Chapter 42
"How did you get that injury?"
Though the question sounded concerned.
Edward swirled his glass gently, his voice unnaturally cold, creating immense pressure.
Ryder's actions were too shameful to admit, so he answered vaguely, "Just some tactless woman who hit me for no reason. It's nothing—already taken care of."
"How did you handle it?"
Edward seemed somewhat curious.
'Why was he suddenly interested in this?' Ryder wondered privately but didn't dare show it.
"Well, someone who hits another person needs to pay. I've got a head injury, so I asked for some medical expenses. That's all—I don't want to be too hard on a woman."
His words oozed magnanimity.
To his surprise, Edward's expression darkened as he replied mockingly, "Not being hard on a woman... how generous of you. Yet somehow I heard that you tried to take advantage of her, and she cracked your head open with a bottle in response?"
"Where did you hear such rumors?"
Ryder looked embarrassed.
Who the hell leaked this information?
Was it Adeline?
But why would Edward personally intervene on her behalf?
Edward's gaze turned razor-sharp as he assessed him.
"Mr. Phillips has outdone himself, daring to mess with someone from my company."
Ryder broke into a cold sweat.
"It's a misunderstanding, completely. I had no idea Adeline worked for your company."
Edward, "Is that so?"
Ryder froze.
Edward's gaze was ice-cold, sending chills down his spine like frost.
The lie couldn't continue.
Ryder had to concede. "I'm sorry. I'd been drinking and wasn't thinking clearly. It was my fault—I shouldn't have harassed Adeline."
Security footage, counter-accusations.
None of it would work with Edward.
Ryder knew one thing: he was just a second-generation rich kid throwing his weight around. He couldn't compete with Edward, who already controlled significant corporate power.
"I was wrong, Mr. Thomas."
"Section B of the Westport Logistics Hub—reduce the price by eight points from the original contract. The supplementary agreement should be on my desk by Monday."
His tone was commanding, leaving no room for negotiation.
When Ryder heard "eight points," his vision darkened.
That would wipe out almost all the profits from his section!
His lips trembled, his voice shaking with fear and pain, "Mr... Mr. Thomas! This... this is too much! We..."
"Is this your first time doing business with me?"
Edward forcefully interrupted him, his deep voice cold as ice.
"I don't accept haggling. By Monday, if the supplementary agreement isn't on my desk, you're out."
Nexis Group could support this project alone without much difficulty.
The Phillips family.
Just a chess piece that could be removed at any time.
Edward hadn't touched his drink at all. After speaking, he turned and left.
Ryder watched his retreating figure and crushed his glass.
Edward!
Still as domineering as ever.
But he didn't understand. Adeline was just an ordinary employee. Risking a partnership over such a woman didn't seem like Edward's style.
None of that mattered now. The most important thing was how to explain this to his father.
As a rich heir who only knew how to party, his father had forced him to take responsibility for the Nexis Group project to train him.
Now he'd practically ruined it.
He had no idea how to face his father.
Just as he was at a loss, Alicia called.
"Ryder, I need you to pressure Adeline immediately. Make her pay compensation. Ask for more money—she won't be able to afford it. Then she'll have to trade her body, and you'll get what you want..."
"I'm out."
"What did you say?" Alicia thought she'd misheard.
Ryder stood on the second-floor balcony, thoroughly frustrated, "If you have a problem with Adeline, handle it yourself. I'm not getting involved anymore, and don't try to use me as your pawn."
"What are you talking about? You told me you were interested in this woman—that you wanted a fling with her. That's why I helped you."
Ryder laughed sarcastically, "Don't pretend I don't know your game. You despise Adeline and want to push her into a fire pit. But let me tell you, this fire pit isn't willing anymore. Before pushing her toward me, you never mentioned she had such powerful backing."
"What backing could she possibly have? You're just a coward—afraid of a mere woman. Spineless wimp."
Alicia spoke recklessly.
"Had I known the CEO of Nexis Group was protecting her, I would never have touched Adeline. You're just jealous of her and want to harm her. Your intentions are vicious. I have nothing more to say to someone like you."
Ryder was equally harsh.
Then he hung up.
He was too annoyed to deal with Alicia—the woman who had brought him this trouble.
-
Alicia stared at her phone, gritting her teeth in anger.
The CEO of Nexis Group—could that be Edward?
Impossible.
He hated Adeline. How could he possibly help her?
If there was someone else who could be called CEO, besides Edward, only one person remained.
Her foolish brother Randy.
"I need a favor." She called a friend. "Investigate Adeline for me. I want to know all her dirt."
"Be quick. Money is no object."
The other party quickly agreed.
But just as she hung up, an announcement appeared in the employee group chat.
Anson: [By order of the CEO's office: All participants in the recent defamation incident will be punished with a one-month salary deduction and must write a 6,000-word self-criticism to be submitted within three days.]
Anson: [The list of those to be punished includes: Alicia, Owen, Theo...]
Seeing her name on the list, Alicia threw her phone in rage.
Randy, that idiot! Not only helping Adeline once, but now punishing his sister!
-
After the punishment was announced in the group chat, Adeline found herself surrounded by colleagues.
Those who had spread rumors about her now looked at her with shame and flattery.
If Randy's speech had only stopped their gossip, the recent notice made them realize Adeline wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"Adeline, I'm willing to apologize and write the self-criticism. Could you please talk to Anson about not deducting our salaries?"
"We're all working-class people. You must understand how important a month's salary is to us."
"Exactly! We live paycheck to paycheck. If this month's salary isn't paid, I'll be surviving on ramen for weeks."
"Ramen? Lucky you. I'll be drinking tap water and calling it soup."
"Adeline, please, forgive us. We'll apologize, buy you a Starbucks, order DoorDash for you—anything! Just don't let them cut our pay."
These people had completely lost their previous arrogance and satisfaction in spreading rumors, now begging pitifully.
Holly snorted, her voice audible.
"If it were me, I wouldn't have the face to ask for forgiveness after what I did. After all, the evidence of your rumor-mongering is right there in the group chat."
Everyone looked uncomfortable.
Adeline suppressed a smile, "I can try, but Anson might not listen to me."
The crowd rejoiced.
"Trying is good enough. Even if it doesn't work out, that's okay."
"Absolutely. We won't blame you."
"The fact that you're willing to try shows you're not holding grudges. We couldn't ask for more—we don't have the right."
Adeline entered Anson's office.
As soon as he saw her, Anson asked, "Here to plead for your colleagues?"
"No."
Adeline was honest. "I couldn't resist their begging, so I came in just for show."
Anson chuckled. "Quite honest, aren't you? Aren't you afraid I'll tell them your intentions?"
"You won't."
Since joining the company, Anson had been the one who looked out for her the most.
Adeline knew this well.
"This punishment was because of you, wasn't it?"
"I don't have that authority."
Anson's response carried a double meaning.
If he didn't have that power, then who did was obvious.