Chapter 295 Seeking Justice for Ms. Percy

Chapter 295 Seeking Justice for Ms. Percy

Everyone at the table fell silent.

Especially Aiden, who felt somewhat at a loss. An assistant who couldn't handle various emergencies for his boss wasn't a good assistant.

But given the current situation, he truly didn't know what to do and couldn't stand the oppressive atmosphere.

He could only cast a pleading look at Sophia.

Sophia knew this had all started because of her. Even though she didn't want to speak, she had no choice. "Mr. Clifford..."

"In your eyes, can't I even protect the person I want to protect?"

"..."

Sophia had never thought that way.

After all, she'd escaped danger countless times because of his presence.

It was just that now, with potential losses to the Clifford Group's interests at stake, she couldn't accept his kindness with a clear conscience.

"Mr. Clifford, I'll find a way to resolve this."

"What way do you have?" Lancelot looked up at her, seeming to see right through her. "Issue some bland PR statement to clear your name? That won't teach the instigator a lesson, and it won't stop the rumors from spreading."

Sophia couldn't deny it.

Stopping rumors was too difficult. The key was that even if clear evidence was presented, the people who refused to believe would still refuse.

And very likely, some portion wouldn't even see the evidence.

Sophia's plan was too idealistic. In reality, it was almost meaningless.

Her brows furrowed slightly. "But there's no better way."

Lancelot ignored her, took out his phone, sent a message, then propped his phone in front of Sophia.

"Of course there is."

She froze, then looked up at the content on Lancelot's phone. It was a message.

[Brielle seems very idle lately. Need me to help find her something to do?]

The contact was saved as Lawrence Medici. One of Brielle's elders?

Sophia wasn't sure, but the other party quickly sent a message asking what was going on.

Clearly, the Medici family didn't want to antagonize Lancelot.

But bringing a small rumor to the elders—wouldn't the blame fall on Lancelot?

Lancelot extended his hand toward Sophia. "Alright, you've eaten. Time to inspect the hotel. Can't neglect work."

Sophia looked at that well-defined, attractive hand before her, her heart pounding wildly.

It was hard to describe her feelings right now.

Lancelot was protecting her once again without asking for anything in return. And now, not wanting to make her uncomfortable, he was suggesting they continue working.

Sophia barely hesitated before placing her hand in his palm.

Ryan watched their retreating figures carefully. "We arranged so many opportunities for them without any progress. Now, somehow, their relationship seems to be getting better?"

"This is probably what you'd call rebellious." Aiden spoke thoughtfully.

"Rebellious? Mr. Clifford and Ms. Percy are grown adults—they're having a rebellious phase?"

"Not that kind of rebellious phase. When facing external pressure, their disputes get set aside and they unite against outsiders. So trying to break up a couple in love? Good luck with that."

Ryan didn't quite understand, but Aiden had found the key point.

If you really wanted to break them up, you'd be better off creating trouble for them. That might actually make their determination to be together even stronger.

---

The hotel inspection was straightforward.

Whether Lancelot or Sophia, both were workplace veterans. Inspections were nothing to them.

Plus, after the earlier incident, the manager was sweating bullets, trying his best to cover things up.

But Lancelot didn't make a scene. Everything seemed to just slide by.

After getting back in the car, he asked, "What do you think?"

Sophia: "On the surface, the hotel has no problems. But since it was abandoned, naturally there are major issues."

No problems was actually the biggest problem.

Lancelot nodded slightly. "Have any ideas about taking on this hotel? You seem pretty free lately."

Free? Where?

She'd combed through every company project over fifty million dollars multiple times. The planning documents she'd produced took serious effort.

She didn't know how many all-nighters she'd pulled. She'd lost so much hair. And now she was free?

Sophia wanted to protest, but when she met his half-smiling eyes, she swallowed it back.

He knew all her little thoughts.

If she said anything, who knew what he'd say that she couldn't handle. She could only force herself to endure it.

"Professional matters should be left to professionals. The Clifford Group has specialized hotel management. Letting them handle it would be twice as effective."

Sophia wasn't unwilling to take on work. She just knew the waves she'd already made in the project departments were big enough. Best not to add anything else into the mix.

Besides, she'd already looked at the hotel today. Making a planning document on the side and giving it to them shouldn't be a big problem.

"What, want to do good deeds without leaving your name again?" Lancelot suddenly leaned close, speaking by her ear. "Even if you leave your name, it's fine. Not only do they not want to share the bonus with you, they want to kick you out once things succeed. Fun, isn't it?"

He paused, then added, "Or are you trying to use this whole operation to leave the Clifford Group?"

"..."

Sure enough, nothing escaped his eyes.

Actually, at first she'd genuinely wanted to simply repay him. But after learning what those old foxes in the project groups were thinking, she'd really had thoughts of going with the flow.

But right now, Sophia absolutely didn't dare admit it.

Even with her head down, Sophia could feel Lancelot's gaze on her.

Especially where he was looking—it felt like it was burning!

Unable to withstand his silent pressure, she could only raise the white flag in surrender.

"I was thinking that moving from the front stage to behind the scenes would be pretty good too."

"Front stage to behind the scenes?" Lancelot was clearly amused. "I didn't know our industry had such terminology. Tell me, how exactly were you planning to arrange this?"

"...External personnel can still do a lot."

"So I should fulfill your wish to provide me free labor?"

Sophia wanted to nod but didn't dare. She felt like his words weren't expressing pleasure.

Just as she was at a loss, his voice sounded again.

"Right, Ms. Percy already has my secondary card. No salary isn't really an issue."

Even though Aiden and Ryan in the front had long known Sophia's phone was linked to Lancelot's secondary card, they couldn't help exchanging gestures—

Actually, progress was much faster than imagined.

Sophia still wanted to struggle, but he blocked her retreat. "With my secondary card, you don't care about salary. Ms. Percy really knows how to calculate. It's a shame you didn't get a CPA license."

"No, I didn't..."

"Didn't what? Didn't take my secondary card to satisfy Ms. Percy's little hobbies that aren't convenient for others to know about?"

Sophia's face instantly flushed completely red.

What little hobbies!

She hated alcohol. How could two sips make her blurt out everything?

Were there any cracks in the car? She wanted to crawl into one!

Just when she couldn't take it anymore, the car stopped. She was the first to get out.

But seeing the surroundings, she froze again. She could only turn back to look at Lancelot, asking why he'd come here.

He curved his lips, smiling casually. "Of course, to get justice for Ms. Percy."