Chapter 7 Realizing She Is Not Ordinary

With a puzzled expression, Michael took the iPad that was handed to him. Upon realizing that the image was from the living room surveillance, he watched as the tall figure in the frame strode forward, tearing open Jonathan's shirt and pressing her fingertips against his chest. “This is an acupressure technique. I've read about it in the classic texts in my granddad's study.” Michael couldn't believe it, his eyes wide in astonishment. If it were anyone else, they would surely think she was flirting and tempting Jonathan. But when he saw her fingers tracing, he was completely taken aback, instantly rising from the couch. “I can't believe someone still knows this! Even my granddad only heard about it, and reading from a book might not guarantee you'd learn it. How does she know this?” As he spoke, he handed over the iPad, pointing at Gabrielle's fingertips. In a low voice, he said, “This is a technique called acupressure sealing. It directly blocks the flow of blood in four areas across your chest, causing the blood to flow in reverse. Back then, did you feel a tightness in your chest, like you wanted to vomit blood? Her technique clashed with the blood flowing in the wrong direction, effectively dissolving the poison that had been buffered when the blood was flowing backward.” Michael spoke, his hand trembling slightly. Jonathan sat there, his tall frame rigid. His fingertips lightly gripped the armrest of the couch, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. “Who is she? I want to see her.” Michael held his breath, doing his best to keep his emotions in check. It took Jonathan a moment to regain his composure. His thin lips moved, ready to speak, but he saw Keiran striding toward him, offering a stack of documents. “Mr. Zechman, we've found something,” Keiran said in a hushed tone. Jonathan took the documents, scanning through them swiftly. Michael hurriedly leaned in, eyeing the name on the documents, and whispered, “Gabrielle Simmons? Who's that?” Keiran met his questioning gaze, lowering his voice to say, “The one who brings luck.” “Brings luck? I thought it was someone from the Seavers family. She doesn't carry the same last name.” The confusion deepened in Michael's eyes. Looking at the documents in his hand, he suddenly picked up his iPad and clicked on a video. Pointing at the tall figure on the screen, he stated in shock, “This can't be the luck-bringing bride, right?” “It's her,” Keiran responded softly. In a state of shock, Michael found himself collapsing onto the couch. He was a mess as if he had been caught in a whirlwind. Swallowing repeatedly, he reached for the coffee on the side, downing several cups in quick succession. “D*mn! Did the wedding to bring luck really work? That's too freaking bizarre,” said Michael. A flicker of confusion passed through Keiran's eyes. He was only responsible for investigating Gabrielle's past. Had he missed something important? “She got lost at the age of three and only sought to return seventeen years later. She's only been back for seven months?” Jonathan's eyes slightly darkened. He hadn't expected that she had just returned to the Seavers family. When Keiran was asked, he quickly responded, “Yes, I heard that she returned to the Seavers family seven months ago. When they found her, she immediately signed a contract and became Seavers Group's actress. The Seavers family had always kept this matter under wraps as if they didn't want it to be public knowledge! Plus, with Seavers Group's business not doing so well lately, it's unclear whether they're trying to promote her to make some money. But she's been back for seven months, and she hasn't received any resources from Seavers Group. She's been stuck doing bit parts and playing minor female roles, nothing eye-catching.” Keiran spoke in a hushed tone. When he discovered these details, he was also quite puzzled. There was a sense that something was amiss here, as if there were secrets hidden from view. However, nothing concrete could be discovered. “That's not right! Your grandfather wants to form an alliance through marriage with the Seavers family, and the only daughter they publicly acknowledge is Chloe Seavers! Yet now, they've pushed someone who doesn't even bear the same last name to marry you. D*mn! Does the Seavers family think you're on your deathbed, so they tried to push someone else to take the fall?” Michael said, somewhat incredulously. “With this approach, the Seavers family managed to avoid offending the Zechman family. If their attempt at bringing luck succeeded, then the Seavers family could successfully establish a connection with the Zechman family. There's even a chance they might make demands, asking you to extend an olive branch to them. If the joyous event had failed and a girl not bearing the Seavers family's last name suffered the consequences, no one would know she was the actual daughter of the Seavers family. They wouldn't suffer any loss, and you wouldn't be able to hold them accountable. Such a cunning plan!” Though he had long been exposed to the underhanded affairs of the wealthy, he was still taken aback at the moment. “No wonder she took all the bridal gifts with her,” Jonathan said, his voice low and husky. With a single statement, he stunned the two people present once again. “Keiran.” Jonathan lightly tapped the couch with his fingertips. His eyes held an unfathomable emotion, causing Keiran to feel a chill run down his spine, a vague sense of foreboding looming over him. “Mr. Zechman, what do you need me to do?” Keiran asked in a hurry. He had followed Jonathan for fifteen years. He knew Jonathan's habits like the back of his hand, and just by looking into his eyes, he could tell that he was going to issue an order. As the authoritative figure of the Zechman family, Jonathan was only twenty-eight years old. Yet, his reputation alone was enough to strike fear into people's hearts. His actions were swift and ruthless, making him an intimidating figure in the business world. No one dared to challenge him. Moreover, the Zechman family's primary influence wasn't in commerce, but in politics and the military. This was their true arena. “Back then, the Seavers family did have some sort of friendship with my grandfather. Now, my grandfather insists on establishing a marriage alliance, but the person they sent over doesn't bear the Seavers family's last name. This implies that the Seavers family doesn't regard the Zechman family highly. Tell them that since the Seavers family doesn't regard their initial promise as important, then the past bond between the Seavers and Zechman families is considered over,” Jonathan said in a hoarse voice. A single sentence caused Keiran and Michael to exchange glances. Michael continuously clenched his fist, his devilishly handsome face etched with a look of intense curiosity. “John, are you really backing up this person who's supposed to bring you luck via marriage?” Michael asked in a voice of disbelief, his tone lowered. After all, Jonathan had always been one to mind his own business, let alone involve himself in family matters. However, the fact that he was now giving the Seavers family a hard time made it clear. Jonathan wanted to sever ties with the Seavers family. In the future, if the Seavers family wished to exploit the wedding matter or cause trouble for the Zechman family, it would have nothing to do with them. “I'm not exactly backing her up, but since she was able to control the poison within me, regardless of whether she could keep me alive or not, I owe her a debt that my family has to repay. Given the Seavers family's disdain for her and the fact that she doesn't share the Seavers family's last name, there's no marriage alliance with the Seavers family, right? After all, the Seavers family has never publicly acknowledged her existence, right?” Jonathan said coldly. The Zechman family never abused their power to oppress others, but they were also far from being pushovers. The Seavers family had ambitions of reaching for the higher heights, attempting to deceive their way through. Yet, would the Zechman family simply allow the Seavers family to have their way? “You're right. The Seavers family's schemes are way too blatant. It's better to distance ourselves from them, so they can't use their past friendship with your grandfather against us.” Michael gave a slight nod in agreement. He was lounging on the couch with one leg crossed over the other, leaning back when he saw Jonathan get up and walk out. “Where are you going? Wait for me!” Michael had barely gotten comfortable before he saw Jonathan heading out. He quickly got up to follow, calling out as he did. Gabrielle had just closed her eyes when she faintly heard a commotion from outside. She turned her head toward the door, but the room was soundproofed well, preventing her from making out what they were saying. At that moment, her phone began to vibrate. She picked up her phone, noticing an incoming call from Marilyn, and she promptly hung up.