Chapter 145 Not Only Likes, But Also Very Good at Coaxing
Finnegan choked for a moment and said irritably, "That's not what I meant!"
Andrew mercilessly exposed him, "So now you're getting creative with your matchmaking attempts? I think... there's nothing wrong with a bigger house. If you really feel lonely, I'll have someone find you more birds to fill up the entire yard. Then it won't feel empty."
Finnegan rolled his eyes in exasperation, "Are you trying to drive me crazy with all that noise?"
Then he couldn't help wondering, "What's wrong with Aurelia that makes you avoid her like the plague? She's a PhD graduate from overseas, with top-notch looks and temperament. The Kingsley family is one of the ten major families in Harmony City - you two are a perfect match!"
Andrew's eyes remained indifferent, "Whether it's a good match isn't defined that way. Family, background, external conditions - those are just the most superficial things. I don't care about those."
"Then what do you care about?"
Finnegan couldn't help but press.
Andrew frowned, pondered, but didn't answer.
Seeing his expression, Finnegan felt a bit helpless, "Fine, even if you won't accept her, at least you can try getting to know her, right? Feelings can be developed!"
"Don't want to waste the time."
Andrew replied without hesitation.
Finnegan's anger flared up, "You spend all day with those military guys, isn't that a waste of time? I'm starting to regret sending you up the mountain to recover back then! You got better physically, but your personality became so detached...
Tell me, did that old man influence you to lose interest in women? Could it be related to those prayer beads on your wrist? Take them off right now!"
Back when Andrew's mother died, he was still young and suffered psychological trauma.
For Andrew's sake, Finnegan had sent him to the mountain to recover for a while.
When he came back, he had become cold, reserved, and hard to approach.
His grandson was in the prime of his youth but had no interest in women - was that normal?
Getting more upset the more he thought about it, the old man stepped forward, trying to remove the bracelet from his wrist.
Andrew reacted quickly and dodged.
Finnegan's eyes widened, "Wearing one wasn't enough before, now you're wearing two?"
Andrew didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Stop it, it has nothing to do with these... I'm not detached from desire. I just think that if I'm going to marry, it should be someone I actually like. That's all."
After saying this, not wanting to hear Finnegan nag anymore.
He picked up his coat and said, "Going back to my room to rest."
Finnegan stamped his feet behind him, "You don't even have anyone you like, how long do I have to wait? And what about our family's century-old marriage agreement?"
Andrew didn't look back, "Uncle is still young. Why don't you have him father another son?"
Finnegan, "..."
By the time that child grew up, the Kingsley family's daughter would be old.
"This kid is absolutely ridiculous!"
After cursing angrily, Finnegan looked at David, "Is Emerald City really that great? Makes him so reluctant to leave... He doesn't actually like men, does he? I've heard people saying that!"
David nearly choked on his own saliva.
You believe such absurd rumors?
"Mr. Finnegan Hamilton, don't listen to nonsense. I guarantee with my life that Mr. Andrew Hamilton definitely likes girls!"
Not only likes them, but he's really good at it!
He even knows to buy candy to charm them!!!
...
In the morning, Olivia and Daniel met with the two directors again and successfully completed the signing.
After finishing, both parties had lunch together before starting the journey back to Emerald City.
When they got home, Olivia gave Andrew's gift to Bianca.
Bianca was very happy but also a bit dissatisfied, pouting as she said in a sweet childlike voice, "Mommy secretly went to see Uncle Andrew again without taking me!"
Olivia laughed, pinching her soft cheeks, "I didn't secretly see him. I happened to meet him while on a business trip. After the New Year when he comes back, Bianca can see him..."
Bianca muttered, "I miss Uncle Andrew."
Olivia felt helpless and had to coax her, "How about I ask him if he's available for a video call? If he can, you'll be able to see him, okay?"
Bianca immediately nodded her little head, "You have to keep your word."
Olivia smiled, "Of course."
After settling that, Bianca finally cheered up.
Since her cold hadn't fully recovered, Olivia rested at home for the next few days.
As the New Year approached, Victoria and Vaughn went out every day to buy things and decorated the house.
Various decorations filled the place with a Christmas atmosphere.
Even little Lightning's clothes and bells were changed to red, looking especially festive.
Olivia really liked this atmosphere.
In previous years at the Johnson family, on Christmas Eve, they mostly ate dinner together at Emily's place.
What should have been a joyful reunion day was always filled with the Johnson family's criticism and complaints about her.
Only Emily would stand up for her.
This year, she finally didn't have to face those annoying people anymore!
However, on Christmas Eve itself, Daniel suddenly called with bad news.
"Michael really pulled strings and got Sophia out."
Olivia's eyes darkened slightly as she asked, "Why? Sophia was involved in stealing trade secrets, which carries a minimum sentence of three years. How could she get off so easily?"
Daniel said coldly, "Because Paul changed his story... At first, when I fired him, blacklisted him, and sent him to the police for investigation, he insisted he was acting under Sophia's orders.
But when the Johnson Group's legal team intervened, they got him to change his statement.
Now he admits he was the mastermind, claiming that from the initial theft of secrets to the execution, it was all his own doing.
He even said that when he gave the information to Sophia, he lied and claimed it was his own research."
Olivia frowned, "What about the evidence we provided? Sophia admitted it herself!"
Daniel said coldly, "The Johnson Group's lawyers claim that Sophia spoke without thinking because you provoked her and she lost control emotionally... Evidence that should have been solid is now being heavily discounted.
Also, I looked into it - Paul changed his story because the Brown family threatened him.
However, the Brown family covered their tracks too well, leaving no evidence..."
At this point, his tone wasn't good either, "Now that Paul has taken all the blame, Sophia's guilt naturally becomes secondary. Michael can easily use some connections to get her out, and all punishment can be postponed."
Olivia gripped her phone tightly, invisible anger burning in her heart, "So Sophia just walks away from this completely? They suffer no consequences?"
Daniel said honestly, "There are still some. The Johnson Group did use our research data, so compensating us is unavoidable."
Olivia's expression turned cold.
Michael, do you really love Sophia that much?
If that's the case, then I don't need to be polite either!
"I remember the compensation you requested before was a hundred million, right? I want to increase it - one billion, not a penny less! Otherwise, this isn't over!
Since the Johnson Group was capable of getting Paul to change his testimony, then let them bear all of Paul's guilt!"