"What, what can I use as collateral?" Emily instinctively asked, feeling even more uneasy.
Raphael stared at her, his lips parting slightly. "This time, the Howard Group's loss is about eight million dollars. As long as you can come up with something worth eight million, this matter will be written off."
Eight million!
Emily was shocked by the number.
All the funds she had combined were only about three million, and that was her emergency money.
Thinking of this, she knew she couldn't touch that money.
"Raphael, I don't have that much money. Can I owe it first and deduct it from my daily allowance?"
Emily tried to shirk the debt.
But Raphael wouldn't allow it. This was his first step in devouring the Jones Group, so he resolutely refused. "No."
Then he continued, "Of course, if you don't have the money, you can choose another agreement."
The implication was clear: he wouldn't keep a woman who only caused losses to the Howard family.
Emily understood the deeper meaning behind his words, and her face turned pale again.
She bit her lower lip hard, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck her. "No, I have money. I have ten percent of Jones Group's shares. Although Jones Group's stock isn't worth much now, even ten percent is worth seven or eight million."
After speaking, she looked at Raphael excitedly, her eyes full of calculation.
She said this on purpose. Even if she sold the shares, as long as she didn't divorce Raphael, the shares would still be considered hers. Moreover, this way she could help the Jones family company.
After all, with Raphael holding the shares, he wouldn't watch them devalue in his hands; he would definitely find ways to save Jones Group's stock price.
Her calculation was very much in line with Raphael's acquisition plan.
Sure enough, Raphael's expression softened, and there was even a hint of a smile in his eyes, but he quickly hid it and replaced it with hesitation.
Unfortunately, Emily didn't see his earlier expression; she only saw his hesitant look and felt a pang of anxiety.
Could it be that this man didn't value Jones Group's shares?
But then again, Jones Group was already on its last legs.
Unwilling to give up, she quickly persuaded, "Raphael, I know what you're hesitating about. Jones Group will never collapse. My father will never allow Jones Group to go bankrupt."
"That's not what I'm concerned about," Raphael frowned and looked over, speaking in a deep voice. "What I'm concerned about is that I'm merely asking you to compensate for the loss, yet you're giving me your dowry shares. If word gets out and your father finds out, he might think our Howard family has ulterior motives. It wouldn't be good for our family's reputation!"
Emily hadn't expected Raphael to worry about this. She was stunned for a moment and then breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't worry about that. I'll explain everything to my father. It won't damage the Howard family's reputation."
Upon hearing this, Raphael subtly curled his lips and reluctantly nodded in agreement. "In that case, let's handle the paperwork tomorrow."
"Okay!" Emily readily agreed, hoping Raphael would get the shares soon and help the Jones family sooner.
After nodding, she cautiously looked at Raphael, hesitating to speak.
Of course, her expression didn't escape Raphael's notice.
Knowing what she wanted to say, he didn't wait for her to speak and said directly, "From now on, stay at home peacefully. Without my permission, you're not allowed to go out or provoke Deanna again. The current Deanna is no longer someone you can oppress or bully. If you bring trouble to the Howard family again, I won't be able to keep you. Divorce will be the final result. Do you understand?"
"I understand. I will never easily provoke Deanna again."
Emily sincerely vowed but played a word game with Raphael in her promise.
She thought Raphael wouldn't catch on, but little did she know that Raphael was fully aware of her schemes. He pretended not to know for greater benefits.
Meanwhile, Lance also received news of Emily's release.
"Keep an eye on her. Report any unusual movements to me immediately!"
"Yes!" Xavier nodded in agreement and then hung up the phone.
Lance put away his phone and returned to the bedroom.
Seeing him come back, Deanna smiled and asked, "Is your business taken care of?"
"Yes." Lance responded and walked over to hold her in his arms. Then he mentioned the phone call. "Emily has been released."
Hearing that name suddenly made Deanna pause for a moment before remembering that Emily had been arrested for trying to harm her.
"She's out now? Are you still keeping tabs on her?" Deanna looked at him amusedly.
Unexpectedly, Lance nodded seriously. "That woman has targeted you multiple times and was sent in by us this time. Her hatred for you has only increased. To prevent her from making any more moves, I have people watching her. I don't want to hear any bad news about you someday."
Hearing this warmed Deanna's heart immensely.