Upon hearing his phone ring, Etchen's brow furrowed deeply. He barked into the receiver in annoyance."Why are you calling me now?! Don't you know I'm busy?" However, before Etchen could finish his tirade, the words on the other end of the line struck him like a lightning bolt, leaving him stunned and frozen.The members of the Lloyd family, who had been jovial just moments before, noticed his sudden change and began to inquire anxiously."Etchen, what happened?"Hailey was confused. "Yes, Etchen, what's going on? Can't it wait a bit? Don't you see we're all here celebrating you?"Etchen's expression grew even more rigid as he listened to the voices around him.He swallowed hard, his eyes glazed over. "The Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation has announced they're canceling their partnership with the Irving family."The Lloyd family fell into an eerie silence. They stared in disbelief, unable to process the shocking news."What?""This... This can't be happening!"Everyone kn
Whenever Alex was mentioned, Hailey could not help but think of the worthless Liam. A look of disgust flashed across her face.At that moment, Serena's voice suddenly rang out. "Mom... Dad..."Serena frowned as she held the contract signed between the Irving family and the Lloyd Group. "This contract... Something seems off!"When Serena returned a while ago, she noticed the contract on the table. Due to the smooth cooperation, she did not pay much attention to it.When Ronald mentioned signing the contract, Serena casually opened it. However, as soon as she saw the first item, she noticed the problem!Hearing Serena's words, Hailey frowned and walked over impatiently. "Off? How could anything be wrong with the contract signed with Mister Irving?"Serena pointed at the contract, a look of tension flashing across her delicate face."This contract clearly states that if any issues arise with the project, the Irving family will not bear any responsibility, and the Lloyd family's coo
Liam's calm words in the bank hall suddenly resurfaced in their minds.No one initially took Liam's words seriously. If they had, they would have immediately thought of him when they first heard that the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation had canceled its cooperation with the Irving family.However, reminded by Ronald, they suddenly made the connection.The cooperation between the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation and the Irving family had always been smooth. If there was an unexpected reason for the sudden change, the only situation they could recall was the words Liam had spoken back then.Noticing the unusual expressions on Ronald and Hailey's faces, Sam could not help but ask urgently, "What's going on? If you have any clues, speak up quickly! If we act fast, we might still have time to help the Irving family."He seemed quite anxious.Ronald frowned. "It's not exactly a clue, but when we went to the South City Bank to make a transfer, we happened to run into Liam."Sam rai
Upon hearing Ronald's words, Sam could not help but shake his head.Sam turned to look at Serena and said, "How pitiful! A wretch who spouts nonsense for a shred of dignity is truly the most pathetic!"Hailey chimed in, her face full of disdain as she spoke about Liam. "I feel the same way. Just thinking of that worthless man who was once my son-in-law embarrasses me!""Mom..."Listening to Hailey, Serena opened her mouth but could not say anything. She, too, had been filled with surprise.After all, the timing of the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation's cancellation of its collaboration with the Irving family was indeed too coincidental. However, after hearing the Lloyd family's comments, Serena dismissed her initial thoughts.Establishing such a significant charity foundation was not something that could be accomplished merely through connections. Even if Liam knew Howser, he would not have the qualifications to establish a charity foundation. Despite that, Serena disagreed w
"How is this possible?"Ronald and Hailey frantically flipped through the contracts in their hands.Hailey was not very educated, but after carefully examining the contract in her hand, she could still clearly see the blatant issues within!If the problems they initially noticed could be explained away by the improbability of any mishaps in the collaboration between the Irving family and the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation, the subsequent clauses in the contract made their hearts pound with fear.In fact, Alex had explicitly stated in the contract that all profits generated from the Irving family's cooperation with the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation would be managed entirely by the Irving family, with the Lloyd Group having no say whatsoever.The stack of documents was not just a contract. It was a series of traps!Finally, when Hailey and Ronald reached the last page of the contract and found no clauses favorable to the Lloyd Group, their legs gave out, and they collapsed
Serena furrowed her brows involuntarily.The situation was urgent, and she initially didn't want to bother with it. However, seeing the phone ringing incessantly, Serena finally picked it up.However, as soon as she connected the call and heard the voice on the other end, Serena's body trembled, and she froze in place.Hailey could not help but raise her head, her face full of anger as she looked at Serena."What are you doing? Why are you on the phone at a time like this? Aren't you supposed to be figuring out how to solve the problem? You must resolve the issue we're facing now, no matter what it takes!"If it weren't for you hanging around with that useless ex-convict every day, the Lloyd Group wouldn't be in this predicament! How many times have I told you that useless trash is good for nothing—"Hailey's sharp, shrill voice kept rising. However, before she could finish her tirade, she heard Serena's low mumble."The Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation contacted me. They said
Hailey's chubby face twisted into a grimace. "Could it be possible? Do I not know what Liam is like? Could he really have such capabilities?"The suspicion regarding the owner of the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation far outweighed the joy of the Lloyd Group collaborating with the foundation once again!They even felt an overwhelming sense of respect toward the foundation's willingness to work with the Lloyd family.After all, everyone in the Lloyd family knew how they had treated Liam in the past!Ronald's face went pale. "I also don't think Liam is capable of such things! However, can anyone explain why the Verdant Harvest Charity Foundation chose to partner with us again?"Everything had unfolded exactly as Liam had calmly described at the time. It could not just be a simple coincidence!Hailey turned to Serena with a smile. "Serena, you've been in contact with Liam more frequently lately. Tell us, have you noticed any changes in him recently? And is there any possibility tha
"Liam wants Mister Ulrick to visit the Lloyd family personally?"Hearing Serena's words, Ronald's eyes were filled with astonishment.They were well aware of Howser's status!Even Chester rarely had the chance to meet Howser, the towering figure behind him. However, Liam claimed that he could make Howser visit the Lloyd family personally.Ronald shook his head, unwilling to believe any of it. "That… That's impossible!"It was not just Ronald. Other members of the Lloyd family also felt it was a complete fantasy upon hearing Serena's words.Layla widened her eyes and said, "I know about this too! I was there when Liam mentioned this! I told Serena then that whatever my brother-in-law says must be true!"Although Layla did not know who Howser was, she had immense trust in Liam.No one objected when they heard Layla refer to Liam as her brother-in-law.Ronald looked at Layla in shock. "You knew about this? Why didn't any of you tell me about these things?"Serena did not wait fo
Charles could not just stand by.However, Liam had not continued speaking yet.The moment Godfrey heard Charles’s words, his eyes widened abruptly, and an exaggerated grin appeared on his face."Liam?"Godfrey extended a finger, pointing straight at Liam, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he asked, "You wouldn’t happen to be that Liam, famed in South City, would you?"It was clear he had heard of Liam’s exploits."I don’t know anything about being famed in South City."Liam looked at Godfrey calmly and said, "I am Liam Burrey.""Hahaha!"Hearing Liam’s response, Godfrey burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach. His laughter was saturated with ridicule. "I can’t take it! You’re killing me!"I thought the Hensworth family found someone reliable to back them up, but it turns out it’s just a useless piece of trash!"And you dare spout nonsense about breaking my legs?"Shaking his head, his face was full of disdain. "Now it’s clear—you people have lost your mind
"Liam…"Seeing the scene before her, Valerie trembled.When she first heard Godfrey’s merciless words, her heart burned with grief and indignation. Yet, Valerie also understood that in the face of this situation, she did not have any viable solutions.The moment she realized Godfrey was from Union Finance, Valerie knew the Hensworth Group was nothing in comparison.What’s more, the Hensworth Group was currently on the brink of bankruptcy and had to rely on Godfrey for help!She never imagined Liam would step up at such a moment.After all, she had only asked Liam to pretend to be her boyfriend; there was no real relationship between them.And Union Finance wasn’t just powerful. Its background was incredibly mysterious.There were long-standing rumors that Union Finance in Qyn Province had connections to Juneau.Otherwise, the Nosh family could not have dominated the vast financial market and remained unshaken for so many years.Even if Liam might be capable of resolving this,
"I…"Hearing this, Charles was momentarily stunned.But in the end, he shook his head and said, "Mister Nosh, if Union Finance truly can't approve a loan for the Hensworth Group, then so be it."We'll figure out another way…"Charles's voice was low and heavy. At first, he genuinely believed Godfrey wanted to be with Valerie. But now it was clear Godfrey had no such intentions—he only wanted to toy with Valerie. How could Charles possibly agree to this?At the same time, his heart was filled with regret. He had almost become the one to push his daughter into a pit of fire!"You'll figure out another way?"Godfrey's expression darkened. He glared at Charles coldly and sneered. "Ten billion in loans, just to have Valerie play with me for a while! I really didn't know that any wh*re on the market could be this expensive!""If you don't agree, I'd like to see which other financial institution in Qyn Province would dare lend to you without Union Finance's approval!"The entire orde
"What’s wrong with you?"Hearing this, Godfrey furrowed his brows and said in a dissatisfied tone, "How long has it been? How could you not handle such a simple matter?""You still want that loan from the Hensworth Group approved, don’t you?"He immediately reprimanded Charles."Whether or not I’m with you is my business, it has nothing to do with my father!"Upon hearing this, Valerie immediately understood the implication behind Godfrey's words. Although she had just been angry with Charles, she could not allow Godfrey to speak to her father like that."Then what exactly are you thinking now?"Hearing Valerie's words, Godfrey turned his head, his eyes flashing with an inexplicable light as he looked at her. "The other day, I asked you to go out for drinks. Why didn’t you go?"The reason Godfrey had come in and started pressuring Charles was that he sensed that Valerie seemed uninterested in him.However, he had not expected Valerie to suddenly speak up at this moment."I did
"Dad, Liam really does have the ability to help our Hensworth Group…"However, hearing Liam’s words, a hint of urgency flashed across Valerie’s face. She quickly spoke, as though she wanted to persuade him of something.Even though, up until now, Valerie did not know the full extent of Liam’s influence, after the last class reunion, she was very certain—Liam helping the Hensworth Group would definitely not be a problem!"Valerie! You and Liam, both of you get out of here!"Before Valerie could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Charles. His face darkened as he pointed toward the nearby door and barked harshly."Come back when you’ve thought things through!"The Hensworth Group was already on the brink of a crisis. Yet Valerie was still stirring up trouble. Right now, Charles did not even want to see her!"Dad…"Seeing this, Valerie opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say more.And just then—Bang!A loud noise rang out. The villa door of Valerie’s home was violently k
"I…"Hearing Charles’s words, Sebastian froze. His once-straight back slowly hunched over.Charles was not wrong.If the Lloyd Group were dealing with some minor trouble, maybe he could help. But if the crisis was so severe that marrying off Valerie was the only solution, there was nothing Sebastian could do.After all, he had stepped away from the Lloyd Group’s management and handed it over to Charles many years ago.Sebastian had long since lost much of his influence.Now, he was just an old man who spent his days watering flowers and pulling weeds.At that moment, a wave of frustration washed over him.As for the truth behind Charles’s words, he did not ask much. Sebastian knew his son well. If the situation were not dire, Charles wouldn’t be saying such things.Just then, Liam’s voice rang out, slow and steady."How serious could the Lloyd Group’s crisis be for you to be in such a rush to marry off Valerie?"He narrowed his eyes slightly, fixing his gaze on Charles."Yo
The young man standing before them, tall and handsome, could he really be the person described in those rumors?"Dad! Mom! You just don’t understand!"Valerie's delicate face was filled with urgency as she looked at the scene before her. "Liam really isn’t like the rumors say.""I honestly think that being with him is an honor for our Hensworth family. Please, you have to trust me!" she pleaded desperately."Grandpa just had a chat with Liam earlier. Why don’t you ask him? Doesn’t he also think Liam is great? He’s truly amazing. Everything I know about him barely scratches the surface!"As she spoke, Valerie turned her gaze to Sebastian, seeking his support.What she wanted to convey to Charles and Janell was not just about seeking their approval for her to be with Liam.At this point, Valerie only wanted to clear Liam’s name!"Sigh..."Hearing her words, Sebastian let out a deep sigh.He raised his head to look at Charles, his tone softening slightly. "It really hasn’t been
Hearing Valerie's voice, Liam could not help but turn his head, looking at Valerie with surprise in his eyes. Although he knew that her current actions were merely an excuse to avoid marrying that Mister Nosh, her performance truly startled him. If it were not for the prior agreement between him and Valerie, he would have almost believed what she was saying was true. Valerie's acting skills were indeed exceptional.As for the Hensworth family's prejudices, Liam did not care. He was well aware that, thanks to the propaganda from the Lloyd family, his reputation in South City was hardly good. However, none of this could affect him. A dragon soaring high in the sky would never be concerned about the buzzing of flies. But it seemed that the rumors from the Lloyd family were causing some trouble for Valerie. Liam had actually thought about this initially. However, when he first agreed to meet Valerie's parents, he genuinely believed that he just needed to show up and everything w
He immediately turned his head to look at Sebastian and said, "At your age, you usually have the best perspective. What happened this time? Why do you trust someone you just met so much?"That's because you didn't see the performance of this kid just now!"Sebastian was very dissatisfied with Charles's words. He patted his waist and said, "If it weren't for this kid just now, I wouldn't be able to stand up until now! He wants to teach me a set of boxing techniques that can heal my old man's back injury. Can you do that?""This…"Hearing Sebastian's words, Charles was taken aback. He really did not know that so much had happened just now. Charles was not a foolish person stuck in his ways. Seeing Sebastian's attitude, he could still determine that the young man in front of him had some ability.However, even so, Charles's thoughts did not change."What's your name?" Charles turned his head to look at Liam and asked. This was the first time he had inquired about Liam's name since e