Chapter 142

Elena's POV

As we entered the Grey Manor, I couldn't help but gasp. The estate was truly spectacular—spanning dozens of acres, with architecture that seamlessly blended modern design and natural elements. Even the pathway leading to the main building was paved with translucent pebbles that sparkled in the sunlight.

"Oh my God," I whispered, "this is..."

"Impressive, right?" William finished for me, then drove toward the security checkpoint.

William rolled down the window and handed the guard his invitation card. "Hello, we're here to see Mr. Grey."

I leaned forward, still amazed by the opulence surrounding us. "William, how did you meet Mr. Grey anyway?"

"We prevailed in a financial lawsuit that raised our firm's profile considerably," William explained. "He was impressed with me."

Something in his tone suggested he wasn't telling the whole story, but I let it slide. As we drove deeper into the estate, I couldn't help but whisper to Dennis, "This place is unbelievable. Look at these buildings... finance truly brings enormous wealth."

I meant it. If I was going to rebuild my family's standing, funding was essential.

Suddenly, sharp barking shattered my thoughts. I tensed immediately, my hand instinctively reaching for Dennis as a massive German Shepherd charged toward our now-stopped car.

"Watch out—" William shouted as the dog reached my door just as it opened.

What happened next shocked even me. Dennis moved with lightning speed, pulling me aside while simultaneously kicking the guard dog to the ground with incredible force. The dog yelped in pain, rolling several times before struggling to its feet.

I stared at Dennis in disbelief. He looked like a frail boy, yet his reaction was so quick.

"Sorry," Dennis mumbled, looking embarrassed. "Instinctive reaction."

"Yes, Dennis's instinctive reaction," I echoed, defending him automatically while my mind raced. Perhaps he had received training too, though he usually appeared weak.

Several security personnel rushed over to control the dog. William stepped forward to apologize: "I'm terribly sorry about this incident. If you don't mind, our firm would be happy to provide Mr. Grey with two years of legal assistance as compensation."

"How generous?" a deep voice responded from behind. I turned to see a tall, imposing man standing there—Oliver himself.

"Mr. Grey," William bowed slightly, "it's an honor to meet you."

Oliver completely ignored William, his gaze fixed on me. "Ms. Winter, you've finally arrived. I've been looking forward to meeting you."

I studied Oliver carefully. He didn't look like a financial magnate at all—more like a gang leader with his broad shoulders, thick beard, and predatory eyes. When he examined me from head to toe, I felt a chill, his eyes gleaming with assessment.

"The honor is mine," I replied politely, keeping my voice steady despite my discomfort.

Oliver moved closer to me. "Come, let's sit down and talk properly." His body language was aggressive, leaning toward me in a way that made me want to step back.

William immediately positioned himself between us, creating a barrier with his body. "Elena, why don't you get the wine I brought?" he suggested smoothly.

I shot William a grateful look before heading back to the car, Dennis following closely behind. Once we were out of earshot, Dennis opened the gift bag and asked quietly, "Elena, is that Oliver?"

"Yes," I nodded slightly before whispering, "Don't get too close to him. Keep your distance, understand?"

"Understood," Dennis responded obediently, his eyes suddenly watchful.

We returned to the men, and I handed Oliver the wine. He accepted it with a slight smile. "Thank you. I hear you're interested in making your mark in finance?"

"Yes," I nodded confidently. "I hope to receive your guidance and assistance."

Oliver looked at William, then at me, before making his announcement. "I can give you this opportunity, but you must first prove your abilities to me. Anyone who works with me must demonstrate their strength."

"Of course," I answered, my voice steady. "What would you like me to do?"

Oliver Grey revealed a sly smile. "The stock market has just opened for the new year, and I've noticed that a stock recently acquired by Blackwood Group continues to rise." He paused, fixing me with a piercing gaze. "If you can operate my system and cause that stock to reverse its trend, I'll acknowledge your skills!"

I stared at Oliver in shock, my fingers instinctively curling into fists so tight my knuckles turned white. A dangerous glint flashed through my eyes as his words sank in.

"You want me to sabotage Blackwood Group's stock?" I asked, my voice low. "That's your test?"

William stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Mr. Grey, isn't that request a bit... extreme? Blackwood Group is one of the most powerful corporations."

Oliver leaned back in his chair, a smug smile spreading across his bearded face. "Extreme? Perhaps. But that's exactly how I established myself in the financial world years ago." His eyes gleamed with pride. "I defeated Blackwood in a critical acquisition and snatched three projects worth hundreds of millions from right under their noses."

This man had caused damage to Blackwood Group before? Was it during Richard's leadership? The revelation stirred something primal inside me—a strange mixture of shock and anger.

It was said that when Richard first took over the company, he faced difficulties from many shareholders. During this challenging time, Oliver had delivered a heavy blow to his company.

I bit my lower lip. Despite everything that had happened between us, despite telling myself I no longer cared about Richard or his business, anger toward Oliver burned deep inside me.

"Fine," I asked, suppressing my anger. I still had my purpose. "Is it enough if I just make the stock drop?"

Oliver smiled. "Precisely."

"You should know," I warned, "Blackwood's security systems are extremely sophisticated. They have teams monitoring their financial activities 24/7."

Oliver waved dismissively. "Use my methods, and they'll never trace it back to you. We have technology that masks digital footprints completely."

His confidence was unsettling, but I couldn't back down now.

---

An hour later, I sat in front of Oliver's secure terminal, analyzing Blackwood Group's financial patterns. The task before me was daunting. Richard's company wasn't just wealthy—it was a fortress, protected by layers of connections, loyal investors, and a reputation built on Richard's iron will.

Investors trusted Blackwood Group implicitly, not just because of their consistent returns, but because they knew Richard Blackwood himself stood behind every deal. The company's management team consisted of elite professionals handpicked by Richard, each one fiercely protective of the empire they helped build.

And yet, here I was, about to attack it.

I accessed the system through Oliver's special channel, following his instructions precisely. Within a minute, the terminal displayed access to substantial funds from untraceable sources. My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a heartbeat.

I began executing precisely targeted operations against the stock of Blackwood's newly acquired company.