Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Mike stood to the side, unsure what had just transpired. Only after cautiously observing Edward's expression did he dare to report in a hushed voice: "Mr. Howard, I've identified the person who reported Ms. Johnson."

Before Mike could finish, Edward cut him off sharply.

"Don't bother." Edward's voice came out hoarse. "From now on, anything concerning Molly is none of my business."

Seeing the detachment and frigid coldness etched across Edward's face, Mike fell silent, not daring to say another word.

For some reason, Mike felt there was something inexplicably sorrowful about his boss today.

Only Edward himself knew the grievance buried within.

When he'd received the news, he'd just been administered a painkiller injection. Yet he'd still endured agonizing pain, ignoring the doctor's attempts to stop him, and insisted on rushing over.

Only to witness that scene. To hear those words.

"From now on, don't tell me anything about her." Edward closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they held nothing but clarity.

Perhaps it truly was time to let go completely.

After all, she already had someone capable of protecting her at her side. And perhaps, in Molly's heart, he'd long since become nothing more than an unwanted presence.

Still, that undeniable wrenching pain in his chest—whether it came from his illness or something else entirely—he could no longer distinguish.

……

The next day, Molly arrived at the company right on schedule.

She'd temporarily resolved the matter of being reported, but that didn't mean she wouldn't pursue it further.

The moment she walked into her office, she found Layla waiting for her.

Seeing Molly return safely, Layla exhaled with relief and began reporting on work matters. "Molly, I've smoothed things over with our business partners. They've all expressed their willingness to trust the company."

"Well done." Molly's eyes shone with approval.

For some reason, seeing Layla handle things independently filled Molly with a sense of satisfaction.

She remembered when Layla first joined—just a girl who knew nothing. Who would have thought that in such a short time, she'd be helping solve problems?

"It's all thanks to your guidance." Layla grew a bit embarrassed at the sudden praise.

Molly smiled faintly, then her gaze sharpened, turning serious. "Find time to investigate who's behind this. I want to know who's shameless enough to pull this stunt."

Anyone could see this was a deliberate setup, an attempt to frame her.

If she hadn't reacted quickly, it could have severely damaged the company's reputation.

Fortunately, the company had maintained proper tax compliance over the years, with no violations.

Layla naturally understood the stakes involved and didn't dare delay.

She began investigating according to Molly's instructions that very day.

The investigation went more smoothly than expected.

The perpetrator seemed to have made no effort to conceal their tracks—in fact, hadn't even thought to hide at all, filing the report under their real name.

Through certain connections, Layla quickly obtained evidence.

"Molly, here's the investigation report. It contains the informant's details." Layla handed over a thick stack of documents, all company financial records.

Molly opened the complaint form. Seeing that familiar name, her face twisted into an unsurprised sneer.

"Oliver? So it was him?"

The motive wasn't hard to guess.

Nothing more than nursing a grudge after being humiliated by her, wanting payback.

"That guy's absolutely despicable." Layla frowned, unable to hold back her criticism.

"He's trying to get revenge on me," Molly said matter-of-factly.

Layla's eyes widened, her expression confused.

"Now that I'm divorced, he thinks I've lost my protection. He wants to bankrupt my company so I'll have to depend on him for survival."

Molly explained calmly to Layla, her eyes utterly unperturbed.

Oliver's petty schemes were crystal clear to her. His plan simply wasn't very sophisticated. By provoking her, he'd invited trouble.

"Men really are no good," Layla sighed, genuinely feeling bad for what Molly had endured.

"Exactly." Molly laughed coldly. "You'd better be careful when you're looking for a boyfriend."

Layla nodded. "So what's our next move?"

Molly's lips curved slightly. She already had a plan.

Since the other party had bared their fangs, she certainly wouldn't sit around waiting to be attacked.

"He wants to play? Then I'll play with him to the end. Look into what projects his company has going. Pick a few with major investments. Then inform everyone—tell them to prepare. We've got a tough battle ahead."

Layla could roughly guess what Molly intended to do.

"No problem."

Over the following days, Molly deliberately had people spread news that her company's accounts were under investigation.

Seeing the reports, Oliver didn't think twice and believed them completely.

He calculated in his mind when Molly would come begging for his help. But several days passed without receiving a single phone call from her.

Instead, he only received an urgent call from his assistant.

"Mr. Smith! This is bad! There's suddenly a problem with the Prism Tech project."

Sitting in his office, Oliver's face turned ashen. "What?"

"They've suddenly notified us they're suspending the contract signing—they say they need to reassess!"

"Tell them to go to hell." Oliver hurled his phone heavily onto the desk.

Just as he was fuming over the failed project, several calls came in simultaneously, all bearing news of projects being snatched away.

Oliver couldn't sit still any longer. He dialed the business partners one by one.

Upon learning that Molly had stolen his projects, Oliver nearly threw his phone in rage.

Recalling how he'd reported Molly just days ago, Oliver immediately realized this was her retaliation.

"Molly... you ruthless bitch!" Oliver ground his teeth in fury within his office, his eyes bloodshot.

He'd never imagined that this woman—whom he'd once thought he could manipulate at will—would strike back so decisively and fiercely.

For Molly, this was merely the beginning.

It wasn't that she lacked the ability to completely destroy him—she simply didn't want to be that merciless.

But if she didn't act now, people would only grow bolder.

Having lost several projects in succession, Oliver completely panicked.

Sitting in his office, he hurriedly contacted his largest business partner.

Never before had the Smith family heir stooped to groveling.

"Hello, Mr. Adams, didn't you promise to collaborate with us?"

On the other end, Cody Adams hemmed and hawed. "Ah, well... the company's undergoing strategic restructuring. We simply can't continue the partnership."