Chapter 9

But it didnt end there .

to Ww Y The Guthrie family ran into more trouble .

Zack , leveraging his own abilities and the Moore familys reputation , Maliciously shorted Guthries stocks in the stock market late at night when no one was paying attention .

Several important cooperation projects of Guthrie Group also fell through due to Zacks instigation .

By the time the Guthrie family realized what was happening , they were already in a major crisis .

Guthries stock hit the limit down .

I heard that day , Mr.

Guthrie slapped Ethan in front of all the employees .

And loudly berated him for being stupid .

Zack looked at the Guthrie stock market situation with satisfaction , and couldnt help but boast to me .

How about that ? Arent I amazing ? I said calmly : So , youve been staying at Moore Corp all this time just for this day ? To use Moores reputation to help you deal with the Guthrie family ? He smiled , saying nonchalantly : Moore Corp didnt lose out either .

I helped you take down the Guthrie family , so now the market share that originally belonged to them has been snatched by your Moore family , right ? Is that so ? I didnt say much more .

This result was indeed a win win for Moore Corp and Zack .

G < But in fact , even without Zacks involvement , the Guthrie family would have gone bankrupt sooner or later .

Zacks appearance only accelerated the Guthrie familys collapse .

As it was nearing the end of the workday , I was still in the office .

Ethan barged in , ignoring the security guards attempts to stop him .

He looked very disheveled , his tie messily knotted .

He looked at me , his eyes full of rage .

Stella , why did you do this ? Whats your relationship with Zack ? Do you know that Zack has been deliberately targeting the Guthrie family using your Moore familys name ? Ive already kicked out that bitch Anna .

Arent you satisfied yet ? I looked at him calmly .

Zack used the Moore family to take revenge on the Guthrie family , wasnt I also using him as a tool for revenge ? Ever since I learned that Ethan had once pushed me into the water , Ethan and I were destined to be mortal enemies .

Ethan Guthrie , why did you try to kill me ? Ethan froze , looking at me in confusion .

He didnt remember such an incident .

For years , everyone had been saying he was my lifesaver , and even he himself had believed it .

What are you talking about ? When the hell did I try to kill you ? If anything , I saved your life .

I laughed coldly and played the video Zack had sent me .

In the video , I was playing by the lake .

Ethan appeared quietly behind me , then forcefully pushed me into the water .

I fell into the lake , struggling desperately .

And he just stood there watching .

Ethan was very young at the time , but the cruel yet innocent look in his eyes was chilling .

It wasnt until he heard my mothers voice that he pretended to jump in to save me … Ethans pupils dilated .

He remembered .

He remembered it all .

モ Back then , he was jealous because his father always praised me for being obedient and well behaved in front of him , so he became unhappy .

So , he acted against me .

Thinking of this , Ethans face turned pale , and his body began to tremble .

No … no , the video is fake .

How could I want to kill someone ? You forged it ! < But now with this revelation , he knew that there was deep hatred between the Moore family and him .

The Guthrie family was finished .

Do you have anything else to say in your defense ? I hate you and want you to pay the price .

Isnt that only fair ? Ethan kept backing away until he finally leaned against the wall to barely stand steady .

I … I didnt mean to .

I was still young then .

How can you hold a grudge against me for something I did as a child ? Besides , didnt I jump in to save you afterwards ? I approached him with a cold smile : You know what , Ethan Guthrie ? I used to like you because I thought you had saved me .

But later I found out it was all a lie ! You werent a hero sent by heaven to save me , but an executioner who wanted to kill me ! 10 Ethan shook his head repeatedly , his eyes full of regret .

Stella , I was wrong .

I know I was wrong .

If youre willing to forgive me this time , if youre willing to help the Guthrie family , Ill be your slave for the rest of I found it laughable and said coldly : Its too late .

The Guthrie familys bankruptcy is the retribution you deserve .

I was about to call security to throw him out when Ethan suddenly knelt down , regardless of the onlookers .

By now , quite a crowd had gathered outside the office .

Everyone gasped at the sight .

But Ethan didnt care .

Stella , please forgive me .

I cant watch the Guthrie family go bankrupt .

My … my parents wont be able to take it .

He knelt there , utterly humiliated , his past arrogance and playboy attitude completely gone .

I took a few steps back .

At this moment , the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the office .

Zack walked in .

He saw Ethan and looked at him with disdain .

You really are a disgrace , arent you ? Ethan glared at Zack resentfully .

Zack Lee , what grudge do you have against me that youd target the Guthrie family like this ? Zack let out a cold laugh and said slowly : my life .

My dear brother , of course its because I hate you all .

Ethan looked completely confused .

At this moment , even Anna appeared .

Anna gave me a meaningful glare , then walked over to Zack and took his arm .

Even little Sky ran over .

Sky shrank back fearfully , hiding behind Zack , and softly called out .

Seeing this , Ethan finally understood everything .

Ethans expression went through several changes shock , anger , and despair .

You … you all … Zack Lee , who exactly are you ? Looking at Zacks face that was so similar to his fathers , Ethan felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest .

At this moment , he suddenly understood .

He also remembered the brother who had gone missing when he was very young .

But that brother was called Zack Guthrie .

As he grew up , he vaguely guessed what his mother might have done .

He had also heard stories about his fathers ex wife .

Having grown up in a wealthy family , he could naturally sense the undercurrents .

Ethans voice trembled , How long have you been planning this ? Zack gently patted Skys head , ignoring Ethan .

Then he picked up Sky and left .

Before leaving , Zack turned back , first giving me a meaningful look , then looking at Ethan .

Ethan Guthrie , this is all retribution for what the Guthrie family has done .

With that , he strode away .

As Anna passed by me , she didnt forget to glare at me one last time .

And Ethan was left looking as pale as death .

A few days later , Guthrie Group announced bankruptcy .

After learning about Zack , Mrs. Guthrie went insane .

She became paranoid , saying the Lee familys daughter had come for revenge .

Guthrie fell ill with anger and was bedridden .

In the entire Guthrie family , only Ethan was still somewhat intact .

But Ethan had also broken down .

How could he accept going from the glorious young master of the Guthrie family to a fallen nobleman despised by all ? < So he lived in a daze , drinking day and night , using alcohol to numb himself .

Meanwhile , the Moore family rose to new heights .

Just when I thought Zack and Anna were about to become a couple , news came that Anna had been sent out of the country .

It turned out that after everything was exposed , Anna had been pressuring Zack to marry her .

Anna had originally come from the same orphanage as Zack .

Anna loved Zack , so she was willing to stay by Ethans side for him .

But Zack was just a madman who had been using Anna from the beginning .

Once she no longer had any use value , he sent Anna away .

Little Sky was sent away too , because Sky wasnt actually Zacks child either .

Sky was the child of one of Mr. Guthries other illegitimate children .

That night , Anna was drunk and didnt know who she had slept with .

Zack deliberately didnt tell her .

Half a year later , I met Zack at a business event .

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was around , he whispered in my ear .

We meet again , poor little thing .

Desire surged in his eyes as his thin lips parted .

I still love watching you struggle and nearly die in the water .

Its truly captivating .

I fled in panic .

In the following years , Zack and I were locked in fierce competition .

I snatched his projects , he cut off my funding … One day , I was on the phone .

Zack Lee , get lost .

If you keep interfering with my business , Ill destroy you .

Why dont you try and take it back if you can ? Why are you doing this ? Cant you tell ? Im pursuing you .

Are you sick in the head ? As I was getting worked up , I bumped into someone .

It was Ethan .

He was wearing faded jeans , his eyes full of weariness and fatigue .

A When he saw me , a flash of something passed through his eyes , but he quickly lowered his head and hurried away .

He didnt dare look at me .

He was avoiding me .

wing passed through his eyes , but he quickly lowered his head and hurried away .

He didnt dare look at me .

He was avoiding me .

Zacks voice was still buzzing incessantly .

The last rays of the setting sun fell on me , and all the past events had faded away.