After Divorce I Married a Tycoon-Chapter 169: Smashed to Smithereens

"I’ve figured it out," Joel Jennings said.

Scarlett Jewel’s bloodshot eyes immediately lit up. "What is it?" she asked.

Joel Jennings laid out his plan, and Scarlett Jewel approved. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"I can’t believe you came up with a trick like this."

"It won’t just make the public question her integrity; it’ll make her a pariah in the design world."

"I’m very pleased with your plan. When are you going to put it into action?"

"We can’t move against her just yet," Joel Jennings said.

"Why not?" Scarlett Jewel demanded, her voice rising.

"Are you just going to stand by and watch her hog the spotlight?"

She couldn’t wait another moment.

She wished Claire Mercer would just disappear from her life completely, right this instant.

Anyone else could be more talented, more celebrated, more successful than her.

But not that bitch, Claire Mercer. Never her.

She just hated her. Despised her. Loathed her.

It wasn’t as if Claire Mercer had ever done anything to provoke or offend her.

But she felt this deep-seated hostility toward her, just couldn’t stand the sight of her.

She just couldn’t stand to see Claire Mercer doing better than her.

She wanted to see that bitch brought to her knees.

Just like those other losers from the Mercer Family, forced to wander without a home.

Like sewer rats, hiding in some sunless, stinking drain, left to fester and rot.

Joel Jennings knew Scarlett Jewel was desperate to scheme against Claire Mercer.

But now wasn’t the time to use his plan.

After all, his model partner was still useful to him for now.

If something were to happen to his model partner at this stage...

...it would seriously impact his own performance in the competition.

"Don’t be so anxious, Young Madam."

"Why shouldn’t I be?" Scarlett Jewel’s voice was sharp.

She was visibly agitated.

Seeing her lose control like this, Joel Jennings couldn’t help but look down on her.

’A woman who can’t even control her own emotions is incapable of achieving anything significant.’

’She just got lucky and married well, that’s all.’

’Of course, if she hadn’t married into wealth—and if she didn’t hate Claire Mercer as much as I do...’

’...I never would have chosen to work with her just for the advantages she provides.’

’But who could deny it? Among all the contestants, her status is the most unique.’

’She’s the Young Madam of the wealthiest family in Rhonia. She has money and connections.’

A flicker of disgust crossed his face, but he patiently tried to placate Scarlett Jewel.

"Young Madam, just let me finish."

"Do you think a person gets hurt more falling on level ground, or falling from a great height?"

"Is that some kind of stupid question?" Scarlett Jewel shot him an irritated glare.

"Obviously, the higher you are, the harder you fall."

"If you fall on level ground, you might get a scrape at most."

"But if you fall from up high, you’ll be smashed to bits, won’t you?"

"Exactly," Joel Jennings said calmly. "Claire Mercer may be riding high right now."

"And as much as I hate to admit it, with her skill and talent, she has what it takes to go far in this competition."

"What exactly are you getting at?" Scarlett Jewel frowned, her patience wearing thin.

Hearing Joel Jennings speak so confidently about Claire Mercer’s talent made her stomach turn.

"Are you here to praise Claire Mercer or to plan how we’re going to take her down?"

"To take her down, of course," Joel Jennings said. "

"If we move against Claire Mercer now, it’s just like her tripping on level ground."

"But imagine if she makes it to the finals, maybe even with a shot at the championship title. How do you think she’ll feel then?"

"How do you think she’ll feel?" Scarlett Jewel shot Joel Jennings an annoyed look.

"She’ll be even more smug and arrogant than she is now, obviously."

"She’ll be basking in the glory of it all."

"This competition is getting a ton of attention, after all. It’s blowing up online."

"If she actually makes it to the finals, let alone wins the whole thing, her ego will be through the roof."

"So, what if we hit her with a fatal blow right when she’s at the peak of her fame and glory..."

"...like she finally reaches the summit of her dreams, only to slip and fall..."

"How do you think she’d feel in that moment?"

At his words, Scarlett Jewel narrowed her eyes and stared at Joel Jennings, asking:

"You’re saying we should wait until after she makes it to the finals to make our move?"

Joel Jennings nodded. "That’s how we’ll deal the most devastating blow. That’s how she’ll be shattered to pieces."

Scarlett Jewel considered Joel Jennings’s words. It seemed to make sense.

Claire Mercer had advanced, and her popularity online was soaring.

But she was still a few steps from the absolute peak.

If they struck her just as her popularity peaked, right as she was about to reach the summit...

...wouldn’t she plummet into an abyss and be utterly broken?

But then a few doubts crept in.

"What if Claire Mercer isn’t good enough to make it to the finals?" Scarlett Jewel asked.

Joel Jennings didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Mrs. Sterling, objectively speaking, where would you rank Claire Mercer’s talent among all the contestants in this competition?"

Scarlett Jewel thought for a moment, then said reluctantly, "Top five, at least."

"That’s about what I figured," Joel Jennings said.

"So with her level of talent, making it to the finals shouldn’t be an issue."

"And even if she chokes at the last minute and doesn’t make it, we can still use my plan against her."

"Every extra round she stays in the competition, her popularity will grow, given the current online buzz."

"We need her popularity to get as high as possible. That will make her emotional crash all the more devastating."

"Someone psychologically fragile might not be able to handle that kind of pressure. They could even develop depression."

"And if she does get depression and tries to play the victim, that’s even better for us."

"What do you mean?"

"Young Madam, it’s not like people don’t commit suicide because of depression these days, is it?"

"Then, if she really were to disappear from this world one day, who would know if it was suicide or..."

Joel Jennings didn’t have to finish his sentence. Scarlett Jewel already understood what he was implying.

"Alright. We’ll do it your way."

Her hatred for Claire Mercer had reached a point where she truly wished she would just vanish from the face of the earth.

If she really did get depression, it would be so much easier for her, or anyone else gunning for the Mercer Family, to make a move.

"Contact me anytime you need help from my end."

Joel Jennings nodded at her. "Of course, Young Madam."

The two had come to an agreement on how to deal with Claire Mercer.

Once the timing was more or less settled,

Scarlett Jewel put on her sunglasses and hat, concealing herself completely, before grabbing her purse and leaving the café.

Joel Jennings watched her retreating back and a smirk played on his lips.

He picked up his coffee and took a slow, deliberate sip.

’What a simple-minded woman.’

He then pulled out a second phone and dialed a number in Caspian.

The call connected quickly.

A mature woman’s voice came through the line. "How are things proceeding?"

"Rest assured, Madam. The task will be completed successfully very soon," Joel Jennings replied with the utmost respect.

"Excellent." The woman on the other end of the line sounded pleased.

"Once this is done, I will help you become a top designer."

"Thank you, Madam," Joel Jennings said, his voice filled with excitement.