Chapter 205 Steven’s Connections Are Terrifying
Nora frowned. "Stop picking on me all the time. Ever since I got here, you've you’ve criticized everything I do. Do you even realize how much we’ve already spent just to start this company? Money goes fast. Some of these purchases aren’t even necessary—and if we keep spending like this, we’ll run out before we can even operate. Do you understand anything about cutting costs or making the business profitable?"
She gestured at the bottled water on the floor, her voice firm. "See, I could just get a water pump for a dozen dollars, place it on top, and press it to get water. Why spend money on a water dispenser?"
Steven frowned, holding his mug and looking at her. "Haven't I given you money?"
"That's your money!" Those two cards Steven gave her - she'd left them on his nightstand and never used them again.
Steven looked irritated. "I didn't ask you to save money. Use it however you need to."
Nora pressed her lips together and said nothing more.
If he wanted a divorce, she definitely wouldn't take his things. She owed so much already - how could she ever pay it back?
Steven glanced at the time - it was already 1:30. "Let's eat lunch quickly. I have to leave at two."
Only then did Nora remember he hadn't eaten yet. She walked over and opened the takeout bag he'd brought. "What did you get today?"
"Sushi." He gave her a meaningful look.
Nora immediately recognized his competitiveness. He must have seen the sushi Mr. Hayes ordered yesterday, assumed Philip had picked it, and decided to order the same today.
Men and their competitive streaks.
She opened one container - it had all kinds of sushi and sashimi.
Nora happily ate a piece.
Steven asked, "Is it good?"
"Really good!" She nodded, her mouth stuffed full, looking like a cute little sprite.
Steven's expression softened a bit. "Is mine better or Philip's better?"
Just as she thought!
Steven was way too hung up on Philip.
Nora almost choked. Good thing he didn't know that sushi was ordered by Mr. Hayes, or all hell would break loose.
Thinking of Mr. Hayes reminded her of the customs issue.
"Yours is definitely better!" she said to appease him, while picking up her phone to call the customs officer. "Hello, did you look into this morning's issue?"
"Which package are you referring to?" customs asked.
Nora gave them the tracking number.
After checking, they said, "Madam, this package contains prohibited items and will be destroyed."
"No!" Nora panicked. "Can't you send it back?"
"Madam, your package is currently in The Iron Country. To retrieve it, you'd need to provide extensive documentation and pay high taxes and shipping fees. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"How much would it cost?" Nora's heart clenched. She couldn't just give up on this package.
That was $460,000 - if that money was gone, she'd fall apart.
"You'd need to contact The Iron Country's customs to handle this." The customer service rep couldn't give more answers, only providing the Iron Country customs' phone number.
Nora felt troubled. She didn't speak The Iron Country's language - what would she do if they only spoke in their language?
"What's wrong?" Steven noticed her expression had changed after the call.
She sighed. Thinking of the $460,000, her eyes stung. This seemed like an impossible problem to solve.
She had to submit product certificates, pay taxes, and shipping fees to get the package back.
Nora felt a headache coming on. She pressed her temples and said, "That order I did with Mr. Hayes - it's been seized by The Iron Country customs. They say there are prohibited items in the package, and they're going to destroy it."
"Did he set you up?" Steven frowned.
"I don't think so." Nora shook her head. "I checked the goods myself. I know very well whether there were prohibited items. I did see Bianca that day when we were packing, so I'm not sure if it was her."
She looked really down.
Steven couldn't bear to see her like this. He held her hand. "Want me to help you handle it?"
Nora was surprised. "Don't tell me you have connections at The Iron Country customs, too?"
Steven regarded her with a steady gaze. "Yes, I know a few people who can help with customs clearance—they’ll take care of it."
Nora found it incredible. "How do you have friends everywhere?"
Steven smiled. "I'm a director at a major corporation after all. Of course, I have some connections."
"So how would you handle it?"
"I'll contact people I know to help you clear customs and deliver the package to the order address. That'll be the end of it." Steven looked into her eyes.
That way, this order would be completely finished.
Nora was shocked. "You mean, directly find people in The Iron Country to help me clear customs and deliver it?"
"Yes." York Development Group had a branch in The Iron Country with strong connections.
Nora's heart raced.
Why was he so capable?
What felt like an impossible problem to her, he could solve in just a few words.
"Can you really do that?" She still didn't quite dare to believe it.
Steven's lips curved slightly as he picked up a piece of sashimi for her. "Eat well. I'll get it done for you this afternoon."
Nora was so moved she wanted to cry.
He really gave her a sense of security - he could solve anything. She wanted so badly to rely on him.
Unfortunately, at two o'clock, Steven had to leave.
He put on his jacket and turned to say, "Stop worrying about this. I'll get it done today. I'll come over tonight to help you install the surveillance cameras."
"Isn't it far for you to keep coming over?" She got up to see him out.
Steven smiled. "York Development Group is very close to here."
Skyline Trade Center was in a prime location in South City's District F, surrounded by thriving commercial areas. York Development Group was two stops away - just a few minutes' drive.
After Steven left, Nora busied herself alone at the computer.
She sent Steven the tracking number.
Steven called The Iron Country.
It was afternoon in South City, morning in The Iron Country. He had someone go to customs to handle the package.
At 4 PM, Olivia arrived at South City airport.
She ran into Alton at the airport again.
He approached with a confident smile. "What a coincidence—same flight back. Where are you headed? I can give you a ride."
"No need." Olivia coldly refused.
"Alright then." Alton wasn't bothered by the rejection. He turned and elegantly got into his Rolls-Royce.
Women at the airport all stared at him.
Alton paid no attention and instructed the driver, "Drive."
The car slowly pulled away. He watched Olivia's figure get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, pressed his lips together, and said, "Stop."
The driver hit the brakes.
Alton said coolly, "Reverse."
The driver slowly backed up until they were beside Olivia.
Olivia glanced at him.
"Get out and take a cab home yourself." After instructing the driver, Alton got out and stood in front of her. "I'll take you."
His tone left no room for refusal.
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Why should I let you?"
Alton looked down at her. "Because we've slept together."
Olivia's expression changed. "Don't talk nonsense!"
They had indeed slept together, but only literally.
At the time, Olivia had caught the flu in Regal City and was too sick to get up.
Alton caught it too and, worried about her, had someone break down her door.
Afterward, they stayed isolated together in the same room. He felt fine apart from a scratchy throat, yet he lingered, quietly taking care of her.
She kept saying she was cold.
Alton covered her with two blankets, but she was still cold, so he took off his clothes and held her.
Olivia felt it wasn't enough - she was cold as if she'd fallen into an ice cave, clinging tightly to him.
Like that, they held each other for three days until she recovered.
He offered to keep taking care of her.
Olivia refused. She had no interest in being his kept woman. After recovering, she packed her bags and left.
And then ran into him at the airport again.
"I'm taking you." Alton forcefully put her in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
Olivia didn't dislike him - he had taken care of her those three days - but she didn't want to be his woman.
"Alton, I already told you, I won't be your woman."
"I know." He said, glancing at her as he drove with effortless precision. "Take your time to decide. I’ll treat you well—I can provide a house, a car… I’m generous that way."
Alton was a clear-headed person. From the start, he'd been interested in Olivia's appearance.
He didn't know why, but she seemed to have entered his soul, making him unable to forget her.
Every night she lingered in his mind, making him think of her, long for her.
He figured it was probably because he hadn't gotten her yet, so he wanted to date her, but had no plans to marry.
"I don't need those things." Olivia was dismissive.
Alton's lips curved up as he said gently, "Isn't dating a quality man like me also a good experience?"
"If you dated me, would you marry me?" Olivia asked. She knew it was impossible - someone with his status and position wouldn't marry a divorced woman who'd had an abortion.
Alton's eyes darkened. "No."
The answer was expected. Olivia wasn't surprised or angry, just said calmly, "You won't marry me, and I don't want a meaningless relationship, so Alton, go play with someone else. Plenty of women want to play with you, but I'm not one of them."
Since her divorce, she hadn't thought about love.
Love was too easy to get hurt by. She preferred the freedom of being alone.
"I'm only interested in you." Alton was direct. "Where to?"
"Harman Tower." She had said it firmly—if he didn’t listen, there was nothing more she could do. She stared out the window, letting the silence hang between them.
When they reached Harman Tower, Olivia pulled her luggage up to the company.