Chapter 263

Chapter 263
"Let's drop this topic. Can you answer my question now?"

Jackson was caught completely off guard.

The Sophia standing before him was nothing like the girl he remembered. It felt surreal.

After a long pause, Jackson still wasn't ready to give her what she wanted.

"Let's not rush. Can you tell me about those two kids first?"

Even though she hadn't gotten any useful information yet, Sophia wasn't in a hurry. Before coming here, she'd prepared herself mentally. Jackson wasn't the type to be easily persuaded, so she had plenty of patience.

"The Rivers Group and the Howard Group aren't as close as they used to be, are they?"

Of course Sophia wasn't going to answer Jackson's question. Instead, she threw out a new topic.

Jackson fell silent. He had to admit—Sophia was right.

The partnership between the Rivers Group and the Howard Group had really just been between him and Robert. After Robert disappeared, he couldn't get much traction with Amelia. The relationship between the two families had definitely cooled.

Meeting Sophia's probing gaze, Jackson hesitated for a moment before finally letting out a bitter smile. "You've become very perceptive."

His wistful tone made Sophia's stomach turn slightly. Maybe in these men's eyes, she was supposed to stay a silent ornament forever—something they could move around at will. Better yet if she never had thoughts of her own, just stayed pretty and let men play with her as they pleased.

Too bad the world didn't work that way. No one stays naive and manipulable year after year.

Sophia lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery in them. When she looked up again, she'd returned to her casual demeanor.

"Perceptive? I just remembered how you once offended Ms. York because of me, Mr. Rivers. Just a lucky guess."

When Sophia brought up the past, Jackson's memory drifted back five years. Back then, he'd been a wealthy playboy whose life revolved mostly around women and entertainment. He hadn't dealt with so many exhausting, frustrating problems.

Jackson's expression filled with nostalgia, and his tone lost its business-like edge. "How have these past five years been for you?"

This was the first question he'd asked that actually sounded like he cared.

Sophia laughed quietly to herself, grateful she'd never considered this privileged heir a real friend. Otherwise, she'd definitely be hurt.

Sometimes people were like that. Not just with romance—friendship and family ties had to be given to the right people. Otherwise, you were just asking for pain.

Reconnecting with people from the past always stirred up unnecessary emotions. Sophia steadied herself, then spread her arms openly toward Jackson across from her. "What do you think?"

Jackson rubbed his temples helplessly.

At this rate, they could sit here all night and get nowhere.

Finally, he was the one who gave in. "Fine. The Rivers Group isn't planning to participate in the Harbor Village project."

Sophia could tell Jackson wasn't lying.

Before returning to the country, she'd done her research. After Robert stepped away from the Howard Group's inner circle, the Rivers Group had gradually lost its voice among the four major families, falling to the margins. That was the real reason Sophia had dared to reveal her identity to Jackson.

"Not participating? Mr. Rivers, do you have any idea how much profit this project could generate?"

Sophia looked genuinely indignant. Jackson's heart immediately sank into discomfort.

Of course he knew what kind of benefits the Harbor Village project could bring the company! But he couldn't help that circumstances were working against him.

The brutal reality had turned this once carefree man's entire demeanor gloomy.

Clearly, Jackson's emotions had been provoked. So Sophia asked bluntly, "Honestly, even though Ms. York and I don't get along, I don't think she's the type to turn her back on people. What exactly happened between you and the Howard family?"

The question made Jackson's expression even darker. Because he didn't know either!

Still, Jackson knew that kind of answer would only invite ridicule. So he kept his face neutral and shook his head. "Forget it. There's no point talking about meaningless things. I know you want a piece of this project, but let me give you some advice—it's impossible. Give up while you can."

He was quite blunt, but Sophia didn't take it to heart. She smiled and asked, "Have they already made plans to shut me out? In that case, Mr. Rivers, would you be willing to share some information with me, for old times' sake?"

Jackson laughed humorlessly. "I'm not trying to look down on you, but what's the point of that question? The Stuart Group may have some reputation overseas, but your branch office in Emerald City is just getting started. You'd struggle going up against even one of us, let alone several families working together. Even if I told you the plan in advance, I don't think you'd have any way to fight back."

As Jackson said this, his tone carried a trace of barely concealed pride. Sophia caught it.

She didn't get angry. She just smiled gently and said pointedly, "If I remember correctly, Mr. Sinclair used to oppose you and the Howard family quite a bit. How is it that now he and the Howard family and the Brown family seem inseparable, while you, Mr. Rivers—the former best friend of the Howard Group's heir—have been pushed out?"

If Jackson could say unpleasant things, Sophia had unpleasant things ready for him too.

Sure enough, Jackson's face twisted for a moment. But he quickly regained his composure and said casually, "Sophia, there's no point trying to provoke me with this. I'm telling you the truth."

Sophia leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Have you heard about Victoria and Zephyr?"

Though her words were vague and contained almost no concrete information, putting a man's and woman's names together mysteriously like that—Jackson, a veteran player, could easily read between the lines.

Blindsided by this explosive news, he stared at her in shock. "You—what do you mean? Sophia, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Jackson's expression shifted through a whole range of emotions. It was quite a show. Finally, he fixed Sophia with a warning look and demanded in a low voice.

Sophia curved her lips. "Don't assume the worst of people. I just want to discuss a partnership with you, Mr. Rivers."

Jackson fell silent again.

Some things were easy to figure out. If Victoria and Zephyr were having an affair, exposing it would definitely cause a rift between the Howard family and the Brown and Sinclair families. Then, while the three families fought among themselves, he and Sophia could profit from the chaos.

But the question was—was it true? And even if it was, could he really do this? Robert might be missing, but a man's pride was everything.