Chapter 196 Sabotage
Celeste leaned against Declan's chest, a cunning glint flashing in her eyes.
As long as she could use Declan to get benefits from Mirage Fashion, what harm was there in giving him a little something? Once she truly established her position, people like Declan could be discarded at any time.
The Johnson family benefits could only belong to her.
The two continued their scheming in the room for a long time. By dawn, Celeste finally straightened her clothes and took a taxi back to Johnson Villa. As soon as she entered, she saw Simon coming out of his study. She quickly pretended to have just woken up, rubbing her eyes, "Simon, why are you up so early?"
Simon glanced at her. "Nothing much, just handling some company business."
With that, he walked straight toward the kitchen without asking any more questions.
Celeste watched his retreating figure, secretly relieved that Simon hadn't suspected anything.
Without the drugs, Simon seemed to have regained his former sharpness. He wasn't as easy to control as before. She'd have to be extra careful with her future schemes!
The next morning, as soon as Simon arrived at the company, he had his assistant deliver the sealed contract to Obscura Fashion. He specifically called Emily, "Emily, I had my assistant send over the contract. Take a look, and if everything looks good, sign on the last page. Once you sign, this share transfer agreement becomes officially effective, and Mirage Fashion will be completely yours."
Emily held her phone, looking at the contract on her desk. Her fingertips gently traced the cover as she said softly, "Dad, thank you."
She knew this contract represented Simon's determination to stand against the entire Johnson family.
"Don't be formal with Dad. Rest assured, I'll have the lawyer handle the subsequent procedures. I won't let the Johnson family interfere with you."
After hanging up, Emily opened the contract and carefully reviewed it.
The lawyer had written the clauses meticulously, transferring all Mirage Fashion shares to her name without leaving any loopholes. Looking at Simon's signature already on the contract's end, her eyes showed a flash of complexity.
She had actually guessed long ago that the Johnson family wouldn't give up easily, and this share transfer would never go smoothly.
Rather than passively waiting for them to cause trouble, it would be better to proactively give them an opportunity, letting Simon see the Johnson family's true colors completely.
Emily picked up her phone and sent her assistant a message: [I need you to handle something. Find a reliable person to 'accidentally' leak to Lauren that Simon has signed the Mirage Fashion share transfer contract and that the board meeting for the handover will be completed soon. Be careful not to expose your identity.]
Her assistant quickly replied with understanding.
Emily put down her phone and leaned back in her chair. She wanted to see exactly what ridiculous stunts the Johnson family would pull after learning this news.
Sure enough, that afternoon, Lauren heard about the share transfer contract from a servant.
She immediately called Declan to share the news. When Declan heard it, he couldn't control his emotions. He had only learned about it from Celeste last night, but Simon's actions were incredibly fast—he had already signed everything.
They had to act immediately, or it would be too late!
With Declan's embellishments, Lauren finally understood the contract's importance, and she exploded, "My God! He dares to give the Johnson family assets to an outsider! I'm going to confront him right now!"
Without even putting on her coat properly, she grabbed her cane and headed out, still cursing, "That bastard Simon! Today I'm going to tear up that contract myself!"
Declan quickly drove over, picked up Lauren, and headed straight to the law firm.
As soon as they entered the law firm, Lauren charged inside with her cane, shouting, "Albert! Come out here! What gives you the right to help Simon sign such a contract! Mirage Fashion belongs to the Johnson family. Hand over that contract right now!"
The law firm staff quickly moved to stop her, but Lauren pushed them away, "Don't touch me! I'm a Johnson family elder! Anyone who dares to stop me today will definitely face consequences!"
She continued shouting while charging toward Albert Sanchez's office, knocking over the receptionist's flower pot along the way, scattering soil everywhere.
Albert heard the commotion and hurried out of his office. Seeing Lauren in this state, he frowned, "Mrs. Johnson, what are you doing? Let's talk this through calmly."
Lauren wasn't the type for calm discussion. She pointed at Albert's nose and started cursing, "You helped Simon transfer Mirage Fashion shares to Emily. How much did they pay you? You shameless lawyer! Hand over that contract and tear it up right now, or I'll call the police and report you for fraud!"
Albert sighed helplessly, "Mrs. Johnson, this contract is legal and valid. Simon is Mirage Fashion's managing director and has the right to dispose of his own shares. Your disruption here is illegal."
"I think you're the ones breaking the law!" Lauren refused to listen and instead sat down on the floor, slapping her thighs and crying, "How miserable is my life! My son is unfilial, giving family assets to an outsider, and even lawyers help them bully an old woman like me! I don't want to live anymore! I'll just die right here!"
Her wailing attracted many onlookers, who started taking photos with their phones.
Albert had no choice but to call Simon, his tone helpless, "Mr. Johnson, your mother is causing a scene at the law firm. Please come deal with this."
Simon was at the company preparing materials for the board meeting when he received the call. His expression immediately darkened. He quickly drove to the law firm, his mind filled with anger and helplessness throughout the journey.
He never imagined his mother would do something so outrageous.
Arriving at the law firm, Simon saw Lauren sitting on the floor crying and the crowd of onlookers around her. His expression was extremely grim. He quickly stepped forward, trying to help Lauren up, "Mom, stop this. Come home with me."
"I'm not going! If you don't tear up that contract, I'm not leaving! Simon, if you don't give Mirage Fashion shares to Marshall today, I'll die right in front of you!"
"Mom! Mirage Fashion is Scarlett's life's work. I can't give it to Marshall! Please stop pressuring me, okay?"
"I'm pressuring you? I raised you all these years, and you can't even protect the Johnson family assets, yet you have the nerve to say I'm pressuring you? Today, you either tear up that contract or stop calling me mother!"
Looking at her unreasonable behavior, Simon felt a sharp pain in his heart, but was completely helpless. He could only have his assistant disperse the onlookers first, then have Albert secure the contract before forcibly helping Lauren to the car and driving her back to Johnson Villa.
He thought the matter could be temporarily settled, but Simon didn't expect Lauren to have no intention of giving up.
Three days later, Mirage Fashion convened a board meeting to officially complete the share transfer handover. Simon specifically had his lawyer and assistant make preparations and arrange security in advance to prevent Lauren's interference.
But unexpectedly, just as the meeting began, Lauren charged in with her cane, bringing Declan, Erica, and Celeste with her.
Lauren went straight to the main platform, snatched the microphone from Simon's hands, and declared loudly, "Board members, don't listen to Simon! Simon has absolutely no authority to transfer Mirage Fashion shares!"