Chapter 102 Thirty Million Dollars, Please Confirm Receipt
[Let's meet.]
At that moment, Daniel was at the R&D department of the Star Group's tech division, listening to the chip team present their latest technology. This project had been running for over two years without any return on investment.
Several board members were arguing heatedly about whether to continue funding the project, while the technical staff fought to defend their position.
Daniel's presence was intimidating. When his phone rang, he glanced at it, and everyone noticed his expression visibly soften.
He picked up his phone and looked at it twice to make sure he wasn't mistaken. A smile crossed his lips.
His smile seemed out of place, and the noisy conference room suddenly fell silent. The atmosphere became awkward.
Daniel quickly replied.
[Okay.]
He stood up. "Breaking through cutting-edge technology barriers through innovation doesn't happen overnight. You're already fighting like this? What if there are still no results next year? Are you all going to flip the table?
In that case, today I'll personally buy back everyone's shares at 20% above market value. Anyone who doesn't see a return can go to Tom right now to cash out and leave. Maddox, Hawk, you two first?"
Maddox and Hawk, who had been the most vocal opponents, exchanged glances and smiled awkwardly.
"Mr. Wilson, we're just anxious."
"Yeah, since Mr. Wilson has such confidence and determination, what do we have to worry about? Invest! We must keep investing!"
Daniel nodded. "That's settled then. Meeting adjourned."
Daniel walked out, but Maddox and Hawk pulled Tom aside to probe.
"With all that arguing, Mr. Wilson was so calm and pleasant. Why is he in such a good mood today?"
"Has the Star Group had some new development? Tom, give us a hint."
Tom fell silent.
Looking at the two board members, he really couldn't say it.
Could he tell Maddox and Hawk that while Daniel appeared to be a man devoted to his career, he actually valued romance more?
That his sudden good mood was because Scarlett had finally responded to him after many days?
---
Scarlett needed to go to the hospital today.
She had already bought a plane ticket for three days later. Before leaving, she needed to send James abroad first.
Given James's current condition, medical staff would need to accompany him the entire way to ensure he safely reached Astoria. Scarlett needed to discuss this with Ramon.
Scarlett planned to meet Daniel first, then go straight to the hospital.
So she arranged to meet Daniel at a café near the hospital.
What Scarlett didn't expect was that before Daniel arrived, she ran into Ramon.
"Ramon, what are you doing here?"
Ramon walked into the café alone. Scarlett was quite surprised.
Ramon was also taken aback, then smiled. "An elder wanted to consult about some medical matters. I arranged to meet him here. What about you?"
Since they'd run into each other and Daniel hadn't arrived yet, Scarlett smiled.
"Let me buy Ramon a coffee then? We can talk about James."
Ramon smiled. "I'd be delighted."
He sat down across from Scarlett. The server had just brought their coffee when a figure rushed over and grabbed the cup from the table, splashing it at Scarlett.
"You shameless bitch!"
"Watch out!"
Ramon reacted quickly, standing up and pulling Scarlett aside while blocking her.
Most of the coffee splashed onto Ramon, with only a few drops landing on Scarlett's hand.
"Are you okay?"
Ramon turned around and took Scarlett's hand to check.
Scarlett came to her senses. She frowned and looked over.
Juno had been pulled away by Ramon and had bumped into a nearby table. Now she was glaring at them with red eyes, furious.
Seeing Ramon holding Scarlett's hand, Juno was livid.
"Ramon, is Scarlett trying to divorce Daniel because of you?"
A year ago, Juno had been in a car accident. Ramon happened to pass by and rescued her from the car, giving her emergency treatment.
He even followed the ambulance and took her to the hospital. Juno had fallen for him right then.
Today, Juno had brought a small cake she'd made herself to find Ramon. She happened to see him leaving the hospital and followed him.
Juno never expected to see Scarlett and Ramon meeting up again, and this time just the two of them—clearly a date.
Now watching Ramon care for and protect Scarlett so much, Juno wanted to scratch Scarlett's face.
"What are you talking about!" Ramon frowned, extremely displeased.
Juno's eyes reddened as she turned on Scarlett.
"Scarlett, how can you be so shameless, seducing men everywhere? You've ruined the Wilson family's reputation, you...!"
Before Juno could finish, Scarlett picked up her own coffee cup, stepped forward, and threw it right back at her.
Half of Juno's face was covered in coffee stains, her makeup completely ruined.
Scarlett stared at her coldly. "Juno, jealousy is such an ugly look on you."
"Me, jealous of you? As if you're worth it. Ramon doesn't know what kind of person you really are, that's why he's been fooled by you. You were only eighteen when you dared to drug Daniel, using tricks to sleep with him. You got screwed so hard you couldn't get out of bed for three days."
Thinking about how Alice had said Ramon liked Scarlett four years ago and even had his mother Cecilia Thorne visit the Wilson family to discuss a marriage arrangement between Ramon and Scarlett, Juno became even more enraged. She lost all reason and started shouting like a madwoman.
Though there weren't many people in the café, everyone turned to look.
Scarlett's expression immediately darkened, and she slapped Juno across the face.
Juno glared at Scarlett, looking even more crazed.
"What did I say wrong? You even needed stitches and were hospitalized. You're just a cheap woman who got used! Daniel was so disgusted by you he went abroad for a year without coming back!"
As Juno spoke, she raised her hand to strike Scarlett's face.
Scarlett grabbed Juno's hand tightly and swung her other hand, slapping Juno again.
"Juno, your mouth is so filthy, you should just keep it shut to avoid polluting the environment."
Scarlett raised her hand to strike again.
But then a familiar large hand—Daniel's—reached out and grabbed Scarlett's raised wrist.
Daniel's familiar, cold voice came from above Scarlett's head. "Scarlett, what are you doing?"
Scarlett looked up and saw Daniel.
Daniel had obviously just arrived. His grip on Scarlett's wrist was very tight, his slightly furrowed brow sharp.
"Daniel! Scarlett is openly cheating, and when I asked her about it, she hit me! Daniel, look what she's done to me!"
Seeing Daniel stop Scarlett, Juno immediately acted like she'd found her savior. Tears fell as she hid behind Daniel, crying and accusing.
Daniel glanced at Juno. Compared to Juno's disheveled and miserable state, Scarlett did look more like the bully.
Daniel's gaze swept past Ramon behind Scarlett, his eyes darkening.
He thought Scarlett had asked to meet him today, but he hadn't expected her to bring Ramon along.
What was Scarlett trying to do?
Did she want to formally introduce him to her next man?
"Explain." Daniel's eyes returned to Scarlett, his voice heavy.
But this statement sounded more like he was protecting Juno, standing on the opposing side, accusing and reproaching Scarlett.
Scarlett thought about Juno's awful words just now.
Scarlett's chest felt hollow, as if a block of ice had been stuffed inside. The heartache made her lips tremble.
She forcefully shook off Daniel's grip, stepped back, took out a bank card from her bag and held it out, saying coldly.
"I have nothing to explain. This is the thirty million dollars I owe the Wilson family. Please accept it, Mr. Wilson."