Chapter 342: Stepped on the Gas Instead of the Brake

Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Stepped on the Gas Instead of the Brake

The few short sentences carried an overwhelming amount of information, leaving the person in question completely stunned.

What did she mean, Assistant Collins wanted to eat him alive just because he got a little too friendly with Eloise? What was this about getting so jealous he’d go crazy and turn to the dark side? Were these words even fit for human ears?

Why was it that he could understand each word individually, but they became so incomprehensible when strung together?

Melody Lynch, however, couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

Hearing the laughter, Arabella Donovan turned to look at her, confused.

"N-Nothing’s wrong. I just suddenly remembered all the good things that have happened to me in the last twenty-odd years and couldn’t help but laugh."

The truth was, she had just replayed every terrible thing that had happened in the past twenty-odd years, and even that couldn’t suppress the crazed upward curl of her lips.

’My brother... HAHAHAHA...’

Zane Lynch was completely numb. He never would have imagined that the "problem" his cousin had mentioned was *this* kind of problem!

’To be fair, this Assistant Collins was a pretty significant boss-level NPC in the original novel. To get my cousin, he resorted to force and trickery, even making a deal with the devil by conspiring with Cassandra Lynch.’

’Using his position as my cousin’s most trusted assistant, he helped the pair steal company secrets and submitted falsified documents they had prepared. They used this to frame my cousin’s company for pimping, helping some well-dressed monsters in the industry take advantage of underaged artists. Although it was later proven to be just rumors, the press releases had already gone viral.’

As Arabella thought this, she couldn’t help but shed a tear of sympathy for Zane Lynch.

’It’s a classic case of "a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." Once something explodes on a massive scale, you can’t immediately produce evidence to clarify things. After the one-sided frenzy of accusations, no matter how much evidence you present or how many announcements you post, you won’t make a single ripple.’

’That’s because most people’s minds are already made up from the earlier frenzy. They only remember that there was once a company condemned by all the righteous keyboard warriors online for pimping.’

Precisely because of this, although Zane Lynch, the head of the company, was arrested and then released without suffering any real harm, the company’s reputation was severely damaged, giving Cassandra Lynch and her accomplice the opening they needed.

Afterward, the incident with Juliet Lyons and her son dealt Zane Lynch a fatal blow, becoming the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

Arabella walked ahead, lost in her thoughts, completely oblivious that behind her, Melody Lynch had already snorted with laughter upon hearing the phrase "force and trickery." She hadn’t heard a single word after that.

To avoid drawing Arabella’s attention again, she could only tilt her head back to force the tears of laughter back in, all while making her lips tremble, putting on the appearance of someone deeply saddened by a painful memory.

Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought she was truly experiencing some tragedy. The sight made Zane Lynch’s eyelid twitch, and he wished he could rush forward and stop Arabella, just so she’d leave him with a shred of dignity.

Alas, to keep the secret, Zane Lynch had no choice but to swallow his anger. No matter how much he was freaking out on the inside, he had to maintain a calm facade and pretend he had no idea what was going on.

’Still, it’s a bit surprising that Assistant Collins left so readily. In the original novel, Assistant Collins had a bit of a yandere streak. He had a secret crush on my cousin but didn’t dare confess, terrified he’d lose his job and no longer be able to stay by his side. Yet, he was hostile to every man and woman around my cousin who received his favor.’

Hearing the words "secret crush," whatever hope Zane Lynch was clinging to finally died.

Before, he could still plug his ears and deceive himself, pretending Assistant Collins just had impure thoughts and ulterior motives toward him.

Now, well... while you could still call them "motives," they certainly weren’t the kind of motives he had been imagining!

’He was like a wolf guarding a delicious lamb. The protection was only temporary; its ultimate goal was to swallow the lamb whole. After all, by instinct, it’s hard for a wolf to resist the temptation of a sheep. So, when he realized my cousin might be snatched away by someone else, and with Cassandra Lynch and her partner egging him on, he instantly went dark.’

’He figured that if he couldn’t reach the lofty Mr. Lynch, he would just drag him down from his high pedestal and turn him into a low-life, even lower than himself. Then he’d have a chance to possess him, control him, and lock him away against his will. Ugh, what kind of sick possessiveness is that? To put it bluntly, he’s just a selfish psycho, a complete wannabe criminal.’

Zane Lynch: "..." ’You’re the sheep! Your whole family are sheep! How dare he harbor such filthy, disgusting thoughts about me!’

’It’s a good thing that bastard isn’t here right now, or I’d break both his legs and show him who’s the wolf and who’s the sheep!’

Melody Lynch’s expression also darkened. She might love to tease her brother, but that didn’t mean just anyone could bully him.

’The little miss was wrong about one thing. Assistant Collins leaving early wasn’t lucky for us, it was lucky for *him*!’

’Luckily, according to the original plot, after my cousin fell, Assistant Collins was also discarded by the male and female leads who burned the bridge after crossing it, earning himself a one-way ticket to jail. Otherwise, who knows what other horrible things would have happened to my cousin after his downfall. I guess that’s one good thing that vile pair accidentally did.’

Zane and Melody Lynch: *Heh...*

After recalling all these dreadful matters, Arabella Donovan let out a long breath and finally relaxed.

’Assistant Collins is out of the picture early. Crisis averted. I probably don’t need to warn my cousin about this stuff. Sigh. Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.’

Zane Lynch: "..." ’No, I already know.’

’I mean, seriously, since the guy’s already gone, why did I have to find out about this?’

’Finding out is one thing, but why did it have to be today! Right now! And why did my sister have to find out too?’

Zane Lynch had no doubt that as soon as they walked out that door, this story would spread like a virus to every corner of his family, not even sparing the neighbor’s dog that often came to visit.

’AAAAAHHH... My lifelong reputation...!’

Zane Lynch wore an expression of utter despair, but Melody Lynch was quite pleased with the day’s haul. After patting her big brother’s shoulder sympathetically, she eagerly linked arms with Arabella Donovan and left.

It had been two or three in the afternoon when they arrived, but now the sky was already growing dark.

Melody Lynch discussed dinner plans with Arabella while turning the steering wheel to leave.

The car slowly pulled out of the parking space. Just as it started moving forward, a figure shot out from nowhere and suddenly appeared not far in front of the car.

The underground garage was pitch-black, but that didn’t stop Arabella, sitting in the passenger seat, from instantly recognizing the person whose face was gleaming in the headlights.

’Huh? Isn’t that... Howard Gallagher? He’s here, he’s here! He’s brought his staged-accident scam with him!’

Howard Gallagher?! Melody Lynch’s foot, which had been heading for the brake, paused and then stomped on the pedal next to it.

The next second, the roar of the engine, accompanied by a scream like a pig being slaughtered, echoed for a long time in the silent underground garage.

Arabella turned stiffly to the person beside her. "Melody?"

Melody Lynch’s expression was calm and her tone was self-righteous. "I was nervous. I hit the gas instead of the brake."

Arabella: "..."