Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Simon's doubts grew heavier, especially now with Anna's identity in question. Logically speaking, Teresa and Anna didn't get along, and Michael was already on Teresa's side. The reason for their meeting was probably not so simple.

With this thought, Simon got into his car and told the driver, "To Anna's apartment."

Teresa returned to the temporary office, where the team was doing a simple wrap-up and celebration. Although the results weren't out yet, they could feel good about their hard work and effort during this time.

Teresa watched them looking happy, forced a smile and said a few words, then excused herself with a headache and went back to her small cubicle.

Closing the door, she leaned against it and let out a long breath. Her forced composure instantly crumbled, and exhaustion washed over her.

The blonde woman's question today, that male consultant's look—they all made her feel deeply uneasy.

Her phone vibrated. It was a message from Michael.

[Found information on that consultant. Looks clean on the surface, but my people dug deeper and discovered his name three years ago was Austin Douglas.]

Austin Douglas?

Could he be connected to Luke? Before Teresa could ask, Michael seemed to read her mind and sent another message right away.

[He's Luke's nephew. After Synergy Innovations Group went bankrupt, Luke's older brother, Austin's father, jumped to his death. After that, Austin disappeared.]

Teresa gasped after reading the message.

So the Douglas family had already infiltrated the partner's team.

Then today's question wasn't just about using leaked information.

It was likely part of Austin's or Luke's plan all along.

They knew her and the Watson Group's proposal's weaknesses inside and out.

But before Teresa could digest this bombshell, Michael's next message came right away.

[I went to the hospital this afternoon to check on Anna, tested her, and sure enough, there's a problem.]

Teresa saw it and immediately replied: [Need to investigate thoroughly, can't let her get away, she might know a lot of inside information.]

[I know, already have people watching her closely. Teresa, during this special time, you and Daisy need to be extra careful. I'm worried Luke's next move might target you directly.]

Teresa looked at the message, her heart heavy.

She wasn't afraid of Luke targeting her, but she was afraid of dragging Daisy into it.

Michael was right. She had to find a way to give Daisy better protection.

As she was thinking, the internal phone rang. It was the front desk.

"Ms. Bennett, Mr. Smith is here. Says he has something to discuss and wants to see you."

Hearing that name, Teresa froze.

With both companies competing for the same project, their positions were already awkward. What was Simon doing here?

Wasn't things messy enough already?

Teresa wanted to refuse, but thinking of Luke's threats and Daisy—

Perhaps when it came to dealing with Luke, Simon was currently someone who might share her goal and had some power.

Even though she disliked him, Daisy's safety came above everything else.

"Let him come up."

After thinking it over, Teresa finally sighed.

A few minutes later, Simon knocked on Teresa's office door.

He looked somewhat haggard too, with stubble on his chin and bloodshot eyes.

But when he looked at Teresa, complex emotions churned in them.

"Teresa,"

He began, his voice as deep as always, revealing no obvious emotion.

"Let's talk, about Luke."

Teresa had expected this.

She sat behind her desk, didn't stand up or offer him a seat, just looked at him calmly.

Simon stepped forward, hands on the desk edge, leaning forward, his gaze locked on Teresa.

"Luke is a madman. His goal this time back is very clear—to get revenge on me. And you and Daisy are now his best tools to strike at me."

He paused, looking at Teresa's unmoved face, his breathing slightly halted.

"So what?"

Teresa finally spoke, letting out a cold laugh.

"Mr. Smith, are you here today to confess, or to cooperate with me to deal with your old rival?"

Simon's eyes darkened slightly.

He closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing.

In the end, he was just afraid Luke would find an opportunity to hurt Teresa and Daisy.

Although his relationship with Teresa was awkward, no matter what, a voice in his heart kept telling him—

No matter what, he couldn't let anything happen to Teresa and Daisy.

"Simon."

Seeing his obvious silent admission, Teresa slowly stood up, facing him across the desk, her voice calm.

"When it comes to dealing with Luke, we can share information in a limited way, and even cooperate when necessary. But I hope you understand, all of this is purely for Daisy, for my own safety, and for the Watson Group's interests."

"It doesn't mean I forgive you. We won't have any other relationship beyond this. On the divorce and custody issues, I won't make any concessions either. Do you understand?"

Hearing this, Simon's breathing hitched.

He had expected this outcome, but hearing it still stirred something in him.

He pulled at the corner of his mouth, showing a mocking smile.

The two were silent for a moment. Teresa lowered her eyes, thinking about whether she was doing the right thing.

She closed her eyes, feeling bitter inside.

She didn't trust Simon—this was just a choice based on weighing pros and cons.

But right now, there was no need to spell it out.

"Luke is full of tricks. You also need to watch out for Austin. I'll send people—"

"No need."

Teresa cut him off. "Michael will arrange it. Mr. Smith, if there's nothing else, I need to get off work."

The dismissal was clear.

Simon's Adam's apple moved, and finally he just nodded. "Alright. If any new leads come up, I'll have my assistant contact you directly."

With that, he lowered his eyes and turned to leave.

The door closed, and the sound of receding footsteps was shut out.

Teresa collapsed back into her chair and closed her eyes.

Forming this kind of alliance with Simon—thinking about it, it all seemed somewhat absurd.

But for Daisy, she had no choice.

She picked up her phone and messaged Samantha: [Samantha, thanks for your hard work these past few days. Take Daisy to stay with your parents for a few days. Say you miss them and are bringing Daisy to visit. Don't tell anyone the specific address, including me. Wait for me to contact you.]

After sending the message, she looked out at the deepening night.

Now enemies were watching her every move, and every action had to be careful.

But no matter what, she had no way back.

She had to win.

The night was thick. In the top floor of that high-end apartment building in the city center, lights blazed.

Anna wore a silk robe, her long hair loose, leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window with a glass of red wine in her hand.