CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 92: IT MIGHT NOT BE ME

"Taking down the Fuller Clan might just make her change her mind. After all, I’ve been in this game for years; I should at least put in some effort to win her over."

Clara Fuller frowned incredulously: "You... you don’t blame her."

Luke Gardiner retorted, "You really want me to blame her."

Realizing her words were off, Clara forced a laugh, "I didn’t mean it like that... I was just worried she’d..."

"The two of you working together is just to see me and Florence Fuller become enemies, letting the Fuller Clan off the hook." Luke sneered, sighing at Clara, "After all, Ms. Yates raised you, and yet you side with the bastard’s mother who ruined her family. You’re quite the marvel."

Clara’s expression shifted, "I’m just doing it... for my mom."

Luke laughed disdainfully, rising to adjust his clothes, "Whether the Fuller Clan survives or dies, I’m curious to see."

"And this..." He pointed to the scattered photos on the table, his expression cold, "I don’t want to see these things again."

His figure vanished from the private room, and James Fuller angrily pounded the table, "If it weren’t for the Gardiner Family’s strong background, he wouldn’t be so cocky."

Clara, startled by his outburst, had no time for anger, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to SJ."

James glanced at her, "Leaving so soon after just arriving."

"If my mom finds out I snuck back, it won’t be easy to explain." Clara stood up, "Didn’t you say you were sure you could bring down Florence Fuller? And look at how things are now; Luke Gardiner doesn’t even care."

"How the hell was I supposed to know this guy has such a big heart?" James shouted, "And what’s the use of digging up her old photos?"

Clara gritted her teeth, "I can’t be bothered to argue with you, I’m leaving."

James sneered, "So afraid of being found out that you know me; if that’s the case, we should never have teamed up."

Clara clutched her bag tightly, "I’m just trying to find a way out for myself."

"Tsk." James clicked his tongue, "Playing the righteous card, but it’s just about the money."

Clara shot him a fierce glare and turned to leave.

Luke Gardiner left the private room, immediately taking out his phone to make a call. Since Florence usually didn’t answer his calls, he decided to call his secretary instead, asking him to look into this Ethan Harper.

If it really is him, things would become much more difficult.

That evening, Florence Fuller attended a dinner with several entrepreneurs in Cloudsea, along with Christopher Fuller.

Under the guise of exchanging pleasantries, everyone knew full well what schemes were at play.

Everyone was very polite to her at dinner, partly because of her status and partly because if she could really betray her own company, she was not someone to be trifled with.

The dinner ended quite early, and Florence and Christopher left together, feeling a moist wind with a slight chill blowing outside: "These people... did you manage to negotiate with them?"

At this dinner, they were testing Florence’s stance towards the Fuller Clan. She knew it well, her intention was clear, it was all for the inheritance struggle.

But she didn’t care what fate befell the Fuller Clan.

"Almost." Christopher replied, "These people are smart; they want a piece of the pie but also want an escape route."

"They were probing my attitude towards the Fuller Family, but they seem to think... I’m in the dark about what you’re up to."

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

They thought Christopher was the oriole.

On the surface, he was helping Florence with these matters, but secretly he was making his own moves.

They believed Christopher had much better odds of winning.

"Apart from the two board members who sold you their shares, what about the scattered shares? How much do you have in your hands?"

"Thirteen percent."

Florence sighed, "Less than I expected."

"It is less, but the other day I received a call from Chairman Sunworth, and from what he said, he intends to stay neutral, which I kind of understood, even if he didn’t explicitly say so," Christopher remarked.

Florence recalled how Miranda had approached her.

"What’s the Sunworth Family up to now?"

"Not dragged down by James to invest a substantial amount, but it didn’t help, so they’re playing dead. However, Miranda seems to have returned to James’ side."

"What?" Florence was baffled, "Back with James?"

Christopher nodded.

"What is that woman thinking?" Florence found it hard to believe.

"That day... didn’t she set up a meeting with you at the tea house? What did you talk about?" Christopher asked.

"You can guess; she wanted me to leave the Fuller Clan alone."

"She was likely driven to desperation at the time, figuring she needed a way to stabilize James. After all, the Sunworth Family is connected to officials and is currently in an upward phase; they can’t have any slip-ups. If James releases anything, plenty would jump at the chance for criticism."

Florence asked, "How do you know this?"

"She told me herself," Christopher replied, "Initially asked for my help, but I could only tell her I was powerless."

"So what exactly is the situation?"

Christopher sighed, "The Sunworth Family knows James’ identity and knew your father planned to give the company to James before agreeing to this union. But who knew, the same night Miranda had dinner with him; things happened between them."

"They drank too much?"

"Miranda said she drank, but certainly not to the point of losing consciousness." Christopher explained, "She suspects James drugged her."

Florence frowned, "I don’t know James well, but from a rough investigation I did earlier, my father raised him and his mother well outside, lacking for nothing – good food, good housing. Later studied abroad, and outsiders assumed he was a top-notch rich kid, lacking neither food nor fun. Yet from what he’s done..."

Florence shook her head.

"The guy is clever," Christopher commented, "He climbed up to CEO in just a few years at the company. If you weren’t here, I might not stand a chance."

"Even now, you might not stand a chance," Florence quirked a brow.

"At present, I hold more shares than you," Christopher grinned lightly, "My odds are a bit better."

Though whether Michael would use what he held was only a matter of time.

"So forthright?" Florence eyed him, "Aren’t you afraid I might turn against you?"

"In business, what everyone fears and desires is honesty. By saying this, I’m definitely trusting you. You wouldn’t do such a thing." Christopher asserted.

"Cousin." Florence teased, looking at him, "What you believe in might not be me."

"Yet that’s the choice I’ve made." Christopher replied seriously, "My current honesty is to ensure our future cooperation. It’s worth it."

Florence laughed.

Feeling quite pleased.