Chapter 197: Consequences

After Walter returned from the White Mansion, he threw another fit in Emily's room.

This Christmas, he had even made a special trip to the White Mansion to see Robert. Emily really couldn't understand what Walter was thinking.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Of course, I know it's not the right time, but I'm afraid that if I go too late, Robert will resent our family even more."

"You're the one who caused this mess, so you need to fix it yourself. No matter what, you have to marry into the White family, or don't blame me for what happens!"

All these years, Walter had put in so much effort just to marry Emily into a good family.

Even the boyfriends Emily had dated abroad - Walter had investigated their family backgrounds. If he hadn't thought they were decent catches, he wouldn't have let her date them.

Emily bit her lip. She wanted to say that Benjamin's attitude toward her had changed recently, but seeing Walter's expression, she didn't dare speak up. She could only nod in agreement.

Since it was Walter's order, even though Emily knew Benjamin didn't want to see her at all, she had to gather her courage and ask him out.

Benjamin turned down her invitation, saying he was too busy with work. Emily could only humble herself and say she was available anytime, as long as Benjamin was willing to see her.

Actually, Benjamin wasn't deliberately ignoring her.

Since Ophelia left the White Group, many of the projects she had handled chose not to renew their contracts and switched to Synergy Innovations Group instead. Plus, with Winters Electronic Corp.'s recent moves, Synergy Innovations Group was developing even faster. If he could get control of these resources, Robert would definitely be very pleased.

After William's car accident, Robert had wanted Benjamin to get some people into Synergy Innovations Group, but no matter how long he tried, Synergy Innovations Group was like an impenetrable wall - he couldn't get anyone in.

There was nothing they could do when William was in a coma, and now that he was awake, it was even harder to get close.

But Robert blamed everything on Benjamin, completely ignoring how difficult the task actually was.

If William was really that easy to deal with, Synergy Innovations Group would have become a subsidiary of the White Group long ago.

That day, Benjamin finally accepted an invitation from the Johnson family, though this time it was Walter who invited him.

Walter used to be at the height of his success, but seeing him now, he looked much older.

"Mr. White, please help our Johnson Group again."

Benjamin rested one hand on the back of his chair, his fingers drumming absently on the armrest.

"Mr. Johnson, what you're saying - how can I help you? From what I understand, your company has already established partnerships with businesses in Sunrise City. There's no need to come to me."

"Besides, after what Emily did, do you think my dad could just pretend it never happened? If I help you now, I'd be going against my dad. Are you trying to make it so I can't stay in the White family either?"

Benjamin's words sounded perfectly reasonable. Walter didn't believe Benjamin had much real affection for William, but it was just because his offer wasn't good enough.

But now, what did he have left to offer?

Benjamin was right - Walter had always been forward-thinking. When everyone else was still focused on Empire City, he was already looking to expand the company to Sunrise City.

But ever since he was publicly thrown out at that party at the Kennedy Villa, all his connections in Sunrise City were cut off. After all, he was just an outsider - no one wanted to offend the Kennedy Group for his sake.

Even the contracts that used to renew annually, when they expired in October, the Kennedy Group didn't renew them.

Walter had been able to establish himself in Sunrise City through his partnership with the Kennedy Group. Now the Kennedy Group's attitude was crystal clear.

Soon after, several banks in Sunrise City and Empire City took the opportunity to raise the Johnson Group's loan interest rates, making things even worse for the already struggling company.

Walter considered all his remaining options and realized that besides Emily, he had nothing left.

He could only force a smile, his tone pleading, "Benjamin, given your relationship with Emily, can you at least tell me if the Johnson Group can get through this crisis?"

Benjamin didn't give a direct answer.

"Emily and I just have a private relationship. I don't have a say in company matters - everything depends on my dad's decision. If you really want to do something, you shouldn't be coming to me."

Benjamin really couldn't make those decisions, and besides, he had no intention of helping Walter.

The meal was awkward, and they parted on bad terms.

When Walter got home, he could only tell Emily, "We need to take a risk."

Emily felt scared.

"Dad, what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Didn't you know how to have fun when you were abroad? Sometimes, relationships don't need to be mutual."

Emily immediately understood what he meant.

"You want me to drug him? Will that really work?"

"This has to work. I'll have some media outlets there to cover it. Once the story gets out, the White Group will have to make Benjamin marry you to protect their reputation."

Walter felt that Emily had accomplished nothing since coming back. She still hadn't gotten Benjamin, and had caused so many problems. He'd thought marrying William would work too, but William was even more ruthless - not only did he not want Emily, but he also hit the Johnson Group hard.

"But I can't have children. Mia won't agree to it."

Seeing Emily's timid expression, Walter was very dissatisfied. Hadn't she been pretty wild and bold when she was abroad?

"Look at yourself now - what kind of state are you in? Before, whenever you liked a guy, didn't you do whatever it took to get him? Once Benjamin's reputation is ruined, even if Mia doesn't agree, she'll have no choice but to let you marry Benjamin."

"But if I marry into the White family this way, then my life after that..."

Walter cut her off, his expression darkening.

"We can barely get by now, and you're still thinking about later? If you can't make this happen, I'll show you what I'm really capable of."