Female Novel
Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Madelyn finally recognized the tattoo on Forrest’s hand. ‘He was that guy… the guy who jumped off thebuilding because of Zach… That guy was actually Forrest Arnold!”novelbin
A car accident had sent Forrest plunging off a cliff during his tenure as the head of Arnold Corporation.His body was never found, so everyone believed he had died in that crash. As a result, the Arnoldfamily appointed a new person, a woman, to take over the company. But their good fortune was short-lived.
Two years after Forrest’s incident, there was a massive explosion at the Arnold residence, and not asingle member of the Arnold family survived. Arnold Corporation was then acquired by an unknownindividual.
Madelyn couldn’t quite recall the name of that man. He remained an enigmatic figure, concealing hisreal identity from the world. Zach had mentioned his facial burns, which led him to constantly wear amask. However, what stood out in Madelyn’s memory was the unmistakable blue tattoo adorning hishand. She also remembered his explosive temper, wreaking havoc on any woman who caught hisattention, subjecting them to a night of terror and danger. The resemblance between that tattoo and theone now on Forrest Arnold’s hand was uncanny.
‘If Forrest didn’t die in that car accident years ago, where did he get the billions of dollars to acquireArnold Corporation?’ The question lingered in Madelyn’s mind, casting doubt on the events thatunfolded.
As she delved deeper into her memories, another doubt emerged. ‘The Arnold family held theeconomic power over Ventropolis. How did Zach manage to completely consume Arnold Corporationwithout leaving a trace?’
Madelyn carefully pieced together the fragmented memories from her past life, attempting to makesense of the puzzle before her.
She remembered that after Zach took control of Jent Corporation, it took only six months before hereached a collaboration agreement with the newly appointed CEO of Arnold Corporation, who wasnone other than Forrest, the person who disappeared after the car accident and returned under a newidentity.
At that time, Zach did indeed take a significant amount of funds from Jent Corporation. Shareholderswere on the verge of outrage, as the company’s contracts were riddled with financial loopholes. Onewrong move, and Jent Corporation could have collapsed and gone bankrupt. However, Zach remainedcalm and composed, mingling with ease at business events.
It was likely during that time that Zach gave all of Jent Corporation’s funds to Forrest to acquire ArnoldCorporation. Once Forrest gained control of the company, he signed a collaboration agreement withZach. So, Madelyn figured Zach and Forrest had known each other long before she was aware of it.
Madelyn thought to herself, ‘If Zach had the money to acquire Arnold Corporation, why didn’t he do ithimself instead of using Forrest? Unless there’s something more to this that I don’t know!!
At that time, Forrest never anticipated Zach’s grand ambitions. Within a span of just six months, Zachmeticulously infiltrated every aspect of Arnold Corporation. Employing the same manipulative tactics hehad employed against the Jent family, Zach targeted Forrest. Overnight, Arnold Corporation underwenta name change. Before Forrest could comprehend the situation, he found himself burdened withoverwhelming debts amounting to billions.
Madelyn vividly recalled the sight of Forrest standing on the rooftop. The despair radiated from him. Hegrasped Madelyn by the neck, his voice laden with threat as he addressed Zach, Zach Jardin, Iacknowledge my defeat to you! But… your wife shall perish alongside me!”
The rooftop had indeed been surrounded by police, and a crowd of onlookers gathered, and CeciliaSamford was one of them. Madelyn, trembling with fear and tears streaming down her face, pleadeddesperately with Zach to save her. But the memory of Zach’s heartless words. remained etched in hermind. He callously remarked, “Well, she’s pregnant! If she dies, it’s a two-for-one deal. Not a badoutcome for you!”
Upon hearing those chilling words, Madelyn resigned herself to an inevitable fate, believing she wasabout to face her demise. However, in a sudden turn of events, Forrest pushed her away, propellinghimself off the towering skyscraper.
The memory of Forrest’s eyes, filled with a profound yearning, haunted Madelyn to this day. Sheremained plagued by uncertainty, unable to fully grasp the true intent behind his gaze. And in the midstof the chaos, she faintly heard a whispered “I’m sorry,” lingering in the air.
Since then, Zach had gradually acquired the scattered fragments of Arnold Corporation, ultimatelybecoming its majority shareholder.
The repercussions of this shift were profound, transforming Ventropolis in ways. unimaginable. In amere blink of an eye, Zach Jardin had risen to an unprecedented level of influence, dominating the cityfrom his elevated position. Overnight, he had evolved into a figure both feared and revered, assumingthe role of Ventropolis’s ruler. With unwavering authority, he dictated the course of the city’s destiny,effortlessly pulling the strings of power.
Yet, Madelyn couldn’t shake off the unsettling truth that this ascent was built upon the foundation ofcountless lives, each sacrificed to elevate Zach to his throne of control.