Chapter 139: You’re Not Still Angry, Are You, Adrian?
But this reassurance didn’t seem to have much of an effect.
After all, as he spoke, Adrian Grant shot her a cool look, his expression clearly asking, ’What interest could you possibly have in him?’
He relented. "Wait until I’ve investigated it thoroughly. I’ll give you the files, and then you can decide whether you want to meet Luna Lynn."
"Oh, by the way, I also looked into Ethan Xavier. Want to know what I found?"
Upon hearing this, Caroline Whitman gave him a long look and retorted dryly, "So now you’re not worried about me being interested in Ethan Xavier?"
’And he’s even offering up intel. Look how pleased with himself he is.’
’He must have dug up some dirt on him. There’s no way he’d be this nice otherwise.’
Adrian Grant said, "So, do you want to hear it?"
"Of course I do." Caroline Whitman quickly took the bait.
Adrian Grant picked up his phone and pulled up a file. He didn’t speak right away, instead placing the phone face down and looking up at her.
"How much do you know about your former deskmate?"
"..."
’Does he have to keep emphasizing the word ’deskmate’?’
Caroline Whitman complained silently to herself, but she still thought for a moment before saying, "Not much. After he returned to the country this year, he contacted me to discuss a project in a new field. I had my secretary check, and at least his overseas company is legitimate."
"What are the terms he offered for this collaboration with you?"
"The terms are excellent. He’s providing the technical proposal, the overseas channels, and the initial capital. The Whitman Group just needs to provide the local industrial chain and team. And in terms of profit, he’s giving us a very generous share."
To be honest, even the last few projects she had collaborated on with Adrian Grant didn’t have terms this good.
Adrian Grant didn’t respond, simply handing her the phone.
On the screen was a dossier, a detailed file on Ethan Xavier that chronicled everything from his birth to his present-day educational and entrepreneurial experiences, including the friends he’d associated with.
Damn!
Caroline Whitman marveled internally. ’So this is how a top-tier CEO investigates someone?’
’This is more detailed than a full government background check.’
Her eyes scanned over the file.
After graduating from high school, Ethan Xavier went to study in the United Kingdom. He majored in finance, and during his university years, he still interacted with people like Vincent Fuller.
Caroline Whitman’s eyes paused on that line.
She had expected them to know each other, but she never imagined their connection ran this deep.
Caroline Whitman recalled their senior year of high school; the two of them seemed to have no interaction at school whatsoever.
It was no wonder she was so surprised to learn they were in touch.
Despite this, Caroline Whitman still asked, "He knows Vincent Fuller?"
"More than just ’knows’." Adrian Grant gestured for her to keep reading.
During his time in the United Kingdom, Ethan Xavier maintained intermittent contact with Vincent Fuller. Even though they weren’t in the same country, their social circles overlapped.
After graduation, Ethan Xavier founded his own company in the United Kingdom. Early this year, he and Vincent Fuller signed a strategic partnership agreement.
As Caroline Whitman finished reading the page, her expression slowly changed.
"They’ve been partners for a while. So why did Ethan Xavier come looking for me the moment he got back to the country?"
Watching Caroline Whitman earnestly discussing business in bed, Adrian Grant couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing his mischievous smile, Caroline Whitman grew wary. "What are you smiling at?"
"I’m smiling because we’re actually talking business in bed."
"..."
Having diverted the conversation, Adrian Grant was the one to bring it back on topic. "Ethan Xavier doesn’t lack for partners.
He has his own company in the United Kingdom, and back home he has a ready-made ally in Vincent Fuller. Although Vincent Fuller was kicked out of the Fuller Group, the Group didn’t go for the jugular. His network and local operational abilities are still intact, making him a perfectly qualified partner for Ethan Xavier.
But after returning to the country, he didn’t go looking for Vincent Fuller. He called you."
As he said that last sentence, Adrian Grant’s tone sharpened unexpectedly.
Having been stuck to him like glue for the past few days, Caroline Whitman naturally picked up on the change in his tone.
"..."
Before she could say anything, Adrian Grant continued in a flat tone,
"In the business world, when a man who has no shortage of partners suddenly serves you a juicy deal on a silver platter, it means one of two things: either there’s something wrong with the deal itself, or he’s not after your resources but is using the opportunity to get close to something."
How could Caroline Whitman not understand his subtext?
After all, she’d already figured out Ethan Xavier’s intentions back in the car.
’I just never thought... that guy is actually interested in me?’
’Unbelievable.’
’Since when has my love life been this active?’
Still, when Adrian Grant had offered to tell her about Ethan Xavier, she’d really thought he was about to expose some dark secret or air his dirty laundry.
’I never expected the big reveal would be... evidence that another man is interested in me?’
’Then again, isn’t it a little narcissistic to see it that way?’
Caroline Whitman’s expression was complicated. She chose her words carefully. "Get close to what?"
"What do you think?" Adrian Grant’s tone was faint.
But Caroline Whitman could tell from his tightly pressed lips that he was displeased.
She suddenly found this a little amusing. "You think I’m that charming? We shouldn’t be so narcissistic.
Instead of assuming he’s after me, I’d say it’s more likely the Whitman Group’s reputation that caught his eye.
In any case, let’s just drop it. I wasn’t planning on working with him anyway. And knowing about his bet with Chase Ford, I want to stay even further away from him."
Caroline Whitman quickly tried to move on, afraid that dwelling on it would only stir up trouble.
Still, she had gained some important information from this.
’Vincent Fuller was kicked out of the Fuller Family.’
’Seeing him this morning, he didn’t look at all like someone struggling after being disowned by the Fuller Family.’
’The rumors of him being a rebellious, spoiled heir were completely false.’
’It seems Vincent Fuller also knows how to secretly build his own fortune.’
’Of course. How could the male lead in the book be a complete loser?’
’How should I warn Adrian Grant to keep an eye on this Vincent Fuller?’
’After thinking it over, I decided it was best not to bring up another man right now.’
Caroline Whitman lay down and tugged on his sleeve, trying to change the subject. "Aren’t you going to sleep?"
Seeing that he was unmoved, she leaned in and pecked his cheek. "You’re not still mad, are you, Adrian?"
Adrian Grant’s eyes darkened. "Say it again."
The moment he said that, Caroline Whitman knew he was placated. She certainly wasn’t going to press her luck and risk playing with fire.
So she just lay back down, yawned, and said, "Well, if you’re not sleeping, I am."
"..."
Resigned, Adrian Grant could only turn off the light, lie down beside her, and pull her into his arms to sleep.
A clap of thunder echoed, accompanied by a flash of lightning.
Summer thunderstorms were frequent.
At the sound of the thunder, Adrian Grant stirred and sat up in bed.
Caroline Whitman was already drifting off to sleep. Seeing him suddenly sit up, she was about to ask what was wrong when another loud BOOM of thunder echoed.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared.
Her mind was a beat slow, but then she, too, thought of Ryan Grant.
The little boy slept by himself. If the thunder woke him, he would probably be terrified.
Adrian Grant was already out of bed. "I’m going to check on the child."
The moment he opened the door, he saw Tiny standing there, clutching a small blanket and looking up at the adult before him with a pitiful expression.
"Daddy, can I sleep with you guys tonight?"
Adrian Grant looked down and scooped the child into his arms. "I was just on my way to see if you’d been scared awake."