Chapter 114
Simone thought, ‘Five percent of the shares? What am 1, a beggar? Making the Life–Preserving Pill is insanely complicated, every single ingredient has to be measured down to six decimal places, and every pill takes a ton of effort out of me..
The Webster Group hasn’t been performing well in the past few years. Their 5% shares are worth maybe $160 million at best. And yet the boss slashes prices as if he’s using some bargain–hunting app. I’ve never seen a CEO bargain like this before.
The funniest part? In Cordell’s mind, his own dad is only worth five percent of the company’s shares. That’s some next–level stinginess. Honestly, I am starting to wonder if he even wanted to save Jerome at all!
simone let out a soft laugh and turned Cordell down flat. “Mr. Webster, even if you offered me ten percent, I still wouldn’t be able to help you
Cordell’s gentle smile froze for a second, almost slipping. He pressed his lips together and kept saying, “Ms. Irwin, I know my father was way out of line the other day. I apologize on his behalf, and I hope you won’t hold it against him”
Simone used the same line she’d given Jacoby siblings before, saying “Mr. Webster, I’m not s
someone who lets things go easily.”
Cordell hadn’t expected Simone to be so tough, so he had no choice but to play the friendship card. “Ms. Irwin, could you help me out this once. for the sake of all the years your uncle Nolan and I have been friends?”
At the mention of Uncle Nolan, Simone’s smile faded and her brows furrowed. “Mr. Webster, I only met with you today because of uncle Nolan. But I can’t help you with this, and I’m sure uncle Nolan would back me up on that.”
Simone wondered. ‘No one can guilt–trip me.
1 can tell that uncle Nolan really cared about Mr. Webster, but Mr. Webster doesn’t seem to see Uncle Nolan as a real friend. If he actually values their friendship, he wouldn’t be dragging Uncle Nolan into this just to get his way
After that. Simone suddenly looked at Mr. Webster and asked, “Mr. Webster, are you really friends with my uncle?”
“Of course. We grew up together” Mr. Webster paused, met Simone’s clear gaze, and nodded, trying to sound confident.
Simone just smiled and didn’t say anything.
For some reason, Mr. Webster felt like Simone had seen right through him. Not wanting to stick around, Cordell quickly said goodbye to Nolan and left.
After Cordell left, Nolan finally worked up the nerve to ask, “Simone, are you upset with me?” Even though Cordell had already told him the outcome, Nolan still felt a bit on edge
Simone frowned slightly, staying quiet for a moment before answering seriously. “Of course not. I know you’re just looking out for your brother, Uncle Nolan. And I also know that no matter what I decide, you’d never hold it against me.”
“You trust me that much! Aren’t you worried I might hurt you?” Nolan was caught off guard by Simone’s unwavering trust, and her words softened Nolan’s long–guarded heart.
*Uncle Nolan would never do that,” Simone replied with a steady smile.
Simone Trusted Nolan, perhaps because he had once assisted her when she was stranded overseas.
Back then, Simone had just managed to escape from Infinity Island. She was suspicious of everyone, convinced the world was out to get her. With the island’s reach still looming over her, Simone didn’t dare let anyone see what she was really capable of.
Simone souglu any paid work but faced rejection everywhere. Fresh off her escape from Infinity Island, Simone was so frail that no one wanted to hare her. She seemed too peçak for jobs to some and bad luck to others, which drove customers away,
With not a penny to her name, Simone was on the brink of starving to death.
Simone woke up the next morning so hungry it felt like her stomach was stuck to her back. She couldn’t take it anymore. While the bun shop owner was busy with other customers, Shmone muck a bug out of the steamer when no one was looking.
Even though she was quick, the owner still caught her. The chubby boss grabbed a rolling pin and chased after Simone Simone was too weak from hunger to run far and got caught almost immediately.
The bun shop owner yanked Simone up by her collar and started cursing at her in the English, “You little thief Stealing my buns? I’ll beat you to death Filthy beggart Try stealing from me again and I’ll kill you!”
His fists were as hard as iron, raining down on Simone without mercy. Simone was beaten black and blue, blood staining the ground beneath her,
1/2
Chapter 114
but even as she lay there, Simone clung tightly to the bun in her arms and refused to let go.
Just when Simone thought she was going to die there, Nolan showed up in his wheelchair. He shot a look at the bodyguard behind him, and the man immediately stepped forward to stop the bun shop owner.
“Enough. We’ll pay for it, the bodyguard said, pulling on a handful of dollars and handing them to the bun shop owner
Seeing how much money he was given, the bun shop owner finally stopped and let it go.
By now, Simone was barely hanging on. Nolan wheeled himself over, took one look at her battered, dirt–streaked face, and couldn’t help but look a little disgusted.
Nolan clicked his tongue and asked, “Hey, linle beggar, just how long have you been starving?”
Simone looked at him, about to say something, but a gush of blood suddenly spilled from her mouth.
Realizing something was wrong. Nolan immediately called over his medical team to treat Simone.
As Simone saw the crowd, she tensed up and glared at them like a cornered animal. She braced herself on the ground, scooted back a few steps, and winding in pain, slowly pulled a large, snow–white bun from inside her clothes.
The bun was squashed and dirty, but Simone didn’t care. She stuffed as quickly as she could, trying to fill her empty stomach. But she couldn’t kwallow it; after a few bites, she started coughing blood, and the bun came back up mixed with it..
Simone kept forcing the bun in, only to spit it out again and again. Not a single bite made it into her stomach.
Nolan’s heart ached as he watched Simone. Rare in his life, Nolan spoke gently, “Hey, little one, they won’t take your food. They just want to help you heal” As he spoke, he gestured for the medical team to step back, leaving only one person.
Even then, the wariness in Simone’s eyes didn’t fade.
Nolan was still at a loss when Simone suddenly passed out. When Simone woke up again, she was lying in a clean room, booked up to an IV.
Simone’s face tensed up, but when she saw her wounds had been properly treated, Simone finally relaxed a little and thought. At least for r now. I am
Not long after, a boy suddenly pushed the door open and walked in. The boy was Quinn
2/2
