Chapter 59

After they circled the overpass twice, Olivia struggled to keep up, confusion written across her face.

"Are they lost or are we being led on?"

Winnie stared at the Bentley ahead of them, which had slowed down a few times to allow them to catch up. Winnie gripped her fists into a tight ball. "You chose a terrible car."

"Sorry, I simply hoped to spare Mr. Rodriguez the anticipation of you maneuvering a decade-old Mercedes-Benz."

Suddenly, Olivia screamed, "They've exited the overpass!" and accelerated in order to follow the Bently close.

However, at the merging intersection, the Bentley drifted and left them far behind.

"Damn, where did they go?" Olivia slammed the steering wheel, her eyes scanning the road signs.

"But they definitely didn't go to Imperial. This is the opposite direction."

Winnie gave her a resentful look. "It's your fault for not picking a better car and having poor driving skills."

Winnie returned to the villa before nightfall, seething that the man had arrived earlier than her and was calmly sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper behind his silver mask.

Seeing him lounging so casually behind the mask, only fueled her irritation.

She wondered if the things that happened in the afternoon earlier were on purpose. Hopefully, he didn't notice that she was following him.

With a pout on her face, Winnie settled into her chair at the dining table, anticipating the upcoming meal.

The man glanced at her. "Where were you today?"

Winnie looked up at him and suddenly smiled. "Mr. Rodriguez, this Mr. Rodriguez just won't leave me alone. What should I do?"

"What do you mean by won't leave you alone?" The man's mysterious depths cast the newspaper aside with captivating allure.

Winnie deliberately expressed her distress. "You said he's not interested in me, but I think he's infatuated with me. The other day, he said that he wanted to pursue me and even suggested having an affair with him while I was still married. He was acting like a demon."

"Spurt!" The man spat out a mouthful of water in shock.

Winnie straightened up, deliberately provoked him. "I still have the ability to make a man fall for me. After a year, I'll divorce you. Should I consider Mr. Rodriguez then?"

She observed him closely. If he showed displeasure and jealousy, then that would be telling.

But unexpectedly, the man remained expressionless and disdainfully asked, "What power do you have?"

Winnie scanned herself from head to toe, annoyed. "I am the power."

The man advanced, his warm fingers exerted a gentle force as he lifted her skirt. Teasingly, he said with a mischievous smile, "Is that so? Let me have a check."

"What... What are you doing?!" Winnie was caught off guard by him and quickly covered her skirt, feeling embarrassed.

Retracting his hand and brushing against her dress with his clean, straight trousers, the man walked casually to the dining table and took a seat.

He resumed eating his meal without paying any attention to her.

It only then dawned on Winnie that she had been played by him again.

She ate her food nonchalantly, no longer bothered with him. Lawrence who had finished eating then went upstairs.

Winnie followed suit. When the man saw her trailing behind him in front of the study door, he asked, "What do you want?"

"I want to borrow... that thing." The study was usually locked during the day. Previously, Winnie had brought him coffee, but she hadn't paid much attention

that time.

If she could find jewelry-related books or documents about Imperial in there today, that would be evidence.

Devious thoughts flickered in her eyes while the man remained composed.

He walked In and casually closed the door behind him. "I won't lend anything to you."

"You!" Winnie angrily pounded on the door.

Fuming, she returned to her bedroom and immediately called Olivia. "I wanted to go into his study, but he wouldn't allow me in. This shows his guilty conscience, he's afraid I'll discover something related to Imperial. Don't you think so?"

Olivia hesitated for a moment. "Perhaps. But Winnie, you've been suspicious all day and still haven't found any evidence. Could it be that you're just imagining things? After all, Lawrence is a business tycoon. Why would he end up being your fake husband?"

"The most unlikely things often become reality." Winnie was determined to figure this whole thing out.

"I'm puzzled though. Given the influence and temperament of the CEO of Imperial Jewelry, why would he hide behind a mask and deceive you, a debutante?"

"Because he's afraid I'll expose him!" Winnie fumed.

Meanwhile, in the study, someone watched the bedroom's surveillance camera and listened to the phone call between Winnie and Olivia.

Winnie tightened her fists, her lips forming a frosty grin. "If this Mr. Rodriguez truly is Mr. Rodriguez, not only did he toy with me, but I now carry the child of my arch-nemesis. Can you imagine me willingly wanting that child?"

After he heard what Winnie had said to Olivia, his eyes grew darker, revealing a depth of complexity.

Earlier, Winnie's plan to follow him in the afternoon was just for her to witness him enter the Imperial company.

The corner of the man's eyes lifted when he heard this, revealing a touch of depth and allure, accentuated by the lustrous smoke.

In the bedroom, Olivia swiftly discerned the situation. "Absolutely. It's a tough pill to swallow when your business rival not only exploits you but also leaves behind a lingering consequence.

"If the CEO at Imperial Jewelry was aware he was dealing with an underdog yet decided to don a facade and tie the knot with you, then this man's scheming is genuinely spine-chilling!

"I find immense pleasure in witnessing the captivating theatrics unfold within the affluent family's saga of torment and profound affection."

"Olivia, are you hearing yourself?" Winnie held back. "Are all your words just nonsense?"

"Yes."

"What is our next move?"

Olivia came up with another surprising idea. "Didn't Mr. Rodriguez kiss you before? Tomorrow, go to the Imperial company and let Mr. Rodriguez kiss you deeply. You will be able to compare and see if Mr. Rodriguez is Mr. Rodriguez, right?"

"Where do you come up with all these ridiculous ideas?!" Winnie rolled her eyes. "What if he's not? Then I'll just end up looking promiscuous?"

"Fair point." Olivia conceded. "That's true. What do you suggest then?"

Winnie pondered for a moment and squinted. "To prove that they are the same person is not difficult. As long as you and I separately see Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Rodriguez in different places at the same time, then..."

"No, on the contrary, that's exactly it," Olivia nodded. "Tomorrow, we'll split up. I'll go to Imperial to keep an eye on Mr. Rodriguez. You stick to Mr. Rodriguez tightly and call me to verify."

With their tasks assigned, Winnie locked the door and went to sleep.

The next morning, Mr. Rodriguez drove toward the Pearl Club.

Winnie followed closely behind in her car.

Inside the Bentley, the man glanced at the rearview mirror and asked his assistant, "Where is her friend Olivia?"

Bryan replied, "Ms. Olivia infiltrated Imperial early this morning."

The man wondered if this was a trap set for him. A playful smirk tugged at the man's thick eyebrows.

Upon arriving at the Pearl Club, Lawrence walked into his office and waved at Benjamin and Jeremy. "Let's postpone the meeting," he told them.

As soon as he entered, he walked to the window with great interest as he gazed down below.

"Mr. Rodriguez, what has your attention? Are you teasing the little kitten?" Benjamin asked curiously.

"Ms. Winnie is down there. She's tailing the CEO." Bryan chuckled. "Today, Ms. Winnie is determined to uncover the CEO's disguise. Do you gentlemen want to bet on who will win?"

Benjamin questioned, "Why do you always keep Winnie in the dark about Mr. Rodriguez's true identity?"

Jeremy, however, burst out laughing.

As they approached the window, they saw a delicate figure sneaking around below the clubhouse.

Winnie looked around anxiously.

"It's quite pitiful that someone is investigating your identity alone. Where is her friend Olivia?" Benjamin smirked.

Jeremy erupted into laughter, a mischievous aura enveloped him. "The girl's scheme is utterly charming. Even though you see right through her, she persists. Mr. Rodriguez, you're quite the provocateur for taking delight by playfully teasing her like this."