Ch. 261..270

Chapter 261

Alistair knew Audrey was worried about him.

Announcing his identity now at Rhodes Enterprises would definitely lead people to think this was all part of his scheme. Some might even think Alistair had Albert imprisoned just to gain control of Rhodes Enterprises.

However, since he had already made up his mind, Alistair wasn't going to change his decision.

Since Audrey didn't want the shares he held, he must become a shareholder at Rhodes Enterprises to support her.

Alistair lifted his hand to gently tousle Audrey's hair and said with a smile, "I'm now the second-largest shareholder in the company. If I keep my identity a secret from the management, it will make things difficult in the future."

A wave of guilt swept over Audrey, and she worriedly said, "But what if it causes trouble for you..."

Alistair said, "It won't. Trust me."

Looking at Alistair's confident expression, Audrey felt even more uneasy.

She knew he had suddenly decided to reveal his identity just to support her.

The company appeared to be functioning smoothly on the surface, but in reality, there was internal strife among the staff. Several high-ranking executives were not aligned with Audrey, and she faced a significant challenge in securing their backing. She appeared composed, but she'd been struggling to sleep for two nights.

Alistair didn't question anything, yet he noticed her worry, quietly supporting her.

Thinking about it, Audrey felt even more like she was holding him back, and she couldn't help but sigh.

She thought that if she had accepted the shares Alistair offered, maybe none of these problems would have occurred.

However, when she thought about the immense value of those shares, she couldn't readily accept them.

Alistair noticed the worried look on Audrey's face, thinking she didn't appreciate his decision. He quickly said, "Audrey, if it bothers you, I can keep my identity a secret. I'll do whatever you prefer."

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Audrey offered a wry smile and said, "Why would I be bothered? You're doing this for my sake. I can't complain about the benefits I'll receive, can I?"

Alistair wondered, 'Is she really okay with it? She doesn't seem happy at all.'

Alistair couldn't quite grasp Audrey's thoughts and was about to explain.

However, before Alistair could speak, Audrey suddenly sat up straight and stared at him, saying, "Alistair, no need to explain. I'm not that ungrateful."

Audrey just felt a bit guilty towards Alistair.

Since their marriage, he had been handling all sorts of troubles caused by her.

Meeting Audrey's sincere eyes,

inswallowed slightly and instinctively wrapped his net

W

around her slender waist. belongs to FindNovel

Their eyes locked, and a single glance conveyed deep emotions to each other's hearts.

The atmosphere suddenly became laced with an unspoken intimacy, though neither of them spoke. Audrey seemed entranced, staring at Alistair's attractive lips, leaning in slightly.

Just as their lips were about to meet, there was a sudden click.

The meeting room door was suddenly pushed open from outside.

The executives were so shocked by the scene that they froze in place.

Damian who opened the door wished he could escape as soon as possible.

It seemed they came at a bad time.

At that moment, the executives felt a sense of awkwardness and unease as if they had stumbled into a scandal.

They instinctively looked up to ignore the situation and pretended they hadn't seen anything.

At this moment, Audrey was even more embarrassed than them.

Though she quickly moved away from Alistair when the door opened, she blushed.

Since she couldn't escape from the situation, she mustered her courage and said calmly, "Everyone, please take a seat. Emily, hand out the meeting materials."

Audrey thought, 'Well, let it be.

'After all, We're married, and we didn't do anything against the law.

'As long as I remain calm, no one can accuse me of anything.'

Chapter 262

Audrey calmly sat down next to Alistair.

As she took her seat, the expressions of a few higher-ups changed significantly.

Audrey let Alistair sit in the presidential chair.

In an instant, everyone looked at Alistair in shock.

They thought, 'This guy really knows how to please his wife.

'Not only did he get 40% of the shares, but he also managed to make Audrey step aside and let him take charge of the company.'

Someone expressed his dissatisfaction immediately, "Ms. Rhodes, although your husband is now a shareholder, he is not yet familiar with our company's operations. "Don't you think it's inappropriate for him to lead such a crucial meeting?"

He nearly said outright that Alistair didn't deserve to sit there.

Audrey became serious and replied, "Today, he's here not as my husband, but as a director of Rhodes Enterprises. As a director, he has the right to chair the meeting."

It appeared that the executives had not grasped the significance of Alistair now possessing 40% of the company's shares.

Seeing those senior executives with disdainful expressions, Audrey was irritated.

She pondered, 'Once these people learn about Alistair's real identity, will they regret underestimating him?'

Thinking about this, Audrey couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle.

Seeing this, the executives felt even more uneasy and confused.

They believed if Alistair held such a high position in the company, it would surely spell disaster for Rhodes Enterprises.

The Marketing Director slapped the desk in frustration and sarcastically remarked, "It seems that any Tom, Dick, or Harry can become a board member."

Audrey's eyes narrowed slightly. She was just about to argue when Alistair stopped her with a shake of his head.

The Marketing Director, Bruno Jackson, mistook their silence for embarrassment and became even more reckless.

Bruno continued, "When women get blinded by love, it's truly scary-they lose their sense and easily hand over a company built over generations.

"If such a person actually manages the company, it's headed for disaster!"

Alistair was casually twirling a pen but dropped it heavily on the desk after hearing those words.

Looking up at Bruno with a sharp, cold defiance in his eyes, Alistair said, "Hiring someone like you is what will bring this company down.

"You've been with us for ten years, and in that time, the Marketing Department's performance has deteriorated year after year since you became Director.

"Last quarter if it weren't for

Audrey's successful deal with Brightview Group, you would have gone two whole months without securing a single project. What gives

us?"

you the audacity to gives

QUMS

Upon hearing this, Bruno was taken aback and furrowed his brow. He then responded forcefully, "You worked at an obscure company. What qualifications do you have to critique the Marketing Department's operations?"

Bruno didn't give Alistair a chance to speak. Raising his volume, Bruno added, "Rhodes Enterprises is a

large company. We handle projects worth hundreds of millions.

Sometimes, it takes months to prepare for just one project What do you know?"

Bruno ridiculed Alistair for being from an unimportant company and lacking genuine skills.

However, Alistair wasn't affected by those words but directly slammed a red folder to Bruno.

Alistair asked, "Over the years, have you truly contributed much to the company, or have you merely taken advantage of its resources for your own gain? Do you honestly believe no one has noticed?" Having been hit by the folder, Bruno, who was about to lose his temper, suddenly stayed quiet.

He stared at Alistair's strikingly handsome face, and a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes.

Bruno wondered, 'How on earth did this damn guy know those things?

'Could he just be bluffing?"

Bruno didn't believe Alistair could actually find any evidence, so he pretended to be calm as he flipped through the file.

Gradually, Bruno's expression became more and more grim.

The file thoroughly detailed every single one of his corrupt actions.

Even evidence of Bruno taking bribes from competitors and deliberately losing projects was uncovered.

 

Chapter 263

Bruno's back was drenched in cold sweat.

He bit down hard and tasted a hint of blood, which finally calmed him down.

Bruno told himself in his heart, 'Calm down. I can't lose my composure.

'Even if he finds out, so what?

'I'm one of the few remaining high-ranking execs in the company.

'Audrey just took over the company and is in dire need of staff.

'It won't do her any good to offend me at the moment.'

With this in mind, Bruno suddenly felt fearless again.

He picked up the file, lightly patting it, and said calmly, "It's no big deal. I've worked tirelessly for the company for ten years.

"Even though I haven't made significant achievements, I have fulfilled my duties. Therefore, I believe I deserve some rewards. You should understand my perspective. Pushing each other to our limits isn't beneficial for anyone." Bruno's tone was arrogant.

He didn't show remorse, and instead, he threatened Alistair and Audrey.

Audrey gripped the edge of the desk tightly, a hint of coldness in her eyes.

She had long known about Bruno's abuse of power for personal gain.

In the past, considering he was a senior member of the company and hadn't caused any major issues, Audrey let it pass.

However, she didn't expect Bruno to become so arrogant that he'd forget himself.

Seeing Audrey remain silent, Bruno thought he had her under control. His expression even showed a bit of smugness as he continued to taunt, "Ms. Rhodes, I honestly have nothing against you. You're truly exceptional."

Bruno crossed his legs and kept silent for a moment. Then he switched the topic and said, "But your taste in men is really off. Keeping someone like your guy, who doesn't even understand the basic rules of the workplace, will only ruin the company." Hearing Bruno's words, some of the other top executives felt somewhat shaken.

They believed Audrey's husband was overly straightforward, and his attitude could be a disadvantage in the workplace.

They worried if he accidentally offended some important figure in the future, it could even bring the company down.

Unable to stand Bruno talking about Alistair like that, Audrey immediately put on a stern face, ready to defend Alistair. However, Alistair subtly shook his head at her.

Knowing he had it under control, Audrey held back her anger for the moment.

However, Bruno went even further, lecturing, "Ms. Rhodes, I've been with the

u

company for a long time,

and Chave some ties with your dad...

I mean, Mr. Rhodes.

"Today, I'll be bold and offer some advice as an elder. If a woman marries the wrong person and doesn't realize it, her whole life could end up wasted.

"You're such a great catch, sowet

tie yourself down to a loser?

Wouldn't it be better to take back

your shares, get a divorce, and find a more suitable partner?"

Alistair's eyes narrowed slightly as he sneered, "Who do you suggest Audrey should marry after divorcing me?"

Bruno raised an eyebrow and said confidently, "Now that Ms. Rhodes is the CEO of Rhodes Enterprises, whoever matches her should naturally be exceptional. "Isn't there just one suitable match for her in Riverdale who happens to be interested in her?"

Hearing this, a few other executives recalled Dominic's recent high-profile declaration of love for Audrey.

If Audrey could actually reconcile with Dominic, with the help of the Hayes family, Rhodes Enterprises would surely establish a strong presence in Riverdale.

Seeing the people's scheming faces, Audrey felt disgusted and hated Bruno even more.

Alistair stared at Bruno intently and stated bluntly, "It seems like you're quite close with your new employer. You're already thinking about him even before you've started working for him."

Bruno's expression suddenly changed as he exclaimed harshly, "What... What new employer are you talking about?"

Alistair raised an eyebrow, speaking slowly and calmly, "Didn't you secretly meet with Dominic last night to plot against Rhodes Enterprises?"

Alistair's words made the entire conference room fall into an eerie silence.

 

Chapter 264

"Bullshit!" Bruno erupted in anger, standing up and banging the desk.

Bruno glared at Alistair, his neck veins bulging and breath heavy, as he shouted, "You bastard! Don't assume you're better than me just because you got that position!

"When I was building this company with Albert, you were still a baby, sucking your thumb. And now you're trying to ruin my reputation with all this talk. Don't you fear retribution?"

Bruno was really upset, his voice sharp and carrying a bit of an accent.

Everyone in the room was rattled. Damian was the first to regain composure and asked, "Mr. Hayes, do you have evidence for your claim? Baselessly accusing a company veteran could be quite disheartening." Damian was not taking sides; he believed that everything needed to be supported by evidence.

"Evidence, right?" Alistair asked with a smirk, pulled out his phone, and played a recording.

Soon, the voices of Dominic and Bruno came from the phone.

Occasionally, people could hear the clinking of glasses.

At the end, Bruno's sycophantic voice sounded, "Here's to Mr. Hayes's success! Once Rhodes Enterprises falls, Audrey, a defenseless woman, will be at your mercy."

Hearing this, Bruno was panicked.

He glared at Alistair in horror, his eyes wide with anger, wishing he could kill Alistair immediately.

An executive said, "Bruno, after working together for so many years, I never expected you to be such a jerk."

Another executive scolded, "You've been slacking off over the years, and yet your benefits keep improving. Has the company ever mistreated you? How could you do such a heartless thing?"

Someone commented, "Changing jobs is normal, but betraying your former employer is horrible. Do you really think Mr. Hayes would hire someone like you?"

Several executives were furious, pointing fingers at Bruno as they reprimanded him.

Bruno had intended to argue with Audrey, but the criticism from the executives angered him instead.

He asked, "Don't you understand that to succeed, you need to align yourself with those in power? You're just jealous because Mr. Hayes values my abilities." Hearing this, the other executives all shook their heads in dismay.

Bruno was hopeless.

Audrey had reached her limit and seized the opportunity, saying, "Since you think Dominic's someone you should side with, I won't force you to stay with us." Bruno's heart sank when he heard this.

Audrey looked at him with cold eyes, her face expressionless, and said, "Bruno, you're fired."

Hearing he was fired, Bruno instantly panicked.

Getting fired and resigning were two completely different things.

If Bruno got fired, not only would he be blacklisted in the industry, but Dominic probably wouldn't arrange a job for him as promised.

Thinking about this, Bruno got anxious and pointed at Audrey in anger, saying, "Audrey, you've really been fooled by that guy!"

The more Bruno talked, the angrier he became, and he threatened, "I'm the Marketing Director and everyone in the department is loyal to me."

Audrey watched Bruno coldly, curious to see just how shameless he could be.

As expected, Bruno tried desperately to defend himself, "I was planning to do a proper handover since we've worked together for so long, and then resign.

"It's unfair that you suddenly fire me. Aren't you worried about demoralizing your employees and bringing the company down?"

Audrey's eyes flashed with sarcasm as she countered seriously, "If I keep troublemakers like you at the company, it might really go under."

Bruno frowned and warned, "Audrey, think it through. If I leave, the Marketing Department won't be able to function smoothly."

Audrey chuckled and said

indifferently, Since you're so

confident in your cronies in the Marketing Department, let's see how many are willing to stand by you or

would stop working because you got fired."

If there were such employees, Audrey would just fire them.

Audrey once tolerated those lazy individuals out of nostalgia, but after experiencing losses, she would no longer show mercy.

Bruno's heart raced as he gazed at Audrey's serene face. Fuming with anger, he protested, "Just because the employees don't dare defy you, it doesn't mean they're truly loyal to you."

Audrey didn't mind and just shrugged it off casually.

If the employees didn't want to work for Audrey, she could just replace them. She didn't care if they were on her side or not.

It was not like they were irreplaceable.

Bruno gritted his teeth and said

reluctantly, "Since you know I have connections with Mr. Hayes, aren't you afraid of offending him? The company's currently unstable, and making enemies now doesn't help you at all."

Hearing this, Audrey scoffed dismissively, "That's none of your business."

She smiled, though her tone was icy, "Don't think for a moment that Dominic would stand up for you. Even if he would, I'm not scared of him."

Hearing that, Bruno curt her off, mocking her, "Ridiculous. How dare you say something like that?

"Is it because of Mr. Barrett or Mr. Alistair Hayes? Mr. Alistair Hayes just casually said he admired you, and you think you're somebody important, don't you?"

As soon as Bruno finished, Alistair,

who had been silent for a long time,

spoke steadily, "Let me make it clear, I didn't just casually say I admire Audrey; I truly appreciate he talent."

Bruno said, "Well, I'm talking about Mr. Alistair Hayes, not you, you bastard..."

Before Bruno could finish his words, he abruptly fell silent.

He suddenly realized, belatedly, that Audrey's husband was surnamed Hayes.

 

Chapter 265

Bruno wondered, 'Could it be a coincidence?

'If Audrey had really married such a powerful figure, how could it have stayed a secret for so long?'

Even though Bruno thought so, he couldn't help but feel a wave of panic.

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open, and Emily came in, pushing a cart with coffee.

She smiled charmingly and confidently, going straight to Alistair, and carefully offering the coffee. "Mr. Alistair Hayes, please enjoy some coffee," said Emily.

The executives couldn't help but gasp in surprise, "Mr. Alistair Hayes?"

It turned out Audrey's handsome husband was Alistair Hayes.

For a moment, Bruno was stunned, looking at Alistair with a mix of surprise and doubt.

Alistair gave a slight nod, acknowledging Emily's way of addressing him.

At this time, Bruno's eyes widened as he clumsily fell back into his chair, his legs trembling with fear.

He had cursed Alistair in front of so many people.

Suddenly, Bruno felt everything turn dark and he almost fainted from shock.

The other executives were all in a similar state of shock.

After handing out coffee to everyone, Emily didn't leave right away. Instead, she stood quietly beside Alistair.

In a low voice, Emily said, "Mr. Hayes, after the news that the Hayes Group in Willowdale has become the major shareholder of Rhodes Enterprises spread, now all the major companies in Riverdale and Willowdale are going crazy trying to contact me." "My phone is nearly exploding with calls!" she added.

Without any guidance from Alistair, Emily didn't know how to respond to those calls, so she could only give vague responses to those influential people she rarely dealt with.

Even though Emily learned about Alistair's identity a bit earlier than the other executives, she still found it hard to remain composed.

Audrey had secured an incredibly impressive man.

Alistair's eyes narrowed, and he remained silent.

Standing behind him, Michael said, "Emily, don't worry. Once some time has passed and they can't get any news, they won't bother you anymore."

Michael was Alistair's assistant, and he was very accustomed to such occurrences at the Hayes Group.

Emily nodded appreciatively and said, "Thank you for the advice, Michael."

Their conversation indirectly confirmed Alistair's identity.

Now, all the executives were dumbfounded.

They had initially intended to act

sternly in

ront of Audrey, but they

quickly changed their attitudes and

rushed to pledge their loyalty

instead.

Damian said, "Mr. Hayes, don't worry. I will have last quarter's financial report compiled and submitted in an hour."

Seeing Damian pledging his loyalty first, the other directors quickly followed suit, not wanting to be outdone.

Someone exclaimed, "I'll get the plan

for the next quarter ready right away, ensuring our department keeps pace

with the company's ove

Another remarked, "I'll have my team review the company's past business operations right away to open up more opportunities."

They believed that with Alistair backing Rhodes Enterprises, it was bound to thrive.

If the directors didn't display their enthusiasm now, they might get fired like Bruno, which would not be worth it.

Even after the meeting ended, the executives still followed Alistair around, their words and actions full of flattery. The other colleagues were completely baffled by this scene.

Not long ago, those executives all looked down on Audrey's husband.

However, their attitudes completely changed after just one meeting.

The executives could clearly see the confusion on others' faces.

However, being overly excited, the executives didn't care about anything else at the moment.

It was a rare opportunity to meet Alistair in person, let alone present their work and receive his guidance.

They had to make every effort to stay with the company, as failing to do so would lead to lifelong regret, just as Bruno had experienced.

 

Chapter 266

In the quiet conference room, only Bruno sat there, looking miserable.

He raised his hands to cover his face in frustration, feeling hopeless about the future.

With his abilities, if he hadn't been a veteran at Rhodes Enterprises, he could never have become the Marketing Director.

So, when Dominic offered Bruno an opportunity, he accepted it without any hesitation.

The Hayes family in Riverdale wasn't very prominent and their companies were average.

However, Bruno had heard rumors about the complicated connections between the Hayes family in Riverdale and the one in Willowdale. Bruno believed if he could align himself with Dominic, he might have the chance to meet Alistair.

Meeting Alistair was something Bruno could have boasted about for a lifetime.

However, life had played a cruel joke on him.

He never anticipated that Audrey's seemingly unsuccessful husband would actually be Alistair, the man he was striving to impress.

Now, in addition to working for Dominic, Bruno was so enraged that he could hardly refrain from rushing out to confront and punch Dominic.

If it hadn't been for the fact that Dominic, that idiot, couldn't even recognize Alistair, Bruno wouldn't have ended up offending Alistair.

Bruno was cursing Dominic inside when suddenly his phone rang.

The caller ID showed it was none other than Dominic.

Bruno's expression darkened, and he irritably rejected the call.

How dare Dominic call Bruno?

After making such a fool of himself, Bruno wasn't going to be the only one being humiliated.

He must make Dominic, who landed him in this situation, pay the price.

*****

After seeing off the executives, Alistair and Audrey entered the office.

On the way there, Audrey remained silent the whole time, and Alistair felt uneasy.

He wondered, 'Is she upset because I've been too harsh on Bruno?'

As Alistair was about to explain it, Audrey spoke up first, "Honey!"

Alistair was stunned.

After being married for so long and hearing this title countless times, Alistair realized Audrey had never called him this way so loud and clear.

Audrey stared at Alistair with her big round eyes full of admiration and praise, giving him a thumbs-up and exclaiming, "Honey, you're so cool! Stunning beyond words!"

Alistair was amused and said, "I'm just glad you didn't mind me stepping in. Today was supposed to be your spotlight, and I kind of took over."

Alistair just didn't want to watch those people keep provoking Audrey, nor could he stand them pretending to teach her lessons as if they were superior.

"How could I mind it?" Audrey

replied. She knew that Alistair

always had many concerns, and she

firmly said, "Revealing Bruno's

actions in public was harsh, but

understand that we must do it.

"Considering the company's current situation, see being lenient won't

establish any authority, and if others

follow suit and push boundaries, things will only become worse."

Audrey had a clear understanding of the situation. During such times, loyalty, which was usually fragile, faced its greatest challenge.

Alistair's strategy of utilizing Bruno as an example to assert his authority was highly effective.

Audrey added, "Besides, it was Bruno's mistake. If you didn't expose his actions, I wouldn't keep him anyway."

Seeing that Audrey wasn't upset, Alistair finally felt relieved.

He thought for a moment and asked, "What are you planning to do next? How about seizing this opportunity for a complete overhaul?"

Since the current staff didn't meet Audrey's expectations, it was advisable to replace some of them as soon as possible.

 

Chapter 267

Alistair sincerely said, "Audrey, if you're thinking about replacing some staff, I can help you find the right candidates."

He didn't want Audrey to put up with the attitudes of the old employees any longer.

If she couldn't find anyone for the time being, Alistair was more than willing to help.

After thinking for a moment, Audrey shook her head and said, "No rush. Getting the company on track is just a matter of time. Besides those with ulterior motives, we have devoted employees. If we start firing people right now, it might hurt their morale." Those who left in the past were already gone. Audrey didn't want those who stayed to be treated unfairly.

Hearing her words, Alistair said with appreciation, "Audrey, you're a natural manager. You shouldn't restrict yourself to just Rhodes Enterprises. You deserve to see more of the world. Would you like to join me in Willowdale for more opportunities?" Hearing these words, Audrey was momentarily taken aback.

She suddenly remembered when she decisively dropped out of school, her teacher had made similar comments with a heavy heart.

Her teacher had said that with her intelligence and ability, she should explore a more exciting world.

Her teacher even mentioned that she didn't need to give up on her dreams just to stay with Rhodes Enterprises and settle in a small corner of the world.

Seeing that Audrey kept silent, Alistair didn't want to pressure her, so he sincerely explained, "Audrey, don't feel pressured.

"I suggested you come with me to Willowdale simply because I think staying with Rhodes Enterprises doesn't fully utilize your potential. That's all."

Audrey understood what Alistair meant and was deeply moved. She gently said, "I've actually thought about these things too."

With a slightly sad tone, she continued, "When Albert was determined to drive me out because of Eliza, I thought about leaving Rhodes Enterprises to start my own business, to leave Riverdale and seek new opportunities elsewhere. "But now that Albert is in prison and I've become the largest shareholder of the company, I can't just leave now.

"Even if I really want to expand into Willowdale, I need to stabilize the situation at Rhodes Enterprises first before planning for more."

Hearing Audrey's words, Alistair didn't persuade her further but said, "It's great you have your own plans. Let me know if you need anything in the future."

Audrey said teasingly with a smile, "I know. You're the second largest shareholder in the company, so I'll definitely often seek your help in the future."

Although Audrey said so, she knew Alistair was already very busy and she should try not to bother him unless necessary.

However, Audrey had underestimated Alistair's resolve to protect her.

The next morning, as soon as Audrey arrived at the office, she saw Michael waiting for her at the door.

Alistair didn't come to Rhodes Enterprises today, which surprised Audrey when she found out.

"Michael, why are you here?" Audrey asked.

Michael flashed a smile, waved a transfer letter in his hand, and said cheerfully, "Ms. Rhodes, I've applied for a transfer and now I'm an employee at Rhodes Enterprises."

en FindNovel

Hearing this, Audrey was stunned.

She never expected that Alistair would actually agree to transfer Michael to Rhodes Enterprises.

Michael was Alistair's special assistant at the Hayes Group, but at Rhodes Enterprises, he would just be a regular employee. Who could possibly accept such a job change?

Audrey thought Michael was

pressured by Alistair, which made

her feel uneasy. She quickly said, "Michael, don't worry. I'll talk to Alistair and have him reconsider the decision." en FindNovel

"No, Ms. Rhodes," Michael said.

Knowing Audrey had misunderstood him, Michael explained hurriedly, worked hard for the opportunity to join Rhodes Enterprises. Mr. Hayes didn't force me, so please don't misunderstand him."

Seeing Michael so nervous, Audrey was even more convinced of her suspicions.

Michael must have been forced into this by Alistair.

She couldn't understand why someone would choose to work at her small, troubled company, which was on the brink of bankruptcy, over a leading global firm.

 

Chapter 268

Audrey remarked, "Michael, don't comfort me. You're not out of your mind, so why would you risk your future working here?

"Don't worry about explaining things to Alistair. I'll help you out. You want to join my company, but I won't accept you."

As soon as Audrey said she didn't want him, Michael panicked.

He was so desperate that he raised his hands and swore, "Ms. Rhodes, you have to believe me. I'm not crazy. I've thought this through very carefully before pursuing this opportunity." Audrey still wasn't convinced and asked, "Then tell me, why would you give up the high pay at the Hayes Group to join me here?"

She was sure Michael couldn't come up with a good reason.

To her surprise, Michael remained calm and replied, "Ms. Rhodes, to be honest, I'm about to get married, and my fiancée is from Riverdale."

With a guilty expression, Michael continued, "We've been in a long-distance relationship for years. She was always the one traveling to Willowdale to see me, and I rarely had time to spend with her.

"This job gives me the chance to settle in Riverdale. If I couldn't work here, our relationship might face a crisis." Michael and his girlfriend loved each other deeply, and over the years she had made a lot of sacrifices for him. Now, with a chance finally available to resolve the long-distance issue, Michael was determined to seize it. Even though Michael would be working in another city, his salary had not decreased; it had actually increased. Furthermore, Alistair had promised Michael a 5% bonus once Rhodes Enterprises went public.

Unless Michael was out of his mind, he wouldn't pass up such a great opportunity to get rich.

Audrey felt a little unsure and asked, "Are you really doing this for your girlfriend? Not being forced or anything?"

Michael nodded without hesitation and replied, "Of course. Don't you understand Mr. Hayes' nature by now? How could he ever make things hard for his team?

"Don't you trust me, Ms. Rhodes? Is that your way of rejecting me?"

Audrey shook her hand and sincerely said, "No, it's not like that. I see how capable you've been during these past few days. Although Emily is careful and thoughtful, she gets overwhelmed during big events and doesn't handle things as well as you do. "I've been considering hiring another person to assist me along with her. If you can join, that would be perfect."

Audrey wasn't complimenting Michael.

She truly needed more assistance.

Having Michael around would be exactly what she wanted.

After hearing Audrey's words, Michael asked eagerly, "Can I start today?"

Michael needed to secure the

position quickly since it was

extremely valuable and he coul

les it get away. Co

let it get away.

Audrey nodded and said, "Yes, you can have Emily guide you through the onboarding process later." Michael left with a joyful spring in his step.

Audrey watched him walk away, pondering whether to call Alistair. She took out her phone but hesitated.

Audrey knew deep down that

be willing to work for ber

without Alistair secretly offering him

as talented as Michael et

some benefits.

If the offer hadn't been enticing enough, Michael wouldn't have even considered joining Rhodes Enterprises.

With Michael around, things would be much easier for Audrey.

She pondered, 'Alistair has helped me so much; just giving him a thank-you call seems really insincere.

'I should at least do something to show my gratitude, right?

'But Alistair seems to have everything he needs.'

For a moment, Audrey was at a loss about what to do.

She was with Alistair almost every day, but she really couldn't think of anything that would surprise him.

Furthermore, she seldom surprises.

a guy,

ultimately, she ends up

res all the plans she had come herself.

Audrey murmured, "Ugh, planning a surprise is harder than handling a new project."

Audrey sighed, letting her head fall onto the desk.

After a moment, a great idea suddenly occurred to her, and she remembered someone. Audrey jumped to her feet, grabbed the phone, and dialed a number.

 

Chapter 269

Meanwhile, Violet, having just finished some experiments, walked out of the lab, rubbing her shoulders.

After returning home, she barely had time to rest before being taken to the lab for experiments.

Lately, all she had been doing was focusing on experimental data, eating, and sleeping, completely unaware of everything happening outside.

Just as Violet left the lab, eager to breathe in some fresh air, her phone buzzed inside her dust-proof bag.

As soon as the call connected, the tiredness in Violet's eyes vanished, and she exclaimed, "Audrey!"

Violet grinned and asked, "How did you find out I had today off? Is it possible you're reading my mind?"

Audrey hesitated for a moment, feeling a little guilty.

So much had happened recently and she hadn't contacted Violet in a long time; she only knew that Violet had gone into the lab and hadn't expected her to come out until today. Audrey apologized, "Sorry, Violet, I've been really busy lately."

Violet understood it and said, "It's okay. Just treat me to a nice dinner and I'll forgive you."

Audrey replied, "Dinner's definitely on me, and I was also hoping to ask for your help with something."

Violet playfully scolded, "Oh, I see how it is. You remember me when you need something. Heartless girl! So, what do you need my help with?"

Audrey bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and said awkwardly, "Violet, you're more experienced at romance. I wanted to ask you how to surprise a guy?"

After a brief pause, Violet's shout came through the phone, "Audrey!

"You traitor! It's been so long since we talked, and now you're calling me because of a man?" When Violet got mad, she was harsh and left Audrey with no opportunity to defend herself.

She scolded, "Audrey, how many times do I need to remind you? Men are replaceable, but true friends are forever. Every time you start dating someone, you prioritize them above everything else. You're going to end up getting hurt."

Audrey knew Violet meant well, so she agreed and apologized, "It won't happen again. Sorry, Violet. I was wrong.

"How about this? I'll treat you to the most expensive cuisine in Riverdale, for a whole three days and nights. Please have mercy and forgive me?"

Violet raised an eyebrow and

scoffed, "Fine, I'll forgive you for now because of the feast. But you said you would introduce your guy to me.

She? Don't tell me he's too

shy to meet me."

Audrey explained, "No way. He's just really busy with work."

Violet didn't believe it at all and remarked, "Stop giving me excuses. Even Mr. Alistair Hayes has time for dating, so is your guy busier than him?"

Violet hadn't been online much lately, but she had a senior who loved surfing the web for gossip.

The senior told Violet all sorts of news, including rumors about Alistair starting a new relationship.

However, he didn't tell Violet about Audrey's news because he knew that Violet considered Audrey her best friend.

If Violet found out Audrey was in a hard time, she wouldn't even continue the experiment.

When Audrey heard Violent mention Alistair in a relationship, she felt guilty and kept quiet. Audrey didn't know how to tell Violet that Alistair was actually her husband.

Violet's tone became firm as she insisted, "Anyway, you have to bring him to meet me tonight. I want to see what's so appealing about him that makes you go to such lengths and even plan surprises to please him."

Audrey thought about it. She had promised to introduce Alistair to Violet.

However, many things occurred in the meantime, and Violet was occupied with her experiments. Consequently, neither Violet nor Alistair had the time to meet. While meeting now wouldn't be impossible, Audrey had some concerns.

 

Chapter 270

Audrey said, "I'm not sure if he's free tonight. I need to ask him first before I can give you an answer."

Violet became even more worried when she heard this.

It seemed that Audrey couldn't even decide on such a trivial matter.

Violet believed Audrey was completely under her husband's thumb, which made her worry about Audrey's status in her husband's heart. Violet's impression of Audrey's quickly married husband worsened.

She rubbed her temples and declared fiercely, "Just tell him that if he doesn't have time to see me, I'll go see him."

Violet hoped the guy would be sensible enough.

If he didn't meet Violet tonight, she would definitely come to him.

Audrey could guess Violet's intentions and shook her head helplessly.

After a brief chat, they hung up the phone.

However, the more Violet thought about it, the angrier she became.

She pondered, 'How could that ungrateful guy act so high and mighty when he's lucky enough to marry someone as wonderful as Audrey? 'This is just outrageous!

'No way, I have to show that guy just how popular Audrey really is.

'If he wouldn't cherish her, someone else definitely would.

'When he loses Audrey, he'll regret it.'

With this in mind, Violet quickly sent a message to one of her ex-boyfriends who worked at an entertainment company.

Violet: [Hey buddy, find me a male model over 6.1 feet from your company to accompany me to a dinner tonight. Make sure he's handsome and impressive. Thanks.]

*****

At this time, Audrey had no idea about Violet's plan.

She called Alistair and told him about Violet's dinner invitation.

Knowing Alistair had been busy lately, Audrey added, "No worries if you don't have time. I can reschedule with Violet."

At worst, she'd just have to sweet-talk Violet a little.

However, Alistair agreed immediately, "I've got time, and I'll handle the reservation tonight.

"By the way, since it's my first time meeting your friend, should I bring any gifts?"

Audrey felt touched and replied, "You don't need to bring gifts. It's just a casual gathering."

"Alright, I'll pick you up tonight," Alistair replied with a smile.

And so, the dinner plan was set.

After hanging up, Alistair immediately sent Logan a message: [I won't go to the business dinner with you tonight.]

A few seconds later, Alistair's phone on the desk started vibrating repeatedly.

Alistair wasn't surprised. He answered the call without even looking at the screen.

Logan shouted, "Come on, Alistair! What's up with this? You promised we'd go to the party together tonight. Almost everyone there is coming just to see you. What will be supposed to do there by myself if you don't go?"

Alistair secretly became the major shareholder of Rhodes Enterprises and had been in the spotlight lately.

The business elites of Riverdale were eager to meet him.

Tonight's business party was specifically held in Alistair's honor.

However, he suddenly decided not to go, which really stunned Logan.

It was a great opportunity to expand business in Riverdale. Logan wondered what could be more important than this event.

With a light tap on his phone, Alistair

replied calmly, "Audrey wants to

introduce me to her best

could

gift f

help me pick a suitable

a young lady?"

Logan rubbed the center of her eyebrows and inquired, "Why should I assist you in choosing a gift?"

Alistair said, "Aren't you the ladies' man? You've got better taste than I do."

Logan cursed, "Fuck off."

Fed up with being stood up and mocked, Logan angrily hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Logan felt a wave of sadness wash over him.

He realized that he held less significance in Alistair's heart than Audrey, and now he couldn't even compare to her friend.

Logan cursed under his breath,

'Damn Alistair, always putting

Audrey before me. I hope he ger

completely taken down by Audrey's friend.'