Chapter 521 A Good Start

At the same time, he did not want Tilda to come out. First, he did not want her to see the Jensons so humble, so humiliated. Second, he was afraid that if she did come out, she would only mock Dominic and the others without mercy.

Dominic’s lips twisted bitterly. “She came out, but I don’t want to talk about what happened next. Dad, just… don’t think about it. You’ll only be disappointed.”

Russell felt as if something sharp had stabbed straight into his heart. A pain too deep to put into words spread through him. After a long pause, he finally managed, “I understand.”

Dominic left.

Russell stayed rooted to his spot, lost in thought. He thought about everything that had happened since Tilda reappeared in their lives this past year.

“I’m sorry, my daughter…

“It was me, your father, who failed you. I hurt you. I was wrong, so terribly wrong.”

The remorse came from deep within. He drew a long breath, forcing down the redness in his eyes.

Words like these could only ever be whispered to himself. Never in front of others. Not even in front of his wife, not even his own sons.

If even he let guilt consume him to the point of collapse, then the Jensons’ fragile “peace” would crumble entirely. And that would mean their destruction.

Just then, his phone rang. He wiped his eyes and answered.

“How did the negotiations go?”

“Sir, they’re asking twenty million to destroy the photos. I tried everything, but they won’t budge. They even threatened to release them nonstop, twenty-four hours a day, until it goes viral if we refuse.

“They’re clearly extorting us, Sir. Should we use special methods to shut them up?”

The head of PR knew well–this kind of mess could not be solved in the open. Sometimes, the dirty underground methods got things done far more cleanly. Even if the photos were real, people could be made to doubt. Who would believe something that outrageous? And with the Jenson Group’s resources, pushing back with public opinion would not even be hard.

“Just pay them. But I want absolute certainty that those photos never show up again. If I find out they do, I won’t forgive it.”

“Sir! But that’s such a huge loss…”

“Twenty million is nothing. For the Jenson Group, it’s a drop in the bucket. We can afford it. It’s the winter holidays, and I don’t want more headaches. Just protect the company’s reputation. Just pay off some people online, say the pictures are all Photoshop, and they were all fabricated by competitors to slander us.”

“Understood.”

With the orders given and the money not from his own pocket, the PR director was content. The faster this ended, the faster he could go home for the holidays.

After hanging up, Russell closed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh.

“Tilda, this was your doing, wasn’t it? You really hate us that much, huh? Hate your brothers? Hate me, your father?

“If it’s money you want, I’ll give it. Whatever you ask, I’ll give you. If it can lessen even the smallest bit of your hatred toward this family, I’ll consider it enough.

“This is all that’s left I can do for you as your foolish, unworthy father.”

Meanwhile, on Tilda’s side.

She was at the supermarket with Liam and the others, buying supplies for the winter holiday. They would have the goods delivered straight to her place. Easy, no hassle.

Her phone rang. It was Bill, his voice practically buzzing with excitement. The Jensons had agreed–twenty million, cash for silence, deal signed.

To make that much money just off these photos? Jackpot.

Of course, they all knew this move was basically picking a fight with the biggest corporation in Slosa. A few paparazzi trying to go head-to-head with a top-tier listed corporation deeply rooted in Slosa was nothing but wishful thinking. If the Jensons had been ruthless, they would have lost their lives.

Bill himself had hesitated, but Tilda had talked him into trying, and he had not expected it to go so smoothly.

“Didn’t I tell you? With the winter holiday so close, a family like the Jensons won’t risk a scandal now.

“Send ten million to the account I gave you.”

“On it!”

Bill dared not back out as Tilda held leverage over him. He had no choice but to follow orders.

Just then, Myst walked up.

“Tilda, what’s with that smile? You look so happy.”

Tilda’s lips curved playfully. “Oh, just a little stroke of luck before the holidays. I made some pocket change. Where are Dane and the others?”