Chapter 90
Jasper probably really didn't have time to help Sophia anymore.
Because I sent him several financial statements, and he should understand at a glance that these debts he can no longer repay are like a sword hanging over his head.
Jasper came even faster than last time. He'd been waiting at the front desk for nearly an hour. When I got back to the office from the hospital, he rushed up to block my path: "Emily, you're finally here. I've been waiting for quite a while."
I gave him a lazy glance: "If you're here to talk about the accounts, bringing your bank card would mean more than anything you could say. Without the card, talking is pointless."
Seeing me walking slowly inside, he hurried to catch up. His usually straight back was now bent, and he forced a smile onto his face: "You're absolutely right."
"Don't call me Emily. We're not that close." I glanced at him and said slowly.
Jasper quickly replied with a smile: "Either way, the Brown family and the Lopez family still have a relationship."
Following me into my office, he naturally closed the door, then nervously adjusted a chair before saying with a smile, "I've looked at everything you sent me. It was just a temporary cash-flow hiccup back then, so I used some of the working capital. You know how it is—the money later went to other things, and I just forgot about this..."
I looked at him with a smile: "You're a manager too. Do you really think this kind of downplaying works?"
"It's not downplaying. The company belongs to the Brown family anyway, right? I'm just moving money from one pocket to the other..."
I corrected him seriously: "You need to get this straight—this is taking the company's public assets and turning them into your private property. Don't tell me how much you've loaned to the company. However much it is, it's all in the company's name. This needs to be settled properly."
Jasper sighed with his head down: "I understand what you're saying, but... does it have to be so absolute?"
I looked at him with a smile: "Absolute? This isn't a small amount. I really wonder if the company's decline is because of people like you, rotting it from the inside out."
Jasper forced a smile. "I let things get too loose before, and too many senior roles went to shareholders' friends and family. Glad you stepped in and fixed it; I could learn a lot from Ms. Wilson."
I crossed my legs and looked at him leisurely: "Jasper, let's be clear—I'm not here to play nice. You got one thing right: I am deliberately targeting you. From the moment I got back, I had my eye on the Brown Group. Now that I've got leverage, you think I'm letting go?"
The smile froze on Jasper's face, and he looked at me darkly. He probably had many questions but finally asked: "Why?"
I unconsciously rubbed my thumb and index finger together, looking at him with a pleased smile: "Take a guess."
Jasper's tone became urgent: "If it's because of Emma, I've explained to you many times—none of us wronged her..."
I kindly reminded him: "Your sister—you've probably asked lawyers recently. Did they tell you how long before she can get out?"
Jasper's face turned ugly. He seemed to think I was helping him: "Do you mean trading Sophia for the Brown Group? Sophia lost her head for a moment. She said she only wanted to teach her a lesson, and she regretted it afterward and wanted to save her..."
I waved my hand impatiently: "I'm not interested in hearing you defend her. I have other things to do. If there's nothing else, you can leave. The lawyer's letter will probably arrive in a few days. Everything here needs to be sorted out and handled together."
Seeing my serious expression, Jasper slowly clenched his hands into fists. He didn't leave immediately but stood in front of me, lips pressed together, eyes gloomy.
After a long while, he seemed to make up his mind: "If you think Sophia did something wrong to Emma and you can't let it go, we won't stop you from doing whatever. But you should know we're Emma's family, too. If you're really Emma's friend, she probably wouldn't want to see you treat her father and brother like this, right? Ms. Wilson, I'm begging you, give me some time. I'll try to make up for those losses."
I looked at him with disdain: "Fine, since you put it that way, I'll give you a chance to make it up. Is three days enough? Within three days, I want all the accounts settled."
His tone became agitated: "How is three days possible?"
I naturally knew he couldn't come up with the money in three days. His family's villa and cars had already been mortgaged one after another. When they first mortgaged them, they probably never imagined there would be a day when they couldn't redeem them.
"You're not in a position to negotiate with me. If there's really no other way, you still have some shares. If the price is right, maybe I can take them off your hands."
Once his shares were sold, the Brown Group would have nothing to do with him anymore.
I rested my chin on one finger, pleased, watching his uncomfortable expression: "You're going to back us into a corner like this?"
I nodded casually: "Yeah, that's how business works. You don't expect me to give you a chance to make a comeback so you can get revenge on me, do you? So talking to me is useless. Either pay up to settle the accounts, or go to prison for a family reunion. Which outcome do you think I'd rather see?"
Jasper seemed completely drained, leaning on the desk and looking at me. He knew I could say it and absolutely do it.
"I'm practically on my knees here, Emily. What exactly do you want?" His face showed helpless confusion.
The more defeated he looked, the more my pleasure grew. I unconsciously rubbed my hands together, raising an eyebrow at him: "I just told you—I want the Brown Group. I want to see you with nowhere to turn. I want to hear you beg for mercy in front of me. I want to enjoy the thrill of controlling your fate, just like back then, when you could control others at will."
He frowned at me, his eyes somewhat vacant, as if trying to see something else through me, mumbling: "Something's wrong. We've all been fooled, fooled. I suspected you before—how could we just accept you weren't her based on one test? Yes, if that's the case, it all makes sense. You're terrifying."
As he spoke, he backed away, finally almost fleeing through the door.
Watching his disappearing figure, the smile on my lips gradually faded. Whether he finds anything out doesn't matter. What matters is that he's followed the path I designed for him exactly.