No, I have my own." She pulled a tissue from her bag.
Michael's eyes darkened, and he clenched the handkerchief, pulling his hand back. Catherine saw this and thought to herself, 'Serves him right.'
"Alright, Catherine, go on," Rachel said, wiping her tears and smiling again.
Catherine nodded and began, "Over twenty years ago, Skyline Corporation developed a new machine that could really boost production. Your dad was thrilled, thinking it was their big break to go public. But just a day before the listing..."
"What happened the day before?" Rachel asked, her hands clasped nervously.
Catherine patted her hand sympathetically. "Ethan somehow got wind of it and had someone steal the data, causing Skyline's IPO to tank. Worse, the lead researcher was so devastated, he took his own life."
"What?" Rachel's eyes widened in shock. "That really happened?"
Michael's brows furrowed. He had no idea about this either. He always knew Ethan played dirty, but he never thought it was this bad. In the cutthroat business world, some tricks were expected. As long as they weren't too extreme, authorities usually turned a blind eye.
But he never imagined Ethan would stoop so low, stealing trade secrets and indirectly causing a death!
"After that, your dad became the scapegoat. With the data gone and the researcher dead, he had to calm everyone at Skyline and face huge compensation. Desperate for money, he kidnapped Ethan's eldest daughter in a fit of rage," Catherine sighed.
Michael's lips pressed into a thin line. He knew Henry had kidnapped Grace, but he didn't realize it was because Ethan pushed him to it. It seemed one couldn't just scratch the surface; they had to dig deep. Otherwise, one might have missed the real story.
Thinking about how much Ethan hated Henry, Michael now found it laughable. It was even more laughable that he believed Ethan, thinking Henry had wronged the Brown family.
Feeling guilty, Michael looked at Rachel, his eyes filled with regret and shame. He felt ashamed for believing one side of the story and thinking her dad was the bad guy.
Rachel didn't notice Michael. She was focused on the necklace in her hand. "So that's how this necklace ended up with the Williams family." It must have been taken from Grace when Henry kidnapped her.
"Yeah." Catherine nodded.
Rachel asked, "How did Grace die?" She had a terrible guess, one she didn't want to believe.
Under Rachel's intense gaze, Catherine slowly said, "Your dad drowned her, right in front of Ethan and his wife."
Her worst fear was confirmed. Rachel's vision blurred, and she swayed, about to collapse.
Michael grabbed her shoulders, letting her lean into his arms. "You okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Rachel said weakly, biting her lip.
Catherine looked worried too. "Sit down, quick."
Michael helped Rachel sit down. Rachel's body trembled slightly. "How could my dad do something so stupid?" No wonder Ethan went after Henry six years ago; it was revenge.
"Yeah, your dad was foolish, but it's understandable. When you're pushed that far, you can act impulsively," Catherine said, patting her head gently.
Rachel closed her eyes. "He was too reckless..."
"Don't you think something's off about this?" Michael suddenly spoke up.
Rachel looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Michael said, "If your dad drowned Grace in front of Ethan and his wife, why didn't he go to jail?"
Michael continued, "Given Ethan's vengeful nature, he wouldn't have let your dad or Skyline Corporation off the hook. But he did. He didn't take legal action against your dad and even let him keep developing Skyline Corporation until six years ago when he finally took them down."
Rachel's eyes widened. "Yeah, why? Catherine, do you know?" She looked at Catherine.
Catherine shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe your dad and Ethan made some kind of deal; otherwise, it doesn't add up."
Rachel bit her lower lip. "Maybe, but no matter what, the hatred between the Williams and Brown families is beyond repair." This hatred started with Ethan. Even though her dad killed Ethan's daughter, Ethan also drove her dad to his death.
Seeing the hatred in Rachel's eyes, Michael wished he could erase it. Her eyes were too beautiful to be filled with such anger. But he knew he had no right to erase it.
Just as he was thinking this, he heard Rachel's cold voice. "Mr. Smith, I want to destroy TriStar Corporation and the Brown family."
Michael wasn't too surprised. Her hateful gaze had already betrayed her thoughts to him. "And then?" Michael asked.
"Are you going to interfere?" Rachel stared at him, expressionless.
Michael's brows furrowed slightly. Was she saying that if he interfered, she'd go against him too?
"Mr. Smith, I want to know your answer. Will you interfere and help the Brown family?" Rachel asked again when Michael didn't respond.
Catherine quickly jumped in, "Of course he won't. If he dares to help the Brown family, I won't agree!"
"Catherine, I want to hear it from him," Rachel said. If it weren't for Catherine, she wouldn't care if Michael helped the Brown family or not. If he didn't help, great. If he did, she'd go against him too, and if she couldn't win, she'd go to extremes.
She asked only because she cared about Catherine. Since he was Catherine's grandson, she wanted to prepare Catherine mentally. If Michael helped the Brown family and she went against him, Catherine would be upset.
"I won't," Michael replied, lowering his eyes. It was Ethan's fault, and the Brown family should pay the price. As for Mandy, without the Brown family, he wouldn't let her be looked down upon.
"Good, remember your words. If you change your mind like last time, I'll make you suffer for the rest of your life," Rachel said firmly.
Michael's eyes widened, and he clenched his fists. "I won't."
She was serious. If he really changed his mind, she'd do something to make him suffer for a lifetime. Like killing Mandy or even herself.
"What did you do last time to suddenly change your mind?" Catherine asked, interrupting his thoughts.
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