?<strong>Chapter 1261:</strong>


    “Miss Perkins—”


    The financial disaster looming over Lilian was far worse than she had anticipated. The board members, once hesitant, were now relentless, demanding answers and ountability. Her once-firm confidence wavered, and all she could offer was a strained assurance.


    “Don’t panic. I’ll find a way to fix this.”


    After hanging up on the relentless calls, Lilian considered reaching out to Jared for help. But just then, a text from an unknown number popped up on her screen.


    “Miss Perkins, I can solve your financial crisis. Interested?”


    Her brows furrowed as she tapped out a reply.


    “Who are you?”


    “That’s not important. What matters is that I can help you.”


    A momentter, another message arrived—this time with a number.


    “This is the amount you need, isn’t it?”


    Lilian’s expression shifted instantly. She hadn’t taken the unknown sender seriously at first, but when she saw the exact sum she needed—even exceeding it—her attention sharpened.


    “Why would you help me?” she asked.


    “I wouldn’t do it for free, of course. I want your shares in the Perkins Group.”


    The sender was undeniably mysterious. Lilian had her assistant trace the number, but nothing came up.


    She hesitated. Despite her position, she hadn’t fully inherited the Perkins family’s assets from Aldwin. The ten percent of shares she held was hers by birthright, a symbol of her status as his daughter. Giving them away was out of the question.


    “No, I have better investors.”


    With that, she shut her phone and drove straight to the Perkins family residence, heading directly to the guest room where Jared was staying.


    But as she reached the door, she heard voices—Jared’s, deep and steady, and another… a woman’s, one that was disturbingly familiar. N. The very woman Lilian had locked away, tormented, and humiliated for five years.


    How the hell was that wretch with Jared?


    An uncontroble fury surged within her. Without thinking, she shoved the door open.


    Inside, both Jared and N turned at the sudden intrusion, caught off guard. But before Lilian could say a word, N quickly stood and lowered her gaze, her voice meek.


    “Miss Perkins.”


    Lilian didn’t respond. Her eyes raked over N, taking in her delicate frame, the soft curve of her exposed throat. A dark glint shed in her gaze.


    Jared, fully aware of the history between them now, stiffened. If Lilian lost her temper, there was no telling what she might do to N. So, with an easy smile, he…


    He spoke before she did.


    “I was wandering around your home and got a little lost. Luckily, I ran into her, and she showed me the way.”


    It wasn’t exactly a lie.


    He hadn’t expected to see N again. He really had been walking around the estate, but lost? Not quite. Instead, he had stumbled upon her being harassed by the servants—again. So, he had brought her with him.


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