Chapter 379
Emily looked at James. "So, how are you planning to get back at her?"
James replied calmly, "I took her to the rooftop of the Smith Group building and pushed her off."
His tone was so casual that it took Emily a moment to process what he had said. She took a sip of her soup, then suddenly looked up. "Wait, what?"
James continued eating his noodles, his movements refined and unhurried. He even took a napkin to wipe a bit of spilled soup from the table, his demeanor elegant and composed.
"You really pushed her off?" Emily asked, her heart racing.
James nodded.
Emily knew the Smith Group building had safety nets. Luna wouldn't have died, but Luna didn't know that. Being pushed off the rooftop by James would have felt like a death sentence. The fear alone would be unforgettable.
"How is she?" Emily asked.
"Ryan has her locked up," James replied. She wouldn't die, but the psychological trauma would be significant. Being pushed off a rooftop without warning was akin to experiencing death.
"Are you planning to use her to draw out the others?" Emily inquired.
James nodded. "Marcus is still unconscious, and we don't know if he'll wake up. Whether Luna is important to them or not, any useful information we can get from her is valuable."
Emily nodded in understanding.
James had been very busy lately. Since becoming chairman, his first major project, the Dream AI initiative, hadn't been going smoothly. Even though Nicole was no longer with the company, her influence was still everywhere, limiting James's actions.
James had been preparing the Dream AI project for years. It was a forward-looking initiative involving various fields like healthcare, technology, chips, and even aerospace. It wasn't just a simple project but a visionary blueprint for the Smith Group's future. If successful, it would revolutionize the company, marginalizing Nicole's remaining influence. However, this move would also offend many stakeholders.
Everyone knew James was a business genius. If his plan succeeded, the Smith Group could soon compete with international capital leaders. But because it threatened their interests, most people opposed it. They couldn't openly defy James, the current chairman, who held dirt on everyone. So, the shareholders united under the pretext that the project needed the support of the other major families involved with the Smith Group.
The Smith Family was the wealthiest in Starry Capital, and the other families often followed their lead. The Mellon family supported James, while the Allen family backed Nicole. The Patterson Family, the fourth major family, remained independent.
In two days, the Smith Group would hold an informal meeting with the four families to discuss the project. This was part of James's plan. The Dream AI project would benefit their industries, making their support crucial. However, if they were conservative or held personal grudges, James knew the path ahead would be challenging.
Both Emily and James had been so busy that they hadn't seen each other in days. Emily often came to the Smith Group for lunch, but James had been in meetings, so she hadn't seen him in two days.
At seven in the evening, James emerged from yet another meeting, feeling exhausted. He sat in his office chair, gazing out at the cityscape. The night view was like a painting, with lights twinkling like stars. Across the street, the Cassia building's sign shone brightly, a beacon in the night.
James knew Emily was in her office across the street. Her light was still on. Despite being only a hundred feet apart, they were in completely different worlds. James admitted he missed her, so he left his mountain of work and headed to the Cassia building.
He didn't tell Emily he was coming. He was curious about what had been keeping her so busy. The security and receptionists recognized him and let him in without issue. He took the elevator to the top floor, where Emily's office was.
When he reached her office door, he saw the nameplate: "Design Director Emily." He smiled, anticipating her surprise. Without knocking, he opened the door.
The scene inside made him freeze. He had taken a step inside, but his hand still gripped the door handle, tightening until his knuckles turned white.
Emily was there, but she wasn't alone. She sat at her desk, engrossed in drawing a design. She hadn't noticed him enter. The sound of her pencil scratching the paper was the only noise in the quiet office.
Next to her was Armando, leaning over her chair, one hand on the backrest. He was intently watching her draw, his expression serious. They were so close their faces were almost touching.