The fact that Celena refused to sign made Jayme panic. In a blink of an eye, he came up with an idea.Jayme pretended like he was anxious and pointed at the place ahead of them where the construction was going. Then, he said, "Ms, Stone, it's not that I'm scared about you checking the materials and their prices. "It's just that these materials are already listed at the lowest price in the market. I've checked myself as well. There are no issues at all. I've worked with the Stone Group for years. Mr. Stone knows very well what kind of person I am. There's nothing for you to worry about at all."You've seen it yourself as well. The materials we have are going to be finished soon. If we don't get the materials here in time, we'll have to stop the construction this afternoon. That's why I'm so anxious."Besides, if the materials don't arrive today and the workers have to stop working, we, the contractors, would just have to pay them an additional half a day's wage at best. It'll just
"That's right, Mr. Robbie! We're all waiting for the materials so we can start working!""Didn't you say the materials will be restocked today? Look at the time. We can't just stand around and wait!""Mr. Robbie, we're out of materials. You can't just let us wait around while doing nothing, right?"The workers got more riled up the more they bellowed. They all threw their tools on the ground and gathered together by the time they were done.Jayme secretly observed Celena's expression after the workers started creating a commotion. A wicked sneer appeared on his face as he thought he was about to get his way after he saw Celena frowning and gripping the document tightly.Jayme let out a cough and walked up to the workers with a smile. Pretending to placate them, he said, "Listen up, everyone. Don't make a scene. I'm already discussing with Ms. Stone about purchasing the materials. "But you know that she's very serious and cautious when it comes to work. So, she'll first have to r
Everyone fell silent in an instant.Jayme, the other persons in charge, and the dozen workers, in particular, stared at Liam in shock.Celena, on the other hand, looked at Liam with slight confusion and asked, "Huh? Did you just say that there's something wrong with this document?"It was only then Jayme regained his senses. His face was filled with anger as he bellowed, "Liam, what the hell are you talking about? What do you mean something is wrong? I'm the one who prepared the list and the quotations for the materials on this document. Who could something possibly be wrong?"Besides, you're just a man who married into the Stone family. What do you know about the company? I'm warning you. Stop spewing nonsense and dragging my name through the mud on purpose!"Jayme turned to Celena furiously, looking like he was humiliated, and bellowed, "Ms. Stone, I've worked with the Stone Group for years. We've always built our cooperation on trust. Are you going to just let Liam, a clueless
It was after Liam reminded Celena that she remembered he was one of the outstanding young men in Drunham City back then. He interned at Cole Enterprise while still in junior high.He doubled the profit of the Cole Enterprise in the second year after he joined the company.Celena believed in Liam, but Jayme and the others were appointed by Yafe. If something was wrong with them, would that not mean that-Celena's expression changed drastically at the thought of that. "But they're all contractors that my father personally appointed. If something is off with them, th-then."A faint smile appeared on Liam's face after he saw that Celena was able to think of that. He patted her hand gently and said, "Celena, you just joined the company recently. There are still a lot of unspoken rules in the business that you're unfamiliar with. Take the situation today, for example. Have you ever thought of the possibility of them having a deal with Yafe under the table?""You mean like taking kickbac
"He's a loser who relies on his wife for money. What right does he have to call the shots for this project?""Ms. Stone, you've gone overboard. We've explained to you that today's batch of materials is very important. Are you not going to think on behalf of the Stone Group at all?""That's right! Your husband isn't part of the company. What gives him the right to meddle in the business here?"After Liam talked about taking the agreement away to verify the details, the contractors could no longer hold themselves back anymore. One after another, they stepped forward and stopped him.After all, they knew very well what was in the document. The list and prices of the materials written in the document looked fine at first glance, but it would not stand a chance if it was verified and examined closely.They planned to pressure Celena by telling her that the materials were running low and the workers were about to stop working soon. They wanted her to sign the document without having the
Celena immediately called out, "Mr. Robbie!"However, Jayme did not let Celena have a chance to speak at all. As soon as he was done talking, he immediately took out his phone from his pocket and called Yafe.Once the call was answered, Jayme said in an icy voice, "Mr. Stone, Ms. Stone refused to sign the document to authorize us to purchase the materials. "You know how important this batch of materials is. If we don't have them, we'll have to stop working. Ms. Stone said something was wrong with the document, and she wanted to take it away with her to verify the details."I've worked with the Stone Group for so long. I believe you know what kind of person I am. But Ms. Stone thinks there's something wrong with my character right now. You shouldn't have collaborated with us if that's what she's thinking. You should've just worked with a contractor that you trust."I've been looking out for the Stone Group. I was worried that the project would be delayed and your company would suf
As soon as Yafe heard Celena's voice over the phone, he flew into a rage and bellowed, "Celena, what's wrong with you? Don't you know the importance of the materials? Can you afford to bear the responsibility for causing a delay?"Also, don't you forget that you're just a manager now. What right do you have to call the shots on things that I've instructed you to do?"Sign the document Jayme prepared now. This is an order! The materials have to be transported to the site today!"Listen up, Celena. You better not step out of line. Don't be smug and forget your place just because you're in charge of two major projects now. You're just a manager. Who gave you the right to meddle in a major decision for the company?"Celena hung her head as she listened to Yafe barking at her. Finally, Yafe was done. However, just as Celena was about to say something, Liam snatched the phone away from her.Liam said sternly, "Yafe, I suggest you be polite when you talk to my wife. Also, Celena is not g
One of the contractors looked at Celena fiercely and threatened, "Ms. Stone, you better cooperate or you'll be the one to suffer in the end!"Celena was so frightened that colors drained from her face and her body could not stop shaking. She already felt uneasy after what happened at the Bridal District yesterday. After she was frightened by the aggressive workers at the site, her legs turned to jelly.Celena grabbed Liam's arm in fear to stop herself from falling and called out frightfully, "Liam!"Liam supported Celena and said, "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."He then turned to look at Jayme and the ferocious workers. They were all holding hammers, wrenches, and other tools at that moment.Liam frowned with a frosty gaze gleaming in his eyes. He sneered and said, "Mr. Robbie, it looks like you've been prepared for this."Jayme sneered and glared at Liam viciously. His voice was filled with disdain as he said, "Liam, who do you think you are? You're nothing more than a lose
The entire meeting room was in absolute chaos. The remaining three Elders were equally vexed, and they all scowled, cracking their knuckles in fury."These people are getting out of hand! How can they possibly frame Liam's poor wife for such an atrocious crime?""We must get to the bottom of this! We must find out who's behind this! He or she cannot go unpunished!"Timothy nodded in agreement and roared at his cowering assistant, "Go find out what truly happened! Find out which filthy scum ordered Celena's arrest and what could possibly delude them into thinking she is a spy against our country!"His assistant squeaked a reply, then sped out of the room as fast as his legs could take him. He did not stop until he reached the front door of the Grand Pendragon Department, where he stood, panting and trying to catch his breath. His expression was wild with fear. He had never seen the Four Elders so furious before. Clearly, whatever had happened to Celena was something very serious ind
Keyon could see right through Prince Faber's apprehension. He replied with a smile, "Prince Faber, why are you so scared of that Liam fellow? Have you somehow forgotten that you are the commander-in-chief now? You have hundreds of thousands of soldiers at your beck and call. Why does it matter what Liam thinks? He has been deposed and is no longer in power! Besides, you have the Yeager family backing you, and there is nothing he can do to harm you!"You don't have to worry about a thing; the Yeagers have this all taken care of. We are just doing this to lure Liam out of hiding. If he dares to touch so much as a hair on your head, he'll be falling right into your trap."Prince Faber furrowed his brows at this. He could not help but question the validity of Keyon's claims. Keyon, sensing this, added, "Prince Faber, you must remember that stripped of his powers, Liam Cole, is now nothing more than an ordinary civilian! If he dares to harm you, he will be sentenced to death for treason a
What would Liam do if he found out Prince Faber had captured his wife? Surely he would not hesitate to turn the entire city upside down to look for her?Prince Faber was more than familiar with Liam's fierce loyalty and could not help but begin to worry at the prospect of having to face his wrath. He stared at Keyon's leering face and asked with belated realization, "Mr. Yeager, you ordered me to capture all those people from the Drunham City Connoisseurs, but the truth is, your sole target has always been Liam's wife. Is that right?"Keyon nodded, smiling. "That's right. We could care less about those businessmen. All we wanted was to get our hands on Celena Stone!"I must admit I was very surprised when I found out that Celena Stone is the wife of the great King Pendragon. Not only that, but I made an even more shocking discovery—it turns out that Liam is none other than the lone survivor of the Cole family, the noble clan who were allegedly wiped out seven years ago!"The ment
After a few moments' hesitation, he finally decided to shoot his shot. "Mr. Yeager, there is something I don't understand. Why did the Yeagers order these businessmen's capture? I've looked into their backgrounds, and they are all honest businessmen who have not broken the law before. If the media catches wind of this, they will surely accuse me of abusing my power…"This was what Prince Faber had been worried about. He had already investigated the people whom the Yeagers ordered to be captured and did not understand why the Yeagers wanted them imprisoned. They were all civilians who had not committed any crime, and he dared not even imagine the consequences if the public found out he had ordered the incarceration of innocent citizens.Keyon understood immediately Prince Faber's concern. He smiled and replied in a reassuring tone, "Worry not, Prince Faber. We Yeagers have taken care of everything. We have made absolutely sure to cover up all your tracks, and no one will know you were
Meanwhile, Celena and the group were taken out of the hotel and shoved forcefully into a couple of jeeps waiting at the entrance. They were whisked away to a nearby military base. Before they could even get their bearings straight, they found themselves being tossed into holding cells. Celena, on the other hand, was taken separately to a small, dark room, illuminated only by the barest sliver of light that peeped in through a tiny window. The room was entirely empty, save for a metal bed frame. A sour stench hung in the air, and it was clear this room had been abandoned for a very long time. A soldier shoved Celena roughly into the room, and before she could realize what was happening, the soldier slammed the door shut.The soldier had pushed Celena so hard that she fell onto the ground, but upon seeing that her captor was about to leave, she leaped to her feet and sprinted over to the door. "Sir, can you tell me what I did wrong? Can you please have mercy on me? Can you at least
Tristan seemed just as baffled as they were. He returned their puzzled gazes with an equally perplexed one of his own. "I… I have no idea…"The general glanced sharply in their direction, then gestured to his soldiers and declared sternly, "Take them away!"His soldiers obliged and stepped forward to restrain the members of the Drunham City Connoisseurs, who all shrieked in alarm, "Why are you taking us away?""General, what did we do wrong? We didn't do anything illegal, so why are you arresting us?""Mr. Xander, save us! They've got this all wrong!""What's going on here? Why are they arresting only us?"Celena's entire body was shaking like a leaf. She eyed the soldiers around her and asked, stammering, "General, what did we do wrong? Why are we being captured? Where are you taking us?"Tristan, stricken with panic, shoved a soldier aside and shouted at the general, "General, I'm the president of the Drunham City Connoisseurs, and I want to know why we're being taken away. Wh
Celena was utterly terrified by the sudden turn of events. She stared pale-faced at the soldiers around her, not daring to move even a muscle. What was going on?All of a sudden, a man in a uniform stepped into the room. The badge on his shoulder indicated to everyone that he was a general. The heavy thumping of his boots echoed through the silent room with every step he took. All eyes were on him as he stepped onto the stage.He carried himself with great authority, and clearly, this man was not one to be messed with. He scanned the room as if searching for someone. Finally, he announced in a deep, resounding voice, "Do not fear, ladies and gentlemen. We are here on a routine check after receiving a tip-off regarding your conference. We will release you all once we have carried out our investigation, and the process will be quicker and smoother if you all cooperate. "Now, I would kindly request you get your documentation ready so that my men may confirm your identity."Everyone
Derek nodded earnestly and replied, "Of course it's true. My sources have never failed me. I wouldn't have trusted you with this information if I didn't think you'd be interested."Celena stared at him for a moment, then turned to glance in the direction of the people he had pointed. She could not help but be tempted by the offer. She considered this for a few moments, then accepted his offer. "Alright then, Mr. Duncan. I'll go with you. Thank you for inviting me."The smile on Derek's face widened. He could hardly believe his luck—Celena had agreed to go with him! Taking that first step was always the hardest, but he had done it!Unbeknownst to Celena, Derek already knew her long before their first meeting at the conference. Her name was known far and wide in Drunham City, not least because of her beauty, but because of her—in the eyes of the public—tragic marriage. Celena had earned herself a reputation as one of the most beautiful women Drunham City had ever seen, and although
The attention they received, however, was large due to Celena and her young, handsome companion, who was a man named Derek Duncan. Their attractive looks, both individually and combined, were easily the topic of discussion that night. Everyone who laid eyes on them admired both their good looks and brains, for certainly only the cream of the crop were allowed to attend this prestigious event. What made this feat even more impressive was the fact that they were both so young!Aside from her beauty, Celena's name was already known far and wide in the business world, not just because of her strong leadership but due to her association with Liam and her company's connections with many international corporations. She had started her business from scratch, but within a few short months, she had single handedly built it up to become one of the top ten grossing companies in Drunham City.There were hundreds of people gathered there tonight, and their seats had been allocated according to t