Chapter 163 Starlight Gems Acquired

Chapter 163 Starlight Gems Acquired

"Work can wait. I have more important things to deal with," Astrid said, her expression darkening.

"There's this mysterious gemstone. I've heard people mention it several times, and it's connected to my mother."

Her eyes downcast, she didn't notice that Silas, who was holding her, had a subtle change in his expression, though he quickly returned to normal.

"What kind of gemstone?" Silas asked.

"I don't know what it looks like, but I'm certain it was very important to my mother," Astrid replied.

When everyone was sorting through Garth's belongings, she tried to help. She picked up Garth's watch strap to hand to Autumn, and the moment she touched it, she saw some images.

In the visions, Lillian and Garth were talking. Lillian mentioned the word "gemstone." The images shifted quickly, and she also saw Garth and Arthur arguing, where the gemstone was mentioned, too.

At the scene where they were sorting the belongings, there were other people around. She was afraid someone might discover her Golden Touch ability, so she was nervous while sensing the visions from the old objects, which made it hard to hear clearly.

Later, she didn't know where the items were taken. If she went back to search for them, it would cause too much commotion.

"Can you help me look into the source of that gang?" Astrid turned her head slightly to look at Silas.

His influence abroad was significant. It would be more convenient and faster for him to investigate than for her.

"Since those people showed up at the villa last time, there's been no new information. My people have been watching them in secret."

"When there's news, I'll tell you."

Silas's hand caressed her slender fingers.

As they were talking, a servant appeared at the door.

"Mr. Montgomery, Mrs. Montgomery, there's someone at the door claiming to be Mrs. Montgomery's colleague, here to deliver something to Mrs. Montgomery."

"I'll go down right away." Astrid immediately got out of Silas's embrace, checked her appearance in the mirror, and then went downstairs.

Outside the door, Piper stood with red-rimmed eyes, holding a cardboard box containing items Astrid had used in her office.

"Ms. Prescott," Piper's voice was choked with emotion, "that day I didn't refuse to open the door for you—it's just that our cards stopped working. All the main doors were changed, and the new access cards weren't issued yet."

"It's okay." Astrid took the box from Piper's hands. "Thank you for making a special trip to bring my things over."

She carried the box inside. A servant came up to her. "Mrs. Montgomery, let me take the box."

Piper looked at the huge villa and heard how the servant addressed her, realizing that the man Astrid married must be extraordinary.

Astrid let the servant take the box. Turning back, she found Piper still at the door and returned, puzzled.

"Ms. Prescott, I have something else to tell you. Could you come with me somewhere first?" Piper's face was anxious, her words urgent.

Astrid had a bad feeling. Without asking anything, she turned to tell the servant, "Let him know I'm going out for something."

She used "him" to refer to Silas.

The servant understood and nodded, closing the door.

"Let's go." Astrid got into the car Piper had driven there.

On the way, Piper kept saying the company was finished.

Astrid thought she was just talking about the company firing her.

Piper shook her head, looking like she wanted to explain but couldn't find the words. The car soon arrived at their destination—a coffee shop.

Rachel and Christopher were there too, and neither looked happy.

Astrid was somewhat surprised.

"Why are you all together?" she asked curiously.

"If we hadn't come, you'd be sold out and still helping count the money," Rachel replied bitterly.

Christopher ordered coffee and juice for the three women, then sat down.

"Astrid, take a look at this document." Christopher's expression was serious as he pulled a document from his bag and gently pushed it in front of Astrid.

"'Acquisition Plan'? What are you acquiring?" Astrid was confused and opened it to look.

Although Christopher was Starlight Gems' legal advisor, as long as it didn't affect his work, he could do what he wanted, like developing other ventures.

The more she read, the worse her expression became.

This was a company she'd never heard of, planning to acquire Starlight Gems. It was already signed and stamped—clearly, the contract was in effect.

"Ms. Prescott, Christopher just saw this document, too. We felt something was wrong and came to find you right away," Piper explained, her face grim.

Not only that, but she'd also heard that when people from the other company came to inspect, they said that among the existing employees, except for core operations and design staff, everyone else would be transferred or fired.

Some people refused to accept their rough arrangements and angrily resigned, only to have new people come in the same afternoon they left in the morning.

This was a conspiracy they'd planned all along.

"Yeah, Astrid, if this continues, Starlight Gems is done for."

"You worked so hard to turn Starlight Gems profitable, working overtime like crazy, only to have someone steal the credit. All your effort was for nothing!"

"We all feel it's so unfair to you!" Christopher spoke up for Astrid.

"Speaking of which, Rolf isn't stupid. He went through so much trouble to gather enough shares to have veto power—how could he possibly destroy a company like Starlight Gems with such unlimited potential?"

Rachel looked at Astrid with confusion.

Astrid also looked puzzled. She picked up her juice and took a sip. "I don't know what he's trying to do either. For now, I can only let things take their course."

The group sat together, listing Rolf's various excessive behaviors. After chatting for a while, Astrid saw her phone light up.

Silas: [Is everything taken care of?]

Astrid: [Pretty much.]

After sending the message, there was no response from the other end. Astrid didn't think much of it.

Before long, everyone decided to go back and think of solutions separately, then share any progress with each other.

Astrid was preoccupied. Waving goodbye to Piper as she left the coffee shop, she didn't notice the stairs nearby. She lost her balance—she didn't fall down, but she twisted her ankle.

"Astrid, are you okay?" Christopher came forward with concern, nervously suggesting, "Let me take you to the hospital."

As he spoke, Christopher crouched down in front of Astrid.

Astrid was sweating from the pain, leaning against the railing. She softly refused, "No, that's not necessary."

"Astrid." Christopher insisted.

"What happened?" From around the corner, a tall figure strode toward Astrid, asking with a serious expression.

"Astrid twisted her ankle."

Before Astrid could speak, Silas scooped her up in his arms and, under their envious gazes, strode toward the parking lot.

"Now it's just you and me. I'll give you a chance—take me home," Rachel said to Christopher with a raised eyebrow.