Chapter 144 Regret Is Useless

"The IRS will keep the whistleblower's info safe, right? But the person who reported it must be someone from inside the Smith Group, right?" I frowned, mulling over the possibility.

I thought of Isabella, but then again, maybe not.

After all, she put a lot of effort into the Smith Group too. Even if Isabella knew about James' tax evasion, she could've just paid the back taxes before the IRS got involved and saved the day.

"Yeah, otherwise they wouldn't know so much about the Smith Group's tax issues," Isabella replied.

I felt like I was still missing something. It seemed like there was some invisible hand behind the scenes, quietly taking down the Smith Group.

And the Taylor Group getting dragged into this? Could that really be a coincidence?

After hanging up, I texted Daniel: [Do you know who reported James for tax evasion?]

Daniel: [They didn't report James, they reported someone from the Smith Group. I can't tell you who.]

Emily: [So I know this person, right?]

I remembered my time at the Smith Group. Even though it was less than a year, I still knew quite a few people.

Someone who could rise to a certain position within two or three years after James took over the Smith Group and knew a lot of secrets must be very capable. I must know them.

Daniel was silent for a moment and then replied: [I don't know, and I can't say.]

From his answer, I was sure it was someone I knew.

I got it. Even if Daniel couldn't give me a direct answer, I could guess some things from his response.

James, how could you piss off people in the company like this? This person clearly wanted to bring down the Smith Group.

The Smith Group's tax issues were already clear, and I believed the Taylor Group's would be soon too.

Hayden was still in a coma. How would Nolan handle this? As I was thinking, my stomach growled.

I realized I had been so focused on drawing that I forgot to eat.

There was still some porridge left from what Daniel cooked in the morning. I took the cold porridge directly, thinking it wouldn't upset my stomach in this weather.

After eating, I opened a pack of cookies and ate a few. Suddenly, my phone rang again. It was Aiden calling.

He and Isabella were already divorced. Why was he calling me suddenly?

I answered the phone, and his voice sounded very weary. "Emily."

"Aiden, how have you been lately?" I asked.

"Not good. That bastard James ruined me. I bought him a few houses as a reward for running the company well, but who knew he was doing those things behind my back! Now those houses have been seized, my company is temporarily shut down, and the clients' payments haven't been settled. I want to auction off those houses, but I don't have the money. I was wondering if I could borrow some from you."

"Aiden, have you asked Isabella?" I asked.

"How could I face her again? I already wronged her. After running my own company, I realized that without connections and financial strength, doing business is very hard. I've been ridiculed many times recently, saying that I've become stingy since leaving Isabella. I'm a man, how can they say that about me?" Aiden complained, and it seemed he didn't know who else to vent to.

"Have you thought about selling the subsidiary and retiring at home like before?" I asked.

"My youngest son is still young, only seven. I'm afraid he'll ask why I don't go to work and stay home every day. James used to admire me a lot when he was young. I had a happy family and was honored, even if it was just an illusion," Aiden replied.

"Aiden, try to think positively. You still have some money now, and you were successful in the past!" I believed Aiden must have given some properties to his mistress and illegitimate children, so he wasn't as bad off as he said.

So, I didn't want to lend him money.

Isabella had also told me that even though she taught Aiden, he might not be able to handle everything on his own.

Aiden added, "Emily, I know you have some money. Lend me some. Even three hundred thousand dollars."

I was silent for a moment and then said, "Sorry, Aiden, I've put most of my money in fixed deposits or investments, and only have about a hundred thousand dollars in liquid cash. I can't lend you the money. Why don't you ask Isabella?"

I didn't say no outright. I also wanted to hint that I refused to lend him money because of Isabella.

I had sided with Isabella in their divorce. If I lent Aiden money privately, Isabella would be unhappy if she found out.

"Alright, I really am useless," He said and hung up.

He couldn't rely on Isabella anymore. It was too late for regrets.

Besides, the Smith Group sold for a large sum, and he got nearly half of it. Even if he used some of it to pay James' back taxes, he should still have a lot left.

My five percent stake sold for ten million dollars. His shares should have sold for even more.