CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: TAKING DESPERATE MEASURES

But upon seeing her father in such a state today, she finally came to her senses and secretly vowed to change the current situation.

Shirley Lynch first asked the servants for help to carry her father to his room, then immediately helped him take off his coat and shoes so he could sleep more comfortably.

Looking at her father dozing on the bed, Shirley Lynch’s resolve grew even stronger.

After making up her mind, Shirley Lynch immediately called Melanie Lloyd and arranged to meet her the next day.

Even though Melanie Lloyd was a bit reluctant to accept the invitation from Shirley Lynch, she still agreed.

The next day, the two met at the cafe downstairs at Lloyd Group.

When Shirley Lynch arrived, Melanie Lloyd had already been there for a while and was waiting inside the cafe.

"Miss Lynch, sit here," Melanie Lloyd said, looking at her with a polite demeanor.

Knowing she needed Melanie Lloyd’s help, Shirley Lynch naturally had to be polite and had even brought a gift for her before meeting.

Seeing the exquisite jewelry handed over by Shirley Lynch, Melanie Lloyd couldn’t help but smile broadly.

"Miss Lynch, you’re too kind to prepare a gift for me, thank you."

"Melanie, we’re so familiar, just call me Irene. Actually, I came today because there’s something I need your help with."

After some back-and-forth, Shirley Lynch finally revealed the reason for inviting Melanie Lloyd out.

"We’re like sisters, just say what you need help with, I’ll surely assist if I can."

In Melanie Lloyd’s eyes, any woman who hates Seraphina Sinclair can be aligned with her. As long as Seraphina Sinclair can be thoroughly crushed, Melanie Lloyd wouldn’t mind taking some losses.

Seeing Melanie Lloyd so straightforward, Shirley Lynch felt hopeful and immediately explained the situation, "Actually, it’s not a big deal. My company is looking for collaboration in real estate lately. Your Lloyd Group is famous for real estate, is it possible to have the honor to collaborate with your company?"

Shirley Lynch bringing up this matter was indeed unexpected for Melanie Lloyd, making her expression change immediately.

Even though the Lynch Family is strong, Melanie Lloyd, having been around the circle, knows they once allied with the Fairchild Family, basking in prosperity for a while.

Now, having been cast aside by the Fairchild Family, they’re desperately searching for a new alliance.

Wouldn’t it be disgraceful for Lloyd Group to take over? And wouldn’t this openly oppose the Cloudsea Group?

After Shirley Lynch finished speaking, she kept observing Melanie Lloyd’s expression. Seeing her distraught, she followed up, "Melanie, you can absolutely trust our company’s capabilities; we won’t drag you down. Our cooperation would surely be mutually beneficial. And, there’s one crucial point."

Since Shirley Lynch had the guts to approach Melanie Lloyd, she naturally did her homework.

"What is it?" Melanie Lloyd asked anxiously, seeing Shirley Lynch hold back part of her words.

"We have a common enemy—Seraphina Sinclair. Although the last banquet was disrupted by Desmond Fairchild, I don’t believe he can always arrive on time. Melanie, I know you hate Seraphina Sinclair as well, are you sure you won’t collaborate with me?"

Melanie Lloyd was indeed somewhat tempted after hearing what Shirley Lynch had to say.

If Seraphina Sinclair hadn’t allied with Desmond Fairchild, perhaps Melanie Lloyd wouldn’t need to team up with others. Just she and Ethan Lloyd would be enough to push Seraphina Sinclair back into the mess she was five years ago.

But now the situation is complex, having more people helping indeed increases the chances, at least there’s someone to take the blame when things go wrong, right?

However, Melanie Lloyd didn’t agree outright and thought for a while before saying, "Irene, your plan indeed attracts me, but this isn’t something I can decide alone. I might need to discuss it back home."

Although Melanie Lloyd only mentioned a discussion, Shirley Lynch got anxious, thinking that Melanie Lloyd was rejecting the cooperation.

To keep Melanie Lloyd interested, Shirley Lynch, in her urgency, made a bold claim, "Kevin and the Cloudsea Group’s autumn release hasn’t happened yet, I might find a way to ruin the event, would that seal the deal?"

Now, in order for The Lynches to survive, Shirley Lynch had to resort to drastic measures.

Currently, The Lynches are on the brink of bankruptcy; retreating is an abyss, but advancing could bring revival. Shirley Lynch had no other option but to take this reckless step.

"Are you certain you can achieve that?"

Shirley Lynch’s bold speech genuinely intrigued Melanie Lloyd, prompting her to inquire further.

"Of course, as long as you agree to this partnership, Shirley Lynch will definitely fulfill her words." Shirley Lynch looked determined, though inside she felt uncertain.

As things stood, Shirley Lynch, having nothing to lose, wasn’t afraid of anything. After all, her situation was already dire, and even if things fell apart, she’d only lose what she never truly had.

But if she could actually ruin the product launch, she believed she and Melanie Lloyd would benefit from it.

Therefore, Shirley Lynch was ready to go all out.

"Alright, as long as you can do what you promise, I assure you the contract will be signed."

After pressuring Desmond Fairchild to go back to work, Seraphina Sinclair soon adjusted her mindset, intending to resume her daily duties as staying home was driving her crazy.

Unfortunately, Seraphina Sinclair’s meticulously planned work schedule was directly rejected by Austin White and Desmond Fairchild.

This time, Austin White and Desmond Fairchild, surprisingly, stood on the same side.

"Austin, don’t you have other things to do? Are you just revolving around me? Is Desmond Fairchild paying you a salary?"

Seraphina Sinclair had been confined for nearly a week, looking at the persistent Austin White behind her, almost on the brink of breakdown.

In the past, Austin White couldn’t stand Desmond Fairchild, why was he now following his words so closely, practically inseparable from her side?

Upon hearing Seraphina Sinclair’s words, Austin White’s face instantly changed, unhappily staring at the woman before him, speaking full of resentment, "Godmother, you’re so heartless saying that. Am I following you for Desmond Fairchild? I’m doing this for your health!"

Mentioning this, Austin White felt deeply aggrieved.

If she wasn’t his godmother, Austin White probably wouldn’t have the patience to stay home all day playing "Palace Intrigue," like a grown-up child plotting schemes and playing hide-n-seek at home.

Seraphina Sinclair expressed hopes to Austin White, "Austin, I know you’re doing it for me, but I’ve truly recovered now. Could you let me go back to work at the company?"

The state of the company was truly worrying for Seraphina Sinclair. Ever since her return, frequent issues arose, with few substantial partnerships.’

Originally, the Autumn new product launch with Cloudsea Group was delayed due to various issues. Now that October was over, if Seraphina Sinclair dragged it out further, the Autumn launch would likely turn into a Winter one.