Chapter 39: The Price
New York's financial circle exploded overnight.
[Drake Group CEO Jonathan Suspected of Insider Trading, Massive Funds Unaccounted For!]
[Exclusive! Jonathan's Secret Swiss Bank Account Exposed, Assets Worth Billions!]
[Intimate Photos of Jonathan with Multiple Hollywood Actresses Leaked!]
The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times... almost every major media outlet's front page was dominated by Jonathan's scandal.
Photos, bank statements, offshore company documents... the evidence was solid and irrefutable.
Once the news broke, the market panicked.
Less than ten minutes after the New York Stock Exchange opened, Drake Group's stock price plummeted another 15% like an avalanche!
In just a few days, Drake Group's market value had evaporated by tens of billions of dollars.
The Drake Mansion.
The conference hall was filled with core members of the Drake family.
But the family patriarch William's seat was empty.
Just last night, William had a heart attack from days of stress and anger, and was rushed to the hospital ICU.
Now the family was leaderless, and Jonathan, as the eldest son, had urgently called this family meeting.
As the eldest son and group CEO, Jonathan immediately gathered all core family members for an emergency meeting.
"Uncles, everyone."
Jonathan sat in the main seat, his face dark, forcing himself to stay calm. "My father is critically ill, and the group is facing an unprecedented crisis. Right now, we must unite and get through this together."
"Unite?"
Evan, sitting across from him, suddenly laughed coldly and threw a document on the table.
"Jonathan, with all the things you've done, how do you expect us to unite with you?"
"Evan! Stop making false accusations!"
Jonathan slammed the table and stood up. "These scandals--did you leak them?!"
"I leaked them?"
Evan acted like he'd heard the biggest joke, also standing up, his eyes full of mockery. "Jonathan, do you think everyone here is stupid? All those dirty things you've been doing behind the family's back--did you really think you could get away with it?"
"You embezzled company funds, bribed politicians, and messed around with those shady actresses! You've completely destroyed the Drake family's dignity!"
"You!"
Jonathan's face turned red with anger, pointing at Evan and shouting, "How are you any better? You think I don't know you've been secretly contacting Victoria, trying to split off the family's arms business?"
"You're the traitor!"
"You're the traitor!"
The two confronted each other publicly, accusing each other, the atmosphere tense.
"Enough!"
An elderly family member with white hair tapped the table, saying in a deep voice, "Now is not the time for infighting! The priority is to stabilize the stock price and calm public opinion!"
Just then.
From a corner of the conference room, a lazy female voice rang out.
"What's all the fussing about? Is the company going bankrupt?"
Ivy wore a black business suit, her golden hair styled in an elegant bun, radiating an air of noble elegance.
"Now is not the time for internal fighting. Father is still in the hospital, and Drake Group's stock price has hit rock bottom. If you two keep fighting like this, you'll drag down the entire family!"
"Ivy, this isn't your place to speak!" Jonathan shouted angrily.
"Really?"
Ivy put down her wine glass, stood up, and walked to the conference table. "Jonathan, you can barely save yourself, and you still have time to worry about me?"
"If you ask me, what's most important now is choosing a new leader. Someone who can lead the Drake family out of this crisis."
"Not someone who just blames others for everything."
Both Jonathan and Evan's faces changed.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing undisguised killing intent in each other's eyes.
But they also knew this wasn't the time to completely tear off the mask.
"Ivy's right."
Jonathan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger. "We should present a united front first. After we solve this crisis, we can discuss succession."
"I agree." Evan also said coldly.
"Good, then I'll leave first. You guys talk."
Ivy gracefully turned and left in her high heels.
Although Jonathan and Evan had reached a compromise, she knew it was only a surface compromise!
Both brothers knew in their hearts that there would be no peace until the other was dead.
This was exactly the effect Ivy wanted!
Late night.
Presidential suite at a five-star hotel in Manhattan.
Ivy stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling window, swirling a glass of red wine in one hand, picking up her phone with the other to send Leo a text.
[Free tonight? I want to see you. The usual place.]
In less than a minute, her phone vibrated.
[Be there in half an hour.]
A satisfied smile curved Ivy's lips.
She put down her wine glass, walked into the bathroom, and changed clothes.
When she emerged again, she had changed into a wine-red silk nightgown as fine as gossamer.
The neckline was cut very low, revealing glimpses of fair skin and deep cleavage.
She poured two glasses of red wine, then lazily reclined on the sofa, striking a highly seductive pose.
Time passed minute by minute.
The door was opened with a keycard.
Leo walked in wearing a black trench coat, casually closing the door behind him.
"Why the rush to see me? What happened?"
Leo took off his coat, tossed it on a nearby chair, and walked to the bar to pour himself a glass of whisky.
Ivy let out a seductive laugh, stood up, and walked barefoot toward Leo.
"What? Can't it be that I missed you?"
She extended her slender fingers, lightly tracing across Leo's chest.
"Cut it out."
Leo grabbed her wrist. "Get to the point."
"You're no fun."
Ivy pouted, but still returned to a serious expression.
"At today's family meeting, Jonathan and Evan completely tore into each other. They compromised on the surface, but I know they both want to get rid of the other."
"As expected." Leo took a sip of whisky. "And then?"
"And then..."
Ivy walked back to the sofa, sitting down gracefully and crossing her long legs.
"Jonathan suspects Evan leaked his scandals, and Evan is convinced Jonathan is the one scheming behind his back."
"Before long, I believe they'll come to me, wanting to use me to get rid of the other."
"Clever."
Leo nodded. "And the price?"
"The price?"
Ivy laughed lightly, suddenly standing on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around Leo's neck, her whole body pressed against him.
The warmth beneath her sheer nightgown pressed tightly against him.
"My price... you already know it, don't you?"
She lifted her head, those deep eyes like the most alluring whirlpool in the dim light.
"Leo, I helped you take down William, helped you throw the Drake family into chaos. Now, it's your turn... to give me a little 'comfort.'"
Ivy's fingers lightly traced the back of Leo's neck, her voice dripping with seduction.
"Tonight, I don't want to talk business."
"I just want... to be your woman."
With that, she took the initiative and kissed Leo's lips.