Chapter 37 Scheming and Counter-scheming
The Adams Group was in a double crisis of products and trust.
Netizens were clamoring to boycott the products of the Adams Group. More than 500 stores that Dick was proud of closed down in less than a week, with only a little over a hundred struggling to survive. They had to have massive sales, even if it meant incurring losses, to save the products.
Watching the huge losses increase day by day, Bray, who was already in poor health, fell seriously ill. Karen went to ask her sister for help, but Tiffany was unwilling to intervene and could only stand by.
"Byron said that if anyone else helps you, he will deal with them. Sister, I'm just his daughter-in-law; I can't disobey him," Tiffany sighed and gently comforted Karen by holding her hand in her palm.
"Although our family can't lend a hand, I have already arranged for Patrick to organize Nicole and Edward's wedding as soon as possible. The date is set for the first weekend after Byron's birthday. What do you think?"
"Do we have to wait until after his birthday?" Karen asked impatiently. She could wait, but the Adams Group couldn't.
"I wish Nicole could marry Edward tomorrow, but Byron insists on waiting until after his birthday. I can't do anything about it," Tiffany lowered her voice. "I heard that Lily divorced Edward and attached herself to the president of KnightSpear Group. Mr. Taylor took her away on the day she left our family, and many people saw it."
Karen also heard some details from her son and was consumed with jealousy. She hated that her daughter didn't have the means to pursue men like Lily did. Nicole still had yet to capture Edward completely. Edward's ex-wife had a new scandal, and the person involved was a man no less impressive than Edward.
"Could it be that Lily said something to Mr. Taylor that led KnightSpear Group to target the Adams Group?" Tiffany pretended to be ignorant and continued to provoke Karen.
After Tiffany "enlightened" her, Karen suddenly sat up from the sofa, her eyes turning red with anger.
"That bitch not only delayed Nicole's wedding, but she even divorced Edward and now wants to harm us. She thinks that with a new backer, no one can touch her, huh?"
"We really don't dare to," Tiffany sighed. "After all, she's Mr. Taylor's treasure now. The Taylor family is so powerful, we can't afford to provoke them."
"Yes, can someone as vulgar as her really attach herself to the Taylor family?" Karen was burning with anger, suddenly formulating a plan. "That bitch is good at pleasing Byron, right? Pretending to be deeply in love with Edward, sweet and submissive, but secretly seducing Mr. Taylor. Otherwise, how could she have successfully pursued Mr. Taylor so quickly? If we expose her hypocrisy on Byron's birthday, it will definitely be spectacular."
Tiffany smiled and remained silent, picking up her high-end coffee cup and taking a sip.
She thought, "This is a good idea, but it's all your idea. I didn't say anything."
The scene was bloody in the KS World Hotel office, with continuous screams.
Evelyn, a talented and intelligent individual, quickly finished reviewing all the documents and opened her favorite game, ready to start her massacre.
Just as she had just knocked down a survivor, splattering the screen with blood, William walked over. He happened to see this scene and was so scared that he quickly turned his face away and closed his eyes tightly.
"If you have something to say, just say it," Evelyn said, her fingers swiftly responding to the keyboard and mouse.
"Ms. Taylor, there are two interesting things to report to you," William said.
As he spoke, he covered the screen with one hand while quickly placing the documents in front of her, far away from the screen.
"You're so timid. How will you protect your girlfriend in the future? Next time, I'll take you to play a horror game to toughen you up," Evelyn said, embodying the role of a butcher as she knocked down another person and splattered the screen with blood.
"So satisfying," she said.
William couldn't hide the shock in his heart.
After killing everyone, she finally exited the game with a satisfied heart and picked up the documents.
"Isn't this the pawnshop's inventory file? Why are you showing this to me?"
"These jewelry pieces were brought to our pawnshop by someone sent by Nicole's mother to sell. Pay attention. She wants to sell them."
William smiled with a hint of playfulness. "You asked me to keep an eye on the Adams family's activities these past few days, and I indeed made a discovery."
Evelyn confidently smiled. "This was within my expectations. If Edward doesn't help them, they can only find ways to raise money to fill the holes. I thought they would sell houses and land, but it turns out they only sold a few pieces of jewelry. It seems they still have some resources."
"They're just prolonging their lives by burning their last bit of money. For them, slowly bleeding out to death is not as satisfying as a quick ending," William coldly snorted.
"They slandered us, and this is their retribution," Evelyn said, not saying anything else, just flipping through the pawned items' files.
Very few knew that the Taylor family had two large and well-established pawnshops in Mugden and Hameen.
Because Charlie enjoyed collecting vintage oil paintings and rare treasures, he secretly opened two pawnshops to acquire the treasures, which were in high demand but hard to find.
With these pawnshops, Charlie had obtained many valuable items over the years. Few people could redeem their pawned items, after all.
Suddenly, Evelyn's fingertip trembled.
When she saw the "Heart of Flame," she forcefully restrained her surging anger as mockery and resentment intertwined in her reddened eyes.
Edward had gone to great lengths to find the perfect gift for Nicole, his way of showing his affection. Two years prior, she had fallen deeply in love with the pendant when she saw him gazing at it under the lights.
At the time, she had dreamed of the necklace being hers. She yearned for Edward to give her a gift, even if it wasn't something expensive. Even a simple stone would have made her happy.
But alas, it was only a dream for her.
Edward only gave gifts to those he loved. If he didn't love her, she didn't even deserve a simple stone.
To her surprise, Nicole ended up selling his intense love. Evelyn couldn't help but feel bitter amusement.
"I really wonder what Edward would think if he found out," Evelyn said.
"What did you say?" William couldn't make out her whisper.
"They don't know its worth. This necklace is worth millions, and they sold it for only seven million. We made a profit," Evelyn sneered, her bright face filled with malice.
Just then, her phone rang. It was her older brother.
"Landon," Evelyn composed herself and spoke with a sweet voice.
"Evelyn, how have you been lately? Are you tired? Is there anything I can help you with?" Landon's voice was gentle and caring.
"I'm not tired, but don't work too hard. Take care of yourself," Evelyn replied.
The siblings chatted for a bit before Landon got to the point.
"There's a charity auction this weekend. Can you come to my place? Dad wants me to help with the bidding for the Pocotimi wood chair. The budget is within one billion dollars. But I have to give a lecture at the church this weekend and won't be able to make it. So, I need you to retrieve that treasure," Landon explained.
"Me? How should I introduce myself? As KnightSpear Group's CEO Landon's girlfriend?" Evelyn teased him as she took a bite of chocolate.
"That works," Landon chuckled.
Evelyn was shocked.
"As long as you go, you can say whatever you want. Or you can say that you're the Taylor family's reigning power," Landon suggested.
Evelyn nodded as she chewed on her chocolate.
Landon chuckled softly, affection apparent in his voice. "Since you never show yourself to the media or the public, no one in the upper circles of Mugden will recognize you. So, you can enjoy yourself without any worries."
"Alright. But what if I see something I like, and the budget is a bit low? What if I want to purchase it?" Evelyn asked.
"You can buy it, and I'll reimburse you. But our family has a tradition – once you participate in the bidding, you must win. We can't give others a chance," Landon explained.
"I know, the Taylor family motto – we tread the path others don't, leaving them with no options," Evelyn said with a cheerful tone, cracking her knuckles.
"Good luck, Evelyn, and don't forget about that chair," Landon concluded.
Hanging up the phone, William anxiously reminded, "Ms. Taylor, since we are representing Mr. Wellington at the charity auction, it wouldn't be reasonable not to bring any items. But it seems like it might be a bit late to start preparing now."
"We are bringing the items. I have already prepared them," Evelyn said cunningly.
