Chapter 486
Meanwhile, since Douglas was hospitalized, Carly and Marilyn never returned to Barnett Residence. Although Carly
specially arranged for a servant to deliver meals to her, Georgina still kept her guard up all the same.
Georgina had secretly inquired about Leanna's situation before. Therefore, she learned from the information she
acquired that Leanna didn't get into a car accident. This could only mean one thing—her plan failed.
Even so, Aidan's men were still looking for her. So, Georgina held the jewelry she took from Violet and wandered
around several places. Eventually, she succeeded in sneaking into Barnett Residence without anyone the wiser.
Fortunately, she hadn't been in touch with Carly for a long time. In addition, the Barnetts could hardly fend for
themselves now. Thus, Aidan would never suspect Georgina to hide in Barnett Residence.
Then again, staying here is not a long-term solution either. I have to find a way to get the Barnetts to send me
abroad. Now that Zayn is in Swiysal, the Barnetts should have a way to get me out of the country without being
discovered by Aidan!
When she thought of the plausibilities, she immediately gave Carly a call. Yet, Carly never once picked up her
phone.
Georgina furrowed her brows slightly as a wave of annoyance rose within her. She also couldn't help but feel
snubbed while she thought, I can't go out now, and I don't know Mr. Barnett's current condition. If Carly intends to
avoid me, there's a high chance she would drag her feet when meeting me.
Soon, she heard the sound of footsteps from outside the door just as the sky turned dark.
However, unlike the set of footsteps from before, these sounded firm and purposeful. So, when she considered
these factors, she quickly concluded that an unknown man was sauntering down the corridor.
Georgina instantly made a mad grab for the fruit knife on the coffee table. She curled her fingers around her
choice of weapon tightly as she gave the door a sharp glare.
Shortly after, the door opened, and in came a man with a slender and tall figure.
Nevertheless, her frown only deepened at the sight as she gasped in disbelief, "Oh, it's you." Then, after a beat, she
added, "Why are you here? Wait. No. When did you return?"
Zayn stood by the door and merely stared at her quietly. His gaze gradually traveled downward and landed on the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtfruit knife in her hand. Finally, he parted his lips and drawled, "Miss Crossley, you are a guest of the Barnetts, so of
course, I have to greet you in person."
Even after hearing Zayn's words, Georgina still didn't let her guard down. She just regarded him coldly, "Since Carly
told you about me living here, you should know why. It would affect the Barnetts greatly if words about the things
she did were to get out. Aidan will never let her off the hook."
Alas, he only gave her a slow smirk and said, "Miss Crossley, since you have so graciously brought this topic up, I
find myself in need of an answer. Carly and Leanna have never interacted, so how did she know that Leanna is
pregnant?"
"Anna told her."
"Is that so?" Zayn pursed his lips doubtfully before he continued, "Then, how did Anna learn about this?"
Georgina remained silent in the face of his interrogation. However, her facial expression turned colder.
"I think you and I both know who the true mastermind behind this incident was. But, Miss Crossley, did it never cross
your mind that the situation would turn out this way before you did all these things?"
She sneered scornfully, "It was all thanks to Leanna that I ended up like this! But that wasn't enough for her. She
even harmed the Crossleys! Can't you see?! That woman manipulated Aidan into marrying her a few years ago.
Plus, she even uses tricks to slander my dad and me today! You guys are the ones who are utterly fooled by her
manipulative nature! Mark my words: the truth will be revealed sooner or later!"
Zayn demanded coldly, "Miss Crossley, considering you are adamant that you were slandered, so did Leanna place
you at gunpoint to force you to scheme against her?"
"I—" Georgina was momentarily at a loss for words. Nonetheless, she quickly tried to defend herself, refuting coldly,
"I just want to reveal her true colors, that's all."
"If so, why did you have someone tamper with her car, hoping that Leanna would die in the car crash? Is that also a
part of your plan to reveal her true colors?"
"She deserved that! She robbed me of everything! She even caused the Crossley Group to end in such a tragedy!
However, I never expected that she would change her plans at the last minute!"
Zayn simply stared her down as he said dispassionately, "Miss Crossley, you should know very well that you have to
pay for what you did. It was only a matter of when."
Georgina laughed in amusement and jeered, "Sure. I will pay for what I did! But what about Carly? Shouldn't she
pay for what she did too?"
"Of course," he replied promptly.
The instant she heard his reply, the confident smile painted across her lips faded once the implication behind his
words set in.
Then, Zayn took a few steps away and freed up the room's entrance while keeping a sharp eye on her. The corridor
lights also turned on the moment he was a safe distance away from the door.
Only then did Georgina realize that several people other than Zayn had arrived at the garden at some point. Her
eyes widened in shock as she saw that Aidan was also among them.
As Aidan stood under the night sky, his voice sounded chilly and biting as he questioned, "Why don't you tell me
what Leanna stole from you? Me?"
Georgina's face instantly twisted in resentment at his remarks.
Then, he continued, "As long as you possess a modicum of self-awareness, you should be well aware that even if
Leanna didn't show up in my life, I still wouldn't fancy you." After that, he mused as though he was genuinely
confused. "So, I'm quite curious. What exactly were you thinking when you said these words?"
It seemed that his words had thoroughly incited Georgina's anger as she roared, "You are just an illegitimate child!
How could you not fancy me?! You should be grateful that I even gave you even a sliver of attention!"
Aidan wasn't the slightest bit angered as he chuckled, "Miss Crossley, I have you to remind you of one thing. Your
dad, Leroy Crossley, was never married and had no legal children. Therefore, you are, at best, the illegitimate
daughter he brought home to deceive others when he had no other choice. Speaking of which, you were the one
who stole what belonged to Leanna and lived as her for twenty years."
"Bullsh*t!!"
Still, he didn't intend to continue discussing this issue with her any longer. Instead, he tilted his head and said to
Kurt, the police chief who followed him here, "Chief Higgins, you should have heard the crime she confessed to just
now."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAs soon as those words escaped his lips, he turned and left without further ado.
Before Georgina could react, she saw a few personnel in police uniforms crowding around her.
Blood drained from her face, and she turned ghastly pale. Then, amid her struggle to break free, she accidentally
cut her face with the fruit knife she held in her grasp. When she felt warm blood welling up from the cut, she
touched her cheek with trembling hands. When she tried to wipe the blood away, she only managed to smear half
her face in blood once she realized what had happened.
At that moment, everyone could hear only Georgina's uncontrollable screams across the backyard.
After Aidan stepped outside the Barnett Residence, he turned his head to gaze at the man behind him. Then, he
questioned flatly, "Why are you following me? Don't tell me that you think that I should be thanking you."
He didn't bother waiting for Zayn's answer as he continued, "You guys have hidden Georgina for so long. So, I'm
being rather magnanimous by not pursuing this matter."
"I want to apologize to Leanna on behalf of Carly," Zayn replied.
Aidan immediately answered, "I will convey your apologies to her, so there's no need for you to meet her."
After a few seconds, Zayn suddenly chuckled in amusement.
"What are you laughing at?" Aidan demanded as he frowned in displeasure.
"President Pearson, I just didn't expect you to be so afraid of me meeting Leanna. This only shows that you aren't
confident in your relationship."
Aidan merely graced the man he regarded as a pest with a huff of disdain.
Shortly after, Zayn spoke again, "I still have to deal with several matters upon my return, so I probably won't have
time to find Leanna. Regardless, I heard that many things have happened to Leanna recently. President Pearson, I
hope you can take good care of her."
"You don't have to remind me of that."
Finally, Zayn advised, "President Pearson, since you claim to love Leanna, you should know her true personality. She
will only give you one chance at most for some things, so I hope you will cherish it well."
Aidan narrowed his eyes at the other man and remained silent.
"I still have to go to the hospital. Take care, President Pearson."