CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: THIRTY MILLION, PRESIDENT FORREST, PLEASE CONFIRM RECEIPT

*Let’s meet.*

At that moment, Jenson Forrest was in the research and development department of Stellar’s tech group, listening to the chip team present their latest technology. The project had been funded for over two years without yielding any profit. Several board members were arguing endlessly about whether to continue funding the project, while the technical staff staunchly defended their case.

Jenson Forrest’s aura was cold and tense. When his phone buzzed, he glanced at it, and everyone saw the president’s expression visibly soften. He picked up his phone and looked at it twice to make sure he wasn’t mistaken. A faint smile touched the corners of his lips.

The smile was rather out of place, causing the noisy meeting room to fall suddenly silent. The atmosphere turned strange.

Jenson Forrest quickly replied.

*Okay.*

He stood up. "Technological innovation doesn’t break through cutting-edge barriers overnight. Are you really going to argue like this now? What happens if there are still no results next year? Are you all going to flip the tables?

"Since it’s come to this, I will personally buy back your shares today at 20% above market value. Anyone who doesn’t see a viable return can go to Secretary Cohen right now to be cashed out. Chairman Colby, Director Vaughn, why don’t you two go first?"

The two men he named had been the most vehement objectors, but now they could only exchange awkward smiles.

"President Forrest, we’re just anxious..."

"Yes, and since President Forrest has such confidence and resolve, what do we have to be afraid of? Let’s invest! We must continue to invest!"

Jenson Forrest nodded. "That settles it. Meeting adjourned."

As he stepped out, Chairman Colby and Director Vaughn pulled Timothy Cohen aside to inquire.

"Even with the argument getting that heated, President Forrest was still so mild-mannered. Why is he in such a good mood today?"

"Is there some new development at Stellar? Come on, Secretary Cohen, give us a little hint."

Timothy Cohen was speechless. He looked at the two board members, not knowing what to say.

Should he tell them that President Forrest only seems to have a mind for business when, in reality, he’s a deeply hidden romantic? That his mood suddenly improved because Mrs. Forrest finally reached out to him after so many days? The truth would be too disillusioning.

* * *

Zinnia Lawrence had to go to the hospital again today. She had already bought a plane ticket for three days from now, but before she left, she had to arrange for Mason Lawrence to be sent out of the country first.

Given Mason Lawrence’s current condition, he would need medical staff to accompany him the entire way to Y Country to ensure his safety. Zinnia had to discuss this with Alaric Hawthorne.

She planned to go to the hospital directly after meeting Jenson Forrest. Therefore, she had arranged to meet him at a café near the hospital.

However, Zinnia didn’t expect to run into Alaric Hawthorne before Jenson Forrest had even arrived.

"Senior, why are you here?" Zinnia was quite surprised to see Alaric Hawthorne walk into the café alone.

Alaric Hawthorne paused for a moment, then smiled. "An elder wanted to consult with me about a medical issue, so I arranged to meet them here. And you?"

Since they had run into each other and Jenson hadn’t arrived yet, Zinnia smiled. "How about I buy you a cup of coffee, Senior? We can talk about my brother while we wait."

Alaric smiled. "I’d be delighted."

He sat down across from Zinnia, and just as the server brought their coffee, a figure rushed over, snatched a cup from the table, and threw its contents at Zinnia.

"Shameless vixen!"

"Watch out!"

Alaric reacted instantly, jumping to his feet to shield Zinnia. Most of the hot coffee splashed onto Alaric, with only a few drops hitting Zinnia’s hand.

"Are you alright?" Alaric turned and took her hand to check for burns.

Zinnia finally snapped out of her shock and frowned as she looked at the attacker. She saw that the attacker was Sienna Forrest. Alaric must have shoved her, as she had stumbled into an adjacent table and was now glaring at them furiously, her eyes red with anger.

Seeing Alaric holding Zinnia’s hand, Sienna grew so furious it looked like her face was contorting.

"Alaric, is Zinnia trying to divorce my brother because of you?"

A year ago, Sienna had been in a car accident. Alaric happened to be passing by and rescued her from the wreck, even performing first aid. He then rode with her in the ambulance to the hospital. Sienna had fallen for him then and there.

Today, she had come to find Alaric, bringing a small cake she’d baked herself. She spotted him just as he was leaving the hospital and followed him. She couldn’t believe she was seeing Zinnia and Alaric together again. It was just the two of them—clearly a date.

Now, seeing Alaric’s protective concern for Zinnia, she was so consumed by jealousy that she wanted to claw Zinnia’s face off.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Alaric frowned, his expression extremely displeased.

Sienna’s eyes reddened as she rounded on Zinnia. "Zinnia, how can you be so shameless? Seducing men everywhere... you’ve disgraced the Forrest family! You... AH!"

Before Sienna could finish, Zinnia picked up her own cup of coffee, took a step forward, and threw it right back in her face. Coffee dripped down half of Sienna’s face, ruining her delicate makeup.

Zinnia stared at her coldly. "You look truly ugly when you’re jealous, Sienna."

"Jealous of you? As if you’re worthy. Alaric is only being deceived because he doesn’t know what a piece of trash you are! When you were just eighteen, you dared to drug my brother and climb into his bed, and you were left so messed up you couldn’t get out of bed for three days..."

Sienna remembered Crystal Sutton saying that Alaric had liked Zinnia four years ago—he even had Mrs. Hawthorne go to the Forrest family to propose marriage. The thought made her even more furious, and she lost all reason, screeching like a shrew.

Although there weren’t many people in the café, everyone turned to look.

The memory of Sienna’s vile accusations made Zinnia’s chest feel as though it had been hollowed out and stuffed with jagged ice. A deep chill seized her, and her lips began to tremble.

She raised her hand and slapped Sienna across the face.

SMACK.

Sienna glared at Zinnia, her expression turning even more maniacal. "Did I say anything wrong? You even needed stitches and had to be hospitalized! You’re just a cheap, worthless woman who’s been passed around! My brother was so disgusted by you he went abroad and didn’t come back for a year!"

As she spoke, Sienna raised her own hand to strike Zinnia back.

Zinnia caught her wrist in a firm grip, swinging her other hand to deliver another slap. "Sienna, your mouth is so foul you should just keep it shut. You’re polluting the air."

Zinnia raised her hand to strike again.

At that moment, however, a large, familiar male hand shot out and gripped her raised wrist.

A familiar, cold voice sounded from above her head. "Zinnia, what are you doing?!"

Zinnia raised her eyes and saw Jenson Forrest.

He had clearly just walked in. His grip on her wrist was tight, and his brow was furrowed with sharp disapproval.

"Brother!" Sienna wailed, tears streaming down her face. "Zinnia is publicly cheating on you, and when I asked her about it, she hit me! Brother, look how she’s bullying me! Look what a mess I am because of her!"

Seeing Jenson restrain Zinnia, Sienna immediately acted as if she’d found her savior. Tears of grievance streamed down her face as she wriggled free and hid behind Jenson, sobbing out her accusations.

Jenson Forrest glanced at Sienna. Compared to her pathetic, miserable state, Zinnia did indeed look like the one doing the bullying.

Jenson’s gaze then swept over Alaric Hawthorne, who stood behind Zinnia, and his eyes darkened with a new layer of gloom.

He had thought Zinnia asked to meet him today. He never expected her to bring another man along. What was she trying to do? Formally introduce him to her next partner?

"Explain." Jenson Forrest’s eyes returned to Zinnia, his voice deep.

His single word sounded less like a request and more like a verdict. It was as if he was defending Sienna, taking her side, and directing his accusation and anger at Zinnia.

The memory of Sienna’s vile accusations made Zinnia’s chest feel as though it had been hollowed out and stuffed with jagged ice. A deep chill seized her, and her lips began to tremble. She forcefully wrenched her arm from Jenson’s grasp and took a step back. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the bank card and held it out to him.

"I have nothing to explain," she said, her voice frigid. "This is the thirty million I owe the Forrest family. Please accept it, President Forrest."