Chapter 147: Ronin’s Final Arrogance

Chapter 147: Ronin’s Final Arrogance

The morning after Claire was exposed as the third party, Ronin showed up at her office again.

His foot was still healing. One hand gripped a crutch while the other held a manila folder.

"Ms. Blackwell, so your boyfriend is actually Mr. Thorne!" Ronin drew out the word 'boyfriend' with deliberate emphasis.

His gaze was naked and malicious.

"Did Mr. Sterling drag himself to the office just to gloat?"

Ronin flashed a wicked grin. "Ms. Blackwell, you wound me."

"Half the women at Crystalbrook have been after Mr. Thorne, but you're the one who landed him. I'm just curious what makes Ms. Blackwell so special. Thought I'd learn a thing or two."

Claire knew he had an ulterior motive, but she played along. "What exactly does Mr. Sterling want to learn?"

Ronin studied Claire intently.

She'd been torn apart online by countless people, yet here she sat, completely unfazed.

Any woman who could lock down Vincent was clearly no ordinary player.

Ronin chuckled. "I'm kidding. Actually, I'm here to help Ms. Blackwell."

"I'm all ears." Claire leaned back in her chair, settling into a listening posture.

"Ms. Blackwell should take a look at this contract first." Ronin pulled a contract from his folder.

It was a procurement contract for over ten million dollars' worth of equipment—covering every type of machinery needed for footwear and apparel manufacturing.

Claire tapped her fingers lightly on the contract, then looked up at Ronin.

"Mr. Sterling, the factory just updated its machines last year."

Ronin crossed his legs, revealing a cunning smile. "These are the latest models developed overseas. They'll boost efficiency and quality."

Claire had already guessed what Ronin was after. She cut to the chase. "Mr. Sterling said you were here to help me. Why don't you just spell out how?"

Ronin's eyes shifted, and he dropped his casual demeanor, turning serious. "You don't need me to explain how dangerous your situation is, do you?"

"You stole Ms. Montague's boyfriend. Have you thought about what that means for you? You can't seriously believe Mr. Thorne would offend the Montague family for your sake."

Claire remained impassive. "So what? If I sign this contract, they'll suddenly leave me alone?"

"This contract 'is' your way out—I designed it specifically for you!" Ronin held up two fingers.

Claire asked uncertainly, "Two million dollars?"

"Enough to live on for a few years, right?" Ronin stared directly at Claire. "But you need to act fast. Once Mr. Thorne forces you out of the company, it'll be too late."

"You give me two million, so you must be pocketing at least five million yourself?" Claire probed.

"That's none of your concern. You just sign and authorize the payment. I guarantee two million hits your account immediately."

"Can you guarantee it won't be discovered?"

Seeing Claire waver, Ronin adopted a earnest tone. "Don't worry. I'm not about to screw myself over."

He pressed his advantage. "Your reputation's trashed. You probably can't even stay at the university. With this money, you can disappear somewhere and live quietly."

Claire didn't agree right away, appearing hesitant. Ronin piled on the fear tactics. "In your situation, even if you run home, people will still crucify you."

"Fine. I'll sign. But you have to guarantee the money comes immediately."

Ronin's face split into a triumphant grin. "Don't worry. The second the payment clears, you get your cut."

Claire said nothing more. She signed the contract and, with Ronin watching, had Joan make copies and take them to the finance department.

At the same time, she messaged finance with instructions to delay the payment under some pretext.

Ronin laughed heartily and stood. "Ms. Blackwell truly knows how to get things done. Pleasure doing business."

Ronin extended his hand for a handshake. Claire ignored it completely.

"Mr. Sterling, I won't see you out."

"Right, you're busy, you're busy." Ronin turned and left.

Even his limping gait carried an air of satisfaction.

Claire picked up her phone and entered the supplier company name and payment account number from the contract.

The legal representative of the supplier was the same person who'd been listed for that previous foreign trade order.

She'd already investigated that representative—a woman who, on the surface, had no connection to Ronin whatsoever.

But through special channels, Claire had discovered the woman was actually one of Ronin's mistresses.

By tempting her to sign this contract at such a critical moment, Ronin planned to pocket the remaining thirteen million dollars.

The contract bore her signature. With her as the scapegoat, no one would suspect Ronin.

It was a thorough scheme.

Meanwhile, after leaving Claire's office, Ronin headed to the design department with a broad smile.

The design department had been working full throttle on the competition, and the first round of design selection was complete.

Ronin had spent years in the footwear and apparel industry. His instincts were sharp—he immediately recognized the value of those designs.

"Excellent, excellent." He praised every designer, smiling with calculated satisfaction.

The moment he left the building, he messaged Valentin.

[Package up all the original design files and send them to me.]

Those designs could fetch a good price too.

He was preparing to leave soon—might as well grab every last dollar he could.

The instant Valentin saw the message, he went to Claire.

Claire took his phone and replied: [Ms. Blackwell said the original designs are confidential and cannot be shared externally.]

Ronin: [Have you forgotten why you came to Orsina Bags & Shoes, or do you want your girlfriend sleeping with men?]

Ronin: [Besides, Claire can barely save herself now. What are you afraid of? Hurry up, stop wasting my time.]

Valentin: [Mr. Sterling, I agreed to help you, but you can't ask me to do something illegal.]

Ronin: [I'm just asking you to send them to me. Who said anything about breaking the law?]

Valentin: [Mr. Sterling, please leave my girlfriend alone. She only borrowed $20,000 from you. She hasn't done anything terrible. You can't destroy her. Give me two months and I'll pay back the entire loan, okay? Please?]

Ronin: [Late payments mean following the rules. Stop talking. You have two days. If I don't get those designs, I'll make you watch your girlfriend sleep with other men.]

Valentin: [I'll send them. Please, just don't touch my girlfriend.]

Ronin: [Hurry up.]

Claire screenshotted the entire conversation and sent it to herself before returning the phone to Valentin.

She reassured him. "Don't worry. Ronin's days of being cocky are numbered."

This chat record was evidence linking Ronin to illegal online lending.

Valentin explained that Ronin had always given verbal instructions before—he must have gotten too cocky today.

When people get too cocky, they get careless.

By the end of the workday, Ronin still hadn't received the payment notification. He messaged Claire.

[Why hasn't finance transferred the money yet?]

Claire: [Finance made another payment this morning and hit their limit. Tomorrow.]

The next day, when Ronin still hadn't received the transfer, he stormed into Claire's office, fuming.

"What the hell is going on? Are you playing me?"

Facing Ronin's accusatory rage, Claire slowly shifted her gaze from her computer screen.

"I'm the one dealing with online harassment and I'm not panicking. Why is Mr. Sterling so worked up?"

"What's the situation?" Ronin was practically spitting, his impatience showing.

"I thought it over and decided I can't take this money."

Ronin slammed his palm on the desk and shot to his feet, cutting Claire off.

"Mr. Sterling, why so agitated?"

A flash of viciousness crossed Ronin's eyes. He pulled out his phone and thrust it in front of Claire.

Audio from yesterday's conversation played—but he'd doctored it to make it sound like Claire had initiated the contract and demanded the two-million-dollar kickback.

In the recording, he righteously refused.

"You'd better authorize that payment immediately, or I'm sending this recording to Sarah right now. Including that $200,000 from last time. Then you won't just be facing online harassment—you'll be going to prison." Ronin dropped all pretense and issued a direct threat.

He'd made his preparations. After grabbing this last haul, he'd flee the country. He'd been excited all day yesterday, and now she was backing out?

He looked like a lion about to pounce.

"What are you sending me?" Just as Ronin finished speaking, Sarah walked through the door.