CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: SENSITIVE MEN HAVE NO FRIENDS

Just at this moment, Jared Langley came out of the tea house with his secretary.

Probably filled with anger, he didn’t look at them and headed straight to the Phantom parked by the roadside.

Juliana Jacobs had a flash of inspiration and withdrew the biscuit.

"Alright, then, don’t be polite. I’ll call you someday, make sure you pick up."

After speaking, she ran towards Jared Langley.

Adrian Langley’s hand, poised to accept the biscuit, hung awkwardly in mid-air, unsure whether to proceed.

Jared Langley had just sat in the car when a shadow swiftly flew in, seating itself beside him.

Facing his cold gaze, Juliana felt a lump in her throat.

"Sorry, President Langley, borrowing your car."

Jared Langley showed no expression, yet Juliana saw questioning on his face.

Who was the one who said we’d never meet again?

So what’s the meaning of sitting in my car now?

Juliana clutched her bag, a bit nervous, fearing he’d ask her to get out.

"I’ll give you another secret about Evan Grant."

"Does Miss Jacobs still have any credibility with me?" Jared Langley’s voice was emotionless.

Juliana whispered, "There should still be some, though maybe not much."

The secretary held the car door open, waiting for Jared Langley’s command.

She had never seen Miss Jacobs like this, just giving her boss a fit, and now running back to sell out her husband.

Lucky she was a woman; if she were a man, her boss might have twisted her neck by now.

"Drive!"

Upon hearing the boss’s instruction, the secretary, although surprised, immediately closed the car door and went to the driver’s seat.

The car slowly blended into the traffic.

At the entrance of The Jade Leaf.

"Could it be that the person who helped Mrs. Grant stir up online opinion is Jared Langley? How do they know each other?"

Ethan Carter found it unbelievable.

Evan Grant withdrew his gaze, his voice betraying no emotion.

"She really knows how to dig her own grave. Jared Langley’s ghost ships never let anyone off halfway. Rather than fall into my hands, when I torment her, I might get slightly ’sentimental.’

Ethan shivered.

He’s never seen a woman as miserable as Juliana Jacobs.

"Within a month, I want Aetherflame Dynamics bankrupt."

After saying this, Evan Grant entered The Jade Leaf.

...

In the car, the silence was so profound a pin drop could be heard.

"I’m going to the industrial park, thank you," said Juliana Jacobs.

The driving secretary didn’t respond.

"Miss Jacobs..."

Jared Langley’s voice actually sounded pleasant, but his presence didn’t give Juliana a good vibe, hence the low impression score.

"...Have you known my third brother for a long time?"

Juliana blinked, "Why do you ask?"

"Your husband happened to see you flirting with a man, and you ran to me. How afraid are you of him dealing with my third brother?"

Juliana’s little thoughts were dismantled without any embarrassment.

"Your brother is too weak, unlike you; it’s more interesting when strong players face off."

With those words, Jared Langley suddenly gripped her wrist, his force almost crushing her bones.

The air suddenly thickened with a sense of danger.

"If seeking a protector, best to act like a delicate flower; with Miss Jacobs’ face, you just might move me."

Juliana met his dissecting gaze, her eyelashes trembled not a bit.

"President Langley misunderstood. I only use this face for myself in a mirror, not to please others."

"Oh?"

Jared Langley narrowed his eyes slightly.

Juliana’s lips curled slightly, her eyes twinkling like cold stars.

"Only those who catch Evan Grant’s eye are worthy of his attention. Do you want your father to think it’s your brother who has this capability?"

Turbulence surged in Jared Langley’s eyes.

"Does Miss Jacobs know since getting in the car, you should’ve died several times?"

Her gravest mistake was letting him know she’d purposely inquired about the Langley family’s internal affairs.

Yet Juliana showed no fear, her gaze remained calm.

"In business, shouldn’t you inquire about the other party’s situation? Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not, should I then dodge and deceive to prove I harbor no ill intent towards you?"

A faint scent wafted around her, like plum blossoms steeped in moonlight on a snowy night, or the cooling tea fragrance in a porcelain cup.

Jared Langley’s gaze was so deep it momentarily dazed him, unnoticed by others.

Moments later, he released her hand, adjusting his sleeve.

"Miss Jacobs is the first to tell me lies I enjoy hearing."

"Is that a compliment?" Juliana asked.

Jared Langley closed his eyes slightly, "Thick-skinned women aren’t appealing."

"I’m not here to romance you, don’t need your liking."

Speaking, she took out the small cookies from her bag.

With a three-day fast, her body was nutrient-deficient, hunger was hard to resist.

She ate one, asked out of politeness, "Want one?"

Jared Langley’s calm mask began to crack, eyes frosty.

"You bought something for Adrian Langley, didn’t give it to him, and now offer it to me?"

Juliana: "..."

Sensitive men have no friends.

"Just being polite, don’t take it seriously."

Jared Langley: "..."

Thus, Juliana munched on cookies all the way to Aetherflame Dynamics’ doorstep.

"Thanks, President Langley, take care."

As she didn’t want to see him again, she didn’t say goodbye.

The sound of the closing car door briefly amused Jared Langley’s discontent face.

Softly, the secretary said, "President Langley, you’re quite tolerant towards Miss Jacobs."

Jared Langley regained his usual look, "Evan Grant’s vulnerabilities are few. Fortunately, he has a woman close to his heart."

The secretary didn’t understand, "Isn’t he most concerned about his stepsister?"

Jared Langley looked at Aetherflame Dynamics’ logo, coldly ordered, "Investigate the third young master’s connections in the country."

The secretary was momentarily stunned, "Four years ago?"

Jared Langley did not answer, and that was enough.

Secretary said, "Four years ago, the third young master collided with Chairman Langley’s car, severely injured and amnesiac, sent to Aridia. But hadn’t the chairman already investigated his past here? The records at the orphanage in neighboring Arlan City were incomplete, after all."

"Do you truly believe those incomplete records were burned in a fire?" Jared Langley asked.

The secretary, having been with him for some time, quickly lowered her head, "I’ll find out by other means."

Jared Langley’s face showed a calculating gleam, "Be smart, as soon as we find out he deceived my father, I can turn him from a true son into a fake one, make him wish he were dead."

...

Just as Juliana entered Aetherflame Dynamics, Summer Shaw approached, looking dejected.

"Just now, six partners called me to immediately cease cooperation."

Juliana’s gaze darkened briefly, "It’s because of me."

Summer Shaw was prepared, "The moment I sent you the photo, I thought about sharing the hardship with you. Ceasing cooperation means breach fees; even without income, breach fees can sustain us for two months."

"But will the breach fees be transferred to you immediately?" Juliana asked.

She knew Evan Grant too well.

The man is accustomed to boiling frogs, stifling hope, then slicing her piece by piece.

Aetherflame Dynamics was his first target.

Summer Shaw was stumped by her question but remained optimistic.

"I’ve contacted some out-of-town clients, one large enterprise shows interest in our technology. If it works out, maintaining Aetherflame isn’t a problem. I’ll keep searching for clients later."

Juliana thought for a moment: "I’ll accompany you for the talks, but before that, I need to verify one thing."

Summer Shaw was curious, "What is it?"

Juliana picked up the phone and dialed.

There was a quick answer.

Adrian Langley’s voice on the phone sounded much like Aidan Linton.

"Vice President Langley, today’s situation is urgent, why don’t I thank you in another way?"

But Adrian Langley’s attitude was quite cold, "Mrs. Grant, this small matter can be set aside."

He was about to hang up, but Juliana quickly said, "Actually, it’s a legal divorce inquiry."

On the other end, there was no hang-up, but no response either.

Juliana sniffed, "My husband only accepts a widow. I...have no way out."

"Address?" Adrian Langley asked.