Chapter 434 Stay Calm and Don't Be Impatient

Chapter 434 Stay Calm and Don't Be Impatient

Gilbert cleared his throat softly.

Wendy, startled like a deer caught in headlights, snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing a deep red. 

She quickly pulled her hand back and hastily wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Alexander's gaze darkened as he looked toward the door. "Come in."

Gilbert entered, his eyes briefly scanning the two of them before he lowered his head. "Mr. Turner, Wendy."

"Sorry to interrupt, but there's something urgent I need to tell you."

Alexander gestured for him to continue.

Gilbert's expression turned serious. "Vincent confessed everything."

Wendy's heart skipped a beat.

"He claims Sophie was behind it all."

"But..." Gilbert hesitated, his tone filled with frustration. "Sophie is too cunning."

"All the orders were given through encrypted channels and disposable contacts. We don't have any solid evidence to convict her."

"Just half an hour ago, after being held for 24 hours, she posted a huge bail and walked out without a care."

Wendy's face turned pale. The hope she had just felt was doused like a cold shower.

"What?" Her voice trembled with disbelief and anger. "Just like that?"

"She had someone shot, and she just walks away?"

"Is the law really powerless against her?"

Seeing Wendy so upset, Alexander tightened his grip on her hand. His voice was calm, yet reassuring. "Wendy, take it easy."

Wendy turned to him sharply, her eyes red with emotion. "Alexander!"

Alexander's gaze was deep and unreadable. He raised his other hand to gently wipe away her tears. 

"To deal with the Russell family, who've thrived in the shadows, we need to fight fire with fire."

"Trust me." His lips curled into a cold, ruthless smile. "I've already planned our next move."

"I want more than just to see her behind bars."

"I want the entire Russell Group to vanish from Aurora City, to drag her from her high perch into the mud, never to rise again."

Meanwhile, at the Russell Group, the atmosphere was grim. 

Inside, shareholders were pressuring them, while outside, banks were demanding repayments. 

The stock price was plummeting, and the entire group was on the brink of collapse.

In her office, Sophie angrily swept a stack of papers to the floor. "Useless! All of you!"

Just then, Liam called, his voice old but with a hint of excitement. "Sophie! There's news!"

"A government-led mega project is open for bidding!"

"The project is codenamed 'Project Dawn'!"

Sophie's eyes lit up. "Project Dawn?"

"Yes! It involves new energy and urban infrastructure, unprecedented in scale! If we secure this project, not just the banks, but even the government will support us! It's our only hope for revival!"

Sophie's breathing quickened. "Grandpa, I understand."

"Use all our connections, put in all our resources!"

Liam's voice was firm. "Yes! At any cost, all in!"

A few days later, at the "Project Dawn" bidding event, the room was filled with business elites, and camera flashes were constant.

Alexander, in a black suit, sat in the front row, watching the stage with an indifferent expression. 

Gilbert, beside him, whispered, "Everything's set. The Russell family used their last connections to get some of our bid information."

Alexander didn't even blink. "Good."

As the bidding kicked off, prices skyrocketed. 

Just as expected, the Russell Group swooped in at the last second with a jaw-dropping offer.

"And the winner of 'Project Dawn' is the Russell Group!"

The room erupted in shock!

Sophie, brimming with confidence, strutted onto the stage amidst applause. 

She grabbed the microphone, her gaze like a poisoned dagger aimed at Alexander, as if she was staring down someone she loathed through the live broadcast.

Her red lips curled into a smug smile. "Thanks for your trust, everyone."

"There are always those who think they can topple the Russell family with cheap tricks."

Sophie paused, her smile growing more sinister, her words dripping with provocation. "I hear some folks can't even keep their own health in check, yet they dream of playing in the big leagues?"

"Pathetic."

"Today's outcome says it all."

"Some so-called alliances are just a joke!"

As her words hung in the air, all the reporters swung their cameras toward Alexander, who remained expressionless. 

But then, he slowly lifted his head, locking eyes with Sophie's triumphant face.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile crept onto his lips. Cold, calculating, like a predator spotting prey caught in a trap.

He turned slightly, speaking softly so only Gilbert could hear, "The fish took the bait."

Under the spotlight, Sophie's smile was at its peak. She basked in the attention, reveling in the feeling of having Alexander under her heel.

Below the stage, Liam's face showed no emotion, but the smile in his eyes was unmistakable.

Just as the reporters thought the bidding event would wrap up with the Russell Group's victory, a calm, steady voice echoed through the venue's sound system.

"Ms. Russell, don't celebrate just yet."

Everyone was stunned, turning to see Wendy, alone, walking toward the stage. 

She wore a simple white dress, no makeup, her face pale from illness, but her eyes were strikingly bright.

Sophie's smile froze. "Wendy?"

"What are you doing here?"

Wendy ignored her question, walking steadily. She stepped onto the stage, naturally taking another microphone from the host.

Her gaze swept over the many surprised faces below, finally landing on Sophie's slightly twisted face of uncertainty.

"I'm not here to argue with you."

Wendy's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "I just want everyone to meet some people, hear some stories."

She gestured slightly toward the entrance. "Bring them up."

As soon as she spoke, staff led two women onto the stage.

On the left was a middle-aged woman with graying hair, her face weathered, looking worn out, but her eyes burned with an unyielding, determined fire.

The younger woman on the right caused a gasp from the audience as soon as she appeared!

It was Tessa!

She looked even more frail than before, her eyes filled with fear and despair!

Sophie's pupils contracted sharply, a sense of foreboding rising within her.

"What are you trying to do?"