Chapter 99-trouble
Charles didn’t explain Ivanka’s presence until they were already in the car. Janet couldn’t hold back the ache in her heart any longer and finally asked, "Why were you with her...?"
"Do you really care?" Charles’s tone was colder than he intended, but her repeated indulgences hadn’t made a dent in him. What he truly wanted to know was how much space he actually occupied in her heart.
Ivanka happened to be nearby shooting scenes and saw his car parked at the hotel. So she stopped by to say hello. After all, Charles had been the one to make her famous. It was her pure, untainted aura that had attracted him back then—much like Janet’s own rare, ethereal quality. Both women reminded him of a solitary snow lotus standing proudly in a hidden valley—strong, unique, and beautiful.
For once, Charles said nothing to explain. Watching Janet’s hurt and sorrow written all over her face, he suddenly felt a strange sense of balance. Maybe he had been too good to her, which made her think he was merely a convenience—a given. But all he wanted was for her to care, truly care.
Janet bit her lip and glanced up at him. His resolute profile gave her a perfect silhouette. He didn’t even meet her eyes, focusing instead on driving back to Black Rock Co.
"The land plot at ZT—we’re buying it," Charles announced.
ZT Group was now a blight no one dared touch. It had lost its former glory and was just a ruin cloaked in luxury. Charles had been waiting for this moment—when no one cared anymore—to swoop in and claim what once belonged to Manfred’s group.
"Yes, the police have issued an arrest warrant. August’s fate is sealed," Giles reported, already moving forward with the acquisition under Charles’s command. No company but Black Rock Co. wanted the hot potato that was ZT. And only Charles truly understood Manfred’s downfall—he was finished, incapable of fighting back.
Shang Nantian, former Chamber of Commerce chairman and Manfred’s father, had become a mere dog for the Shang family. Six years ago, father and son became enemies over a woman. Now, even with Shang Nantian on his side, Manfred stood no chance. Besides, Shang Nantian had been removed from his post due to misconduct and wouldn’t dare go against Black Rock Co. again.