"Could it be...""Sophia!" the two of them exclaimed simultaneously.After uttering that name, they shared a knowing smile."It's really her!" Daniel took out a cigarette. With a quick nod from Fat Lawler, one of his subordinates handed him a lighter.The smell of tobacco filled the room as Daniel contemplated and then flicked off the ash."I guess... by now, both of us are blamed for kidnapping the Bayer heiress, right?""What else!" Fat Lawler snorted. "She acted all friendly with me on the surface, but then she pulled off this stunt, spreading rumors everywhere that I abducted Arya!""We're pretty tight, so naturally, others would suspect me," Daniel said with a grin. "This way, more people are implicated. My brother-in-law is Nicholas, so it affects the relationship between the Bayer and Thompson families."Fat Lawler scoffed. "She really thinks she can manipulate us like this?""What do you think?""Absurd!" When Fat Lawler said that, his tone remained steady, and his fa
"How did you know it was her?" Daniel asked.Arya took a deep breath. "My parents gave me all the company's important information. But, just a day later, I was attacked. Do you think that's a coincidence?"Daniel frowned, a shadow crossing his face. "Where are the documents now?""Most likely in Sophia's hands. I carried them with me because they're crucial. When I passed out and woke up, I found my backpack empty. But...""But what?""The company seal wasn't in the bag." Arya smiled cunningly. "The company seal can use all the headquarters' resources. When my mother gave it to me, I asked Toph to keep it safe for me. The seal is with the Hamertons right now, and it's very secure!""So, even if Sophia got those documents, they're useless?" Daniel remarked.Arya nodded confidently."You're quite smart!" Daniel chuckled. "Seems like your family has some redeeming qualities.""Mr. Quimby, um..." Arya lowered her head, looking a bit awkward. "I understand my brother was in the wro
In the early morning, Sophia woke up slowly. She gently placed her hand on the man's bare chest beside her and kissed his lips.Graham responded to her kiss with a smile. The night's pleasure had left them both a bit tired."Is James still asleep?" Sophia asked with a seductive smile, her fingers tracing his chest."He won't be awake at this time," Graham replied. He held her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He was genuinely tired and couldn't fathom how a woman could have so much energy, wanting him endlessly every night.She was nothing like Maisie, who always remained quiet, only revealing a pure smile when he saw her.Graham froze. Why was he thinking of Maisie at that moment? He shook his head, feeling like he was going crazy."My dear, what's wrong?""Oh, nothing." Graham forced a smile."By the way, I want to discuss something with you," Sophia said, turning his face to her. "James is growing up, and I think... always having private tutors at home won't work i
The data they received was a mess. Both of them stared at it, wide-eyed, as if a lightning bolt had struck, leaving their minds blank."What's happening?" Graham asked Sophia, his voice trembling.Equally bewildered, Sophia struggled to form a coherent response."We bought those two mines for 750,000,000 dollars! 750,000,000 dollars!" Graham shouted. "Weren't they supposed to increase in value? How did they plummet to 240,000,000 dollars now?""I... I don't know." Sophia's face turned pale. "This is impossible! I've been tracking mineral prices, and these two mines in Cumulus City were on an upward trend. They were supposed to be a safe investment!""But look at it now!" Graham's lips quivered, sweat beads forming on his forehead. "Sophia, I took a 750,000,000-dollar loan from the bank for this! I owe the bank hundreds of millions now, not to mention the interest!""Graham, don't panic!" Sophia tried to reassure him. "Fat Lawler got us into this. I'll talk to him... We'll figure
"Fat Lawler, this is unacceptable," Sophia objected. "We invested a lot in these mines, hoping for significant profits. Selling them at such a low price now will lead to substantial losses. Moreover, the critical issue is... we still owe money to the bank!""What can you do about it?" Fat Lawler flicked his used cigarette butt into the ashtray, his smile carrying a hint of mockery. "By the way, wasn't this your idea from the beginning? I remember Mr. Bayer wasn't very interested in these two mines, was he?""You..."Fat Lawler's expression became a bit more serious. "Mr. Bayer, you doubt your own judgment and instead believe in a woman who climbed her way up through shameless means. You brought upon yourself the losses you're facing.""What are you saying?!" Sophia stood up suddenly, her eyes blazing with anger.Fat Lawler looked at her sharply, and his subordinates in the room moved closer. Sophia's fiery temper was quickly extinguished."Mr. Bayer, would you like to know who th
Daniel presented the loan documents, bearing Graham's unmistakable signatures, which seemed to taunt his ignorance."I believe we can resolve this matter in the following manner," proposed Fat Lawler. "Daniel, promptly transfer the funds to Mr. Bayer's account and repurchase the two mines."As for Mr. Bayer, it's only fair to settle your debts. Daniel has shown considerable generosity, and we trust you won't resort to dishonesty. After all, dishonesty doesn't align with the Bayer family's values, does it?"Graham remained speechless, overwhelmed by regret and frustration."Speaking of the Bayers," Daniel began with a faint smile. "I've brought someone today that you may wish to see, Mr. Bayer."With a clap of his hands, the private room's door swung open, revealing Arya's entrance.Graham's initial surprise quickly turned into worry and anxiety. He rushed forward, urgently asking, "Arya, are you okay?""I'm fine," Arya replied, her eyes slightly red. Although only a few days had
"Graham, listen to me!" Sophia panicked, her words a jumbled mess. "I did this for our future! Your parents handed everything over to your sister, but what about us? What about James and me? Didn't you say you'd treat him like your own son? But we have nothing! How are we going to support him?""Shut up!" At that moment, Graham suddenly snapped out of his stupor. It had become clear that Sophia was always talking about how to support her son. What she didn't understand was that he was willing to treat James like his own son because he loved her, not because he owed her."Graham..." Sophia was in tears. "I know what I did was wrong, but I did it for our future. I hoped your parents would think highly of me, that we could get married smoothly, and that we—""That you could take over my family's assets in the future?""You—"Graham roared, "Arya is my own sister! How could you do such a thing behind my back?!"Sophia stood there, stunned. After a while, she screamed, "Graham! Are yo
Graham looked at Daniel with a mix of fear and resentment in his eyes."You didn't value what you had when you had the chance. It's too late now!" Daniel pointed at him, saying coldly, "If you dare to bother my woman again, you'll end up in prison with Sophia!"He then left with Maisie, leaving only the two siblings in the now-empty room.Graham sat there, stunned and motionless. Arya watched her brother in anguish and couldn't help but shed tears."Graham..." She struggled to help him up. "You should have realized who Sophia really was a long time ago. If it weren't for her, our family wouldn't be in this situation today."Graham sat there in pain, his eyes closed as he leaned against the wall, repeatedly banging the back of his head against it.Arya reassured him, "I think Daniel probably just wanted to teach you a lesson and didn't intend to do anything extreme. Since the debt you owe is from his bank, we can try to appeal to him and ask for some time to repay it.""Heh! Appe