When She Stops Playing Nice by Hale Saxon
Chapter 424

Chapter 424

“It’s not like that, Neil, Gina said calmly. “In truth, I’m Gena.”

Neil wasn’t too surprised. He remembered six months ago when Gina first visited the Jackson family. During his birthday banquet, she’d exposed the fake painting Olivia had gifted him, supposedly by Ms. Gena.

And Gina’s certainty back then, asserting Ms. Gena hadn’t produced any new works in a year. Even though Gina later reached out to another painting master to conceal her identity as Ms. Gena, Neil now understood.

Who would know better than Ms. Gena herself that she hadn’t created anything in a year?

Moreover, Gina was exceptionally talented. Having an alter ego was quite normal.

“Gina, you’ve kept it well hidden. Gabriel sure knows how to pick them. He is not one for romance, but once he does, it’s with a woman as remarkable as you. The Jackson family is truly blessed.”

Gina couldn’t help but feel a pang hearing the word “blessed.” After all, how could she, a girl who’d been abandoned, unloved by her parents, and almost killed after being recognized, be considered a blessing?

But she was now, hearing Neil say that the Jackson family and Gabriel were blessed to have her warmed her heart.

“Neil, you can take as many of my pieces for your collection as you want from now on. I’ll be ready to paint anytime,”

Gina said.

“Fantastic, fantastic!” Neil exclaimed with a wide grin.

“Neil, do you have any particular requests for me to paint now.

inquired.

Neil pondered for a moment. “Let me think.”

But before he could dwell on it further, there was a knock on the study door. Before Neil could invite the the door swung open.

The audacious intruder turned out to be none other than Harry.

person in,

Noticing Gina’s presence in the room, Harry’s expression darkened. However, knowing that he couldn’t easily challenge Gina, especially since Neil was protective of his future daughter–in–law. Instead, he casually remarked, “Miss Miller, you’re here too?”

Preferring not to engage in any friction with Harry, Gina responded calmly, “Hmm.”

Seeing Harry refraining from causing trouble, Neil felt relieved.

Neil continued to paint as he gestured for Harry to take a seat. “So, what brings you here so early today?”

Harry sat down and shared, “I have some good news I wanted to share with you.”

“Really? Go on,” Neil prompted, intrigued.

“In ten months, you’ll be able to hold Ashley’s child in your arms.”

“Ashley underwent in vitro fertilization. She’s always yearned for a child, and now her wish has come true.”

“Ah, indeed, that’s good news! Well, I eagerly anticipate holding Ashley’s child,” Neil said with a smile.

“Harry glanced at Gina and noticed her apparent indifference to the matter. Wasn’t she the one who arranged for someone to cause Ashley to miscarry deliberately? Even though her plan failed, Ashley had confided in him about it.

Unfortunately, Ashley lacked any evidence to support her claims. Otherwise, he would have confronted Neil and

11:51 AMI

Chapter 424

accused Gina of being a malicious woman. Having such a nasty woman in the Jackson family would disrupt their peace for years to come, if not for the rest of their lives.

Harry engaged in idle conversation with Neil, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Gina’s schemes.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of Gina’s phone. She gestured apologetically to Neil. “Excuse me, Neil, I need to take this call.”

“Of course,” Neil nodded.

Gina stepped out, closing the study door behind her. It was Dylan on the line. “Gina, I’m at the Jackson mansion’s entrance. The fingerprint test for the key is done. Besides yours and Mr. Jackson’s, Mrs. Emily’s prints are on it. Seems like it belonged to her.”

Gina paused briefly. “Understood.”

“I’ll head out to grab the key

After receiving the key, Gina returned to the study, holding the sealed item. She intended to inform Neil that it was Emily’s

“Neil, this was found last night in the media room,” Gina explained, referring to the dropped picture frame.

“It’s Mrs. Emily’s,” Gina continued, and Neil’s brush slipped from his hand, hitting the floor. “From Emily?”

Emily–Gabriel’s mother’s name.

Harry, initially preoccupied, suddenly focused on hearing Emily’s name and her possession. His eyes widened in thought. “What’s she playing at? Why conceal a key in a picture frame? What does it open?”

Lost in memories, Neil was consumed by grief, paying no attention to Harry’s question. Gina, too, brushed off his inquiry. Harry’s expression stiffened, revealing his dissatisfaction, but he remained silent.

Tears welled in Neil’s eyes, choking his words. He reached out toward Gina, his hand trembling. “I… 1…”

Understanding his silent plea, Gina approached and handed him the key. Neil accepted it, tears streaming down his face. “Emily…

The key held memories of Emily, once carefully preserved by Neil in a room where he could spend days in solitude. The year Emily passed away, he remained in that room, consumed by grief. He had even contemplated joining her, but Gabriel’s marriage intervened. Yet, a fire swept through the room, consuming everything within. Neil blamed himself; he had fallen asleep while smoking, and the lit cigarette sparked the blaze. So now, even the sight of a key stirred intense emotions within him.

Neil held the key tightly, his tears flowing freely. Gina gently patted his back. “Neil… Take all the time you need to grieve.”

Harry glanced at the key, his expression darkening. What could Emily have intended to leave this key behind?

Neil made an effort to compose himself through the sorrow. “Gina, thank you. This is Emily’s… I will keep it safe.”

After a moment of hesitation, Gina spoke. “Neil, I can’t give you this key just yet. It serves a purpose, and Gabriel and I want to know why Emily left it. Perhaps she left us a message.

Neil nodded in agreement. “Alright, I understand.”

After hearing this, Harry couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the armrest. What was Emily’s plan? Despite his calculations, he never expected her to leave a key behind. And what infuriated him more was that Gina had found it.