Chapter 19
Annabel stood at the floor–to–ceiling window on the top floor of A.N Group, gazing out over the city below.
The glass reflected her silhouette. She held a glass of red wine between her fingers, the dark crimson liquid swirling gently. It looked so much like the color of the pool of blood she once lay in.
Her assistant knocked and entered, respectfully handing her a document.
“Ms. Norton, Morse Group’s stock just dropped another 5%. The market isn’t responding well to Tristan’s recent decisions.”
Annabel took the file, a cold smile tugging at the comer of her lips.
“Perfect.”
She flipped through Morse Group’s recent financial reports, her finger pausing on a particular line of figures. In order to fill the financial hole left by Cassie’s embezzlement, Tristan had already sold off several of his personal assets.
“Keep offloading the Morse Group’s bonds we hold,” she said calmly as she shut the folder.
The assistant hesitated. “But if Morse Group collapses too quickly, we’ll also lose part of our investment.”
Annabel looked up, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. “That’s fine. I don’t care.”
The only thing she cared about was watching Tristan lose everything he once held dearest, just like she had.
At Morse Group, Tristan stared intently at his computer screen in his office. The stock price trend was plunging, and calls from shareholders flooded in. Annoyed, he muted his phone.
“Find out who’s behind this,” he snapped at Steven.
Cold sweat beaded on Steven’s forehead. “We’ve looked into it. The funds are coming from a Trisland–based upstart investment firm. They’re highly clandestine, and we haven’t been able to pinpoint the real controller.”
Tristan frowned. Something clicked in his mind. “What’s the company name?”
“A.N Group.”
He repeated the name under his breath, his pupils trembling slightly as the realization dawned.
Annabel…
His pupils suddenly constricted, and his grip on the pen tightened unconsciously. Ink spread across the page.
Was it her?
Had she returned?
In a private suite, Annabel sat across from Liam Walker, the former finance director of Morse Group.
Rubbing his hands together nervously, he looked at her with shifty eyes. “Ms. Norton, about the terms you promised me.me
Annabel let out a soft laugh and pushed a check across the table. “This is the deposit, You’ll get the rest once it’s done.”
Liam greedily stared at the numbers on the check. He nodded eagerly and said, “You can count on me. Tristan’s about to mortgage one of the company’s core patents to stabilize the stock. If I just pull a few strings…”
“No,” Annabel interrupted him, her voice soft but unyielding. “I want you to help him.”
Lian: froze. “What?”
“Help him stabilize the stock price. Let him believe that the crisis is over.”
She took a sip of red wine, her gaze icy. “And when he’s finally relaxed, deliver the fatal blow.”
The next day, Tristan frowned as he watched the sudden stabilization of the stock price.
“We found out that it’s Mr. Walker who reached out to a few firms for capital injections.” Liam Walker?
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Tristan remained silent for a moment. He suddenly let out a cold chuckle. “Where would be even get those connections?”
Steven shook his head. “We have no idea, but the funds are indeed in place. It bought us some time for now.
Tristan walked over to the window, staring out at the city lights glittering in the night.
He still felt that something was amiss.
Look into it,” Tristan said as he turned around. There wasn’t the slightest trace of relief on his face, despite the rebound in stock prices. “Find out which firms Liam contacted. I want answers as soon as possible.
Annabel took the document Kenneth handed her and skimmed through it. She chuckled lightly. “Tristan is suspicious, as expected.” Kenneth raised a brow. “Time to close the net?”
“Not yet.” She closed the file and gazed out at the night sky.
“I want him to come beg me himself.”
She wanted him to beg, just as she had once begged him to turn back.
