Chapter 215
The Smith Group.
"Opal refusing to cooperate with the paternity test, there's definitely something wrong." Marcus sat on the sofa, munching on chestnuts, "I looked into it. When Evelyn was with the Thomas family, Opal treated her really well, like she was the apple of her eye.Even if she were sycophantically chasing Evelyn’s fortune, it made little sense to discard her own daughter so ruthlessly and so soon.
"It is pretty suspicious." Michael nodded.
"But that won't stop me." Marcus raised an eyebrow, "Jasper will cooperate. Just get me samples of Jasper's and Nora's hair; a DNA test will settle this once and for all."
Michael leaned back in his chair, "You're actually useful at critical moments."
"Listen to yourself," Marcus said, rising to straighten his clothes. "You're really not going to give me anything? What about that car you bought last year..."
"Finish the job first." Michael looked down on Marcus's habit of asking for payment in advance.
Marcus shot Michael a look of pure derision. "Don't be so pathetic. That car is just sitting in your garage gathering dust; are you really going to let it rot away?"
"Sorry, I'm married now. All my assets have been notarized as joint marital property, including the car." Michael said proudly, taking a sip of coffee, "So if you want the car, it's not up to me anymore."
Marcus's mouth twitched.
It was staggering. Ever since he’d swindled Nora into signing that prenup and secured the marriage certificate, Michael had been walking on air.
"Simps gonna simp, and end up with nothing," Marcus said through gritted teeth, green with envy.
"I have a wife." Michael reminded Marcus.
Marcus ground his back teeth, "If you're so great, announce it publicly."
Michael raised an eyebrow, "So you can predict the future now."
Marcus was shocked. He rushed up to Michael, touching his forehead, then circling around him, "Did someone curse you? Are you still the Michael I know? You're actually going to make a public announcement? At this critical moment? Are you crazy?"
The reason Nolan forced Michael to come to the company today was because the Clark family would all be at the Smith Group. The pack of reporters downstairs was a literal mountain of people, all of them poised like vultures for the Smith Group’s official statement.
An announcement about the marriage between the Clark family and the Smith family.
"Get lost." Michael looked at Marcus with disgust.
Ever since getting a wife, he didn't want to talk to people without wives anymore.
"Mr. Smith, the chairman wants to see you." David appeared at the door, looking nervous.
"What's up?" Michael's voice was low.
"He said there's going to be a press conference this afternoon to announce the marriage between the Clark family and the Smith family. "He expects you to join both families for lunch at noon," David said, his voice hitching as he sucked in a sharp, trembling breath.
Michael's face instantly turned ice cold.
His fingers tapped the desk once, twice. Michael’s voice was a low silk. "Tell Nolan I’m not for sale. There will be no alliance with the Clarks."
"Mr. Smith, the entire board has gathered. I think Nolan is trying to corner you." David’s anxiety was palpable.
Michael should just be flexible for now, compromise a little.
This was a critical moment.
Nolan had summoned the board and legal counsel, clearly maneuvering to overhaul the company's equity structure.
If Michael didn't behave and acknowledge the marriage alliance with the Clark family, Nolan would immediately convene the board and remove Michael from his position as president of the Smith Group.
IF Mall.
Michael said he was giving her time off, letting her rest for a while.
Nora knew the Smith Group was about to face trouble.
Nolan was going to make his move against Michael.
"Nori, something on your mind?" Savannah wore a professional blazer, looking sharp and beautiful.
Nora came back to her senses, taking the water glass from Savannah, "No."
She was just scared and worried, afraid of Michael fighting alone at the company.
"Savannah, what are you doing! Not working properly, not serving customers, chatting with people who can't afford luxury goods?" The supervisor was angry, deliberately targeting Savannah.
Savannah rolled her eyes.
From her first day working here, the supervisor had been targeting her.
Because she was a 'parachuted-in' employee.
These brands hire only the elite. Savannah possessed the aesthetic, but she couldn't bridge the gap left by her lackluster academic background.
And she had a record.
"We don't serve random people here." The supervisor stood in front of Nora rudely.
Nora felt awkward, "Sorry, I'll leave now."
"No need to leave!" Savannah glared at the supervisor angrily, "Don't go too far! When your friends come, you give them all kinds of gifts and discounts. What's wrong with my friend coming?"
The supervisor sneered, "My friends are socialites whose men pull in eight figures. Can your friend even compete?"
Savannah was speechless with anger, opening her mouth but saying nothing.
Michael and Nora's situation was confidential. She didn't want to cause trouble for them.
Nora wanted to speak up for Savannah when Michael called.
"I'll take this call." Nora said nervously, quickly answering.
"Mr. Smith!" Nora's heart raced, afraid something had happened.
Early this morning, passing by the road in front of the Smith Group, Nora had seen many reporters.
Word had reached her that the Clark-Smith alliance was set for today, with Nolan’s press conference scheduled for 3:00 P.M.
"Did you eat breakfast properly?" Michael asked gently.
Nora stammered for a while, then got straight to the point, "Mr. Smith, I heard from David that Mr. Nolan Smith convened the board and brought a legal team, threatening you with stock distribution."
Michael went quiet, then muttered, "David talks too much. Forget what he told you."
"Michael..." Nora hid in a quiet corner. Her hands were numb from panic, and she could only squat to barely have strength, "Why not just agree to the Clark alliance for now? Treat it as a temporary measure."
Nora said softly, but her eyes involuntarily reddened.
She couldn't bear to watch Michael announce his engagement to Aria, nor see him publicly claimed by another woman.
While she was just a shadow that couldn't see the light, a joke.
"Trying to make me angry on purpose?" Michael was clearly unhappy.
Nora lowered her head, tears trembling on her lashes. "No, I'm just afraid..."
"Afraid of what?" Michael’s voice softened. "Didn't I tell you to trust me?"
Nora's heart eased a bit, but she still blamed herself for being unable to help Michael.
"Where are you?" Michael asked again.
"I'm at IF Mall, with Savannah." Nora quickly replied, so Michael wouldn't worry.
"At Savannah's place? Do you like any of the bags or jewelry there? "The card is for your use." Michael suddenly remembered that Nora hadn't touched the funds since he gave them to her.
"No, no need, I don't like them." Nora's ears turned bright red.
She didn't want these luxury goods.
During her time with the Adams family, Aiden had showered her with luxury handbags. She always found it excessive; in her eyes, a thirty-dollar bag carried just as much weight and lasted just as long.
"Wait for me there. I'll come find you, and we'll have lunch together."
Without waiting for Nora to refuse, Michael hung up directly.