All Chapters of The sweet revenge of a heartless CEO - Clifford Empire: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

“Why couldn’t I love you? I’m a woman. I’m normal. I have feelings.”“I know you’re all that. But one thing you’re not? Honest.”“What are you doing here, Mr. Clifford?”“To tell you I’ve instructed my lawyers to file a lawsuit against you for slander and defamation.”“I… don’t have anything for you to take.”“I’ll settle for your sleepless nights.” I gave a cruel smile.“I regret it.”“You want to know why I’m here? Fine, I’ll cut to the chase. I’m demanding you apologize to my wife for dragging her into this mess and for the lies you told her at the mall that landed her in the hospital.”“I… don’t have to do that.”“You don’t *have* to.” I smirked. “But you know there’ll be consequences if you don’t.”“If I apologize… will you drop the lawsuit?”I laughed, dripping sarcasm. Did she still not know me after all these years? Or did she think falling for Olivia had softened me toward everyone else?“The lawsuit’s moving forward, Miss Ferrari. The judge will decide the outcome.”“And sin

“Hiring a call girl to pose as your mistress counts as cheating?”“Kissing my brother is worse! That’s real betrayal!”“Can I confess something?”“Was it more than just a kiss?” he asked, breathless.“His kiss was awful!” I laughed.“Oh, sweetheart… where have you been all my life?”“Out there… in my mom’s womb… then surviving one accident after another, trying to keep my dignity in a world of lust and depravity… until you showed up.”Gabe grabbed the lighter from the neatly stacked wood beside the fireplace and set the photo ablaze. It turned to ash in seconds, followed by the pregnancy test. We stared into the fireplace until the smoke cleared completely.“Feel better?” I asked.“Incredibly, yes… I’m finally free of the past.” He wiped his tears.“Gabe…”“Speak, sweetheart.”“I…” I looked down, hesitant. “I don’t think my father’s so innocent in this.”“You’re saying… connecting your dad to Rowan makes us think…”I nodded, not needing to say it out loud. It was impossible not to lin

“I…” My voice came out weak, knowing I’d never match her authority on this. “Some time ago, I established that anyone who needs NPH insulin and can’t afford it will get it free. We haven’t announced it yet because we’re preparing production… and there are bureaucratic hurdles to clear. And… my niece, Rarith Clifford, doesn’t have diabetes. Part of the news is a lie. You’re probably wondering why Rowan did this. It’s simple—or not so simple. My sister, Aneliese Clifford, filed for divorce, and my brother-in-law can’t accept it, even using their daughter as a threat. Rowan Irons will do anything to tarnish the Clifford name. But honestly, I don’t have time to keep debunking his claims.”“Gabe, stand up, please,” Olivia requested.I narrowed my eyes, confused, but did as she asked, adjusting my suit jacket, nervous.“Now empty your pockets on the table.”Everyone watched, intrigued. I placed my phone on the table… and the glucagon pen.“Would a man who doesn’t care about type 1 diabetics

“Jai?” Isabelle sounded surprised. “You don’t think our brother did this, do you?”“He… didn’t like our dad,” Rita said.“That doesn’t mean he’d kill him,” I defended Jai.“But… we barely know him,” Rita said, frowning, worried. “And why isn’t he here?”“Well… Jai’s not here… and he won’t be,” Gabe said, glancing around and lowering his voice. “He left the country… with Aneliese and Rarith. He can’t be guilty—they’re far from here.”“Where are they?” I asked.“I can’t tell you, sweetheart… it’d put you in danger.”“But… you know! Tell me you know where they are… and that they’re okay.”“No, I don’t,” Gabe said, looking down. I knew him well enough to know he was lying for my safety, and he wouldn’t tell me.“And Rowan?” Isabelle asked. “Does he know?”“I hope by the time he finds out, it’s too late, and Rarith, Aneliese, and Jai are safe,” Gabe said.The police had left, and we were still debating what could’ve happened. Despite the pain, being with my family made me feel calm and sec

“It doesn’t hurt.” I smiled, explaining.Gabe got out and gently scooped me into his arms. “Despite everything… knowing you’re with me and I can count on you… it’s what comforts me. It makes me want to keep going… because there’ll always be us in the future.”“I’ll always be here for you… my whole life.”“Thank you for thinking of my sister. Do you realize the responsibility we’re taking on with her custody?”“Maybe I don’t,” he sighed. “I know little about feelings. But what makes you happy makes me happy, sweetheart. And you love Isabelle. So… I know soon I’ll have feelings for the teenage apprentice too.”“And about those mutual feelings…” I began.“No, I don’t want you having the same feelings for my brother that I might have for your sister, got it? Enough of Jorel between us.”“He was never between us. It was always you… it just took you a while to see it.”“You had a photo of him… with you… in a montage.”“And then I made one with you,” I laughed, amused by his jealousy. “I had