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The Secret Successor CHAPTER 67
The next morning.The mobile alarm rang sharply at 6 AM, but Jessica was in too deep of a sleep; she didn’t even respond to the extremely loud noise her low-budget mobile made.Russell, who was sitting on the opposite couch, was not at all feeling sleepy, even though he hadn’t slept all night.He stopped the alarm and kept staring at Jessica.He had been thinking for four hours straight on how to handle his relationship with her. If anything, these four hours made him realize just how precious Jessica’s existence was in his life. Even though he hadn’t met her often after he joined college, she always made time to come and meet him at his house, even though Jennifer and Arnold didn’t treat her well. Jennifer wouldn’t even treat Jessica as a guest, and she never once fed her sweets or even fruits. Still, Jennifer didn’t speak ill of them, even when Russell himself cursed his stepmother a few times.“My life is a mess, Jessica. I don’t want to drag you into the mud with me. You deserve s
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 68
If Natasha had really loved Russell, this would have been a priceless moment for him, given that she and her entire family was now in his house, which was also their former house.However, Russell couldn’t feel anything but anger right now. A sort of boiling anger that prompted him to break all of Natasha’s remaining teeth.He really wanted to make her realize that it wasn’t just his love that was great but also his wrath.Then again, they were staying in his house now, so they were the same as guests in his eyes, as long as they behaved like guests. If they acted like Denver, then he would happily take them on, even though Arnold naturally had been subservient to the Pennell family over the years.Before Russell entered the building, he saw Skarlett brushing on the lawn. When she saw him, she spat on the grass. Ignoring her, he entered the house.Straight away, something he never thought he would witness was happening now.Jennifer was scolding Natasha in raw language while defending
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 69
“I’m not going to like it?” Russell wasn’t surprised. “Of course. She probably returned one of the items I gave her when we were dating, didn’t she? Was it the baby lion doll I gave her?”Viola slowly shook her head. “It’s a dog.”“Dog?” Russell didn’t remember giving Natasha a dog doll. “Where is it? Let me see it.”“Um, it didn’t look good, and so I threw it away,” Viola quickly made up something. If Russell were to find out that her mom threw Perro’s head away, he would come to hate Jennifer some more, which Viola didn’t want.“You threw it away?” Russell raised his voice, skipping Viola’s heart. Was she going to hit her? She felt anxious as he put his hands on her shoulders. “Viola… you really are my sister. I’m proud of you.” He gave her a hug. “You’re my true pillar and support in the family. What would I do without you?”Viola felt relieved but at the same time pitied her poor brother. (I think it’s better that you don’t know about that incident, Brother. I’ll make Natasha pay
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 70
William didn’t knock softly on the door. It was a series of quick and loud knocks that thundered in Russell’s heart.“Check who it is, Russell,” Natasha spoke neither softly nor loudly.(What is she…) Russell stepped back once more, realizing that Natasha was up to something really bad. (No… She’s trying to frame me. This mad woman!)The door was knocked again.“Russell? Are you awake?” William called for him.Russell probably wouldn’t have recognized William’s voice if not for hearing his voice very clearly when he was on the rooftop during the party night. The way William threatened Russell to give his phone to him ingrained his voice, and so Russell was able to tell it was William. (If he’s here, does that mean Liam is also here? What the hell should I do?)The door was knocked again. “Russell?”(Dammit. The longer I take, the more guilty I’ll look!) Russell didn’t think too much and hurriedly opened the door. “Mr. William, I…”“What’s that voice we heard?” William pushed the door
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 71
William continued to play the footage, and everything happened exactly as Russell had said. He looked at Liam. “Do you want me to play the other cameras’ footage, too, sir?”“No need. We’ve found enough evidence, haven’t we?” Liam looked at the Pennell family whose faces were full of shame. “Fredrick Pennell… your daughter has tried to trick everyone of us, so it’s only natural that all of us abandon her, don’t you think?”“What are you…” Diana’s eyes widened. She didn’t like where this was going.“I’ll give you two options,” Liam calmly stated. “If you still wish to be with your daughter after all this, then sure, I won’t stop you, but I will bring your entire family to the streets.”Fredrick’s eyes widened. “W-what’s the other choice?”“Make Natasha Pennell just Natasha,” Liam said, “and I’ll not bother the Pennell family anymore.”“This is ridiculous!” Skarlett raised her voice. “You want us to cut all ties with her? What sort of joke is this?”“You don’t have to, but in return, yo
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 72
In Kyra’s home.Kyra was staring at her pics taken with her boyfriend before he died. “Why did you have to leave me? If possible, I don’t want to marry anyone. I don’t think anyone can take good care of our child as their own. I can convince Mom, but Dad is the real issue.”A maid knocked on the door and said, “Ma’am, your father is calling for you.”“Tell him I’m busy.”“He said it’s important.”“Tch.” Kyra made her way to the balcony and looked at her Dad who was seated on the couch on the ground floor. “What is it, Dad? Did you already find another groom, perhaps?”“Since you can be sarcastic, you’re in a better mood than I’d expected,” Liam wasn’t even looking at her. “Why don’t you come and sit next to me? I have something to show you.”“If it’s the face of some man I don’t know, then, no thanks.”“It’s the face of someone you do know,” Liam answered.“Someone I know?” Kyra wondered who that could be. She came downstairs and sat next to Laim. He showed her the picture of Russell
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 73
On the same night, in Jessica’s home.Jessica was so tired after work, she didn’t even have the strength to cook.“Why is he not here yet?” She would have called Derek, but he didn’t have a mobile on him. The last time she brought him a second-hand mobile, he sold it away and used the money to buy lottery tickets, an effort that miserably failed.Jessica then called Irene and asked her about her parents’ reaction regarding the new painting she had done. Irene didn’t even talk about it as one of the neighbors’ sons had told her father everything that had happened. It was obvious that they had a grudge on Irene because she refused to date him.“Forget about me, but tell me how your day at work was,” Irene asked out of intrigue. She really wished she would one day get to work in a high-paying company as well, so she wanted to know everything there was to know about it. “How did your boss treat you? Is being a PA more grueling than you thought?”“This job is indeed demanding,” Jessica kep
The Secret Successor CHAPTER 74
“Mom, coffee,” Natasha mumbled in her sleep, but then the traffic noises woke her up, just to make her realize that she was sleeping on a roadside bench. The unforgiving cold outside bit on her skin as well as her heart, and she found herself shivering in and out. Every breath released loads of fog through her mouth. Every passing thought burdened her heart.She got up from the bench and hissed in pain because her feet hurt. Her heels had cracks now. She sat down and cringed. When was the last time she had cracks on her feet? Probably, never. Because she had walked for hours the previous night, the stress must have led to these cracks, she thought.She massaged her feet with a sad and angry expression. “What have I done to deserve this?”A beggar that was passing by took a look at her. She seemed to be seventeen at best, but she kept staring at her.“What?” Natasha snarled at her. “Is there something on my face?”“I saw you sleeping here last night. It’s not safe to sleep out in the o
Latest Chapter
- The Secret Successor
AUTHOR'S EPISTLE
THANK YOU:: The Secret Successor has found his family as well as his love! There’s no one more lucky in the world than one who has a family that loves them. They don’t say blood is thicker than water for no reason. But I’d say, love is even thicker than blood. So, Russell is lucky to have a loving mom, dad, grandfather, and a childhood girlfriend. How lucky are you in your life in terms of relationships? Do you have people who support you when you are down? I hope so. I started the novel with the thought of finishing it in 500 chapters, but it took this long. To all those who read every chapter and reached this page… you have my humble and grateful thanks. A big thanks to reader Oyewale Gabriel for your immense support. And then to Mickey Ritch for your votes as well as comment support. Next is Ricky, who is one of the earliest readers of this novel. Good to still see you around. To Charlie Mcmillen, who has a silent but strong presence, you have my Mcvery thanks. And then, we hav
- The Secret Successor
EPILOGUE
A few weeks later.Charlotte was at her home, eating peanuts, which didn’t taste good on her tongue right now. It wasn’t the peanuts that had the issue, but her tongue and her mind.“Even the food isn’t going inside,” Charlotte pitifully said. She called Kyra’s mobile, but Kyra didn’t answer.Seconds later, Kyra sent a text message: Don’t bother me.“Tsk, she’s completely cut herself off,” Charlotte tossed the mobile away at the wall. “But she’s sticking with Liam and Russell when they’re not even related to her by blood. It doesn’t make any sense!”“Do you want me to kidnap her and bring her here?” William asked.“Do you want Liam to kill both of us?” Charlotte asked him back.“N-No.”“Forget about Liam…” Charlotte looked at the file in her hand. “This bastard Russell came up with such a clever contract. If I sign this, I’ll basically be giving up my shares in the company, but in return, I’ll earn in the billions.”“Since he’s going to trouble you anyway, he’s giving you a profitable
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 635
Jessica was never gifted so many chocolates by anybody before. She immediately hugged Russell with excitement. “You’re the best!”“Wait, they are not just for you,” Russell said. “You’ll be sharing these with everyone at the table.”“U-Uh, of course,” Jessica couldn’t smile as freely anymore because there weren’t multiples for some types of chocolates, and she didn’t want to give those away to others. “I-I will do it after we finish dinner,” she said. “I mean, if we eat chocolates before, then we won’t be able to eat the meal properly.”“You can just distribute them now,” Russell said.“U-Um,” Jessica reluctantly got up and began to distribute the chocolates to everyone at the table. But when she came to Russell, she didn’t put any chocolate on his plate.“Wait, you forgot me,” Russell said.She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Didn’t you say that I AM your chocolate?”Russell blushed. “Ahem,” he quickly controlled his expression. “I see.”Jessica sat down. The waiters began to se
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 634
A few nights later.At Tuna Waves restaurant.The entire top floor was booked by the Lynn family for the night.A large dining table was arranged in the center of the floor. Kyra was the first to attend, because she was the only one who arranged this dinner and invited the people she believed she should.As she waited a bit nervously, to her shock, Jessica was the first to arrive. She was dressed in her work attire and didn’t even have makeup on. Was she coming straight from work?Jessica sat down at a chair but didn’t speak to Kyra and just waited.There was an awkward atmosphere between these two.“I’m not going to eat you, so you can talk,” Kyra voiced her mind. “You came here early so that you can make sure nothing ‘strange’ happens, right?”“Well, I have to protect my guy,” Jessica replied, putting her mobile down, “so that I won’t lose him again.”“Don’t worry then. I think of Liam as my dad, so Russell becomes my brother now,” Kyra stated. “I can’t marry my brother now, can I?”
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 633
Other than Arnold, nobody was told that Liam was Russell’s biological father, as Elora and Liam just didn’t feel the need to do so.They believed that revealing that truth now would only bring unnecessary complications.Elora felt like a lot of burden had been lifted off her heart after she told Arnold the truth.Russell also felt happy that Viola was talking to him. Though James was still clouded by his anger, Russell didn’t feel bad about it as James was known for his impulsive behavior.Russell believed that James would understand with time.Liam and Elora went away in a different car, whereas Russell left in his Boyen Redemption. Driving with an injured hand wasn’t easy, but he somehow managed it and got home.Regan was talking with Gage’s dad and introduced him to Russell. “This is the man I trust the most in the world. He’s your friend Gage’s father. His name is Steven.”Russell saw that Steven’s eyes were completely white. “Nice to meet you, Steven?” he looked at Regan. “Is he b
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 632
“I don’t get it. Why do you want to marry her of all people?” Teresa asked quickly. “She’s been sick for decades, and no one knows when she might get sick again and die, not that I’m wishing for it, but I’m just stating the possibility. In addition to that, Russell is already your son-in-law, isn’t he? So, if you marry his mother now, what will the world think of it?”Liam smiled and asked her, “You think I didn’t consider all those things?”“U-Uh…” Teresa didn’t know what to say because he looked calm despite everything she had just said. She looked at Elora. “Are you not going to eat anything?”“No, I’m full,” Elora said, even though the real reason she refused was because she didn’t want to eat what was brought by Jennifer. Elora then glanced at Arnold. “Can we talk privately?”Arnold was not expecting that. Without even looking at Teresa or Jennifer, he said, “Sure. Why not?”Jennifer didn’t want them to talk, but all she could do was stand there and watch as Arnold and Elora walk
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 631
Charlotte left the hospital, but on her way home, she received pictures from one of her friends.And these were pictures of Liam and Elora eating at a restaurant.“Stop the car,” Charlotte said.William quickly pressed the brake. He looked back, and Charlotte was fuming.She felt like her body was set on fire. She wasn’t able to stand it.“How can he…”Seeing Liam hold some other woman’s hand, she wasn't able to digest it and pulled her hair with one hand. “Fuck! This isn’t happening. Fuck! Fuck!”“What’s wrong, ma’am?” William quickly asked.“He’s getting away from me,” she said angrily as well as sadly. “He’s really getting away from me.”One mistake cost her everything.Her husband, her daughter, and even her sister, all of them moved away from her.The only person that was still with her was William.“Why won’t you also leave my side?” she asked him.“Does a dog ever leave the side of its master?” he said. “They may be manipulative, abusive, but the dog still loves its master.”Ch
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 630
“Fuck off, bitch,” Natasha pressed the trigger.However, nothing happened.Jessica thought she died, but she didn’t. She quickly recovered from the mental shock and slapped Natasha’s hand, making the gun fall out of her hand. “That’s an autoloader. You should manually cock for the first shot for it to be fired.” She kicked Natasha in the gut as hard as she could.Jessica was a very powerful woman, and so her kick sent Natasha crashing back violently.Jessica then sat on Natasha and began to hit her.“W-Wait,” Natasha tried to speak. “That gun wasn’t loaded.”“You expect me to believe that?” Jessica began to punch her face repeatedly, making her lips rupture and bleed. Still, she didn’t stop and kept going.The other employees gathered around. One of them picked up the revolver and checked for the bullets. “Ma’am, this gun really is empty.”Jessica was a bit shocked to hear that. “What?”“I told you…you fucking bitch!” Natasha grabbed Jessica’s throat and squeezed it. “I’ll kill you fo
- The Secret Successor
CHAPTER 629
“Aww,” Elora crashed on the floor and cringed in pain. Liam rushed over to help her and tried to help her get up, but she got up on her own, saying, “I’m not that old yet.”“I never said you were,” Liam put forward the bouquet of lilies.“What the… too white and bright,” she blurted. “Your taste sucks.”Liam was shocked because it was Russell’s suggestion.Elora plucked just one lily from the bouquet and smelled it. “Anyway, what brought the great Liam Lynn here. There’s no child in this house, you know.”Liam’s expression suddenly hardened. Whether she was trying to mock him or was purposely trying to tease him, it felt like a joke that went too far. However, he saw not a ounce of negativity in Elora’s eyes. It was as if she was testing him to see how he’d react. “My child, no, our child is in this house, is he not?” Liam replied.Elora somewhat smiled. “Yeah, he is upstairs. You can go and talk to him.” She sat back on the couch. “If you move out of the way, I’ll watch the TV. The c
