Chapter 498 Blame Herself for Being Too Greedy
Alexander refused to see him all morning.
Leo was about to find a place to rest and come back in the afternoon when he got a call from Zack.
"Mr. Wendy, I found out that Alexander's got a girlfriend. Maybe if we talk to her, she can help us get a meeting with him."
Leo's eyes lit up with hope. "Send me her info right away."
Soon, Zack sent over the details.
Alexander's girlfriend was named Nova Ramirez. She came from a modest background and currently worked as Alexander's assistant.
Nova's profile was simple: she had a bachelor's degree and joined the Forbes Group right after graduation, becoming Alexander's assistant.
Alexander was more like her sugar daddy than boyfriend. However, the fact that she had been with him for three years without being replaced suggested he was quite fond of her.
Leo immediately called Zack. "Find a way to contact Nova. I need to meet her today."
Around 8 PM, Nova walked into a high-end restaurant in Aidamore.
Seeing Leo, she smiled and sat down across from him.
"Mr. Wendy, what can I do for you?"
"Ms. Ramirez, I understand you're Mr. Forbes' girlfriend. I'd like to speak with him, but he won't give me the chance. Could you help arrange a meeting?"
Nova already knew Leo's intentions before coming.
Given her relationship with Alexander, arranging a meeting was easy. The question was whether Leo could offer her something worthwhile.
She sighed, pretending to be troubled. "Mr. Wendy, it's not that I don't want to help, but as Mr. Forbes' assistant, he'd be upset if he found out."
Leo smiled and slid a black card across the table. "Ms. Ramirez, this is a token of my appreciation. The PIN is your birthday. If you help me meet Mr. Forbes, I'll give you ten times the amount on this card as a reward. You can check the balance and decide."
Nova raised an eyebrow and took the card without hesitation. "I'll think about it and get back to you by tomorrow morning."
"Great. Would you like to stay for dinner? The foie gras here is said to be excellent."
"No, I have other plans. Enjoy your meal, Mr. Wendy." With that, Nova left.
Watching her leave, Leo smiled confidently. He was sure that once she saw the balance on the card, she would agree to arrange the meeting.
With the main issue resolved, Leo called a waiter to start ordering.
Just as the appetizers arrived, Zack called. "Mr. Wendy, Ms. Ramirez just called. She said tomorrow at 7 PM, at Private Palate."
Leo raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Got it."
The next evening at 7 PM, Leo walked into Private Palate. He immediately spotted Alexander and Nova dining by the window.
Adjusting his suit, he walked over, pretending to be surprised.
"Mr. Forbes, what a coincidence to see you here!"
Alexander looked up, his expression neutral. "Good evening, Mr. Wendy."
"Do you have some time to talk later? I'd like to discuss something with you."
Alexander smiled slightly. "Since we ran into each other, I can spare some time."
"That's great."
Nova stood up. "I'll go freshen up."
She never stayed around when Alexander discussed business.
"Your lipstick is smudged. Fix it properly."
"Okay."
Nova found a spot to sit for over half an hour. When her phone notified her of a $10 million deposit, she headed back.
Leo was gone, leaving Alexander dining alone.
She hurried back to her seat. "Alexander, when did Mr. Wendy leave?"
Alexander calmly cut his steak. "No talking while eating."
His calm demeanor made Nova nervous. She knew him well enough to sense he was on the verge of anger.
She bit her lip and tried to explain. "Alexander, Mr. Wendy approached me several times, just wanting to meet you. Seeing him wait in the cold, I decided to help. Are you mad?"
Alexander didn't respond, and the restaurant fell silent except for the violinist.
Normally, Nova would enjoy a pleasant dinner with Alexander to this music. But now, her heart was in her throat, dreading the impending judgment.
She bit her lip, her eyes filled with panic, but she dared not say another word.
The calmer Alexander looked, the more wrathful he was.
In such moments, anything she said would only make things worse.
Time dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity for Nova.
Finally, Alexander put down his utensils, wiped his mouth, and looked at her.
"Nova, how long have you been with me?"
"Three years, Mr. Forbes."
Alexander smiled slightly. "Three years... and you still don't know my temper?"
Nova began to sweat, genuinely afraid now.
"Mr. Forbes... I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this once... I won't do it again."
"How much did Mr. Wendy pay you?"
Nova bit her lip, her face pale, unable to speak.
"Don't worry. Whatever he gave you is yours. I just want to know how much I'm worth to you."
Alexander's calm words made Nova tremble with regret for agreeing to help Leo for money.
"Mr. Forbes, I'll return the money to him right away. Please don't be mad."
Alexander's smile faded, and his gaze turned impatient. "How much did he give you? Don't make me ask a third time."
His stern demeanor made Nova's body shake uncontrollably. "Eleven million dollars."
Alexander's smile returned, but his eyes remained cold.
"Didn't expect I was worth that much to you. I thought a few million would be enough for you to sell me out."
"Mr. Forbes, I'll return the money to him."
Alexander waved dismissively. "No need. Tomorrow, go to finance and withdraw eleven million dollars. You don't need to come back to the company."
Nova's face turned ashen. She knew this was Alexander's way of ending their relationship.
"Mr. Forbes, I truly know I was wrong. Please give me another chance."
She reached out to grab his sleeve but froze under his cold gaze, not daring to move further.
Alexander looked down at her, serious. "You should thank Mr. Wendy. If he had given you just a few million, that's all you would get from me. But twenty-two million dollars for three years is fair. I don't want to make this ugly. Let's part ways amicably."
Nova's face was filled with despair. She wanted to ask if he ever loved her, but now she knew the answer. If he had, he wouldn't be so heartless.
She closed her eyes in bitter resignation. She had only herself to blame for being greedy and overestimating her importance to Alexander.
Meanwhile, Leo left the restaurant and immediately had Zack prepare the contract.
He had sacrificed all his interests to secure a deal with the Forbes Group, but he had no choice. He had to sign the contract.
If Silvercrest Group partnered with the Forbes Group, all his plans would be ruined.
Zack quickly prepared the contract, and to avoid any delays, Leo contacted Alexander's secretary to sign it that night.
An hour later, watching Alexander sign the contract, Leo finally relaxed.
"Mr. Forbes, I'm looking forward to our smooth cooperation."
Alexander smiled. "Likewise, Mr. Wendy."
"Since you're busy, I'll take my leave. If there are any issues with the contract, feel free to contact me."
Alexander nodded. "Sure."
Leo left with the contract, imagining Sharon returning to him after Silvercrest Group went bankrupt.
Just thinking about it made him excited.
As he exited the Forbes Group, he ran into Seb and Paul rushing in.
Leo couldn't hide his smugness and waved the contract at Seb. "Mr. Smith, you're wasting your time. The Forbes Group just signed a deal with Vertex Innovations Group. Mr. Forbes won't be partnering with Silvercrest Group. Silvercrest Group is doomed!"
Seb was surprised that Leo managed to convince Alexander to cooperate.
But knowing Alexander, he wouldn't have made a bad deal.
Seeing Seb's calm reaction, without the panic or shock he expected, Leo frowned. "Mr. Smith, the Forbes Group was your only hope. Now that you can't sign with them, how can you stay so composed? I must say, I'm impressed."
Seb raised an eyebrow. "Silvercrest Group and the Forbes Group reached an agreement this morning. I'm here to discuss some details with Mr. Forbes."
"What did you say?"
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