Chapter 1636:

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Hallie, detecting his silence, grew convinced that Jarrod was merely trying to trick her into confessing. “Who transmitted that absurd rumor to you? Clearly, someone is endeavoring to sow discord between us. I have never borrowed money from your mother and neglected to reimburse it.”

Jarrod questioned, “Are you still hesitant to disclose the truth?”

Jarrod felt profound disappointment. Just recently, the housekeeper stumbled upon a meticulously detailed notebook outlining his mother Giselle’s personal finances. The notebook unequivocally revealed how Hallie had indeed borrowed two hundred thousand dollars, which was Giselle’s own savings.

The loan had been procured around the time Hallie commenced her beauty salon.

Hallie had even manipulated Giselle into investing in the business, with half of Hallie’s initial capital being sourced from Giselle.

Hallie had shrewdly persuaded Giselle that becoming a legal partner in the business might adversely affect Jarrod, effectively positioning herself as the sole proprietor of the salon.

It was essentially a business that Hallie had obtained without contributing a single penny.

Following Giselle’s unfortunate demise, Hallie was the sole possessor of knowledge regarding the dubious arrangement.

Subsequently, to cover her tracks, Hallie stumbled upon the IOU she had written for Giselle and simply destroyed it, leaving no evidence of the debt she owed.

Jarrod only discovered the absence of his mother’s jewelry after her funeral, leading him to strongly suspect Hallie’s involvement in its disappearance.

Fortunately, Jarrod’s mother had left that notebook behind as evidence. Without it, Jarrod would have remained perpetually ignorant, continuing to regard Hallie as a benefactor while being blind to her duplicity.

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Initially, Jarrod showed little interest in pursuing the matter. Their kinship was undeniable, and Hallie and Doreen counted among his closest remaining relatives.

Moreover, Doreen was once a sweet and lively child, always looking up to Jarrod. Jarrod was inclined to let the issue slide, reasoning that he didn’t necessarily need the money, and it wasn’t worth further conflict.

However, Hallie proved to be relentless trouble. She had even corrupted Doreen, transforming her from a sweet child into someone unruly and defiant.

Now, faced with this latest revelation, Hallie dared to continue her attempts to manipulate Jarrod with fabricated claims of past kindness. Jarrod could no longer ignore the truth.

Hallie maintained her stance, steadfastly ignoring the accusation. Instead, she countered, “Jarrod, while I comprehend your reluctance to assist us, fabricating unfounded allegations against me is unacceptable. I have no obligations to your family.

I acknowledge your fondness for that woman and your readiness to go to great extents for her. Nonetheless, substituting Doreen in her stead is unjustifiable. You’ve witnessed Doreen’s maturation. Can you truly endure witnessing her distress?”

Hallie adeptly steered the conversation away from her outstanding debt, shifting the focus back to Jarrod. It was evident that she possessed a talent for manipulation.

“I possess the means to scrutinize the financial intricacies, including the genesis of your beauty salon, funded by my mother. Did you truly think I remained oblivious?”

As Jarrod’s words lingered, Hallie found herself unable to maintain her facade of ignorance any longer. A cry escaped her lips as she pleaded.

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