Chapter 8

Zoey's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She couldn't believe he still remembered that incident. She looked away and mumbled, "I stood up for you, and we're even."

She meant that by helping him out, she'd made up for calling him Mr. Blind, and now they were square, but Henry twisted it into something else.

"I did you a huge favor. I don't think what you did could make things even."

Zoey blinked, realizing he was talking about the favor he just did. It was a big deal, no doubt.

'But with his status, even Arthur showed him respect. What could he possibly want?' She couldn't think of a suitable thank-you gift.

"Thank you, Mr. Windsor." Thinking Henry wouldn't make a fuss over a thank-you gift, Zoey sincerely expressed her gratitude.

Henry squinted, glanced at her sideways, and raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

'He really wants a thank-you gift?'

Zoey inwardly grumbled about his pettiness but asked politely, "Mr. Windsor, what do you want?"

Henry was silent for a moment, then said in a negotiating tone, "How about you promise me one thing? I haven't thought of it yet, but when I do, you'll fulfill it."

That was too vague.

Would he want her to help him commit a crime?

Zoey eyed Henry suspiciously.

Her clear eyes darted around, full of distrust, like a wary cat encountering a stranger.

Henry found her expression amusing, withdrew his gaze, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on his knee, promising, "It won't be illegal, and it will definitely be within your capabilities."

Since it was a thank-you gift, Zoey had no reason to refuse.

But she wanted to maintain some control. She thought for a moment, then leaned over to the passenger seat to get paper and pen.

The distance between them instantly shortened, and the fresh scent of her hair wafted into Henry's nose.

His Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkened, and his muscles tensed.

'Damn it, has Zoey installed some magnetic device in my body? Otherwise, why do I want to get closer whenever she approaches?'

Zoey had no idea about his inner turmoil. She quickly wrote a note with neat handwriting that read, "Wish Coupon: fulfilling one reasonable and legal wish for Henry."

At least this way, she could ensure it wouldn't be illegal.

She put away the pen and handed the note over. "Redeemable with the coupon; no replacements if lost."

Henry looked down at the small note, took it with his slender fingers, folded it carefully, and placed it in his suit pocket, smiling faintly. "Okay."

Then there was no follow-up, and Zoey didn't know what he was waiting for.

Zoey looked at him in confusion. 'He has already asked for a thank-you gift, so why isn't he getting out of the car?'

"Mr. Windsor, is there anything else?"

John had been waiting outside for a long time and happened to hear this. He appeared at the right moment and respectfully said, "Mr. Windsor, it's time for the meeting."

Only then did Henry nod and extend his hand out the window.

John understood and handed in a business card.

Henry passed it to Zoey and said in a low voice, "Dealing with the Spencer Family alone will be tough. This legal team can help you handle some of the tedious matters."

Zoey took a closer look. It was a private business card from a renowned lawyer.

She felt a bit moved and sincerely thanked him. "Thank you, Mr. Windsor."

She watched Henry get out of the car.

But why was he being so nice to her?

The same confusion was shared by the people in the Brown mansion.

The four of them had been sitting on the sofa in a daze for half an hour.

Caroline anxiously shoved Arthur's hand. "You gotta come up with something. If Zoey pulls this off, our family's toast!"

Honestly, the Spencer Family was pretty much built on Zoey's mom's money.

Arthur couldn't wrap his head around how his once weak eldest daughter, who used to be a pushover, suddenly became a force to be reckoned with.

But he was out of ideas, so he naturally turned to Alexander.

"Alexander, isn't your mom from a branch of the Windsor family? Is Henry really the only one running the show? Won't your uncles and other grandfathers be pissed?"

Alexander's face tightened. He was just as helpless and struggling to keep his own head above water.

Every time he thought about giving away fifteen percent of the Brown Group's shares, his heart sank, and he had no clue how to break it to his mom.

Catherine leaned on his arm, her voice soft. "Alexander, you're part of the Brown family too. No matter how powerful Mr. Windsor is, he can't mess with your family's assets without your parents' say-so, right?"

"Why don't you talk to your mom first? Maybe she won't stand for it either?"

Her words gave Alexander a glimmer of hope. 'Yeah, that's fifteen percent of the shares! Would mom really be okay with that?'

He immediately pulled out his phone to call his mom.

As soon as the call connected, an angry female voice blasted through. "You still have the nerve to call?"

Alexander instantly shrank back, timidly saying, "Mom, it's not my fault. Zoey's demands were too harsh!"

Amelia Windsor was so mad her head was pounding, and she angrily questioned, "Do you know how Henry chewed me out on the phone just now? Do you think you can mess with him? I heard it was just two million dollars in compensation at first. Why didn't you take it? Did you give all of your money to that Catherine?"

When Alexander said he wanted to be with Catherine, Amelia wasn't thrilled. But since Zoey had been missing for years, she eventually gave in.

She didn't expect this mess now.

Hearing their daughter being mentioned, Caroline and Arthur both looked displeased.

Catherine also felt a bit hurt, clinging to Alexander for comfort.

But Amelia kept going. "Don't come back to the company for now. The Windsor family has already booted you from your manager position. Reflect on your actions first, and I'll try to get you back later. I have to go to the main family to deal with this. Bye."

The hall fell silent.

Catherine had unknowingly let go of Alexander's hand, her expression unreadable.

She had hoped Alexander could help, but now he had already failed.

Alexander was very troubled. Seeing Catherine's dejected look, he thought she was sad for him and quickly hugged her, comforting. "It's okay; it's just a one or two-day punishment. I will definitely marry you, don't worry."

But Catherine couldn't feel at ease at all.

'It sounded like he is about to be kicked out of both the Windsor and Brown families. Can I have a good life if I marry him?'

Arthur and Caroline clearly had the same thought and exchanged a glance with Catherine.

"Catherine, can you stay with me today? I'll take your parents home first." Alexander, unaware of their emotional shift, pleaded.

In fact, he wanted to confirm if Catherine would still be with him.

But the next second, Catherine sprang up abruptly.

Arthur and Caroline also stood up. "Alexander, we'll take Catherine home first. We need to find a lawyer to gather the evidence. There's a lot to do. We'll be in touch."

They didn't give Alexander a chance to respond and left with Catherine.