Since her wife expressed dissatisfaction that day, she has remained silent and is actually reconsidering her marriage to the Forbes family.
He boasted of his ability to judge people accurately and always believed that Averi had a great sense of the big picture. After all this turmoil, Edward suddenly couldn't be sure.
That day, after the meeting, Luca Hess stopped him and invited him to the office for a cup of tea.
Both of them are academic officials and alumni of J University. Although they are eight terms apart, they happen to like novelist and occasionally exchange a few words.
Most college students of their time had dreams of becoming poets. When Edward was serving in the local area, someone tried to flatter him and help him publish a poetry collection, but he was always cautious and politely declined.
Edward knew Luca wouldn't invite him for tea without a reason, so he waited patiently. After a bit of small talk about the meeting, Luca suddenly asked, "Have you heard about Ernesto Schneider?"
"I heard about it, "said Edward with a serious expression.
He embezzled three hundred million, was sentenced to life last week, and pleaded guilty in court. It's all over the news—there's no way you haven't heard about it.
Unfortunately, twenty years ago when I was still a local secretary, he served as my secretary. At that time, I realized that this young man was smart and eager to learn, but the only downside was that he was soft hearted and couldn't face anyone. Edward, do you know why he was arrested"
Edward pretended not to know, shook his head and waited patiently.
Luca said, "He and his ex-wife have been divorced for more than ten years. For the sake of their children, they divorced and did not leave home. His ex-wife used his name to act recklessly outside. Don't worry, he even came to me. He was in his fifties and cried until he had a runny nose and tears. He swore he really didn't know about his ex-wife's affairs."
"What's the use of swearing? We have to rely on evidence in everything, "Luca sighed, paused, and said," It's often said that the backyard caught fire and the front yard suffered. I don't think it's true. The root cause of the backyard catching fire is due to negligence in the front yard. We can't reverse the causal relationship."
Instinct told Edward that Luca was trying to send him a message, but he honestly couldn't think of anything he had done that would warrant it.
After careful consideration, he gritted his teeth and decided to say directly, "Luca, please make it clear."
Luca remained silent, calmly finished his tea, took out a document from his desk drawer, and handed it to him.
Edward took it and saw that it was the loan information from the Commercial Bank of
J City. He was a little puzzled, but as he flipped through a few pages, he felt a surge of excitement in his heart.
Cristopher took out a loan of more than 4 billion for the acquisition, contributing just 160 million of his own funds. With that kind of borrowing, it was almost like he was making a big move with nothing on the line.
Last fall, the government issued new guidelines to strengthen the crackdown on financial crimes, maintaining a tough enforcement stance. Shortly after, the head of the financial regulatory authority emphasized the need for stricter oversight and reducing excessive leverage in the market.
Christopher playing this game at this time is simply going against the wind.
Luca spoke up at the right time, "Edward, do you think this payment can be approved?"
"I can't, I absolutely can't," he said, his voice trailing off. "Luca, if I had known, I would never have—" He couldn't finish the sentence. Wasn't Ernesto using the same excuse? Who would believe it?"
His excitement was half genuine and half staged for Luca to see. Since Luca privately invited him, it means he has no intention of doing anything to him.
Luca said, "Edward, you've got to manage both sides. Ernesto's situation with his ex-wife is ancient history, but your fiancée is someone you're about to marry. That's a whole different story."
Edward broke out in a cold sweat, genuinely and deeply.
Upon returning home, Edward immediately asked his secretary to get him through to J City Commercial Bank. The bank president seemed unsurprised by his call, offered a few compliments, and then mentioned Cristopher's loan, awkwardly admitting that it was difficult to process. Edward stated plainly that he should do whatever needed to be done, strictly according to the rules.
After hanging up the phone, he called Milo. Milo had plans for the evening, offering a couple of evasive remarks, but Edward cut him off, demanding that he come back immediately.
Maggie was visibly frightened by his expression and tentatively asked, "Cristopher, what happened?" It had been years since she had seen her husband show such raw emotion.
Edward remained silent for a moment, then said, "Maggie, you really are perceptive. This time, I'm the one who's failed."
At this point, just following the rules isn't enough. He needs to take drastic action, even if it means cutting ties with his own people.
*
Cristopher had dominated the business world for over thirty years, but never had he been so desperate as he was now.
First, the bank president, Mr. Gilmore, called to inform him that the headquarters had rejected their loan application, hinting that the news had already spread, and other banks would be unlikely to approve the funds. Then, he received a summons, requiring him to personally visit the Securities and Exchange Commission's J City Inspection Bureau within a week with his ID to assist in the investigation.
He immediately asked Averi to contact Milo. Averi called twice herself, then dialed again right in front of Cristopher, but Milo still didn't answer.
Cristopher, consumed by fury, threw his cup to the ground, his hands trembling with anger.
Had this happened thirty years ago, his reaction wouldn't have been so extreme. It was natural for people to avoid danger and seek benefit, something he was used to. But having stood at the top for so long, and being constantly praised, he had forgotten that feeling. Now, revisiting it, he could only feel uncontrollable rage.
Besides the high debt involved, Cristopher is also facing allegations of undermining market fairness. His failure to mention that the financing for the Plenex project was still pending approval could be viewed as an intentional omission.
The investigation progressed remarkably smoothly. A month later, the Securities and Exchange Commission published an "Administrative Penalty Decision" on its official website, fining Cristopher 100,000 dollars and banning him from entering the capital markets for two years.
That night, Cristopher was urgently admitted to the hospital.
This time, he truly collapsed, unable even to lift a spoon. Every meal, every sip of water had to be fed to him.
"I'll do it." Averi took the spoon from Maeve and gently fed Cristopher some soft, well-cooked oatmeal.
Cristopher stared at Averi, uttering the words: "Plenex project.""
Averi softly shared the good news: "Dad, Prey said they won't ask for a penalty, and the upfront payment will be fully refunded. The company's stock has dropped a bit, but it's not a big issue. This quarter's revenue has far exceeded expectations, and once the quarterly report is released, the stock will definitely rise again.""
"That's perfect," Cristopher nodded with approval. "Averi, you've done a fantastic job. Thank you for everything..."
"It's nothing, it's what I'm supposed to do." Averi took his withered hand in hers and said, "Dad, it's you who's worked so hard all your life. You should really take a break."
Cristopher looked at her young and delicate face, suddenly feeling a chill run down his spine.
Could it be, could it really be her?!
The Plenex project was brought to him by her, the bank was contacted by her, and it was also her who said he needed to step in...
But, why is that? Is it because she wants to completely replace him? No! Cristopher immediately rejected the thought. She would lose the Hebert family in the process, it would be a loss for her as well.
If it wasn't her, who would it be? Could it really be that his time's up and he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Averi seemed to not notice the change in his expression as she continued, "Dad, would you like a little more?"
His murky, aged eyes lingered on her face for a long moment before finally dulling. "I'm not eating anymore, I think I'll take a nap. You can go ahead and take care of what you need to do." Cristopher said wearily, closing his eyes.
So what if it was her doing? He was getting old, and she was so young.
*
