"Sue!" Jason Sterling instinctively grabbed her wrist, demanding urgently, "Didn't you say you cut ties with your family? Why did our company get an investment from your father and brother?"
Seeing Jason Sterling grabbing Sue, Tiana Lynch was filled with disgust. She sidled up, also grabbing Sue's hand and crying, "The investment I secured was from your father and brother! Sue, you even hid this from me. Why? Did you never even consider us your friends?"
'What a load of crap to dump on me. It doesn't matter if I say yes or no. No matter what, Tiana Lynch always has some new mud to sling at me!'
'It's absolutely disgusting!'
'In my past life, I endured it all for Leo, for Jason Sterling. When Tiana Lynch slung mud at me, I either stayed silent or kept my distance. But what did all that endurance get me in the end?'
'It got me everyone siding with Tiana Lynch. It got me betrayed by everyone. It got me killed!'
But now, she violently shook both of them off and spoke coldly, "Tiana Lynch, your ability to stir up trouble is as impressive as ever. Did you secure that investment? That was clearly my dad and my brother sending it to me secretly because they couldn't bear to see me suffer. You just happened to be the one who received them, and suddenly it's *your* investment? Don't you even blush when you lie? And now you're trying to turn the tables and blame me. Is it that I never cared about you all, or is it that people like you never cared about me in the first place!"
What?
The investment came from Sue's father and brother directly?
Tiana Lynch just received them?
Miles Finch and the others looked shocked. Jason Sterling, however, pressed on relentlessly, "Sue, you've gone back to the Lawrence Family, haven't you? What about Leo? What's going to happen to Leo? Didn't your dad refuse to accept him? And your brother was always roaring that he'd strangle Leo if he dared to come back. Why don't you leave the kid with me for now? I can help you..."
"Get lost!"
'I really was a fool. Jason Sterling had never cared about me as a person.'
When she was the rich heiress of the Lawrence Family, it was "Sue" this and "darling" that. When she wasn't, it was "disgusting" this and "bitch" that. Who was the truly disgusting one? Who was the real trash?
"Jason Sterling, you'd better remember what you said for the rest of your life!"
'What he said?'
Jason Sterling froze for a moment, then suddenly recalled what he had said in the private room during their gathering a few days ago.
*"Let's take this chance to be clear, Sue. I've never liked you. Just looking at your son makes me sick. We should stop seeing each other."*
Jason Sterling's mouth snapped shut, and his entire demeanor deflated.
But his eyes couldn't deceive anyone. His initial, unconcealable disgust had now turned into occasional, worried glances in her direction.
Tiana Lynch's expression was even uglier. To say she was unhappy would be an understatement.
But it was all useless now.
Everyone now sat in silence. Across from them were Sue and Charles Shaw. A coffee table separated the two groups, a clear line drawn between them.
「Asset liquidation began.」
Charles Shaw slapped the share certificates and power of attorney onto the coffee table. The bright red official seals stung everyone's eyes.
Vincent Lawrence and Elliot Lawrence's investment agreement was in black and white, and the transaction records were perfectly clear. Their 55% ownership was indisputable. Combined with Sue's own 25% of the initial shares, her 80% cut of the profits was set in stone.
"According to the company's articles of association, shareholder dividends are distributed based on shareholding percentages. After deducting all costs, the remaining profit is eight million. Ms. Sue Lawrence is entitled to 6.4 million, which will be transferred immediately." Charles Shaw pushed up his glasses, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Furthermore, the Lawrence Group has sent a formal notice terminating all potential partnerships with your company. Our law firm will handle all subsequent legal proceedings."
Tiana Lynch's face was as white as a sheet. Her fingers dug into the hem of her clothes. Her 0.175 points of fortune made even breathing feel difficult.
She wanted to object but found her throat too dry to make a sound. Just as she tried to stand, she tripped on a chair leg and slammed her forehead hard against the corner of the coffee table, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.
"Tiana!" Jason Sterling scrambled to help her, but he knocked over a glass of water on the table. The water streamed along a power cord and into an outlet. With a loud ZAP, sparks flew, and the entire office instantly lost power. The ceiling fan overhead wobbled precariously, letting out a drawn-out CREAK.
Sue watched the absurd scene with cold eyes. In the darkness, the notification tone of the 6.4 million transfer arriving in her account was exceptionally clear.
A smile touched her lips. She spoke coldly to the chaotic group, "I wish you all a pleasant rest of your lives."
With that, she turned and left, Charles Shaw following close behind.
From the pitch-black office, Tiana Lynch's shocked cry could be heard. "Sue already got her 6.4 million, why hasn't our 1.6 million arrived yet?!"
"Maybe it's a network issue. Call the bank first..."
"The bank says there's no problem on their end. They told us to check the account."
"But it's really not in the account! What's going on? I feel like our luck has been terrible lately."
"If the money doesn't come through, how are we going to stockpile supplies?"
"Otherwise, Jason, could you get some from your family first?"
The last thing she heard was Jason Sterling's sigh. "I'll sell the property I have in my name first."
Thanks to her Cat's Hearing, she heard with perfect clarity just how unlucky these people were. Her 6.4 million had already arrived, yet their 1.6 million was nowhere to be found.
'These people really aren't worth another second of my time.'
"Attorney Shaw, thank you."
Charles Shaw smiled. "It was my pleasure."
"I'll be sending you a gift in a couple of days, delivered right to your door. I hear it's going to be a harsh winter this year. Remember to stock up on supplies."
Sue turned and left.
'I will naturally repay those who have helped me. I'll send Charles Shaw ten insulated jackets, enough to withstand temperatures of minus sixty degrees. As for the liquid nitrogen protective suit, I'd better not. It would be too conspicuous and put him in danger. Besides, the government will eventually step in. Hopefully, wearing the insulated jackets, Charles Shaw can last until he can get into a fallout shelter.'
The moment she got home, Leo threw himself into her arms. "Mommy's back! You must be tired, Mommy."
Her five-year-old boy was so considerate and caring. Just looking at him made her heart ache with love.
"Sue."
Vivian Young and Jenny Norris were already back from the hospital. The entire family had gotten check-ups, even Leo.
"Everyone's in good health. It's just..."
Vivian Young paused, looking at Jenny Norris. "Your sister-in-law is pregnant..."
Jenny Norris's eyes turned red. "The apocalypse is almost here... Maybe I should get an abortion."
The two of them looked at Sue.
Sue had been through this before. She had once considered terminating her own pregnancy, but she had given birth to Leo anyway. It involved bitterness and hardship, but also joy and happiness. She didn't want to presume to judge another person's life.
"Sister-in-law, you should discuss it with my brother. As for the baby... if it comes down to it, we'll just have to store more supplies. Leo has some leftover things that the new baby can use."
Tears fell from Jenny Norris's eyes, but she also let out a visible sigh of relief.
Sue knew then that she wanted to keep the child.
"By the way, where are my brother and Dad?"
Vivian Young quickly replied, "Your dad said time is tight and the task is heavy, so he's staying at the mine with the workers to supervise. Your brother went to meet the youngest son of the Hawthorne Family to get some information. The one who just came back to the country. What was his name again?"
"Silas Hawthorne?"