Emily stared at Melinda in shock, fully aware of the implications, but she was trapped with no escape.
The two of them entered the conference room to hash out the details.
Emily started by demanding five hundred million dollars from the company's profits, but Melinda shot that down immediately.
She then dropped her demand to fifty million dollars, but that was also a no-go. Finally, she reluctantly asked for five million dollars in five installments once the company became profitable, and Melinda agreed.
But there was a catch: Bobby had to be released.
Melinda didn't respond right away. Instead, she chose to stay silent.
Melinda stood her ground, her eyes firm and unyielding, as if to say: there's no room for negotiation on this matter.
Emily looked at her, realizing that begging was pointless.
She gritted her teeth and decided to face reality.
"Fine, I'll go with you to the company to sign the stock transfer agreement." Emily's voice trembled slightly, but she tried to stay composed.
Melinda nodded in acknowledgment.
Emily felt a whirlwind of emotions.
They soon arrived at the entrance of the Lowe Group. Emily looked at the familiar building, feeling a surge of mixed emotions.
In the conference room, Melinda produced a stock transfer agreement.
Emily took the contract, read it carefully, and then signed her name.
She felt a sense of relief and release.
Just then, the conference room door suddenly opened.
Raymond walked in, followed by a group of people.
Melinda's eyes lit up with surprise and joy when she saw Raymond.
She knew Raymond was there to back her up.
"We heard Ms. Lowe is transferring her shares, so we came to take a look," Raymond's voice was calm and reassuring, putting everyone at ease.
The business leaders nodded in agreement, expressing their willingness to collaborate with the Lowe Group.
Melinda watched this scene, filled with gratitude and emotion.
She knew it was all thanks to Raymond.
The conference room buzzed with activity.
Many business leaders discussed new projects with the Lowe Group, and orders poured in like snowflakes.
The Lowe Group seemed to come back to life, brimming with new energy and vitality.
Raymond took Melinda to the finance department. He knew the most important task now was to recover the fifty million dollars.
"Bring me all the records of the fifty million dollars Leo transferred," Raymond's voice was stern and commanding, leaving no room for delay.
The manager and other finance staff quickly found the relevant documents and handed them to Raymond.
Raymond carefully examined the documents, his brow furrowed. He found some clues but needed further verification.
"Who among you helped Leo?" Raymond's gaze swept across the finance team.
A trembling staff member stepped forward, admitting to being Leo's accomplice and revealing that the money had been transferred to an overseas account, and he had received a one-million-dollar bribe.
Raymond instructed him to compile all the evidence and said his responsibility would be determined based on his cooperation.
Melinda stood by, admiring Raymond's decisive handling of the situation. She knew that with Raymond's help, the Lowe Group would thrive.
In the Lowe Group's conference room, the tension was palpable.
Leo's accomplice, a timid finance manager, was sweating bullets as he spilled everything to Melinda. He revealed that he had secretly recorded conversations with Leo and would soon provide solid evidence of the embezzlement.
Melinda's eyes were icy and stern, sending a clear message to everyone present: anyone who leaked information to Leo would face severe consequences.
Raymond approached Melinda and quietly informed her that they had successfully recovered the embezzled funds and had arranged for lawyers to prepare materials for Leo's arrest.
Melinda felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, knowing that reclaiming the Lowe Group was thanks to Raymond's unwavering support.
Meanwhile, Leo and Elsie were holed up in their apartment, planning to use the embezzled money for a carefree life abroad.
To Leo, Emily's fake face was increasingly repulsive, and he didn't care if she discovered their secret.
Leo held Elsie close, teasing that both she and Melinda were his type.
Though Elsie harbored resentment and jealousy towards Melinda, she forced a smile to please Leo.
Unbeknownst to them, Melinda had discovered their hideout.
Out of revenge, she decided to expose Leo and Elsie's affair to Emily.
She believed this news would infuriate Emily.
As expected, upon learning the truth, Emily stormed out of her house and headed straight for Leo and Elsie's apartment.
She asked the concierge to knock on the door and then burst into the room.
The scene before her—the disheveled bed, scattered clothes, and lingering scent of intimacy—told her everything.
Elsie, in a sheer pink nightgown, lounged on the sofa with a glass of wine, as if she owned the place.
Emily's heart sank, her anger blazing, ready to consume everything.
She never imagined her friend Elsie would sleep with her husband right under her nose!
Elsie's face turned pale, as if she had seen a ghost.
"You bitch!" Emily screamed, lunging at Elsie.
They fought on the sofa, hair disheveled, clothes torn, creating a chaotic scene.
Hearing the commotion, Leo emerged from the bedroom. Seeing the scene, he frowned and pushed Emily away.
"Have you had enough?" he roared.
Emily fell to the floor, tears and rage in her eyes.
"Leo, you bastard! You betrayed me!" she screamed.
Leo looked at her, a flicker of guilt in his eyes, quickly replaced by indifference.
"Emily, it's over between us. Leave," he said coldly.
"Leave? Why should I leave? She should go!" Emily pointed at Elsie. "Do you know how many dirty things she's done?"
Leo looked at Elsie in shock. "Is it true?" he asked.
Elsie's face turned ashen. "Leo, let me explain..."
"What's there to explain?" Emily interrupted. "Didn't you set up Melinda?"
Leo's face darkened, finally understanding the source of Emily's fury and despair.
The air seemed to freeze...
"Get out!" he roared. "Get out of my house!"
Elsie, trembling, grabbed her things and hurriedly left the apartment.
Emily watched her go, filled with disgust and contempt.
She had treated Elsie like a friend, never imagining she could be so despicable!
Leo slumped on the sofa, rubbing his temples, feeling a splitting headache.
Emily looked at his pained expression, devoid of sympathy or pity.
She said coldly, "Leo, you think you've only lost me? You're wrong! You've lost everything you once had!"