Chapter 266 A Way to Survive in a Desperate Situation
Clara was pacing back and forth in Cassius's office, muttering curses under her breath, clearly on the edge. Cassius just sat there behind his big desk, watching her.
After what felt like forever, when Clara finally seemed to calm down a bit, Cassius broke the silence. "Mrs. Howard, this situation is a real mess. I was the one who suggested this project to you, and by our original plans, everything should've been smooth. Have you run into any issues since you took over?"
Clara's face darkened. Of course, she knew. When she first took on the project, she slashed the equipment maintenance budget to save money, not realizing it would lead to bigger problems and even more expenses later. But she'd never admit that.
Seeing her reaction, Cassius got the picture but didn't call her out. Instead, he said, "Regular financing isn't going to cut it right now. Bank loans take too long, and this project can't wait."
Clara stopped pacing, her voice urgent. "So what do you suggest? Am I just supposed to watch this project fail after all the work I've put in?"
Cassius stood up slowly and walked over to her, lowering his voice. "There are options, but they're risky. Still, they might just save the day."
"What options? Spill it!" Clara stepped closer, clearly impatient.
Cassius took a couple of steps back, keeping his cool. "The other investor in this project, Anne—she's your daughter, right?"
Clara nodded instinctively.
Cassius smiled knowingly. "Since you're family, this should be doable. You're short on cash; could she front you some money? If you get through this rough patch, the project's potential is huge."
Clara frowned, hesitating. "How much money could she possibly have?"
Cassius chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "Money isn't everything—people always find a way."
Clara thought for a moment before slowly saying, "I'll think about it." Then she turned and walked out of Cassius's office.
As soon as she left, Cassius quickly reported the situation to me.
Meanwhile, Clara headed straight to Anne's office at the Howard Group.
Ever since she got involved in the investment, Clara had become more domineering, often looking down on the Howard Group employees. Everyone knew she was Edward's foster mother, so they had no choice but to put up with her.
Clara walked into Anne's spacious office to find her daughter lounging with her legs crossed, doing her nails while chatting on the phone with her lover. Surprised by Clara's sudden entrance, Anne quickly hung up.
"Mom, what brings you here?" Anne asked, looking confused.
Clara marched over, irritation in her voice. "After losing so much money on the tech project, you still have time to do your nails?"
Anne just shrugged. "That project's always been your baby. You handle the operations and profits, so what do you expect me to do?"Clara's brow furrowed, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes. "Anne, I'm just trying to make things easier for you. You're my only daughter, and everything I earn will eventually be yours. If I lose a lot now, there'll be less for you later."
Anne felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. "So, what do you think we should do?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Clara leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "After thinking it over, I believe the only way out of this mess is through you."
"Me?" Anne looked confused.
Clara nodded, whispering in her ear. "Yes, you. It's risky, but it might save us. You have some pull at the Howard Group; we can redirect some funds to get us through this rough patch."
Anne's face turned serious, worry etched in her features. "Is that even possible? What if we get caught? This could be a huge problem."
Clara waved her hand dismissively. "Anne, trust me. The Howard Group has a massive cash flow; if we move some money temporarily, it won't be noticed right away. As long as we plan carefully and return the money before anyone realizes it's gone, no one will ever know."
Anne had always wanted to make her mark financially, and deep down, she saw this as a golden opportunity. But she knew the risks and hesitated.
Growing impatient, Clara fixed her gaze on Anne. "Just tell me the truth—do you have any money?"
Anne couldn't lie under her mother's intense questioning. She lowered her head, her voice trembling. "I just received a payment for worker wages. I haven't distributed it yet."
Clara's face lit up. "Great! Let's use that. Transfer it to me right away."
Anne bit her lip, hesitating. "Mom, that's the workers' wages. What if something goes wrong?"
Clara scoffed. "That's just how big companies operate; nothing will go wrong."
She patted Anne's shoulder, speaking earnestly. "Anne, we don't have any other options. This is the only way to fix our problems. Trust me, investing this money will definitely pay off."
But Anne still felt a pang of fear. "I'm scared..."
Clara slammed her hand on the table. "What are you afraid of? No risk, no reward! Think about it—if this works out, we won't have to rely on anyone anymore! Do you really want to depend on Edward for money your whole life? I can't stand the thought of living like that! Just think it through!"
With that, Clara stormed out of the office.
Once Clara left, Anne slowly sat back down at her desk. She lowered her head, deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons. On one hand, misusing the workers' wages was a huge risk, and if caught, the consequences would be severe. On the other hand, if she could turn things around, she could escape her seemingly glamorous yet confining life and live the luxurious lifestyle she had always dreamed of. Her mind wandered to images of living in a grand mansion, driving a luxury car, and shopping freely—things she had only ever dreamed of before were suddenly within reach.
Finally, Anne steeled herself and made a decision. With shaking hands, she dialed Clara's number.
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