Chapter 2021: Powerless to Salvage Things
Roxanne found Madilyn's claim of visiting her ancestors' graves in Xandenia suspicious. Madam Xander wasn't from Xandenia; she'd only worked there as a young woman. What ancestors could the Xander family possibly have there? Madilyn couldn't be visiting her biological father's ancestors' graves; after all, that man didn't even acknowledge her as a daughter. Roxanne was convinced her best friend was lying, and the deception likely involved her despicable father.
Lucian, upon returning home, informed his wife of Cayden's report: Jonathan had brought numerous bodyguards to Xandenia with Madilyn. The couple worried; was Jonathan planning a confrontation? Roxanne immediately called Madilyn.
"Are you okay? Did something serious happen? Don't hide anything from me!" she urged.
Unable to conceal the truth, Madilyn confessed everything. Roxanne's anger flared, her teeth clenched.
"Stay calm, Roxanne. You're pregnant. We're all fine and heading back, but not by plane. Jonathan's treating us to a fun road trip," Madilyn reassured her, calming Roxanne's anxieties.
Despite this, Roxanne's opinion of Norton and his contemptible family solidified. The abduction of Madam Xander was already a crime; their plan to use Madilyn as a pawn in a political marriage was outrageous.
After the call, Roxanne recounted the situation to Lucian. He smiled. "Jonathan's seen the light. He's secured his girlfriend and won over his future mother-in-law. Let's just wait for the wedding."
Roxanne agreed, though her anger persisted. "Norton Sheffield is a scumbag!"
Lucian nodded. "He's ruthless in his Xandenian business dealings. I suspect Southern Star Group's troubles are driving his desperation for a political marriage. I'm happy to intervene."
He called Cayden, ordering an investigation into Southern Star Group and instructing him to "teach Mr. Sheffield a hard lesson."
Cayden quickly unearthed numerous problems: failed overseas mineral investments, crippling debt, illegal land acquisition, and severe environmental damage caused by their processing plants. Lucian ordered the information leaked.
The scandal crippled the company's market value, causing its shares to plummet. Creditors descended, and Norton would be powerless to prevent the company's collapse.