bChapter /bb180 /b

Ste knew that if she went to meet Kevin herself, he wouldn’t agree. So, she had Jordan go instead.

With the money Jordan offered, Kevin couldn’t refuse. Even if he tried, Jordan had countless ways to make him ept.

Kevin said, “Alright, I understand.”

After seeing Kevin ept the money, Jordan turned around and left.

On the way back, he transferred a sizable amount of money to Ste using his own ount and then deleted the record. When he returned, he acted as if nothing had happened and handed Ste her phone.

They originally nned to stay in this city for five or six days, but ended up leaving after just three days.

Ste suggested that the previous dangers were unlikely to persist and that Jordan should return.

But Jordan insisted that things at thepany were currently stable. He couldn’t spend the entire year in the office and needed to trust his

employees.

Jordanid out a slew of reasons, making it impossible for Ste to argue. Fortunately, with Jordan’spany, they managed to sort out all the suppliers in just half a month.

When they returned to the office, N informed Ste that, thanks to their preparations, Lionel had lost thewsuit, inadvertently giving

their supermarket some free publicity.

N also engaged some influencers to spread the word that Lionel had been copying the Hayes Group’s business model from the start. All his metrics were subpar, and he was under investigation by various departments.

The image of the Quinn family had been steadily declining due to several quality issues, putting him at the center of public scrutiny. With increasingly fewer customers visiting his supermarkets, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he self–destructed.

This was excellent news for Ste. “It’s like they say, you reap what you sow.”

N nced over the list of suppliers Ste had secured, her eyes widening in disbelief. “I can’t believe we got such great prices. Ms. Hayes, you’re amazing.”

Ste said, “But we can’t set our market prices too low, or other supermarkets will get angry. I’ll personally supervise the pricing.”

“Got it, I’ll get back to work,” N replied, busy with all the preparations for the grand openinging up soon.

Once Ste finished her tasks and walked out of the office, she was blocked by Lionel. “Ste, I need to talk to you.i” /i

Ignoring him as if he weren’t there, Ste tried to walk past.

Lionel stepped in her way again. “Ste, stop! I really have a lot to say to you.”

Ste paused, ncing sideways. “What’s there to talk about? Lionel, don’t tell me everything that happened between bus /bbwas /bba /bmisunderstanding. You’ve said that too many times already; it’s getting old.”

Lionel replied, “No, I want to talk about Jordan.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Ste shot back. “I won’t listen to anyone talk about my husband, especially not you. How do I know you’re bnot /btrying to set him up?”

b1/3 /b

о bмиц /b

Seeing she was still trying to leave, Lionel took a step back. “Fine, I won’t mention your husband. Let’s discuss the coboration instead

“Coboration?” Ste looked at him as if he were speaking nonsense.

She continued, “Lionel, your family’s reputation is in the gutter, and you’re out of cash. You probably lost a lot this time. What could you possibly offer for a partnership?

“Plus, do you really think I’d coborate with someone who’s hurt me deeply? Don’t forget, just a few days ago, you cut off bmy /bbsuppliers/b.

Lionel’s wordscked conviction. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve done a lot of awful things. But can’t you consider our past and the fact bthat /bI treated you well? Just help me this once; my family’spany can’t go under.”

“Not my problem,” Ste replied coldly.

Lionel pleaded, “Ste, I’ll do anything you want. I can even beg you if that’s what it takes.”

Ste looked at Lionel and felt that he had changed. He no longer radiated the confidence he once had; all that remained was despair about life and helplessness regarding hispany.

Ste had always believed that Lionel had a bright future ahead. As a child, he excelled in everything he did. She had even worked hard bto /bkeep up with him, only to find him in this ridiculous state now.

Ste’s response made Lionel feel like she was waiting for him to beg. He was actually betting that Ste wouldn’t make him do bit/b, but her silence indicated that she thought that way.

Recently, things had been tight at his home. His father had given strict orders to save thepany at all costs, no matter what methods Lionel had to use. He felt he had no choice but to take a gamble.

By the time Ste realized what was happening, Lionel was already on his knees. A crowd had gathered, and Ste felt speechless. “What’s the meaning of this? Lionel, what do you want? To force me?”

He replied, “Yes, I am trying to force you. Ste, you might think I’m disappointing you now, but I’m out of options.

“You know about the recent issues at the supermarket. If I don’t find a way out, not only is ourpany done for, but my family is too.”

Ste found it all quiteughable. “Did you ever think that maybe I want to see yourpany and your family fail?”

Lionel froze for a moment.

Ste continued, “And why are youing to me for help? You know, anyone in the world might help you, but I can’t.”

Lionel lowered his head. “Ste, I genuinely can’t find anyone else. I thought about trying to arrange a marriage, but now that our family situation is known, ino /ione wants to deal with us.”

Ste interrupted, “So youe to me? Lionel, you don’t want my help; you want to drag me down with you.”

Lionel said, “No, listen to me. What I mean is, I can take a smaller share, and we can change the supermarket’s bna /blet me keep thepany for now.”

Ste couldn’t help butugh. “Keep thepany? Are you kidding me? Yourpany’s ws are huge.

the Hayes bGroup/b. bJust /b

“You make it sound nice, saying a smaller share, but what you really want is to use my profits to bpatch /bbup /bbyour /bbown /bbpany’s /bbholes/b. bLionel /bI’m not an idiot.”

Lionel fell silent, unable to respond.

A

10.20

He looked at Ste; she still had the same face, but she was different now. Maybe Lionel had never truly understood har

Ste was smart. She had been generous before because they were family, and he had treated her well. The harm he had caused her might have been greater than what his family had done; he had no right to ask Ste for help.

bAD /b