Chapter 153 Going on a Business Trip with Andrew?
That evening, Olivia went to sleep with the best mood she'd had during the entire holiday.
Early the next morning, as soon as she woke up, she received a bank transfer notification.
Looking at that long string of zeros, she felt a bit surprised.
The Johnson Group's compensation was one billion, but her account showed seven hundred million.
She sent Daniel a message asking, "Why did you transfer this money to me? Shouldn't it be invested back into the company?"
Sophia had stolen the company's formula, and both of them had suffered losses.
When claiming this money, she had never intended to take any for herself.
Daniel replied quickly: "I've already deducted the company's losses, set aside what needs to be invested, and included my own compensation too. The rest is naturally all yours!"
Olivia frowned and asked, "Is this how Mr. Wilson does the math?"
Daniel sent a voice message with his usual casual tone: "This money is enough to cover everything, so stop bringing it up! Just think of these seven hundred million as the divorce settlement that scumbag Michael should have given you...
Back then, he didn't give you a penny. Now that we've finally squeezed something out of him, it would be stupid not to take it.
You can treat it as Bianca's education and development fund!"
Olivia pressed her lips together, not accepting his explanation, and simply called him directly. "You're changing the subject so fast I can't even keep up... Daniel, business is business, and my divorce is my divorce. That's not how you claim compensation!"
Seeing her stubborn streak coming out, Daniel clicked his tongue and said, "Why do you have to be so particular about this?"
"You've helped me enough. I can't convince myself to take advantage of you anymore."
Olivia's tone was serious and left no room for argument.
Daniel felt helpless and had to switch to a more serious tone. "This really isn't about taking advantage! The most valuable thing about our company has never been the finished drugs or the equipment... it's your research data.
What Sophia stole was the result of countless days and nights of your hard work. I don't know how you see it, but in my eyes, technology is priceless, ability is priceless!
You as a person, your knowledge, your mind—these can't be measured with money!"
Perhaps because she rarely heard him say such things, Olivia was momentarily stunned.
She hadn't realized that in Daniel's eyes, she was so...
She couldn't find the right word for a moment.
But a strange feeling rose in her heart.
Daniel... why was he suddenly being so sentimental?
This really wasn't like him at all!!!
Daniel clearly knew that what he'd just said was a bit too direct.
But he didn't regret it.
He'd already missed his chance years ago. Now that she was finally free again, he didn't want to miss another opportunity.
Olivia was irreplaceable in his heart!
However... were those words just now a bit too eager?
Daniel felt uncertain and fell silent for a while, then returned to his usual tone. "Besides, it's just a few hundred million. Do I look like I'm short on cash? Plus, the new drug is about to launch, and we've secured the Harmony City project. Do you know what that means?"
Olivia took the out he offered. "What does it mean?"
Daniel said, "It means you're about to help me make who knows how many times seven hundred million, okay? I'm already setting up overseas channels!"
After hearing this, Olivia felt helpless.
She knew that no matter what, he wasn't going to take the money back today.
So she could only say, "Fine, if that's the case, I won't be stubborn about it. Starting tomorrow, I'll go back to the research institute and begin preparing for the Harmony City project! Once the team returns, we'll start developing new projects!"
Daniel had no objections.
After chatting a bit more, Olivia hung up and went to have breakfast.
During the meal, Evelyn sent her a link, her tone full of barely concealed glee. "Olivia, check out the news I sent you."
Olivia clicked on it curiously and found it was more news.
And it was related to the Johnson Group.
This morning, the Johnson Group had officially responded to the recent controversy.
First, regarding the theft of research data, Sophia, as head of the R&D department, had unavoidable responsibility and had been fired, never to be rehired.
Second, the Johnson Group's pharmaceutical R&D department had been completely shut down, and the harmful drugs, under supervision from relevant authorities, had all been destroyed and would not be released to market.
Third, the strategic partnership between the Johnson Group and the Brown Group was now terminated.
Fourth, the Johnson Group was unaware of all violations committed by the Brown Group.
Fifth, the Johnson Group had not committed any commercial crimes and could cooperate with investigations by relevant authorities.
...
After reading the overall direction of the statement, Olivia didn't feel much.
This statement was both official and evasive.
As for no violations...
Olivia scoffed. Were they really trying to fool idiots?
Even internet users didn't quite believe it.
"If there were no violations, can you explain how you got Sophia released?"
"If Sophia did nothing wrong, why fire her?"
"Firing her means she was the mastermind behind everything, right? Isn't this contradictory? Isn't this a slap in the face?"
"Don't you all get it? Mr. Johnson is determined to protect Sophia..."
"Oh my god, he loves a homewrecker that much? Just how beautiful is she?"
"To be fair, she is quite good-looking, plus being from a wealthy family, she's streets ahead of some female celebrities."
As the discussion continued, someone posted photos of Sophia.
"My mom is a good judge of character. She said this woman is clearly a restless bitch, super slutty, seducing men left and right."
"She looks pretty innocent to me?"
"What kind of dumb straight guy are you? She can only fool blind men like you. We women can tell at a glance that she's a deeply hidden two-face."
"Truth! Just look at her eyes—she's practiced that look. It's full of seductive charm. Definitely not simple!"
"Ha, Sophia has slept with at least dozens of men... Michael actually likes this kind of promiscuous woman??"
"..."
When she got to this part, Evelyn happened to send a screenshot, asking Olivia, "What do you think about this promiscuity comment?"
Olivia didn't think much of it. "Just internet users talking trash, right?"
Evelyn immediately called her, speaking rapidly. "I feel like it might actually be true? I checked this user's profile. She's abroad, a socialite from a wealthy family there. Her posts are usually showing off mansions, luxury cars, watches, her baby, and designer clothes!
I remember Sophia also came back from overseas, right?
Given Sophia's personality, the people she associated with abroad were probably not simple either. This user might actually know some inside information."
Hearing this, Olivia couldn't help but feel doubtful.
"Is that possible? Sophia was married back then!"
"She came back to destroy your marriage, what wouldn't she do?"
Evelyn hit the nail on the head. "Also, she came back after getting divorced. Have you ever thought about why she got divorced?
Maybe she cheated during marriage, got caught, and was kicked out."
Talking about this, Evelyn suddenly became gleeful. "Think about it, if this is true, how fun would that be?
Michael's first love has actually slept with countless men. How devastated do you think he'd be?"
Olivia fell silent.
How devastated he'd be, she didn't know.
But given Michael's personality, he'd probably go crazy, wouldn't he?
"I can't help it, this is too interesting. Wait for me, Olivia. I'm going to try to chat up that girl. Who knows, maybe I can dig up something?"
Evelyn's playful side was completely hooked.
She might not be interested in other people's gossip.
But Michael had bullied her best friend so badly, and she'd been waiting for him to get his comeuppance.
During Christmas, the Brown Group's misfortune had affected the Johnson family, and she'd been going to sleep smiling every day.
Now there was something even more explosive—of course she wanted to dig deeper.
If it was all true, she'd definitely enjoy watching that guy's miserable face!
Hearing her friend's tone of wanting chaos, Olivia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Don't you have anything better to do? Actually, whatever happens to them has nothing to do with me anymore. Even if Sophia really is that cheap, it's Michael's own choice, isn't it?"
"That's true, but I just love watching Michael get slapped in the face! Who told him to be so blind and hurt you like that!
Our Olivia is so excellent, so beautiful. So many men used to fight over you. How dare Michael abandon you!"
Evelyn was still hung up on this. After saying this, she couldn't wait to hang up and go chat up that young lady abroad.
Olivia shook her head helplessly and let her do as she pleased.
She didn't pay any more attention to the online discussion.
Over the next few days, she started going back to the research institute to work.
During this time, she had wanted to have dinner with Andrew to discuss the next stage of Bianca's treatment.
However, Andrew said on the phone, "I got a temporary assignment and had to go on a business trip. This time, it'll really be quite a while before I can get back. We'll meet up then."
Olivia felt a bit disappointed but could only agree. "Okay, you focus on your work first."
That same day, not long after hanging up, Joseph called. "Dr. Garcia, someone from above asked me to ask you for a favor. Are you free these days? Could you take a trip to the Southern Military District to treat a group of special forces soldiers?"
Hearing Joseph's very serious tone, Olivia guessed the severity of the situation.
Perhaps some difficult problem had emerged, or medical conditions that even military doctors couldn't handle.
Olivia had a lot on her plate, but when it came to saving lives, she barely hesitated before responding immediately, "When do I need to leave? I'll get ready."
Joseph was overjoyed and immediately said, "The sooner the better. If possible, go home and pack now. I'll have someone pick you up right away and take you to the airport. We'll arrange a special plane!"
This urgent?
Olivia didn't refuse. "Okay, I'll get ready now!"