Chapter 193 Nolan Cunningham Wants Jasmine
Nolan Cunningham's expression soured, a scowl etching itself across his features, casting a shadow over his countenance.
"Ethan is the summit?" His voice dripped with disdain, punctuated by a cold chuckle before he continued, "Given Ethan's current situation, all he has to his name is Starlight Entertainment. If he loses his shares in Stellar Enterprises, the Gu family will kick him out. Relying on just an entertainment company... he's basically got nothing."
Ethan's entertainment business stood as a formidable force in the industry, but it paled in comparison to Stellar Enterprises.
Once expelled from the Gu family and driven out by the Douglas Family, Ethan’s fall from the CEO of Stellar Enterprises would reduce him to a mere independent entrepreneur.
With the Gu family's resources, it would be effortless to crush Ethan’s Starlight Entertainment.
Moreover, once Howard took that final step and started settling accounts with Ethan, he would surely be wary of his son climbing back to the top.
Howard was well aware of Ethan's capabilities and would definitely target Ethan's personal enterprises to thwart any attempt at a comeback.
Jasmine's fingers clenched tightly. "Ethen is the backbone of Stellar Enterprises. Without Ethan, what is Stellar Enterprises?"
Despite her faith in Ethan, she feared he might truly face these calamities.
As the legitimate son and the one designated in Grandfather Gu's will, these things should rightly belong to Ethan. However, if Howard was determined to play dirty, it was entirely possible for him to snatch it all away.
Until Howard's death, Ethan would forever be under his thumb.
Jasmine took a deep breath and gripped her fingers tight.
She had to clear Ethan's path from obstacles soon; for now, Howard was merely warning him.
Ethan’s suspension under the guise of taking a break was just the beginning.
If Ethan refused to fall in line, Howard's next move would be to take away his shares and everything that belonged to Ethan.
Nolan Cunningham lounged back in his chair, his demeanor one of indifference as he casually remarked, "Your trust in Ethan is admirable. It's a shame, with no allies to rely on, I'm curious to observe the outcome of this situation."
Jasmine's breath quickened as she looked up at Nolan Cunningham, her expression fraught with anticipation. "What do you intend to do?" she inquired.
These wealthy individuals always seemed to wear the same disdainful expression, looking down from their lofty pedestals as if they held the power to trample on others' dignity without consequence. In the face of money, dignity counted for little.
"Ethan is not yet at a dead end, so threatening you is not very significant at this point," Nolan Cunningham remarked casually, tapping the desk lightly. "Since Xiao Bao is fond of you, I'm hoping you can foster him for a while. After the wedding banquet, I'll settle down in Silverlight City, and I’d like you to join me there to take care of Xiao Bao."
"It's out of the question; I'm Mr. Ethan's life assistant, and I have my own son," Jasmine flatly refused.
"Do you really think Ethan will be able to return to the company?" Nolan Cunningham chuckled. "You clearly don’t grasp the unwritten rules of the business world. Did you see the news Brown's Family released to the media today?"
Jasmine nervously retrieved her phone, realizing she hadn't checked the news all day. Trending on social media were photos of Howard meeting with Zelda's parents, accompanied by news of the impending union between the two families. Clearly, Howard was laying down the gauntlet for Ethan to concede and then come claim Harper. If Ethan persisted in his refusal to marry Harper, the consequences would not have been hard to imagine.
Feeling a wave of anxiety wash over her, Jasmine took a deep breath. She already felt suffocated on Ethan's behalf. This so-called vacation was likely their last hurrah. After the holiday, Ethan would either compromise, end this brief and absurd marriage with her, or marry Harper. Or he would dig in his heels, sever ties completely with Howard, depart from Stellar Enterprises, and embark on his own business venture. But taking that second step would mean facing unprecedented challenges and storms.
It seemed very likely that his own business would suffer a serious blow too.
After taking another deep breath, Jasmine slowly lowered her phone and gazed up. "What exactly are you proposing, Mr. Cunningham?"
"You know how precarious Ethan's situation is. I'll give you time to think it over. It's fortunate for you that Xiao Bao has taken a liking to you. Come work for me, and I can offer you everything Ethan can, minus Ethan." Nolan Cunningham handed his business card to Jasmine.
"Compared to Brown's Family, I believe Cunningham's Family is a better choice for Howard. After all, businessmen value profit above all, and my Cunningham Family can offer Howard higher benefits and value." Nolan Cunningham could assist Ethan, but only if Ethan didn't marry Harper – instead, he would marry the eldest Miss of the Cunningham family.
"You want Ethan to marry your sister, Fiona?" Jasmine's gaze fixed on Nolan Cunningham.
Nolan Cunningham was exerting considerable effort for a sister unrelated by blood.
"Ethan has a choice. He can either select me, the real Miss Cunningham, or he can choose Fiona. I've been more than fair with him," Nolan Cunningham declared with a magnanimous air.
It seemed as though he had given Ethan two options.
However, everyone knew that the real Miss Cunningham of the Cunningham family had long been missing.
"The real Miss Cunningham... Isn't she missing?" Jasmine whispered.
"One year is the deadline. If we find my sister, and she’s not yet married or has children, Ethan marrying her would bring an alliance between the Cunningham family and the Gu family. Howard would have to think twice before trying to take Ethan's shares," Nolan Cunningham explained.
"If we find my sister within a year, but she's already married off, or if we can’t find her at all, Ethan must marry Fiona."
In truth, Nolan Cunningham simply wanted Ethan to marry Fiona.
The mention of his real sister was merely an excuse.
"You truly are a remarkable brother," Jasmine said with a sarcastic chuckle.
She reached for the business card on the table and glanced at the Joe sleeping in her arms. "Take good care of the Joe; children need to be nurtured."
"I'll give you time to think it over," Nolan Cunningham said cautiously as he took the Joe from her. He was waiting for Jasmine to come to him.
It wouldn't be long now.
Regardless of whether Ethan compromised by agreeing to marry Harper or resisted Howard to the end, Jasmine would come to him.
Because Harper despised Jasmine, and if Ethan ended up with nothing, he wouldn't be able to protect Jasmine.
Jasmine needed new support, and the Cunningham family was by far a superior choice compared to Henry.
"Mr. Cunningham, aren't you being too courteous to her?" Jasmine had barely left when the assistant approached, handing the investigation file to Nolan Cunningham.
Nolan Cunningham himself wasn't sure why he was so intrigued by Jasmine, prompting a thorough investigation into everything about her.
"Ethan isn't just an ordinary man. The way he's so enamored with Jasmine, protecting and cherishing her—it's certainly not solely about her physical appearance," Nolan Cunningham said coolly, closely scrutinizing Jasmine's resume and background.
As he delved into her records, the color drained from Nolan's face, leaving him alarmingly grim.
Despite his dislike for Jasmine, he couldn't help but feel regret and sympathy.
A woman who had fallen from grace to the mud—it was truly a pity. Valedictorian of her Silverlight City high school class, such potential wasted, a fact that made one sigh.
Jasmine used to dazzle everyone with her outstanding achievements, excelling in every endeavor.
With such promising qualities, she should have been a shining star, but life's pressures had led her to her current predicament.
To think she ended up in prison for extortion, serving a five-year sentence—it was such a shame.
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