Chapter 286: Are you saying Adelyn Grace is your sister?
They were all stunned for a moment before Samson let out a mocking laugh.
"Haha ... Don’t fool us, Polson," he said, shaking his head as he dismissed the claim outright. "There’s no way you could have found someone in such a short amount of time."
The others wanted to believe the same.
However, for the obvious reason, they no longer could.
James Polson’s expression no longer looked like he was bluffing. Especially when they saw the smirk slowly lifting the corners of his lips, making him look more confident than ever.
"Whether you believe it or not, Samson," James said with a casual shrug, "... it won’t change anything. I’ve already found a capable and powerful investor, and that’s all that matters. You may take your leave now."
With that, he stepped aside and deliberately gestured toward the door.
His attitude was nothing like before, when he had still been asking them to sign the agreement.
Which meant—
Samson’s expression changed instantly. His face darkened, and his fingers clenched tightly. "You’ve been looking for other investors behind our backs all this time."
James heard him and nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"Of course I have," he admitted openly. "We couldn’t just sit around waiting for all of you to back out, could we? And if we really had done that ..." He smiled faintly. "... then, just as you said earlier, we would have had no way out. So it’s always better to play it safe."
For the first time since entering the meeting room, Samson’s arrogance visibly cracked.
"James, how could you do this to us?" he accused angrily. "We’ve been friends for so many years, and this is how you treat us? Over something so simple? You’d rather betray us than compromise?"
Producer Polson couldn’t help finding those words ironic.
"What we shared was never friendship," he replied bluntly, without bothering to soften his words. "It was business. Otherwise, do you think you’d be putting your profits and demands ahead of everything else?"
His smile then deepened further.
"And if this is business, then it isn’t betrayal. It’s called preparing one step ahead so no one can force you into doing something you don’t want to do. And that’s exactly what I did."
His gaze swept across everyone in the room one final time before he once again gestured toward the exit.
"Now ... please."
While the other investors lowered their heads in embarrassment, Samson merely gritted his teeth.
Without wasting another second, he stormed toward the door. However, just as he reached it, he suddenly stopped.
He didn’t turn around.
Instead, he briefly glanced at Liam before shifting his gaze back to James.
"Polson ..." His voice was cold and threatening. "You’ll regret this."
With that, he walked out completely.
Several of the other investors hurriedly followed behind him.
One or two of them hesitated midway and thought of asking whether they still had a chance to invest.
However, before they could even speak, James simply smiled and gestured them toward the exit once again.
The meaning behind his action couldn’t have been clearer.
He was no longer entertaining that possibility.
Only two minor investors remained. Their investment amount wasn’t much, but —
Unlike the others, they had trusted Camden Rhodes’s judgment from the very beginning. Without another word, they signed the agreement before standing up and shaking hands with James.
"We’re counting on yours and Director Rhodes’s vision," they said sincerely. "If you need anything from us ... just let us know."
James smiled warmly at them and nodded.
"Sure. Thank you."
Soon, they too left the room.
Silence gradually settled over the meeting room.
Now ...
Only Liam remained.
James slowly turned to look at him, a faint smile curling onto his lips. "CEO Scott," he began politely, "may I ask how you know Adelyn?"
Although James hadn’t known Adelyn for very long, he wasn’t someone who judged people based on rumors.
Nor did he assume there was anything inappropriate between Liam and Adelyn.
But there was one thing he was certain of —Liam knew Adelyn.
Otherwise ...
He wouldn’t have stood against so many influential investors just to protect her place in the film.
If he had done all of that, there had to be a reason.
James quietly fixed his gaze on the young man, patiently waiting for his answer.
Liam, however, found himself in a difficult position. He had come here because of Adelyn.
Yet he couldn’t let that become obvious.
Not because he didn’t want to...
But because revealing too much would only complicate everything.
Adelyn was the daughter of the Scott family. She was his sister who had grown up with them.
But to the outside world, Clara had long since taken that place.
If he revealed Adelyn’s identity now, it would inevitably affect the image the Scott family had carefully built around Clara as the sole daughter of the family over the years.
Yet ...
How could he deny the bond he shared with Adelyn?
How could he pretend she wasn’t his sister?
The struggle became evident on his face.
And James was observant enough to notice it immediately. "CEO Scott ..." he asked carefully. "Is everything alright?"
Liam blinked before quickly composing himself. He gave a small nod and forced a polite smile.
James waited a moment before asking again, "So ... do you know Adelyn?"
This time, Liam remained silent for several seconds before finally speaking.
"I think you’ve misunderstood something, Producer Polson." He paused briefly. "I don’t know Ms. Adelyn ... Grace."
"Then?" James looked at him, his brows knitting together slightly.
Liam smiled once again.
"As I said earlier ... I trust Director Rhodes’s judgment. If he chose Ms. Grace, then she must possess the talent needed to make this film a success."
James didn’t respond immediately. He simply looked at Liam quietly.
Only after a brief silence did Liam speak again.
"So ..." he asked with a composed smile, "may I invest in the film as one of its investors?"
Producer Polson blinked.
Then, wearing the same courteous smile, he nodded.
"You certainly can, CEO Scott." He paused before looking directly into Liam’s eyes. "But ..."
"I don’t believe you’re here simply to make an investment."
Liam’s gaze subtly deepened.
"Someone who’s willing to invest a hundred million isn’t driven solely by profit," James continued calmly. "There has to be another reason behind it."
Liam lowered his eyes slightly.
The reason was guilt.
And regret.
After a long moment of silence, he finally looked back up.
"Since you’ve already seen through me, Producer Polson ..." He paused before continuing honestly,
"... I won’t hide it anymore. I do have another reason."
"Please," James said politely. "Go on."
Liam hesitated for only a second before finally saying, "The reason ... is my sister."
"Your sister?" James repeated, genuine surprise flashing across his face. After a brief pause, he looked at Liam with quiet suspicion and asked,
"CEO Scott ... are you saying Adelyn Grace is your sister?"