Chapter 429 Before the Final Battle

Chapter 429 Before the Final Battle

The next day was one of Wendy's rare days off.

She slept in until almost noon, her mind still heavy with a burden that made it hard to breathe.

Her phone rang abruptly. It was Lucy.

On the other end, Lucy's voice was as bright and sweet as honeyed sunshine, almost too cheerful to be real.

"Wendy! You're off today, right? Let's go shopping!"

Wendy instinctively wanted to decline; she wasn't in the mood.

"I found this amazing craft store, and there's an ice cream shop with the best matcha parfait! You have to try it!"

Lucy's voice had a kind of innocent yet bossy charm.

Wendy rubbed her aching temples. Listening to Lucy's unclouded joy, she couldn't bring herself to say no.

Maybe she needed a bit of normalcy to wash away the lingering darkness in her heart.

"Okay," she replied softly.

They agreed to meet at the busiest mall downtown. Lucy, like a happy butterfly, flitted over and linked arms with Wendy, chattering non-stop.

Wendy was dragged through several designer boutiques and then seated on a plush sofa in a dessert shop, a towering matcha parfait placed in front of her.

"Try it! Isn't it amazing?" Lucy looked at her with eager eyes.

Wendy took a spoonful. The cold, sweet cream and slightly bitter matcha melted on her tongue, and that bit of sweetness seemed to lift some of the gloom from her heart.

She looked at Lucy's open, radiant smile and couldn't help but smile back.

It was the most relaxed she'd felt in a long time.

As evening fell and the city lights came on, they walked out of the mall with several shopping bags, ready to part ways.

A sleek black Maybach silently pulled up to the curb and stopped.

The window rolled down, revealing a face Wendy had no desire to see.

It was Alexander.

Beside him was Francis.

Lucy's eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed, "Alexander! What are you doing here?"

Francis immediately got out and respectfully took the shopping bags from Lucy.

"Just passing by, thought I'd give you a ride home," Alexander said, his gaze bypassing Lucy and landing directly on Wendy.

Wendy's smile vanished. She took a step back, putting some distance between herself and Lucy.

"No need, I can easily get a cab," she said politely but coldly.

"Wendy!" Lucy protested, grabbing her hand and pleading, "It's late, and it's not safe for you to take a cab alone. Just let Alexander give you a ride. It's on the way!"

"Lucy, really, it's no trouble."

"It's no trouble at all! Alexander's just sitting around anyway!" Lucy insisted, pulling Wendy towards the car. "Come on, get in!"

Wendy couldn't refuse her. When a girl as sunny as Lucy clings to you, it's hard to say no.

Francis opened the front passenger door, and Lucy plopped down without hesitation, making a playful face at Wendy.

That left only the back seat for her and Alexander.

Wendy stood by the car door, feeling trapped.

Alexander got out, walked around, and opened the back door for her.

He said nothing, just made a polite gesture for her to get in, his demeanor impeccable but with an undeniable pressure.

Wendy took a deep breath and got in.

She pressed herself against the door, her whole body radiating resistance.

The car started smoothly, merging into the city traffic.

Wendy stared out the window, letting the neon lights blur past her eyes without really seeing them.

The silence in the car was oppressive, broken only by Francis's steady breathing and the faint sounds of Lucy playing on her phone.

Alexander's scent, a mix of crisp cedar and something more domineering, filled the small space, making it hard for Wendy to breathe.

Suddenly, a warm hand, tentative, moved towards hers.

Wendy's body tensed instantly.

Without thinking, she slapped it away.

The sharp sound was startling in the quiet car.

She hadn't used much force, but the message was clear.

Alexander's hand froze in mid-air.

"Mr. Turner, please watch your behavior."

Wendy withdrew her hand, giving Alexander a cold, sidelong glance. His eyes were filled with disappointment and helplessness.

Alexander sighed heavily. He knew the damage he'd done to Wendy was too deep to expect forgiveness anytime soon.

The car arrived at the Knight Villa, and Wendy wasted no time getting out.

Lucy quickly told Alexander she was staying with Wendy for the night and followed her out.

They stood at the door, watching as Francis drove away.

Lucy tugged at Wendy's sleeve, looking worried. "Wendy, will you ever forgive Alexander?"

She wasn't naive; she could see Alexander genuinely wanted to make amends, but Wendy seemed to have lost all faith in him.

Wendy lowered her eyes slightly, gently tapping Lucy's nose. "Grown-up problems, kiddo. Don't worry about it." She turned and walked inside.

Lucy hurried after her, pouting, "Wendy, I'm not a kid! Wait for me!"

Meanwhile, Alexander's car sped towards the Turner Group.

Francis, focused on driving, quickly briefed Alexander on recent events. "Alexander, Sophie took over the Russell Group after getting out of prison, and it looks like she found a powerful backer."

"What kind of backer?" Alexander's face darkened.

"Our people found out she's been meeting with the Carl family, and they're already seen Liam," Francis said gravely.

Alexander sneered. "The Russell Group is openly hostile to us now. To counter the Turner Group, they need new allies. Speaking of the Carl family..."

His eyes narrowed. "Besides Vincent, who else would team up with the Russell Group?"

Alexander's expression grew more serious. "Are the people I placed around Wendy still in position?"

"Yes, ever since your last order, Ms. Knight has been under constant protection. No more mistakes," Francis assured him.

"Make sure Lucy and Chris are also well-protected. I won't let Sophie harm my family again," Alexander said firmly.

With the Russell Group now a clear enemy, they had to be prepared on all fronts.

"What about the Turner Group? Some shareholders are already unhappy with your decision to cut ties with the Russell Group. With tensions escalating, they might oppose you," Francis said, his tone a mix of frustration and determination.

"A bunch of greedy fools," Alexander said coldly. "Teach them a lesson. Show them who really runs the Turner Group."

"Understood, Alexander. I'll handle it," Francis said, a ruthless smile forming.

Alexander didn't respond, just pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Gilbert."

Gilbert's voice came through, teasing, "What's up, Alexander? Checking in late?"

Alexander's eyes were darker than the night outside.

"Do it."

"Now?" Gilbert sounded surprised. "Not going to wait?"

"No."

Alexander's voice was emotionless.

"I want the Russell family wiped out."

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Eldoria's financial world was rocked by an unprecedented earthquake.

The Turner Group and the Harvey Group, two business giants, launched a simultaneous, devastating attack on the Russell Group.

"Breaking news! The Russell Group's core subsidiary exposed for massive financial fraud, under investigation by the SEC!"

"Urgent! The Russell Group's cash flow in crisis, multiple banks withdraw loans!"

"Extra! Russell Group stock plummets at opening, billions in market value wiped out!"

The TV news anchor's rapid-fire delivery matched the chaos.

In the Russell Group's headquarters, the CEO's office was in shambles.