Chapter 73
After the visit, Gregory drove me back to the company as usual. I casually asked, "Did Ms. Brown send over that person's account information? If it's inconvenient for you, maybe I could help."
Gregory looked at me with surprise: "You... you're willing to help?"
I tilted my head and smiled lightly at him: "I'm just trying to help. Running this through accounting? If it gets flagged, it could mean serious trouble. The board isn't just for show. I don't want you taking this risk over something so small."
Gregory's face showed emotion, but more than that, disbelief. He looked at my face, confirming again what I'd just said: "You mean, you want to help me?"
Smiling, I gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear: "Why not? It's no trouble for me."
Gregory quickly shook his head and took a deep breath: "I thought... I thought I'd have to work really hard to make you forget the unpleasantness from before. Don't worry, I'll definitely pay you back this money as soon as possible."
I waved my hand casually: "It's just small change. But can I go with you to meet this person? I know a bit about investments, and I can tell if he's a scammer or not."
Gregory quickly agreed: "Of course you can. It would be great if you could come with me. I don't even know how to thank you. How about I treat you to dinner tonight? If that's convenient."
I smiled: "Let's skip dinner. Oscar gets jealous easily. In his eyes, everyone has bad intentions toward me."
Gregory's face flushed red again: "I didn't mean anything by it. I just genuinely think you're great. Actually, setting aside your current status, I'd really like to be good friends with you."
"Like... sister-level close?" I teased.
His already pink face turned even redder. He awkwardly looked away, laughing embarrassedly: "I can't express it clearly. You're one of the few people I want to confide in. I don't know why, but seeing you feels very warm, and talking to you makes me very relaxed."
I leaned back lazily against the car seat and said seriously, "Maybe it's because I doesn't put pressure on you."
Gregory stopped talking and just focused on driving, as if something I said had stung him.
In some cases, stopping at the right moment makes people feel more uneasy. Fishing, after all, requires scattering some bait from time to time—no need to rush setting the hook.
When we arrived downstairs at the company, I opened the car door: "Don't you have other things to handle? I won't keep you. Just send me the account information directly, and I'll have someone investigate."
Gregory checked his phone and nodded at me: "Okay, it hasn't come through yet. I'll ask again later. No rush—you go back to work first. If anything comes up, I'll call you."
I waved at him through the open car window: "Make sure you tell me in advance about your company's decision."
"No problem. There should be good news."
See? Men are so predictable. They're like cats—you never know how many hearts they can juggle until they're permanently napping.
But wasn't this exactly the result I wanted?
Three days later, Gregory sent me a bank account number. I had someone check it out, which didn't take much effort, and sent Gregory the name and phone number we found. He should be familiar with this name too.
Gregory quickly called me: "Don't transfer the money yet. This is Sophia's... relative's bank account. I think there might be a misunderstanding, or she sent the wrong one."
I pretended not to know anything: "Good thing I checked then. What relative? Why is she giving her relative so much money?"
"Just some distant relative. No big deal." Gregory quickly hung up.
Some distant relative? Wasn't that the brother left behind by her biological parents? A spoiled man who's never worked a day in his life. Sophia could have ignored him—why would she still be in contact with him?
Of course, I knew Sophia didn't dare let anyone know about Paul, but creating an opportunity was still easy. After all, the three-day deadline Paul gave her had arrived.
After receiving an address, I called Gregory: "Yesterday, you mentioned your company discussed the collaboration. There are some details I want to confirm with you. If you have time, can I buy you a coffee?"
Gregory agreed quickly: "I'm actually out right now. Let me treat you."
"I'll send you the location. I'll wait for you in a private room. It's getting cold—let's have something hot? I recommend trying a latte with less sugar. It tastes pretty good." I asked with a smile.
He paused on the other end: "How did you know my taste?"
I acted surprised: "You really like that? That's always been my favorite—the flavor is just right. If you like it too, that's even better. I should be closer, so I'll wait for you."
After hanging up, I drove to the coffee shop in a good mood.
I glanced at the tightly closed door of the adjacent room, then leisurely walked to the private room I'd booked next door. After ordering coffee, I quietly waited for Gregory to come watch a good show together. Of course, at this moment, Sophia was probably on the road dealing with a rear-end collision—it wouldn't delay her too long, but it was enough for her to arrive just after I was ready.
When Gregory arrived, his face showed a bright smile. He'd dressed up carefully—his suit was spotless, and even his greeting gesture at the door looked rehearsed.
I smiled at him and waved him in to sit. "Perfect timing, the coffee's still hot."
Gregory nodded and smiled at me. "I'm not late, am I? This is the first time having coffee with you, and I still made you wait."
I bet his next line would be that he'd arrange things earlier next time.
I interrupted him: "It's nothing. I just happened to be nearby and suddenly wanted to come have coffee. I called you over under the pretense of work, but really I just wanted someone to keep me company."
Gregory looked at me hesitantly: "Doesn't my uncle... spend time with you often?"
I smiled casually: "Since coming back to the country, your uncle has gotten busier and busier. It's hard to even see him now. I really don't need lots of money—I have more than I can spend. But love is different. I need lots of love all the time. What woman doesn't want company, right?"
Gregory rubbed his hands, smiling at me: "You're right. Uncle Oscar really shouldn't neglect you because of projects."
As we were talking, a man's somewhat displeased voice came faintly from next door: "Ms. Brown, you agreed on a time—where are you? I gave you a 3-day deadline, and the $1 million still hasn't been transferred to the account. So, shall we meet at the police station?"