Raymond's Contract Lover

Chapter 3

After leaving the hotel, Arthea took a taxi home. It was early morning, and the golden sunlight spread across the land, filling everything with hope. Yet, Arthea was consumed by pain. She faced a bleak future. Instinctively, she reached for the necklace Hyman had given her two years ago. The necklace was not expensive, but it was her favorite gift. Where was it now? Arthea's heart sank. This meant her relationship with Hyman was truly over, ending two years of companionship.

In the President's office of the Watson Group, Raymond was looking at a document. The information in his hands was not work-related but about Arthea Hill. He quietly reviewed it for ten minutes, going through all the details of her life, including every honor she had received. Arthea had won numerous piano performance awards, and was the champion of the "Midsummer Night's Dream" piano competition, the most prestigious and famous piano contest internationally held every five years. Standing out among so many competitors demonstrated her exceptional piano skills.

If she hadn't played that piece, Raymond might never have found her. After reviewing her file, Raymond confirmed his assumption: Arthea was the person he had been searching for. He had been looking for her for four years. A smile appeared at the corner of Raymond's mouth as he placed the file into the drawer on the left side of his office. The game had begun, and he would rewrite everyone's fate.

The taxi arrived at the luxurious villa area. Arthea rushed back home and saw several police officers about to take away her father as she opened the door. Her mother, emotionally shattered, was begging the police not to take her husband away. Arthea cried, guessing that something must have happened with the Hill Group. "Arthea, I'm sorry. I didn't see through Hyman's character. Be careful of Hyman..." Her father's words were cut short as the police forcibly took him away. Arthea hurriedly chased after them, but they had already entered the elevator with her father, and she couldn't catch up. Her face was covered in tears. By the time she got downstairs, the police had already taken her father away. Arthea collapsed on the ground, crying uncontrollably. Why would the police take her father away? She suddenly remembered her mother was still at home and quickly ran back. In the luxurious living room, her mother sat speechless, like a lost soul, resembling a scarecrow.

"Mom, what exactly happened? Why did the police take Dad away?" Arthea crouched down and looked at her mother.

"Your father was framed. He's accused of financial fraud. The prosecution is investigating now, but those documents were signed under Hyman's instruction..." her mother said angrily.

Just before, Arthea was thinking about how to tell her parents that she had caught Barbara and Hyman cheating. She hadn’t expected them to do something like this to the Hill Group.

"Hyman is despicable." Arthea was furious, tears like pearls streaming down her face as she cried out in grievance.

Her mother, frightened, softly comforted her, "Baby, don't worry. Orin will be fine."

After a long time, Arthea choked up and said, "Last night, I found Hyman and Barbara cheating in Hyman's apartment."

Hyman's betrayal came without warning. Arthea felt like a fool, having had no suspicions before all this happened.

Arthea was rational. She didn't focus on Hyman's betrayal. It had already happened, clearly premeditated. The real issue now was how to fill the $50 million financial gap caused by her father's framing.

"How much working capital do we have now?" Arthea asked calmly.

"Just over ten million dollars." Her mother was surprised by Arthea's composure at this moment and felt very relieved.

"Have you reported it to the police?" Arthea asked, frowning with concern.

"Yes, the police are investigating." Her mother was very anxious, hoping the truth would be uncovered. Otherwise, Orin was bound to take the blame. Given the recent struggles of the Hill Group, this news was a severe blow.

Arthea suddenly felt helpless. Biting her lip, she said, "If we have no other choice, let's sell this villa. We can sell my apartment and my car too. We should be able to gather forty million."

Her mother hesitated. The Hill family had always lived here, and this villa was left to Orin by his father. But this might be their only option.

At the door, sudden footsteps resounded.

Hyman, dressed in a Hermès suit, stepped in with a radiant demeanor.

He wore a smile, exuding an aristocratic air.

Arthea was furious.

Hyman, that scoundrel, how dare he come here?

"Hyman, how dare you come here? This is my house, get out or I'll call the police," she warned, her mother’s face flushing with anger at the sight of Hyman.

"Oh, Mrs. Leila, no need for anger. I’m just here to reclaim what’s rightfully mine," Hyman replied with a mischievous smile, settling leisurely on the sofa.

Arthea restrained her agitated mother, glaring at Hyman. "What here belongs to you?"

"What do you think?" Hyman shrugged.

"Get out," Arthea pointed towards the door.

"Arthea, you’re naïve. I’m here to evict two strangers from my house," Hyman retorted, sitting implacably on the sofa, laughing.

The entire living room echoed with his laughter. Arthea looked shocked, exchanging glances with her mother. Since when had this place become Hyman’s house?

“Hyman, I suggest you leave immediately. You framed my father, and the police will surely uncover the truth!” Arthea frowned, trying to appear fierce. She never imagined that the person she once loved the most would now be the one she hated the most.

“Really?” Hyman asked casually, his eyes filled with greed. “Orin, that fool, didn’t tell you, did he? Last month, the company accepted an order but fell short on working capital, so he used this villa as collateral. Now that the company is in trouble, I bought this villa.”

“Don’t you dare insult my father!” Arthea pushed Hyman, trying to drive him out.

Hyman smiled coldly and knocked Arthea to the ground.

Seeing Arthea hurt, her mother anxiously rushed forward.

Arthea held back her tears. She stood up, dusted off her clothes, and said, “Mom, I’m fine.”

“Good afternoon, ladies. I am Mr. Johnson’s lawyer. This is the contract for Mr. Johnson's purchase of the villa. Please vacate the premises soon.” The lawyer spoke coldly.

Her mother took the contract with trembling hands. Orin Hill’s signature was indeed on it.

Her mother remained silent.

"Mom, I will find a way to buy back this villa, and I will ensure that Hyman ends up in jail." Arthea glared at Hyman, pulling her mother to leave.

"Stop, Arthea, I don't like the look in your eyes," Hyman said.

Arthea ignored him and continued walking. Seeing Arthea's disregard, Hyman took a few steps forward and grabbed her.

"Let me go." Arthea pushed Hyman away with all her strength.

"Arthea, I love you. If you marry me, you can stay here," Hyman pleaded.

"Hyman, let me make it clear; I will never marry you."

Just yesterday, Hyman had i*********e with Barbara, and now he was proposing to her. It was absurd.

"Arthea, I used Barbara for my purposes. I truly love you." He was sincere. Barbara meant nothing to him; all these years, he only loved Arthea.

Fifteen years ago, Hill Group acquired Hyman's parents' company, forcing the indebted Johnsons to choose suicide. Hyman thrived on hatred, initially approaching Arthea solely for revenge.

Now, having achieved his vengeance, Hyman found no joy. Instead, Arthea's hatred for him only brought him sorrow.

"Hyman, I don't want to speak to you anymore, nor do I want to see you again," Arthea said as she left. She couldn't take some valuable jewelry because Hyman's lawyer claimed they were part of the collateral. Only now did Arthea realize her destitution. She used the remaining money to rent an apartment and temporarily stay with her mother. "Mom, I brought trouble upon us. I owe you an apology," Arthea said, hugging her mother. Her mother paused and looked at Arthea gently. "Dear, your father and I will never blame you." Tears mixed with her smile, Arthea realized the difficulty of life only after moving out of that luxurious villa.