CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 103: TWO CHOICES—IT’S UP TO YOU

"Andy Lockwood," she lifted her head, her gaze venomous, "Stella doesn’t love you at all! The person she has always loved is Aiden Fordham!"

"If you really have the ability, then take her away from Aiden Fordham! What skill is it to deal with me?"

Andy Lockwood’s expression did not change in the slightest, still maintaining that utterly indifferent demeanor.

"My business is none of your concern." He spoke coldly, "Just mind your own business! Do you know what a discarded pawn means?"

Corinne Kensington screeched like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her eyes frighteningly cold.

"Andy Lockwood, do you want to kill the donkey after it has done its work?"

"Don’t you know, I’ve done so many dirty things for you, doesn’t that leave some leverage in my hands?"

She thought these words would make Andy Lockwood hesitate.

Who knew, Andy suddenly squatted down halfway, looking at her at eye level, a mocking curve on his lips.

He laughed.

"Dare to threaten me?"

He slowly adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, his movements elegant, but his words piercing.

"Bruno Duvall, that poor sap, was locked in your basement and abused for half a month before he finally died a few days ago."

Corinne Kensington’s pupils suddenly shrank.

Andy continued in that calm tone, "Do you think if this matter gets exposed and investigated, who should be afraid?"

"Oh, right," he said as if recalling something amusing, "that lunatic stored quite a lot of videos, and they were shot beautifully. Clear images, perfect angles."

"Otherwise, why don’t I invite Best Actress Kensington to enjoy them together someday?"

"No!!" Corinne Kensington screamed frantically, her voice shrill, "Andy Lockwood! You promised! As long as I gave you the U-shield, you would hand over all those videos to me! Are you going back on your word?"

She struggled to pounce, but Andy easily sidestepped her.

Andy reached out his hand and pinched her delicate chin, not lightly, forcing her to look up.

The smile on his face broadened, carrying a malicious amusement.

"The second thing I want to teach you," he leaned closer, his warm breath on her face making her feel like she was in an ice cavern, "never trust what a demon says."

Corinne Kensington looked at him in despair.

Andy let go of her and stood up again, resuming his superior stance.

"However," he changed his tone, "those things are of no use to me. As long as you behave and serve Aiden Fordham well, keeping him too busy to bother Stella, I will naturally return the things to you."

His gaze suddenly turned vicious.

"But, if you dare to provoke Stella again... I don’t mind letting Best Actress Kensington become famous worldwide with those ’wonderful works’."

"Then, guess what your fans, your family, and Aiden Fordham would think of you?"

Corinne Kensington was utterly terrified, the fear digging into her bones, making her shiver all over.

She knew Andy Lockwood was as good as his word.

This man was a lunatic, a demon!

The arrogance she had displayed moments ago vanished without a trace.

She quickly shook her head, her voice tinged with sobs, "No, I won’t... I will never provoke her again..."

"I’ll go apologize to her right now! I’ll go immediately!"

She tried to get up in a panic.

At this moment—

"Creak—"

The door of the private room was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

A clear, cold female voice came, carrying an undeniable chill.

"No need to look for me, I’m already here.

The door opened in response.

Stella Grant walked in, her eyes like frost, her gaze landing on Andy Lockwood.

Andy’s eyelid twitched sharply, his heart skipping a beat. When did she come?

How much did she hear?

His gaze swept across the doorway, where two bodyguards held their arms, with cuts on the corners of their mouths, following her awkwardly.

It looks like she’s been standing there for quite a while.

Andy gave a look. The bodyguards immediately understood, forcibly dragging the still-crying Corinne Kensington out, and the door was closed again.

The air was filled with a suffocating silence.

"Stella."

Andy spoke, his throat dry, with a hint of imperceptible guilt.

Stella’s eyes were as cold as ice, her voice devoid of any warmth.

"Senior, whatever underhanded dealings you have with Corinne Kensington, I don’t care, nor am I interested."

"But, regarding C’s project, you either announce giving it up right now or return it to The Fordham Group unconditionally."

"Two choices, it’s up to you."

Her tone was imperious, carrying the pressure of an impending storm.

Andy almost blurted out, "No way!"

He refused definitively!

That bastard Aiden Fordham wants to make a comeback? Dream on! He will never give Aiden Fordham any chance to breathe!

Disappointment flooded Stella’s eyes like a tide, almost drowning her.

"Money is really that important to you? The Lockwood Group’s assets could support you for several lifetimes comfortably, yet you still have to pursue this path?"

Her voice was laden with exhaustion and confusion.

Andy sneered.

"Wealth? Do I lack that little bit of money?" He advanced a step, his eyes brimming with untamed madness.

"Aiden Fordham, this time, he must pay the price! He deserves to die! He hurt you, let you down, have you forgotten all that?!"

Stella abruptly raised her voice, each word forced through clenched teeth.

"My own vengeance, I’ll take care of myself! I don’t need you... meddling!"

Before she finished speaking, Andy suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms with a force so great it nearly crushed her bones.

"Stella..."

His voice trembled, his chest heaving violently.

At that moment, he felt fear, a kind of overwhelming fear that he might lose her.

Stella did not struggle.

She let him hold her, her body stiff like a stone.

After a long while, she finally spoke, her voice eerily calm.

"Senior, we studied medicine. We walk the righteous path of the mortal world, healing and saving lives is our duty."

"We have seen enough of birth, old age, sickness, and death in the world, but those living people shouldn’t become pawns in your commercial warfare."

She paused, her eyes clear.

She understood clearly, The Fordham Group might very well launch an infringement lawsuit against The Lockwood Group at the last moment, and at that point, both C and D would be caught in a stalemate, unable to launch again for at least five years, with the result being... mutual destruction!

And those families who truly needed to use D would be left waiting indefinitely!

"I’ll give you one day."

Stella gently pushed him away, her eyes devoid of reluctance, only warning.

"I hope you think it over clearly!"

Having said that, she turned and left, not looking back, the door slammed shut, leaving Andy’s heart trembling.

He panicked immediately, what did she intend to do? What on earth was she going to do?

Damn it!

Andy slammed his fist onto the table, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.

Suddenly, the panic in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a frightening resolve.

He would take her away, take her abroad! He would never let her stay by Aiden Fordham’s side again!

Aiden Fordham, you are not worthy of having her again!

...