CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91- CROSSED A LINE

At Black Rock Co., August was at best a minor shareholder. The largest stake belonged to Charles, who held 50% of the shares, while Philip owned 30%, and the remaining 20% was divided among senior founding shareholders. Now, with Charles making a decisive ruling, the others naturally followed his lead and unanimously voted to expel August from the company.

August was no match for Charles. This time, he was utterly defeated. In fact, Charles had long been aware that when he entrusted August with some key company decisions, August repeatedly leaked business secrets to Manfred. The ZT Group then exploited various channels to snatch away Black Rock Co.’s lost contracts—something Charles knew very well.

The reason Charles had turned a blind eye was that he was waiting for the right moment to catch August in one fell swoop. He didn’t like playing cat-and-mouse games—when he cut ties, it was absolute and final.

"Charles, you’re ruthless!" August tossed the signed share transfer document onto Charles’s desk. Normally calm and composed, he had to admit Charles’s shrewdness. If Charles weren’t an Elwin, perhaps August might have respected him. But losing to him so quickly was something he never expected.

He never imagined Charles would be so reckless as to stake Black Rock Co.’s reputation on this gamble. August had underestimated Charles’s ability. Since Charles was absolutely confident in subduing him, he naturally ensured the company’s stock price wouldn’t drop.

As for that Meibang Company, it was just a smokescreen. Manfred had warned him—it was a newly established securities firm with powerful backing. That’s why August had dared to act so boldly. What he hadn’t expected was that the real backer was Charles himself.

Manfred was right—perhaps even the two of them combined couldn’t take down Charles.

"Go tell Manfred this—when you’ve lost everything and only your life remains, I still won’t let you off!" Charles’s cold voice struck August’s heart like a knife. It wasn’t the first time August noticed that Charles, like his father Derrick, was ruthless. But Charles used legitimate means to torment and retaliate against him. August had no complaints—if Charles wanted to strip him of everything, it would be a test of his own abilities.

"Fine. I’m waiting for you!" August snapped his pen shut, shot a decisive glance at the silent Charles, and then strode out of the office.

As August opened the door, Janet standing outside immediately sensed a chilling aura radiating from the two men, each exuding vastly different but equally intense vibes—August’s stark white versus Charles’s dark presence. Yet their shared arrogance was unmistakably similar.

"You... you’re leaving?" Janet asked quietly, looking at his calm expression.

"Mm." August seemed to sense the increasingly cold gaze behind him but didn’t turn around. Instead, he brushed past Janet sideways and leaned close to her ear, speaking in a low voice, "If I told you all of this was orchestrated by him, would you believe me?"

With a faint smile, as sunny as the one he once gave Janet, his figure nevertheless appeared lonely as he walked away. Janet wanted to call out to him but didn’t. Instead, she headed toward the boss’s office.

Charles stood by the window on the eighty-eighth floor, watching the white figure disappear below, a faint smile curling on his lips. Inside the office, Janet remained silent, and his patience finally broke. He turned around, "You’ve got something to say?"

Janet first shook her head, then nodded, before deciding to walk behind him. Following his gaze to look down, she felt dizzy. She disliked such heights—they made her feel unsteady.

"Stop looking!" Charles noticed her discomfort, took her arm, and led her to his desk, pulling her into his swivel chair. Janet settled on his lap.

At work, they always kept a certain distance. Moments like this, intimate and rare, were precious. Sitting quietly in his lap, Janet lifted her eyes to study his sharply defined jawline and resolute profile. Suddenly remembering what she wanted to ask, she nervously licked her lips before speaking, "Charles, will August really be kicked out of the company?"

"Do you care about him?" Charles avoided answering directly and responded with a question.

"No, I’m just asking." Janet knew it wasn’t Charles’s decision alone. So what did August’s words mean?

Was Charles the one who schemed to frame him and force him out?

"I’m the one who made him leave," Charles said evasively, lightly tracing the lips she had just licked with his finger, deliberately teasing her, making her restless, wanting to move away. But Charles held her tighter and repeated, "I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. I just waited for the right moment."

"What?" Janet turned, puzzled, meeting his intense black eyes, her heart suddenly pounding wildly.

"I said I did it on purpose!" Charles leaned close, his breath warm against her pale cheek. "I knew that company was problematic but didn’t stop him from cooperating with Black Rock Co. The goal was to put August in danger so he’d leave on his own. Understand?"

"Charles..." Janet felt her head spinning, grasping his collar in confusion. She couldn’t quite read him.

"Janet, he crossed a line with me. I only gave him a lesson," Charles said affectionately, stroking her supple skin. He had made it clear to August long ago—Janet was off-limits.

"What line?" Janet pressed, still puzzled. She knew Charles had his reasons for all this. As his wife, she should stand by him unconditionally, but she wanted to understand everything about him.

"You," Charles murmured, gently tapping the tip of her nose like a lover’s whisper, "You are my line."

Janet’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she absorbed his meaning. Then she said softly, "But that was Manfred’s doing."

Though she knew Manfred and August were deeply connected, August was such a sunny person—he wouldn’t do something like that to her. It had to be Elvira and Manfred behind it.

"Fool," Charles said, "They’re cut from the same cloth. Didn’t I tell you? Manfred’s scheming is unmatched. Philip’s a prime example." Janet suddenly recalled that day at the hotel when August had brought her there. His complicated gaze and hesitant expression—now, looking back, she realized how foolish she had been.