Chapter 328
In the next few days, Raymond just up and disappeared, like he fell off the face of the earth. The Musk Group and the Musk family went all quiet too.
But then, outta nowhere, rumors about Felix started flying around. People were saying Felix was the one who tanked the Musk Group.
Everyone in Dawnridge's high society knew Raymond and Felix were tight for years. So when they heard Felix went after the Musk Group, they started talking smack behind his back.
"I never thought Mr. Clinton was that kinda guy. Looks like all he cares about is money. He'd even screw over his own friend for it!"
"Businessmen. It's all about the cash. Friendship? Nah, money's what matters!"
"If I were Raymond, I'd probably hate Felix's guts. Acting all buddy-buddy while stabbing him in the back!"
These whispers got back to Felix, and even inside the Clinton Group, folks were gossiping.
When James caught wind of it, he canned a few people who were badmouthing Felix. Just like that, no one dared to talk about it anymore.
James asked, "Mr. Clinton, the rumors are getting wild. Should we put out a statement or something?"
Felix just shrugged. "Why bother? It's true I went after the Musk Group."
James frowned. "But you did it 'cause Mr. Musk messed up your marriage with Miss Redstone. It's not the betrayal they're yapping about!"
Felix gave him a cold stare. "Who do you think is spreading these rumors?"
After a pause, James cautiously said, "Mr. Musk?"
Felix nodded. "Who else? These rumors make people feel sorry for him, which is good for the Musk Group."
James's eyes flashed with anger. "This is too much. He's using your rep to make deals with other partners."
Raymond was playing the victim card, making those partners feel all warm and fuzzy about him, making business deals easier.
Felix stayed chill. "Ignore it. If he can use this to climb back up, good for him."
Those partners weren't dumb. Even if they felt bad for him, if the Musk Group couldn't deliver, they'd bail. Everyone was looking out for their own interests.
James said, "Mr. Clinton, you're still too soft on Mr. Musk."
"Alright, you can go now."
After James left, Felix picked up the documents and kept reading, like he didn't have a care in the world.
Over at MY FASHION.
Gianna saw the messages trashing Felix in a group chat. She stared at them for a bit, then left the chat.
Now that they were divorced, Felix's moves were none of her business.
But when she tried to get back to work, she couldn't focus.
After half an hour, she'd only read three pages. Gianna finally gave up and decided to do something else.
Just as she was about to call Otis to set up a shareholders' meeting, her phone rang.
Seeing it was Raymond, Gianna didn't want to answer. But he kept calling, so she finally picked up. "Mr. Musk, what do you want?"
Raymond's voice was a bit bitter. "Gianna, do you hate me that much now?"
Gianna frowned and said coldly, "Not hate, just don't want anything to do with you anymore."
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Raymond finally said, "I don't know if we'll ever cross paths again."
"What are you talking about?" Gianna asked.
"The Musk Group's hit rock bottom in Dawnridge. I'm thinking of starting fresh in another city. Just wanted to say goodbye."
Gianna pursed her lips and said slowly, "Well, good luck with that, Mr. Musk."
Raymond gave a bitter smile. "Thanks, and I'm really sorry about everything. I hope you can forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive. We probably won't see each other again. Goodbye, Mr. Musk."
With that, Gianna hung up.
Raymond's face darkened, and a wave of anger and frustration washed over him. He thought, 'Of course, now that the Musk Group's down, Gianna looks down on me!'
With a grim expression, he dialed a number and coldly said, "You said if I follow your plan, you can bring the Musk Group back to the top and get Gianna back?"
A deep male voice, sounding like he was in his forties, replied, "Yes, looking forward to our cooperation."
After hanging up, Raymond's gaze turned icy.
He thought, 'One day, I'll make Felix regret everything he's done!'
Later that evening, James walked into Felix's office. "Mr. Clinton, Naomi wants to see you."
Felix frowned. "Which Naomi?"
Seeing his reaction, James knew he had forgotten and reminded him, "Jack's sister."
A look of surprise flashed in Felix's eyes, followed by a cold expression. "Bring her in."
Following James into Felix's office, Naomi felt her nerves spike, her heart pounding like crazy.
After bringing Naomi in, James left.
"I heard you wanted to see me," Felix said bluntly.
Naomi turned towards the voice and saw Felix sitting behind his desk, looking at her coldly.
Her heart skipped a beat, and fear surged up again.
Naomi replied, "Mr. Clinton, I want to ask you to release Jack."
She had thought about it for days and finally decided to believe Jack. After all, he was her brother.
Felix sneered. "Ms. Ramirez, are you kidding me? Jack's actions were attempted murder. If I hand him over to the cops, he could spend his life in prison. Just because you ask, I should let him go? What makes you think you have that kind of pull?"
Naomi's face went pale, and she bit her lip. "Mr. Clinton, what will it take for you to let Jack go?"
"I can give you a chance."
"What chance?" Hope flickered in Naomi's eyes. As long as there was a chance, there was hope.
Felix continued, "If you can get him to spill everything he knows about the Forbes family, I might consider letting him go."
Naomi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I can try, but I can't promise anything."
Felix said nothing more and had James take Naomi to see Jack.
An hour later, seeing Jack's injuries were worse than before, Naomi's tears started to fall.
She quickly walked up and choked out, "Jack, how are you?"
Jack was in pain all over. Hearing Naomi's voice, he thought he was dreaming until she kept talking, and he struggled to lift his head.
Jack asked, "Naomi, why are you here?"
"Jack, Mr. Clinton said if you tell him everything you know about the Forbes family, he'll let you go."
Jack's eyes flickered, and his voice turned colder, "No! I can't betray the Forbes family again!"
