Chapter 399 Loyal Through Highs and Lows
Raymond understood that Paige intended to use the disfigured man to threaten Margaret.
Because in Margaret's whole life, the most important thing to her was her family.
Although they had Louis by their side, everyone knew that using Louis to threaten Margaret was nearly impossible.
Margaret had her weaknesses, but she wasn't stupid.
Louis wasn't a child of the Carnegie family, but he had feelings for them, especially for Francesca.
However, if it were someone else Margaret cared about, the situation would be completely different.
Although Paige's idea was good, the situation was a bit complicated.
Raymond said worriedly, "It's very likely that this person won't be able to threaten Margaret at all, and instead, we might be the ones at a disadvantage. Paige, I have a sense of familiarity with that person. But I don't know Steven."
Raymond's words were clear; he didn't know Steven, but he felt familiar with the disfigured man.
Paige frowned. Could it be that her intuition was right?
But she had already talked to the disfigured man to that extent, and he still refused to admit his identity.
Could it be that she was abandoned once again?
Paige asked emotionally, "Do we have any evidence? Do we have any proof of his identity? Or how can we find more information to prove that he is the person you are familiar with?"
Raymond shook his head. "There's not enough evidence. I already looked at the information in the car. Although it points to Francesca as the culprit, the information has been tampered with and can't prove who he is."
Without evidence, the disfigured man would definitely not admit his identity. So, this matter was a misunderstanding.
Unless she could get the disfigured man's DNA and compare it with Louis's DNA, there would be a result.
Paige said, "How can it not prove it? Is it Francesca? Did Francesca tamper with the information, so it can't prove who he is?"
Raymond nodded, "Yes, Francesca did tamper with the information. Also, when I came over, Francesca stopped me. She seemed very emotional and even wanted to tell me that everything she did to you was because of some unspeakable reason."
Paige sneered, "Unspeakable reason? She has an unspeakable reason? Raymond, I'm really curious, what kind of unspeakable reason could make her abandon her own daughter. She didn't just give birth to me and leave me in an orphanage; she swapped me with Louis. Unspeakable reason, it's blatant ambition, isn't it?"
Wasn't it just because she disliked that she was a girl and specifically swapped her with Louis?
The fact also proved that Francesca's subsequent training of Louis was to make him inherit Hawke Corporation.
Raymond comforted her. "Don't get emotional. She might have wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn't. I also brought the information. Do you want to take a look?"
Almost every time Francesca was mentioned, Paige's emotions became unstable.
Probably because the psychological shadow was too heavy, Raymond quickly changed the subject, trying to divert Paige's attention.
Sure enough, Paige was very interested in the information.
After Raymond mentioned it, her attention shifted.
Paige nodded. "Let me see it."
Raymond quickly handed the information to Paige.
The two of them studied the car accident information and the information about the missing mask from the Universe Group's technology department.
Finally, after seeing Cecil's analysis of the photos, they were convinced that the car accident that killed Gregory was related to Francesca.
Numerous pieces of evidence almost unanimously pointed to Francesca.
After seeing it, Paige was so angry that she slammed the table. "Do you see it? Raymond, do you see it? Abandoning me might be because my gender didn't suit her. But killing her own husband, is she even human?"
As soon as Paige finished speaking, Pearl was already knocking on the door outside. "Ms. Ellison, someone from the Smith family is here."
Paige held her forehead. "The Smith family?"
Paige thought it was Amelia, but her mind quickly reacted.
Amelia had told her before that Simon and Frederick from the Smith family would come personally to sign the new contract with her.
How coincidental, they came at this exact time?
Paige frowned. "Simon and Frederick?"
Pearl nodded. "Amelia is here too."
Paige said, "Why did they come at this time? Never mind, you arrange it first, I'll wait for them here."
Since Simon and Frederick had already come, Paige couldn't avoid seeing them.
But given the current situation, with her future uncertain, she had to explain things clearly to the Smith family.
It didn't take long for Pearl to bring Simon, Frederick, and Amelia to the study to find Paige.
Seeing Simon and Frederick arriving in a hurry, Paige gestured for them to sit down and have some water.
After Pearl served the water, Simon and Frederick took a couple of sips, exchanged glances, and Frederick spoke up. "Ms. Ellison, my father and I came here mainly to sign the agreement with you. We are honored to be chosen by you."
Paige avoided the topic. "You flew over, haven't adjusted to the time difference yet? I'll have Pearl arrange a place for you to stay, and we can discuss other matters later."
Paige indeed valued the Smith family; they were smart and loyal enough.
But right now, her identity as Xanthe Ellison could be lost at any moment.
Without the identity of Xanthe Ellison, she couldn't inherit the Ellison family. So bringing the Smith family into the situation might not be good for them.
Simon clearly noticed Paige's hesitation and stood up anxiously. "Ms. Ellison, do you have any concerns? Rest assured, we came with sincerity. Look, we brought the contract you gave us. We have carefully reviewed the contents. Our personal visit also represents our sincerity."
Paige said, "Mr. Smith, I understand your sincerity. We can discuss it after tomorrow night, don't you think?"
Simon said, "After tomorrow night?"
Simon looked at Paige in confusion and then turned his gaze to Amelia.
Amelia had been with Paige for so long, she should know what was going on, right?
Amelia said, "Don't look at me. Ms. Ellison probably means it's for our family's consideration. Actually, Ms. Ellison, you don't have to think that way. Since we have decided to follow you, we won't go back on our word."
Frederick asked, "Ms. Ellison, has something happened?"
Paige took a deep breath. Since they were to be partners and the Smith family kept asking, it was better to tell them the truth.
How to choose, Paige left that decision to them.
Paige looked at Amelia. "Amelia, you explain."
Amelia was roughly aware of the situation.
With Paige's words, Simon and Frederick both turned their attention to Amelia.
Amelia began to explain how Andrew had kidnapped Margaret to threaten Paige's identity.
Simon and Frederick listened with anger.
After hearing it, Simon was silent for three seconds. He knew that at this moment, he needed to make a choice again.
Three seconds later, Simon stood up again. "Ms. Ellison, choosing to follow you, we indeed hope that the Smith family can reach greater heights and go further in the future. Our Smith family doesn't have a solid foundation, and getting to this point has already been difficult. In Northwind, it's hard for us to make further progress. It wasn't until we decided to follow you that the Smith family saw a breakthrough. We have carefully studied the cooperation plan you had Dr. Ashton give us, and it aligns with the direction the Smith family wants to develop. If we can follow you, I believe we will develop even better."
Simon added, "Ms. Ellison, I have decided, whether you are the heir to the Ellison family or not, whether you can inherit the Universe Group or not. The Smith family is willing to serve you. Even if you don't become the head of the Ellison family, you are still yourself. With the industry you and Dr. Ashton are managing, I believe, at most, it will just take a bit more time, maybe a few more decades, but the Smith family will still be able to reach new heights with you. We chose you as a person, and we believe in your ability."
Paige didn't expect that after Amelia revealed her current predicament, the Smith family would still decide to follow her at this time.
Paige looked at them and asked. "Isn't this decision a bit too hasty? Or, do you not know the consequences? Once tomorrow night's banquet happens, and Andrew and Margaret are brought over, revealing my identity, I will no longer be Xanthe Ellison. Once I lose the Universe Group, I will be nothing. With the little industry I have left, I don't even know when I can take you to the top. Maybe, in this lifetime, I won't be able to."
Paige said with a helpless smile.
She had countermeasures and had even prepared for the worst.
But no one knew what the situation would be at the banquet tomorrow night.
Paige was uncertain, but the Smith family had made up their minds.
After Simon expressed his stance, Frederick also seriously confirmed. "Ms. Ellison, we have already brought the contract. Becoming your affiliated family is a decision we have already made. We have signed the contract."
After Frederick finished speaking, he stood up and handed the contract to Paige with both hands.
The future was uncertain, and her identity might not be secure.
But Paige thought, whether she was part of the Ellison family or not, her and Locas's lab was indeed a gold mine, almost inexhaustible.
Besides, she wasn't planning to give up on the secret funds that the five major families once fought over.
Frederick handed over the contract, and Paige didn't refuse. Since the Smith family trusted her so much, what reason did she have to refuse?
Paige said, "Alright, since you are willing to trust me, from today on, no matter what my last name is or who I become, I will lead the Smith family to the highest point."
With that, Paige took a pen and signed her name on the contract.
The Smith family was indeed the family she had her eyes on.
This low point was a difficult hurdle for Paige, but it wasn't something that would determine her future fate.
Regardless of success or failure, Paige still had a way out.
With the signing and stamping, the cooperation was officially established.
Paige handed her copy to Pearl for safekeeping and gave the other copy to Simon. "Mr. Smith, thank you for your choice. I believe I won't let you down."
Simon also clearly understood his position.
Now that they had signed this agreement with Paige, the Smith family was an affiliated family of Paige.
And in front of Paige, he was no longer Mr. Smith, as Paige was his leader.
Simon asked, "Ms. Ellison, what can we do for you now?"
Paige shook her head. "Let Pearl and Amelia take you to rest and adjust to the time difference. Don't rush back to the country. Tomorrow night, the Universe Group has a banquet. After you rest, you can prepare a bit. Since you happened to come at this time, you might as well see the battlefield, the opponents, and the enemies you'll face in the future."
Simon and Frederick exchanged glances, and Frederick asked. "Is there anything we can help with regarding Mrs. Sackler and Andrew?"
Paige shook her head. "Given the current situation, there's nothing you can help with. Rest well, and tomorrow, let's all work hard together!"
Since Paige said there was no need for help, Simon and Frederick didn't say more.
The Smith family coming to form an affiliated family cooperation with Paige at this time was like a shot in the arm for Paige.
After Simon, Frederick, and Amelia left, Paige called Cecil over.
When Cecil arrived, he kept his head down, not looking at Paige.
Seeing his demeanor, Paige knew things weren't going well, probably because they hadn't found Andrew and Margaret's whereabouts.
Paige asked, "Couldn't find them?"
Cecil nodded silently.
But he quickly added, "We found the addresses of the Hamilton family and the Russell family. That wasn't difficult. Louis has already sent people to keep watch."
That indeed wouldn't be too difficult, as these two families, no matter how low-key, couldn't hide.
Paige nodded. "We have no other choice. Contact Mr. Ellison; perhaps it's time!"
Wasn't it just about proving identity?
Could anyone's presence prove her identity as Xanthe Ellison better than his?
If he said 'yes,' who could question it?
Cecil understood Paige's words and took a deep breath. "Ms. Ellison, are you preparing to fully welcome Mr. Ellison back to the Ellison family now?"
Paige took a deep breath. "Tomorrow night's banquet must not let them succeed. Whether I have Ellison family blood in me or not is not important. What's important is, if they bring me down, next will be Raymond, and then my unborn child! They are all true members of the five major families. I will never allow a tragedy like the Douglas family to happen to them!"
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