“Would you like a tour of the Apex Z Group facilities while you’re here?”
Louis shook his head.
“Not today. I have other matters to attend to.”
What was more urgent now was to determine who the real owner of the doll was.
If Vivian’s doll was in the attic, that meant the person who saved him years ago wasn’t Vivian at all, but someone else.
Who was it, then?
He needed to find that girl as soon as possible.
“At your command, Sir. I’m always here to await your arrival.”
John said with a bow.
He then indicated that he would see Louis off, but Louis politely declined.
As Louis turned to leave, the entrance door swung open and a young woman rushed in.
She wore a blue and white business outfit, her figure stunning and her beauty exceptional.
Her long hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, looking vibrant and bouncy.
She walked briskly, almost bumping into Louis.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” she gasped, looking up at Louis with wide eyes.
“It’s f—fine,” Louis said curtly and hesitantly, stepping aside.
For some reason, the moment Louis saw this woman, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
However, he was sure that he had never seen this woman during the years he got married.
So where did this familiarity come from?
Meanwhile, the woman didn’t linger for long.
After apologizing to Louis, she immediately headed toward the elevator.
However, just then, she caught sight of John Wales behind Louis, and she stopped abruptly in her tracks.
A look of surprise quickly appeared on her face as she walked toward John.
“Mr. Wales, nice to meet you. I didn’t expect to meet you here. I’m Juliet Beaumon.”
Apparently, she was here to meet John Wales.
“Hello, Miss Beaumon.”
John said, nodding casually.
“But isn’t your appointment later next week?”
“I know, Mr Wales. Sorry for the interruption,” Juliet said, her voice anxious but steady.
“I just wanted to submit this proposal in person.”
“This is the project proposal that we’ve carefully prepared. Please take a look and give us at Beaumon Group a chance. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
She handed Louis a folder, her hands trembling slightly.
She felt a surge of anxiety, as this was the last hope for saving her family.
The Beaumons were once a prominent force in Apple City.
Although they couldn’t compare to the few top elite families, they were certainly not weak.
However, recently, her grandfather was framed and fell into huge debt, while her father’s business plummeted, leaving the Beaumon Family on the brink of disaster.
If it weren’t for their deep family roots, they would have already fallen apart.
And now, the only hope for turning things around was to seize the opportunity to partner with the Apex Z Group, relying on their financial strength and influence to reverse the Beaumon Group’s decline.
For this reason, Juliet hadn’t rested well for a fortnight.
She meticulously revised the proposal to ensure it was flawless.
Therefore, she was very confident about the proposal.
However, John merely glanced at the cover of the proposal before handing back the folder.
Juliet’s heart sank inevitably.
“Mr Wales, could you please take a careful look? I promise the contents inside will definitely satisfy you.”
After trying to calm her anxiety, she suggested urgently.
However, John shook his head, his tone firm.
“Miss Beaumon, to be honest, we never considered partnering with the Beaumon Group. And I’m sure you know the reasons.”
“The Beaumon Group’s financial state hasn’t been stable for the past few months...”
“... and therefore, isn’t reliable enough for us to consider a partnership at this time.”John got straight to the point as he didn’t want to waste the time.Juliet’s heart sank to the bottom.Her face fell and her lips went pale. But she didn’t dare back down. This was, after all, her last hope!Also, the Beaumons’ last hope!How could she give up so easily?“I understand the concerns, Mr. Wales.” Juliet continued, her voice trembling and rapid.“If you’re not at ease, I can offer all of Beaumon’s overseas assets as collateral.”“I can assure you they are completely legitimate and without risk.” “Additionally, to show our sincerity, we’re willing to offer a 60%—uhm, no, I mean a 70% discount. We just need a chance to prove ourselves.”Juliet? Beaumon? J and B?Just then, a light bulb went off in Louis’s mind.Of course!He remembered!Wasn’t that the name of Vivian’s best friend, the daughter of the Beaumon Family?Moreover, and most importantly, if he remembered correctly, the d
If Juliet was indeed that little girl from back then, his help now would be a small way to repay her.If it turned out that she wasn’t, he could just consider it a good deed.Unlike John Wales, who was only a General Manager, as the founder and big boss of Apex Z Group, he, Louis Kindsor, had no worries about the risk of cooperation.Juliet paused in her steps and looked at Louis with gratitude.She truly appreciated that he was speaking up for her.However, it was futile.No one, she knew of in the entire Apple City, had ever made John Wales change his mind.It was just impossible!Juliet thought it was hopeless, John Wales won’t give her a chance.“Thank you for your precious time, Mr. Wales,” she said with heavy heart, and turned to leave.However, Juliet didn’t realize how anxious John Wales had become after Louis spoke up.To Juliet's utter amazement, John Wales suddenly cleared his throat. "Miss Beaumont, please wait."She turned back, hardly daring to breathe."Perhaps I was..
Juliet finally picked up her phone. "Hello?""About time!" Vivian snapped. "I've been calling all day!""I'm sorry, Vivian. You know, I was working on a project proposal—""Yeah. Whatever. I have big news," Vivian cut her off. "Louis and I have divorced.""Oh no! What happened?""Don’t feel sorry for me, dear. Congratulate me! I finally got rid of a freakish leech.”"He's the most awful being I’ve ever met, that's what happened! Do you know what he did?" Vivian's voice grew louder."He was having emotional affairs! ”“And you know what? He even dared to require a million dollars every month for expenses!" Vivian complained whiled expressing her discoveries and grievances, as if she was a victim, not a cheater."Really? I had no idea..."Juliet couldn’t believe her ears. How could a man be so shameless?She immediately felt sorry for her childhood bestie."Of course you didn't. Nobody knew how horrible he was," Vivian replied sternly. “You know what’s more? His disgusting deeds eve
Vivian was still at it, spreading more lies. Everything he had told Vivian was true.The cards were real, and the doll wasn’t stolen.As for demanding one million dollars every month for expenses, that was thoroughly slanderous and fabricated!Louis wanted to tell Juliet right away the truth, and that Vivian was the one who had cheated.She was the one destroying his reputation to hide her own sins.However, would Juliet believe him?"If I ever met a horrible man like that," Juliet declared, "I'd throw him straight in the garbage where he belongs!"Louis laughed silently at how crazy this all was. Here he sat, listening to someone wish him in the garbage, while thinking he was sitting in front of her."You're so quiet," Juliet noticed. "Doesn't it make you angry too?""Maybe..." Louis chose his words carefully, "maybe there's another side to this story?""Another side? No way! Vivian would never lie to me. We've been best friends forever!" Juliet shook her head. "Her ex-husband i
The purr of the luxury car's engine faded as Louis pulled up to the villa.Before his hand even reached for the doorbell, the door swung open. Victoria stood there, her face bright with a welcoming smile, clearly expecting someone else."Vivian, you're home! Is Ben joining us for din—"Her expression soured instantly upon seeing Louis."Oh. It's you.""Hello, Mom," Louis said politely.The word tasted bitter, a habit he now despised but continued out of mere formality.Victoria's eyes narrowed.Her face twisted with contempt."Don't you dare call me that!”“You're like a stray mutt trying to sneak back into a warm house after being kicked out."She said with disgust."I'm only here to collect my belongings," Louis explained calmly.Louis let the insult wash over him, determined not to rise to the bait.Breathe, he reminded himself. He wasn’t here for a fight.Victoria barked out a laugh."Your belongings? What belongings? You're like a tick that's been living off my daughter's blood
“That was the whole point of letting someone like you marry into our family!" “But since you can’t provide her, why can’t she find a better mate for herself?”Victoria's voice dripped with contempt. "What good is a husband who can't even provide properly?""Provide?" Louis's voice was dangerously quiet. "I gave her the foundation for everything she has now.""Even if you did give her some measly start-up money - which I highly doubt - two million is nothing!" Victoria spat."Is that all my daughter was worth to you?”“A pathetic man like you should have emptied your bank accounts, sold everything you owned, and begged on the streets if you had to!"Louis's cold smile returned."How interesting. One moment you deny I gave anything, the next you say it wasn't enough. Which is it, Victoria?""Don't you dare take that tone with me!" Victoria snapped. "My precious Vivian worked herself to death while you, her so-called husband, probably skimmed money from her success.”“I bet that fan
Louis's patience was wearing thin. This circular argument was getting nowhere. He took a step forward, intending to enter the villa, but Victoria moved quickly, stepping in front of him to block his path.She raised her hand in a dismissive gesture, and that was’s when he noticed it—a glint catching his eye.There, on her outstretched finger, sat his mother’s ring.The delicate silver band with its modest moonstone setting - the only piece of his mother he had left. He remembered the day he'd given it to Vivian, hoping she would treasure this small piece of his mom’s heirloom."That ring," his voice came out low and controlled."I'll be taking it back."Victoria instinctively covered the ring with her other hand. "This? Don't be ridiculous! You gave it to Vivian, which makes it hers. And since she gave it to me—""It's my mother's heirloom," Louis cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument."It was never meant to be passed around like a cheap trinket.""Heirloom?" Victoria's l
"Mom? What's going on here?"Just then, a man walked into the room while rubbing his sleepy eyes.Victoria's face lit up with obvious relief. "Jackson! Thank goodness you're here!"She immediately scurried behind her son, her previous intimidation morphing into renewed boldness. "This… this leech is trying to steal from us! He wants to take things from our home, and now he’s taken the ring your sister gave me!” She exaggerated, twisting the story to make Louis look like the villain and to ease her own guilt.She hoped Jackson would step up, put Louis in his place… and most importantly, get the ring back.“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll handle this pest,” Jackson Howard sneered, looking at Louis like he was nothing.His lips curled into a sneer as he sized up Louis. "Well, well. If it isn't our family's pet beggar. Missing the taste of our table scraps already?"Louis remained silent, but something dangerous flickered in his eyes.His fingers tightened around the ring in his palm."What's