Chapter 457 Return to the Homeland

The Rhoads family had weathered the storm.
Janna, acting decisively, had thoroughly reshuffled the family's ranks.
It was evident to any discerning eye.
All the pivotal positions in the Rhoads family were now held by people loyal to both Janna and Chelsea.
During this time, the tabloids incessantly snapped photos of Darwin accompanying Janna at the market.
Though bodyguards were in tow, Darwin often carried the bags for Janna.
On the internet, rumors of Janna's disdain for her grandson-in-law dissipated on their own.
Ever since Darwin started his certified social media account, he paid no mind to the critiques and updated his daily life from time to time.
For instance: Today's haul. The picture showed fruits and vegetables he had picked up from the market.
Or: Dinner time. The image displayed a table full of dinner, with Fiona's faint reflection visible.
Suddenly, the online debate sparked whether Darwin was flaunting the meal or flaunting his wife.
Fiona turned a blind eye to all this.
After all, her current relationship with Darwin had real implications for their respective companies' stock prices.
Soon came the time for Fiona and Darwin to return stateside.
"Grandma, are you really not coming with me to Armie Country?" On the eve of their departure, Fiona still felt anxious about leaving Janna behind, fearing new mishaps might occur.
Janna patted the back of her hand with a tinge of annoyance. "I've sailed smoothly for decades; this recent snag hardly warrants your worry!"
Even this time, if it hadn't been her own Charles, Janna wouldn't have been caught so off guard.
Saying this, she cast her eyes downward again at the photo of herself and Stuart at her side.
"Besides, Stuart's still out there. I need to be here... What if he comes home and can't find anyone?"
Fiona felt a twinge in her nose.
She gripped Janna's hand tightly.
Janna diverted her gaze, a tender smile creasing her face. "Don't mind your grandma rambling. Go on and make amends with Darwin; I can tell he truly regrets his actions and wants to change."

Fiona lowered her eyes, her voice betraying a hint of sorrow. "There's a hurdle in my heart that I just can't seem to get over."

That obstacle had always been the same, singular barrier.

Each time she convinced herself she was ready to move past it, Darwin managed to pull her back, reinforcing the blockade ever higher, making it insurmountable.

Fiona acknowledged the current impasse. The barrier had solidified into an unassailable wall she no longer had the desire to gaze upon, let alone scale after Darwin had defended Lilian to her face.

Janna let out a soft sigh. "It's alright. Just remember, Grandma will always have your back."

Fiona murmured an agreement, then gently embraced Janna.

The following morning, Darwin, Fiona, and Burl boarded a private jet bound for Bay City—planning to surprise Charles and the rest of their friends in Chicago.

They kept their return a secret, aiming to take everyone by surprise.

But what they hadn't anticipated was the call they received just as the plane landed from Chicago and Thalassa at the police station.

Rewind to an hour earlier

Following his recovery, Jessie had been taken in by Thalassa and was staying with Kenny's family. They hadn't brought Jessie out much since he was still under observation.

Today, Jessie was eager for some outdoor fun. So, after a brief chat, Thalassa and Chicago happily fastened a custom leash harness on Jessie and headed to the nearby park for a walk.

Jessie, having come through an ordeal, seemed unchanged at a glance. He dashed across the grass, almost leaving blurs in his wake.

Yet...

In his run, Jessie found himself at the very spot where Bob and Grace used to rest. With his leash in his mouth, he sat there, looking around wistfully.

Watching this made Chicago's heartache. Clutching one of Thalassa's fingers, she said, "Jessie must miss Bob and Grace, huh?"

"It's natural for dogs. Missing his previous owners doesn't mean he doesn't love you," Thalassa replied as she squatted down and wiped the sweat from Chicago's face.

Chicago nodded in understanding. She was not jealous of Bob and Grace but empathetic toward Jessie, who couldn't be with the ones he missed.

Just like her.

She missed her mom so much, but they could only meet through video calls—no hugs, no kisses!

They stayed with Jessie, playing until the sky dimmed and then led him back, their pace leisurely.

Normally, the route from the park to Kenny's place didn't go past Chicago's own home.
Yet she was aware that her brother was eager to see Jessie, too.

So she purposely took a detour to their apartment building, then called her brother over to the window to catch a glimpse of Jessie.

Jessie, the cheerful pup, was all too eager to put on a show.

Spotting Charles, she twirled in a couple of gleeful circles and barked joyfully at him.

Charles's delight was palpable.

Wendy even fetched some chicken sausages and tossed them to Jessie.

After they had their fill of fun, Chicago and Thalassa, each weary from the excitement, strolled along with Jessie toward Kenny's house.

"We've been out with Jessie for three hours; that's a bit too much!" Thalassa glanced at the time and said, "Tomorrow, no more than an hour, okay Chicago? Are you listening?"

Chicago, with heavy eyelids barely staying open, nodded mechanically. "I'm listening."

As they were walking, they came upon a moving scene ahead, boxes and a small pickup blocking half the sidewalk.

Muttering under her breath, Chicago led Jessie to the clearer side, cautioning the dog against touching any of the movers' belongings.

Thalassa followed, fighting back laughter.

The earnest instructor and the seemingly attentive listener made quite the picture.

Just as the duo and their four-legged friend had passed the cluttered moving area, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind, "Where did you guys get this dog?"

Thalassa turned around.

To her surprise, she saw Aurora and stammered, "Aurora?"

"Is that you?" Aurora, facing Thalassa, wore an absurd grin.

Ever since the day of the alumni gathering, Aurora's life had been a series of misfortunes.

The international students she was friendly with began to inexplicably distance themselves.

The projects she was involved in at her new company were canceled one after the other.

Then her boss confronted her, livid, blaming her for the company's losses and consequently failing her internship.

But the nastiest blow came, when she was stripped of an important university award after allegations arose that her submission was ghostwritten.

At that point, Aurora had been convinced that Thalassa was using her connections to sabotage her.

However, yesterday, when she asked Lay for help with job hunting, Lay dropped the bombshell. "Aurora, we've known each other for years. There’s no point in hiding it. Kenny found out the things you put Qian Duo up to. He's made it clear: anyone who works with you is against him."

It struck Aurora like a thunderbolt.
The Substitute's Revenge: From Secretary to Queen
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