Chapter 38 Selling Out the Company
I sneered inwardly. What was Xavier trying to pull? Did he think I'd be too embarrassed to make demands? Well, he was dead wrong.
With that thought, I said with a smile, "I heard Mr. Pemberton secured the bank loan by pledging shares as collateral. Why not do the same this time? This amount of money should be worth about fifteen percent of the shares, right?"
As soon as I said this, both their faces changed.
"Helena, how can you ask my father for shares?"
Hearing Knox say this, I pouted unhappily. "Knox, that's not right. I'm not asking Mr. Pemberton for shares. You're the ones asking my dad to borrow money, and naturally, when you borrow money, you need to put up collateral."
"Besides, Mr. Pemberton asked me to speak up. Is there something wrong with me doing so?"
Hearing my words, Xavier quickly tried to smooth things over. "Helena is straightforward and a good kid."
"Knox, don't scare Helena."
After saying this, he looked at Henry. "Henry, do you agree with Helena's suggestion?"
Henry nodded and looked at me. "I agree with Helena's proposal."
With those words, Xavier and Knox had no room to maneuver.
Knox looked indignant and wanted to argue more, but Xavier shot him a look. "Since Helena has said so, let's settle it this way."
Xavier smiled and poured Henry another glass of wine. "As long as the kids are doing well, I'm fine with anything."
He was still thinking about me marrying into the Pemberton family. I sneered inwardly. Too bad that idea would soon be shattered.
After dinner, Knox insisted on driving me home.
The whole way, he drove fast, his tight lips showing his displeasure.
Finally, when the car stopped at my door, Knox couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Helena, am I still your fiancé?"
Seeing his aggrieved look, I frowned. "Of course you are. We're about to get married. How can you say that?"
Hearing me say this, Knox's expression visibly relaxed.
"But why did you make those demands at the dinner table just now?"
"Oh, you're asking about that."
I smiled. So he drove me home to wait for me here.
"Knox, as Dad said, business is business, personal matters are personal matters. I can't start playing favorites because of our relationship."
I continued, "You also know my family's special situation. My grandmother favors men over women and thinks highly of Ivan. Last time we had dinner together, she even wanted Dad to arrange a position for Ivan at the company."
Even if I didn't say these things, they would reach Knox through Natasha anyway.
Coming from me now, he would believe it more.
"So as an only daughter, I have to work even harder. Only then will Dad feel comfortable handing the company over to me. After all, I'm going to marry into the Pemberton family in the future. If the company is in my hands, won't it be ours?"
"Helena, do you really think that way?"
Hearing my words, Knox was both surprised and delighted.
I nodded seriously. "Of course it's true, unless you don't want to marry me."
"How could that be!"
Knox joyfully pulled me into his arms. "How could I not want to marry you? I want to, I really dream about it!"
I forced down the nausea in my heart and didn't push Knox away.
"So don't wrongly accuse me again in the future."
"I won't. Helena, rest assured, I'll never doubt you again."
Where Knox couldn't see, I curved my lips into a smile.
In my past life, didn't the Pemberton family gradually take over the Lockwood Group? Perfect. In this life, I'll show them how I'll erode the Pemberton Group bit by bit.
This fifteen percent stake was just an appetizer. The main course was still to come.
"Alright, I'm going in now."
"Okay, Helena, I can't wait to marry you and bring you home."
Knox said, lowering his head to kiss me.
I turned my face to avoid his kiss, pretending to be shy. "Knox, let's wait until after the wedding."
"Okay, okay, it's my fault. Did I scare you?"
I said nothing and took the opportunity to break free from his embrace, jumping out of the car.
"Helena."
Knox called out behind me. He looked at me with deep affection. "Helena, I love you."
"Go on home."
I smiled and waved, walking toward the yard.
Soon, the car roared behind me. After the sound disappeared, the smile on my face turned cold.
After entering the house, Henry had been waiting for a while. Seeing me come in, he asked directly, "Knox left?"
I nodded. "Dad, about the shares we agreed on, you can't go soft when the time comes."
I was really afraid Xavier and Knox would play the sympathy card in front of Henry, and Henry would change his mind.
Seeing me say this, Henry chuckled. "You've really grown up, even reminding me now. Don't worry, I've already had the legal team draft the contract. When Xavier and Knox ask for the money, they'll sign the contract first. I'm a businessman—I won't give up even one step when it comes to the company's interests."
Hearing Henry's words, I finally felt at ease.
The next morning, I was woken by an urgent phone call.
"Helena, where are you? I found out some things about Caleb and want to tell you."
It was York's voice on the phone. Hearing his voice, I instantly became alert.
"Give me ten minutes, I'll be right there."
After saying that, I quickly washed my face, didn't even bother with breakfast, and drove straight to the company.
As soon as I got out of the car, I saw York pacing anxiously back and forth at the company entrance.
"What's going on?"
"Let's talk over here."
York pulled me aside and carefully took out his phone to show me.
"Look, these are all the people Caleb has been in contact with since joining the company."
I looked carefully and found all the names unfamiliar.
Seeing my confusion, York quickly explained, "This one is the sales manager of our biggest competitor, and this one is also our rival. The rest are some merchants we currently work with."
Hearing his words, I immediately understood.
"You mean Caleb has connections with rival companies?"
York nodded. "Yes."
Great, this Caleb sure had some nerve!
But I quickly thought of something. "How did you get your hands on this information?"