"Hmph! That doesn't matter much. The best thing Layla did was bring Evans Group back on top. Layla did what so many people couldn't.""Oh yeah. You're right," someone followed suit. "Nothing even happened when Caroline took over Evans Group. But look at Layla. Even without a company, she managed to return to the big four families' ranks."These people knew very well how Layla obtained Evans Group. However, things were different now. Since Layla was about to acquire Collins Group, she would become the head of one of the big four families. With that status, everyone was eager to curry favor with her. No one would dare to upset her."I have an idea." Someone raised his glass and said, "Everyone, let's give the new matriarch, Ms. Layla, a toast."Layla had already lost herself in everyone's praises, so she toasted everyone and went wild. "All right! Everything tonight is on me! After I get Collins Group tomorrow, I'll give each of you a branded bag!"Her words immediately made t
After clicking on it and scrolling down, Caroline saw her name written in big letters. There was even a bright red flower beside her name. "It's me! The bank chose me!" she exclaimed as she looked at Kirk with joyful eyes. Perhaps she hadn't had full faith in herself earlier. She was overwhelmed with happiness after learning that she was going to take over Collins Group. Hugging her with one arm, Kirk took one of her hands and planted a kiss on it. "Are you really so happy?" he asked. "It's just Collins Group."Caroline nudged him in the chest. "Hey, you're getting ahead of yourself. Do you know what it means to own Collins Group?""We can do whatever we please in the entertainment industry from now on," she continued. "No one would have the guts to offend us." Kirk laughed at her explanation. "I can give you SY Group if you like it." Caroline couldn't contain her laughter as she glanced at Kirk. "As if." "I'm not lying," Kirk told her, his eyes dead serious. "Dar
A soft smile hung on Caroline's lips. She knew fairly well what Gwen was trying to say. "I asked Eddy's second uncle about it that day," Caroline said, speaking into the phone with her back against the railing. She turned to look at Kirk. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but she could see that his brows were furrowed slightly. Under the soft light, he seemed less stern and more approachable than before. "He said he supported me only because I have a knack for business," replied Caroline."You're too naive. There are lots of others who have a knack for business, too. How come you were the one to catch his eye? You'd better watch out. Especially since he's helped you this time." Gwen continued, "He's a part of Collins Group now, and you'll have to keep an eye out in case he talks about it."Caroline fell silent as she considered Gwen's words. "Don't worry about me, Gwen. I know what I'm doing." "I don't have to worry about you," Gwen told her. "I know you like the back of
Unfortunately, no one answered the call. In haste, Layla remembered that someone must be working at the bank right now, so she quickly called the bank. Her call was answered almost immediately. "Where's Mr. Donovan? Pass him the phone right now!" How could something like this happen? The man must have a death wish. The staff member on the other end of the line sounded confused. "Mr. Donovan? Nobody here goes by that name." "What?" Layla roared into the phone. "Does he think he can hide for all eternity? Tell him that I'll fire him if he doesn't answer my call!" The staff member was flabbergasted. Still, he replied, "Miss, there's no 'Mr. Donovan' here.""Oh right." He seemed to remember something. "The former chairman's surname is Donovan, but he's been sacked. Just call his number if you have any other questions." With that said, the staff member hung up, leaving Layla staring blankly into space. A while later, a thought occurred to her, and she picked up her phone
"Eddy, you can't treat me like this! You can't … Even if you have no feelings for me, I'm still your savior. You wouldn't have lived to this day without me. You can't treat me like this."Eddy hung up, his face expressionless. Indeed, Layla had saved him once back then, but he had repaid her kindness a lot of times too. He didn't want this to carry on anymore. It was fine if she wanted him to give her money or help her search for a suitor. He couldn't care less about her anymore. Right now, all he wanted to do was be together with Caroline. He had finally realized just how much he loved her. He loved her so, so, so much.He couldn't lose her. He had to take her out of Kirk's grasp. Meanwhile, Layla collapsed onto the ground after suffering multiple blows from the truth bombs Eddy had said. Seeing her reaction, everyone around her knew that the matter regarding Collins Group was now set in stone. There was nothing she could do to change it, so they left her alone in the room.
Kirk couldn't resist it when he saw Caroline pout. Still, he managed to hold himself back with his last ounce of rationality. "I can't accompany you there, darling," he told her. "I have something important to attend to on that same day.""What's so important? What's more important than me?" Caroline turned away from him so that her back faced him, her lower lip protruding as she sulked. She had hoped against hope that she could introduce him to everyone during the handover ceremony. Alas, Kirk just wouldn't give in. She was so mad at him for it. Then, Kirk put an arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck. In his low and raspy voice, he muttered, "Naturally, everything about you is most important to me." "But I hope that the ceremony will go perfectly. I don't want to ruin it and make you regret anything later on," he added."You not attending it will be my greatest regret!" Caroline was fuming already. Kirk stared at her and found himself at a loss for words. Noticing
Kirk didn't wait for a reply after sending the message. He simply looked down at Caroline in his arms. Her brows were furrowed tightly, which made him wonder what she was dreaming about. "No, it isn't me. I didn't …" she murmured. This wasn't the first time Kirk had seen her frown and mutter in her sleep. His heart broke a little every time this happened. Despite what he felt, he could only hug her tight to give her some warmth. It was a good thing that Michael had prescribed her some medicine. Otherwise, she would have nightmares every other day. Now, she didn't wake up from fright like before. Soon, she fell into a deep slumber once again. Now that Caroline was sleeping just fine, Kirk could finally close his eyes and fall asleep himself. Early the next morning, he saw Eddy's reply. "The Gruidae. See you at 9:00 pm." Eddy had sent the message last night. Kirk narrowed his eyes at the screen and was about to put his phone down when he noticed Caroline getting up from the
"Uncle Kirk." Standing up, Eddy took the initiative to greet Kirk. The latter sat opposite Eddy with a face devoid of emotion. "Have a seat."After taking a seat, Eddy suddenly thought of something and wanted to stand up once more. However, the thought struck him as childish, so he swallowed his frustration and sat in his seat. He only spoke after he had calmed down. "Why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep it a secret? Did Grandpa know this long ago …" The longer Eddy spoke, the less inclined he was to carry on talking. In the end, he simply glowered at Kirk and said, "You're my uncle! How could you do this to me?" To Eddy, Kirk was like the sun in the sky that had guided him all along. He never thought that the rays from the sun would one day scald him and burn him alive. Kirk simply stared back into Eddy's eyes. Slowly and elegantly, he took out a cigar and lit it up."Getting married is personal. Why should I inform you about it?" "But you married Caroline! She was m