Chapter 47 Deadly Contract
Elizabeth shook her head. "He didn't go into details, just mentioned something about a problem with a contract he signed before. His face looked awful."
Aria couldn't help feeling uneasy.
Ever since that economic crisis three years ago, Arthur had been extremely careful about signing contracts. He'd rather not sign at all than proceed without eliminating all possible risks first.
He'd been so cautious, yet something still went wrong?
Could there be another economic crisis coming?
Lost in thought, Aria lost her appetite. She said goodbye to Elizabeth and hurried back.
On the drive back, she called Arthur's assistant.
"Did something happen at the company?"
On the other end, the assistant lowered his voice, sounding panicked.
"You heard about it already? Yes! There's a huge problem with the supplementary agreement for the east side project!"
"The investor we had lined up suddenly declared bankruptcy. All the financial pressure just shifted to Grant Corp, but we've already invested several hundred million. Our cash flow was already tight—where are we going to find extra money to keep the project going?"
"If this project falls through, the company's losses will be massive!"
Aria's heart skipped a beat, her hands unsteady on the steering wheel. "Will the company go bankrupt?"
"Most likely." The assistant sighed heavily. "Right now Mr. Grant is trying every way he can to raise money. He says no matter what, this project has to be completed."
Aria frowned.
She and Arthur weren't even divorced yet. If the company went bankrupt, she might get dragged into it too. Even if she luckily avoided that, after the divorce, she wouldn't get much in terms of assets.
That's what she told herself.
But at this moment, that wasn't the only voice in her heart—just the one closer to the surface.
She didn't want to see a defeated, broken Arthur who had lost everything.
That was all. Nothing more.
"Arthur's always been so careful. How could such a huge mistake happen?"
The assistant sighed again. "Because Mr. Grant never signed this contract—Director Smith signed for him without permission."
Aria fell silent.
"Ma'am..." the assistant's voice hesitated. "Actually, you can't really blame Mr. Grant. He was away looking for you at the time, which gave Director Smith the opportunity."
"I understand." Aria's voice was dry. "I'll hang up now."
The phone slipped from her palm. She leaned back in her seat, watching the street scenes flying past the car window, her heart racing.
Was this her responsibility?
Aria found it almost laughable. This was clearly Arthur's own doing.
If he hadn't appointed Sophie as director in the first place, if he hadn't given her the same authority and status as himself in front of the company, making everyone believe it wouldn't be long before she became "Mrs. Grant," how would things have come to this?
She should feel vindicated, but... her mind was in chaos.
One moment she saw him covered in wounds, the next his eyes full of sincerity and temptation.
"Fine, I'll take the blame for this." Aria muttered to herself, then said to the driver. "Turn around up ahead. I need to go to Grant Corp."
In the office, Arthur slammed documents on the desk and snapped at Sophie for the first time.
"This is what you call carefully reviewed terms? The additional budget section—the investor has the right to withdraw at any time. Didn't you see that when you signed?"
"And the fact that the partner company was on the verge of bankruptcy—you didn't even investigate before signing?"
Sophie's face went pale, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I... I thought those were standard clauses..."
"Standard clauses?" Arthur's voice rose, "You're not a rookie. How could you miss something like this?"
Sophie's tears suddenly fell. "I really didn't know it would turn out like this. I just wanted to help share your burden. If this project succeeded, the profits would have been substantial."
Arthur closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
A gap of over a billion dollars.
Grant Corp's current liquid assets, at most, totaled about two billion.
If he poured it all in, what about the other projects? What about employee salaries?
"Arthur..." Sophie called softly, carefully tugging at his sleeve. "Don't be angry anymore, okay? I know I was wrong."
Arthur didn't even look at her. With a flick of his wrist, he pushed her hand away.
The motion wasn't forceful, but carried a hint of coldness.
He did want to lose his temper.
But anger wouldn't solve the problem.
Sophie had saved his life—that was a fact.
But that didn't mean she could keep crossing the line again and again.
Arthur stood up, looking down at her with a gaze so calm it was almost cold.
"I'll handle this."
"As for you,"
His tone was flat, but final, "Go out first."
"Right now, you're only interfering with my judgment."
"I have a solution!" Sophie's eyes suddenly brightened. "If they withdraw their investment, let them! We'll just do the project ourselves!"
"The company doesn't have that much liquid capital."
"But you have me!" Sophie gripped his hand. "That antique crown you bought for me at auction last time—it should sell for even more now. Use it for the emergency, okay?"
Arthur paused.
"Wasn't that crown your grandmother's heirloom?"
"How can an heirloom compare to a living person?" Sophie's voice grew emotional. "Arthur, I'm willing to do anything to help you!"
Arthur's heart softened.
"No need." He said. "Keep the crown. I'll figure out the money situation."
"Just let me help you." Sophie leaned on his shoulder, "Arthur, we're one! Your troubles are my troubles. Let me do something for you, okay?"
She looked up at him, eyes glistening with tears.
Arthur looked at her, and for some reason, suddenly thought of Aria.
If the person standing before him right now were Aria, what would she do?
She'd probably calmly help him analyze the situation, help him think of solutions, but she probably wouldn't offer up her own assets as collateral, right?
And she definitely wouldn't throw herself into his arms crying.
Come to think of it, Aria had never cried in front of him.
Even in her saddest moments, she'd only had red-rimmed eyes, forcing the tears back.
"Arthur?" Sophie waved her fingers in front of him. "What are you thinking about?"
Arthur snapped back to reality.
"Nothing, I'm thinking... thinking about how to raise the money."
Sophie hugged him tight. "Don't worry, no matter what happens, even if things get to the worst point, I'll never leave you!"
Arthur nodded slightly and held her close.
When Aria pushed the door open, this was the scene she walked in on.