Ch. 531..540
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.531
No one could make a joke out of Eric Ferguson.
Public opinion and the stock market would ferment wildly in the follow-up. It was still possible to have a degree of influence domestically, but once public opinion in Europe started to ignite and attack the research being done in Mediania, it would not be as simple as resulting in losses for the three companies.
It would affect Mediania' s status and image. When relevant departments intervene, it would only make the situation more difficult to deal with as their hands were tied.
“Eric...”
Gerard looked at Eric speechlessly as the latter stood up with an unpleasant expression and left the conference room.
Mitchell packed his things from the side and shook his head.
Sure enough, Eric Ferguson would not accept any kind of blow from anyone. His self-confidence was inherent.
Nicole arrived at the entrance of Ferguson Corporation and coincidentally saw Ivy Harrison standing there.
She looked like she was waiting for someone. Specifically, she looked like she was waiting for Nicole.
The panic on her face under the forced calmness was too easy to see through.
Nicole frowned and walked over. “Were you waiting for me?”
Ivy nodded, her eyes slightly red and pitiful.
Nicole looked down and sent a message on her phone before raising her head again. “What is it?”
Whether it was in the office or outside, her attitude towards Ivy had always been cold and indifferent.
Nicole could not bring herself to like Ivy, and she was not eager to know her either. They were not the same kind of people, so there was no need for deep interaction.
Ivy took a deep breath and looked at the professional suit on Nicole which made her appear bright and clean-cut. It was a private custom-made style from a brand that Ivy could not afford to order from.
“Ms. Stanton, Old Master Ferguson asked me to stay and take care of Eric. I'm also being put in a tough spot... ”
She paused and glanced at Nicole's bland expression, then continued,“ I know that Eric only likes you, but for the sake of my family, I can't say no. But... If you're unhappy, or if you want to make up with Eric, I'm willing to withdraw from this.”
Nicole lifted her eyes and looked at Ivy, her finger scrolling through her phone paused for a second.
There was a little tension in Ivy's eyes as she carefully examined Nicole's expression.
Her face was a little pale.
Nicole gently put down her hand and clasped them behind her back. She looked at Ivy indifferently.
“Ms. Harrison, I originally sympathized with you because your family and your experiences were very unfortunate. I even intentionally helped you twice before. I think you should understand that the reason why you and Eric aren't together isn't because of me, but because of your own incompetence.”
Ivy's face instantly turned white. Nicole's phone rang.
She hung up without hesitation.
Looking at Ivy, she continued to say, “But from now on, I've really started to hate you. Every word you say is too fake. You're so fake to the point that it's disgusting. You're neither innocent nor pure, and there's no need for you to rely on your face to live.”
Nicole's phone rang again. She glanced at it, answered it, and left.
“I'm at the entrance.”
Ivy's body stiffened as if someone had slapped her across her face. Her cheeks felt hot with stinging pain.
She could not move for a long time as she was dumbfounded and terrified.
Nicole was neither angry nor mocking. Her calm attitude made it seem like Ivy was nothing to her.
That kind of disregard was the deadliest.
Turning around, Ivy saw a low-key but expensive Porsche stop at the entrance. A man dressed smartly got out of the car and opened the passenger door for Nicole.
His tender and earnest look was strikingly similar to Eric's.
Nicole got into the car.“ I'm afraid I'll have to ask for your help regarding this accident. Our people in Europe won't be able to suppress the public outcry for us. At least, it's better if fewer people know about this until the facts are investigated clearly. ”
With Clayton's ability, it was no problem for him to control public opinion as well as the stock market in Europe.
Clayton nodded while driving.
“I understand. I'll ask my friends over there to keep an eye out. I'll also suppress the news in the stock market.”
Nicole smiled. “Thank you. Why don't I treat you to dinner?”
Clayton smiled gently.“ I'm very happy that you thought of me, but... Just dinner?”
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.532
Nicole faintly froze as Clayton's eyes flickered.“ Michael has been harping on about you for a long time. Why don't you come and cook for him as a show of gratitude?”
Nicole breathed a sigh of relief. “Sure!”
Lil Michael could not sit still once he heard the good news.
The nanny said, “Wouldn't it be better to wait at the hotel?”
The bodyguard said, “We can't let them be together alone. Something will definitely happen if two adults stay together!”
Lil Michael nodded in agreement, so he insisted on going with them to shop for ingredients at the supermarket.
As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Nicole and Clayton standing together and laughing. Clayton casually bought an ice cream cone and handed it to Nicole, who took it with a smile. She took a bite and nodded approvingly.
The nanny said, “A talented man and a beautiful woman. What a perfect match!”
The bodyguard looked at her with disdain. “Whose side are you on? Young Master is a better match for her!”
Lil Michael said, “That's right!”
He excitedly ran to the other side, lifted his head, and buried himself in the Pretty Lady's arms. 'Wow, she smells so good!'
“Pretty Lady, did you miss me?”
Nicole looked at the head of fluffy curls in her arms and could not help but laugh. She tousled his hair and felt her heart melting into a puddle of goo.
“Of course I did. I missed you so, so much.”
Lil Michael raised his head in satisfaction after getting the answer he wanted and inadvertently glanced at his father. His provoking look seemed to say, 'Look, you can't do this!'
Clayton pursed his lips and reached out to yank him off of Nicole's body.
“Pretty Lady wants to eat ice cream. Don't bother her.”
Clayton advised him in a gentle tone, but Michael refused!
'Daddy's just jealous that I can hug Pretty Lady!
He's so jealous! '
“Pretty Lady likes it when I hug her. Hmph!”
Nicole laughed. The bickering between the father and son pair was quite amusing.
“It's fine. Let's go in. What do you want to eat, Michael?”
Lil Michael thought about it very seriously. Something too simple would not work, but he was afraid that she would not know how to cook complicated dishes. How conflicting!
Nicole naturally did not notice Michael's struggle as she looked at the goods around her. It had been a long time since she cooked, so she was a little rusty.
If it was too simple, it would not be able to convey her sincerity, but if it was too hard, she might not know how to cook it. How conflicting!
The three people's appearance in the mall immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding people, and many eyes followed them closely.
“Wow, he's so handsome. They're the most striking little family of three that I've ever seen!”
“That little boy looks mixed, right? He's so adorable! ”
“He's so handsome. That woman looks really familiar too. She's beautiful...”
Clayton 's expression softened for a moment when the chattering voices reached his ears. He stared at the tall and slender back in front of him with deep and dark eyes that were filled with patience.
Lil Michael snorted angrily. 'What family of three? Pretty Lady and I are a couple! How could Daddy, that old man, deserve such a beautiful lady?'
Nicole stopped for a moment in the produce and meat section, thinking very hard. Fortunately, Clayton saw her hesitation and quickly helped her out.
“Let's eat something simple. How about steak?”
'Steak sounds great!' Nicole breathed a sigh of relief and looked down to gauge Michael's opinion.
Lil Michael grinned up at her.“ Sure! I love steak!”
The three of them shopped for ingredients for a while before going back to the hotel suite where Clayton and Lil Michael were staying.
Lil Michael focused on eating his ice cream in the living room. Clayton, who had gone to the study to deal with an urgent work situation, finally came out and went to the kitchen.
The kitchen in the suite had a semi-open design. Nicole was very familiar with grilling steak and did not notice Clayton's arrival.
Clayton rolled up his sleeves. “I'll prepare some sides.”
Then, he started to work skillfully.
Nicole subconsciously looked at him. His usual cold and modest look was gone. Now, Clayton looked more down-to-earth and refined.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She was dazed for a second when the hot oil suddenly splattered on her wrist. She subconsciously exclaimed in alarm and stepped back, falling right into a warm and firm embrace.
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.533
At the moment Nicole was lost in thought just now, she seemed to realize that the situation in the kitchen was somewhat ambiguous yet warm.
At least, was this not the married life she dreamed of before her divorce?
However, the man was Clayton instead of Eric. Her heart did not seem to be so attached to the past anymore.
The sudden pain on her wrist came as an afterthought. Clayton held her as he led her to the faucet to rinse her wrist under running water.
Their posture was intimate and slightly ambiguous. Nicole tried to pull her hand back, but Clayton thought that it was because her wrist hurt, so he was gentler in his movements. He loosened his grip on her arm, held the spot where she was injured, and blew on her skin, looking distressed.
Nicole looked at him. The man in front of her was unfathomably gentle.
There was a slight tremor in her chest as if she had been shaken.
She hastily lowered her eyes, withdrew her hand, and smiled faintly. “It's fine. It doesn't hurt anymore.”
Nicole immediately concealed the panic in her heart.
Her wrist had just been splattered with a drop of oil. Only a blinding red patch was left behind after it was rinsed in cool water. However, it was very obvious on her fair and soft skin.
Clayton frowned as a trace of chagrin flashed in his eyes.
“I shouldn't have let you cook... It was thoughtless of me.”
Clayton pulled her wrist and walked out as he spoke, the action somewhat forceful. It was clear that he would not let her stay in the kitchen anymore.
Nicole smiled faintly. In fact, she experienced many such accidents in the past, but she always gritted her teeth and endured the pain. The sense of accomplishment after cooking made her feel happy, especially since every meal she made was just for Eric.
However, Eric would never know that. “What happened to Pretty Lady?”
Lil Michael trotted over and looked with dissatisfaction at his father, who was holding her hand.
Nicole sat on the sofa. “It's nothing. I just got scalded by some oil. But the kitchen...”
The steak was going to burn!
Clayton pressed on her shoulders. “I'll get someone to handle it. Don't move...”
Nicole was a little embarrassed. She was asked to cook but she messed it up.
Hearing the words, the maid came out of her room and finished what Nicole started without any sense of presence.
Clayton found a first-aid kit and tried to apply the salve on her personally.
Lil Michael stared at the little red spot anxiously.
Nicole felt like they were making a fuss out of nothing. “I'll do it myself.”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “You don't trust me, Ms. Stanton?”
Nicole smiled somewhat helplessly. “It really doesn't hurt anymore.”
It was just a slight tingling pain that could be ignored.
Clayton did not believe her and placed her hand on his knee. The two of them were sitting very closely.
He bowed his head and gently daubed her wrist with ointment. The string of words on the packaging showed that it was probably brought back from abroad. The salve felt cool on her skin. It was very comfortable. Even the tingling feeling was gone.
This was quite a good brand.
However, after the cool feeling passed, Clayton was still holding her hand. His body warmth spread to her arm, which gave her a tingling sensation and made her feel a little stiff.
She lowered her faintly flickering eyes and wanted to leave. If she continued to stay, she might really get addicted to this feeling.
To the side, Lil Michael could not bear to watch anymore. 'Why is Daddy not letting go yet?'
He broke the silence in the room.
“Pretty Lady, does it still hurt? My Daddy has a lot of experience in taking care of girls. If you feel uncomfortable, just say it...”
The room plunged into silence again.
The ambiguity in the air just now disappeared without a trace.
Clayton 's movements stiffened slightly. His gaze was cold and sullen as he stared at Michael, who had succeeded in his scheme. 'Maybe it's been too long since I gave my son a beating...'
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.534
Nicole curled her lips, and she inadvertently retracted her hand. “It doesn't hurt anymore.”
She looked at Clayton, whose face was tinged with slight anger, and the conflict in her heart disappeared.
Lil Michael reminded Nicole that Clayton was an exceptional man, so there must be countless people who would surround him. Nicole did not know anything about him except for his deceased ex-wife.
How could she think of him as a blank sheet of paper?
Nicole returned to her senses in time, never dragging her feet.
Clayton slowly and methodically put down the first aid kit. He could not discipline his son with Nicole around, so he had to maintain a decent smile.
However, there was no trace of warmth in his smile.
He withdrew his gaze, looked at Nicole, and explained patiently, “That's impossible. My family doctor in Liberty was a very lazy person, so I had no choice but to learn first-aid knowledge by myself.”
Nicole smiled faintly, her attitude was polite and slightly detached.
“It's really fine. It doesn't hurt anymore. This ointment is very effective...”
Clayton stiffened and lowered his head, seemingly at a loss. When he looked up again, his eyes were modest and light again.
He picked up the ointment as if nothing happened. “I'll go get you a new one later.”
“It looks like you're very well prepared, Mr. Sloan. ”
“I have a child, so I have to be prepared at all times.”
Saying that, he gave Lil Michael a meaningful look.
Lil Michael stuck his tongue out and hid behind Nicole.
He was not to blame. He noticed his father's attitude that did not harbor good intentions towards his Pretty Lady. If this continued, he would have a stepmother soon!
After dinner, Nicole said her goodbyes. Clayton personally sent her back to Stanton Mansion, and thoughtfully stopped not far away.
The night was cool and still. The streetlights stretched their shadows.
Clayton said, “Don't worry about the public opinion and the stock market. Nothing will happen until the case is investigated clearly.”
Nicole said, “Thank you.”
“You've already thanked me many times.”
Nicole looked at him. “Mr. Sloan, there's a piece of land in the Capital. Are you interested?”
Clayton looked at her with deep eyes, his gaze faintly stiffening. “What do you mean?”
“As repayment.”
A repayment that drew a clear line between them.
Clayton was stunned for a few seconds before slowly exhaling.
“Ms. Stanton, it's so hard to chase you...”
Nicole raised her eyes to meet his gaze. He smiled, his temperament seemed to meld into the darkness, and his voice was firm.
“Forget the land. I think that such a beautiful night is much more noteworthy.”
After Clayton left, Nicole went back inside. Her mood gradually calmed down until not a ripple was left.
She took off her jacket and high heels and was ready to wash her face when her phone chimed.
Nicole picked it up.
Clayton: [It's very hard to chase you, but it's even harder not to. Sweet dreams.]
Nicole looked at it but did not respond.
The other one was from Eric. [Nicole, there's a package for you at home. Shall I send it to you tomorrow?]
Nicole casually replied. [No need. Throw it away.]
Then, she turned off her phone and got ready for bed.
The next day.
Nicole got up early in the morning and went to the office. She was still worried about the cause of the autopilot car accident. She had to solve it as soon as possible.
The person that J&L Corporation sent to Europe was
Molly Stewart, which made Nicole feel a lot more at ease because Molly was an expert.
Insider news from Europe came, saying that they were beginning to evaluate whether the AI chip should be withdrawn from the market.
The case became more urgent, and time was of the essence.
On the day of the video conference, both Nicole and Eric participated.
In the conference room with a wide field of view, Nicole looked at the demonstration on the big screen.
The air conditioning was set to a low temperature, so it was a little cold. Eric saw that she was only wearing a thin dress, so he took off his suit jacket and walked over.
Nicole did not even move as she said indifferently,“ I don't want it. Save it.”
Eric and the others in the meeting room were speechless.
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.535
Soon, the staff noticed this scene and wordlessly raised the temperature of the air conditioner. The temperature in the room rose to the right temperature.
On the big screen.
An AI car and a real car were competing on the road, using the same chip and system from the accident.
The AI car on the screen showed superior skills in different kinds of roads, whether it was on mountains, flat land, or bumpy waterways.
When approaching a traffic light, it would slow down. It also slowed down when there was rain.
When there were obstacles in front of it, it would bypass it flexibly.
When people were crossing the road, it would wait patiently.
When encountering an unexpected situation, the automatic alarm would activate.
It was gentle, calm, but very dynamic, giving the AI driverless car all the advantages that humans had. Even in an extreme situation where human intervention caused sudden deceleration of the car, it overcame the inertia and stopped the car with maximum agility, completely obeying orders.
In the simulation, its performance was excellent, even perfect.
However, in this one experiment, it lost control in the real simulation.
Everyone was carefully observing the changes in the vehicle, refusing to let go of the slightest hint.
Nicole propped her chin up and looked at the screen, trying to find out what was wrong.
However, all of the data values were within the normal range.
Across from her, Eric looked at Nicole for a while before turning his attention to the large screen.
His eyes were dark and obscure, and his expression sank slightly as he looked at the demonstration on the screen as well as the records of the out-of- control vehicle.
The meeting room was silent. The sound of the collision from the video reminded them of the tragedy of this matter.
The same was true in Europe.
When the video ended, someone on the other side could not help but ask, “Did anyone see anything?”
No one made a sound.
Nicole knocked on the table. “Ms. Stewart, please give us your analysis.”
She was talking to Molly Stewart.
In this field, she had the absolute authority to speak.
Molly said, “All aspects of the chip ' s performance are normal and respond between the 0-1 range, which is close to the optimal value. At the time of the accident, the AI chip issued an instruction to turn 30 seconds before the crash, but the car lost control. 10 seconds before the imminent impact, the system issued another instruction to stop immediately, but the vehicle still went out of control... ”
“You've just said a whole bunch of nothing! The AI controls the vehicle movement, so when something goes wrong with the vehicle, it must be the problem of the AI system.” A man could not help but say furiously.
“Your technology is immature. Don't try to fool us with theories. If everything was working within optimal values, how did the accident happen?” Another person spoke up.
“I think everyone should calm down. Why don't we wait till the matter settles slightly before we discuss it again? I think that we should ask someone to visit the researcher in the hospital...”
The discussion was chaotic.
Nicole frowned and looked at Eric' s cold and stern face across from her. His eyes were sullen as he stared at the video, meticulously staring at a point of observation.
According to her understanding, Eric should be deep in thought. Otherwise, he would have lost his temper already.
Nicole pursed her lips and impatiently interrupted the discussion. Her voice was extremely cold, carrying an iciness that could not be underestimated.
“Gentlemen, the purpose of this meeting is to investigate the cause of the accident, not the aftermath.”
Everyone looked at each other but remained silent.
Nicole spoke again. “Ms. Stewart, are you sure that there's nothing wrong with our AI system?”
If it was not a problem with the AI system chip, then it was time to shift their attention to other directions.
Molly hesitated for less than three seconds before nodding decisively.
“There's no problem.”
Her verdict made everyone else dissatisfied.
If it was not a problem with the technology, then who would take the blame?
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.536
Nicole pursed her lips and raised her eyes just in time to meet Eric's gaze. They coincidentally smiled.
Eric's voice was cold.“ Since the system data and the chip records are both normal, there's only one thing that can be abnormal.”
Everyone looked at him silently and nervously. Eric said, “The test car.”
For a long time, everyone was silent and did not make a sound. They were shocked, but they had no choice but to accept Eric's words.
“What could be wrong with the car?”
Eric pursed his lips. “The car was specially customized, but the components that work hand-in-hand with the AI system were custom-made by a different company. Has anyone checked this?”
No one made any sound.
However, there was no doubt that a breakthrough had been found in this accident.
“Meeting adjourned.”
Eric spoke and immediately ended the video conference.
Nicole's eyes fell on the man's face. She did not say anything, but she had the same thought.
She did not expect Eric to have the same idea as her.
Nicole raised her brows.“ It's probably a problem with the brakes.”
Eric said, “How clever.”
Nicole rolled her eyes. That went without saying.
She stood up. She felt like the clouds would soon be dispelled to reveal the sun, so her heart suddenly felt a lot lighter.
“Let's have a meal together,” Eric suggested.
Nicole said, “I've refused so many times. Can't you tell that it's because I don't want to eat with you?”
Eric froze for a moment before smiling.“ I can't tell. What's wrong with a meal?”
Nicole had already experienced his roguish attitude and was really speechless. She snorted lightly and simply left.
There was good news from Gerard Lichman a few days after the meeting.
As expected, they were right. There was nothing wrong with the AI system. The real problem was with the car's brakes.
It was the latest braking system developed by a company in Liberty which claimed to be the best of all luxury cars.
Considering the superior performance of autopilot driving, every component was equipped with top - level configuration, so this superior technology would naturally not be left out. Thus, this technology company was chosen without any hesitation when the tender was put out.
No one expected this cutting-edge technology to be the cause of the struggle for the autopilot car.
As soon as the matter was found out, Gerard immediately returned to Mediania with the verification report from the relevant departments. He also sent a lawyer's letter to that company while he was in Europe.
However, in order to protect the company's secrets, the other party requested to not make the investigation public and refused to disclose the core patent of the braking system.
In an instant, the difficulty of the investigation was raised to the point where it was impossible to proceed.
Gerard's always gentle and calm temperament was cold with a rare show of anger. He went to Ferguson Corporation as soon as his plane touched down.
He threw the related documents on the table, and his expression was extremely unpleasant.
Eric, who was at his desk, looked up faintly and said in a cold and clear voice, “Why don' t you go back and have a rest?”
“I'm not in the mood! ”
Gerard took a deep breath. “I learned through many insiders that the braking system Liberty Technologies developed was used in luxury cars with very good sales. It turns out there were more than a hundred braking accidents, but every time someone tried to expose them with a lawsuit, they would use all kinds of methods to suppress the accident and resolve it. That's why there was no negative press about it so far.”
“You went there personally?” Eric's voice was light.
Gerard sneered. “The funny thing is, they didn't care about me at all. I brought out all kinds of evidence, but they insisted that it was a problem with our autopilot system. Does that group of self- righteous capitalists really think that they can hide this from the world for the rest of their lives? I’ll tell Ms. Stanton about it and get her opinion.”
”Don’t tell her.”
Eric's eyes were cold and heavy.
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.537
The office was silent for a moment.
Eric raised his head and met Gerard's confused gaze.
“I've had people investigate that company already. They're backed by bigwigs in Liberty's political party, and their shareholders are business leaders from various countries. Don't try to confront them, and don't involve Nicole in this either. I'll see what I can do.”
At those words, Gerard glanced at him with a dark gaze.
A few seconds later, he could not help but ask,“ This company has strong momentum and complex capital sources. There's no reason for you to look down on them.”
He had known Eric for a long time, but Eric' s ability and background could not be easily summarized. His investments which the media reported about were just the tip of the iceberg.
In the beginning, Eric was interested in J&L Corporation only because the core R&D team in Gerard's hands was tenacious and innovative enough. At the early stage of investment, he was just watching the growth potential of J&L.
What he did not expect was that Eric also invested in a rival company of J&L back then.
After all kinds of trials and tribulations, the one who survived in the end was Gerard's J&L Corporation. That was how he walked to where he was here, step by step, and got to know Eric better and better.
They were the ones fighting and killing each other in the business world, and Eric was the one who strategizes.
Eric abandoned past prejudices. His thinking pushed him to the forefront, and his ability was truly worthy of admiration.
His power also extended far abroad, so there was no reason why he would ignore the rapid development of Liberty's technology.
Furthermore, Eric did not want Nicole to know about this. What was he afraid of?
Gerard's questioning eyes were focused on Eric. Eric's eyes gradually became cold. His whole body was shrouded in an overwhelming chill.
His lips curled into a cold smile.“ I have plenty of money, but I won't invest in foreign technology. If I did, you wouldn't be where you are now, Mr. Lichman.”
Eric's voice was extremely cold. He was unwilling to explain more. The distance with Gerard instantly widened and a sharp barrier formed, making Eric seem so cold, gloomy, and mighty.
Gerard froze for a moment. His lips moved as he suddenly remembered that Eric used to be in the military, so a suspicion like that was simply an insult to Eric's character.
He felt like he must have lost his mind to speculate against Eric like that.
They had worked together for a long time and could laugh and joke regularly, but the gap between Eric and him could not be compared.
In an instant, a heavy regret settled in Gerard.
Just as Gerard was about to apologize, Eric said in a low voice, “Mitchell, see Mr. Lichman off.”
The intercom was cut off, and Mitchell immediately appeared at the door, speaking respectfully and politely, “Mr. Lichman, this way, please...”
Gerard' s throat bobbed. Before leaving, he said,“ Sorry, Eric. I was too petty.”
Only Eric was left in the office, his gaze faint and dim.
Gerard was an excellent manager and researcher, and a rare all-around talent. They would not fall out with each other because of a few words.
However, the air was still chilly. Eric's expression did not ease up.
He suddenly thought of Nicole. If it was her, she might not think so.
She would always be loyal to her faith and what she knew.
Eric began to miss her after going a few days without seeing her. It was like a compulsion, an addiction that he could not help.
However, he did not dare to appear in front of her too often because he was afraid that she would be annoyed.
It seemed like there were no opportunities for them to meet recently. After thinking about it, he decided to create an opportunity instead.
Mitchell came in to report on his work but hesitated when he saw Eric's heavy mood.
Trembling and jittery, Mitchell finished the report and waited to be lectured.
After a long time, Eric stroked his chin with one hand and frowned. “What's Ms. Stanton busy with lately?"
Mitchell was stunned for an instant before breathing out a large sigh of relief.
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.538
“Ms. Stanton is investigating the cause of the accident. She's also following up on Stanton Corporation's internal business dealings, but since it involves the secrets of Stanton Corporation, I didn't send anyone to investigate in depth.”
Eric let out a faint “mm” with an expressionless face.
Mitchell thought about it before quickly saying, “Ms. Nicole will be dining with a few partners at Green Club tonight...”
Green Club was a luxury private nightclub under Ferguson Corporation. It was generally not open to the public, and its membership was strictly selected.
Thus, Michell was able to obtain first-hand information.
In the evening, Nicole arrived at Green Club as promised.
This place was very private and was preferred by many businessmen and celebrities.
However, the price point starting at seven figures a night was not something that the average person could afford to spend.
A few of the business partners were all prominent people in their circles. Since they had the intention to get drunk, they naturally would not want reporters to see their intoxicated appearances, which was why they chose this place in a heartbeat.
Nicole was here on behalf of Grant, who was on a business trip. She did not pay attention to the venue.
When she arrived at the reserved private room, most of the people were already inside.
At the door, she put on an easy-going smile.
As soon as she entered, everyone greeted her familiarly. Nicole did not dawdle and sat at the head of the table, getting straight to business.
“Everyone has worked hard for a year. I hope that our future cooperation will be sincere and united!”
She gulped down a glass of red wine and then told the secretary to refill her glass with juice. Everyone who saw this did not insist on her drinking. All kinds of pleasantries and greetings were raised, and no matter how rude they were, they made sure not to offend Nicole.
If it were an ordinary woman, she would just be a side piece added to the table, and it would be normal for hands and legs to roam.
However, the woman in front of them was the princess of the Stanton family and the CEO of Stanton Corporation. No one would dare to show a hint of contempt for this heiress.
Everyone talked and laughed for a long time. Nicole sat there patiently, saying a word from time to time. She talked calmly but not coldly. Occasionally, she discussed the details of a partnership with the people next to her...
Her phone rang.
Nicole quietly went out to answer the call and get some fresh air.
After hanging up, she walked past a room on the way back. The door was slightly ajar, and the light inside spilled out. Nicole suddenly heard a familiar voice.
“No, I really can't drink anymore. Mr. Zahn, please Surprisingly, it was the crying and pleading voice of Ivy Harrison!
Mr. Zahn?
Had Ivy fallen to such a state?
Nicole did not want to meddle and lifted her foot to leave.
A second later, she heard a loud slap followed by the lewd and playful laughter of a man.
“Didn't you ask me to come? Yet you're not drinking now and spoiling my fun? I'll break the contract with Stanton Corporation if you drink this, Ms. Harrison. You should know what to do, right?”
Nicole suddenly remembered that Mr. Zahn was a partner that she snatched from Harrison Corporation.
As she hesitated, someone suddenly jumped to the door and tried to run out, not expecting Nicole to be standing by the door.
Ivy's tear—streaked face was still smoky red from the wine. Her eyes were confused for a moment before she immediately grabbed Nicole' s arm and dragged her into the room.
“Ms. Stanton, please help me. I really can't drink anymore...”
She cried as if the one forcing her to drink was not Mr. Zahn but Nicole.
Nicole frowned, withdrawing her hand with ice- cold eyes. She glanced at the person on the sofa. Mr. Zahn was so drunk that he could not even recognize her anymore.
“Who is this woman? She's quite good-looking. Don't think I'll let you off if you find me another woman. Ms. Harrison, if you don't serve me well, I won't sign the contract!”
Mr. Zahn muttered drunkenly, surveying Nicole at the door with lustful eyes. “You look familiar. Are you a celebrity?”
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.539
Nicole's expression darkened as she turned to leave. This room smelled terrible!
However, behind her, Ivy very untactfully pounced on her again.
“Don't go, Ms. Stanton. Don't go! As you can see, I'm about to be kicked out of the Harrison family because Stanton Corporation stole the contract from Harrison Corporation. My family won't let me off if I don't get this contract back.”
Nicole sidestepped her and said with a cold voice,“ Let go.”
Ivy looked up at her drunkenly. Even if she was drunk and bolder than before, she still could not help but let go when she saw Nicole's cold and sullen gaze.
“I told you before. Everyone is responsible for their actions. Unless there are greater interests involved, Stanton Corporation won't give up their interests just because I pity someone.”
Nicole' s thought process was clear. She also knew that there was nothing to say to Ivy.
Ivy was trying to find a way to get Mr. Zahn to break the contract, right?
If they really broke the contract, then Ivy was skillful, and Nicole had nothing to say about it.
However, the premise was to preserve the interests of Stanton Corporation.
Ivy's lips trembled as despair gradually filled her eyes.
“To you, it's just a matter of raising your hand. Why do you have to force me to the brink?”
Ivy could not help but cry out in a hoarse voice.
Nicole looked speechless and annoyed. Ivy was the one who walked herself to the edge of a cliff. What did it have to do with Nicole?
Nicole was not a charity, so why did she have to give alms to others?
On the sofa, Mr. Zahn staggered to his feet while holding a wine glass.
“Come, have a drink.”
Ivy looked at the glass in fear, as if she knew that the wine in it was not ordinary.
“No, Mr. Zahn. I really can't drink anymore...” Mr. Zahn snorted coldly. His intoxicated eyes
shifted to Nicole's body with a greedy and nasty look.
“If you can't drink, then let that new celebrity drink instead. If she drinks this glass for you, I'll agree to break my contract with Stanton Corporation. How does that sound?”
He coaxed lustfully.
Ivy was instantly tempted.
She turned her head to look at Nicole expectantly, clasping her hands together in a plea. The joy in her eyes was undisguised.
“Ms. Stanton, it's just a glass of wine. Just drink it for me. You won't lose anything by drinking it.”
Nicole glanced at Ivy in amusement, her eyes cold and icy.
“Drink it for you? How bold are you? No one has dared to let me drink for them before. Ms. Harrison, I suggest you wash your face and try to understand who you are.”
Then, Nicole stepped forward to open the door to leave.
She was truly disgusted. However, Ivy was like a piece of bubblegum stuck on her shoe, unable to be shaken off.
Before Nicole could touch the doorknob, Ivy blocked her hand like she had gone berserk. She leaned her back against the door, shutting it tightly.
Ivy glared straight at Nicole as if she would not give up until she reached her goal. Her face was red and slightly crazed.
“Ms. Stanton, it's just a glass of wine. Just drink it. I'll let you go if you drink it. As long as I get the contract back, I'll be able to explain myself to my family. I've lost everything! I can't go back to my old life. You were the one who put me in this situation. Don't you feel any guilt at all?”
Nicole looked at her coldly, already losing the last of her patience. Ivy must have taken the wrong meds!
Behind her, the wretched Mr. Zahn came over with a glass of wine. The moment his hand touched Nicole' s shoulder, she dodged sideways in disgust and kneed his lower body.
“Argh... ”
His face instantly changed from red to white as he let out a sharp scream.
Nicole looked sideways at Ivy, whose face was dull and pale with a hint of panic.
“Mr. Zahn... Ms. Stanton, you're too much!”
Read Novel "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress" chapter No.540
Nicole was just about to throw this woman out when the door was suddenly flung open from the outside. Ivy was pushed to the floor with a cry of surprise.
The next second, a tall and slender figure stood at the door. His cold face looked even colder in the dim light, and his gaze was deep and dark. When his stern eyes glanced over and saw Nicole standing there safely, his frown softened for a moment before furrowing again.
That was because he saw Ivy lying on the ground with the stench of alcohol around her, tugging on Nicole's skirt. Behind her, Mr. Zahn was rolling on the ground in pain.
Eric's arrival completely sobered Ivy up.
Ivy had not moved out of the Ferguson Villa because Old Master Ferguson still had hope for her, and they were just waiting for the opportunity.
She was the one who could not stand the pressure from Eli and Joy Harrison, so she asked Mr. Zahn out to think of a way to get the contract back. That way, the Harrison family would continue to help her put pressure on the Ferguson family.
Ivy just wanted to leave a way out for herself.
She knew very well who the person in Eric' s heart was.
Ivy's drunkenness disappeared instantly, but the next second, she pretended to pass out because of the alcohol. “Save me. I can't drink anymore...”
Nicole was shrouded in a faint chill. She pulled her clothes from Ivy's hand in disgust.
Eric quickly walked over and kicked Ivy fiercely on the shoulder. Ivy clenched her teeth in pain but did not dare to move, pretending to have fainted.
Then, she heard him trying to control the coldness in his voice. He said to Nicole, “They didn't touch you, did they? What did they do?”
His words were half-coaxing and half-questioning. Nicole faintly glanced down and raised an eyebrow.
“They wanted me to drink, but I refused. Logically, Ms. Harrison will soon become a member of your family. Isn't it too ridiculous for her to come out and accompany someone to drink just for a contract?”
Nicole stepped to the side and walked out, ignoring Ivy, who was lying motionlessly on the ground.
She would not let this matter go so simply. Regardless of whether Eric intervened or not, Ivy had succeeded in completely making Nicole feel repulsed by her, so Nicole would not let Ivy off the hook.
Eric looked at the man and woman on the ground coldly as a dim light flashed in his eyes.
Then, he picked up his phone. “Get two crates of whiskey sent upstairs.”
In less than three minutes, several bodyguards came up with two crates of high-quality whiskey.“ President...”
Eric was dressed immaculately, but the words he spoke were extremely cold, causing people to shiver.
“ Since they like to drink, give one crate to each of them. Let them leave after they finish drinking.
Don't waste anything.”
“Understood.”
The bodyguards followed Eric' s orders and would not disobey him.
Eric looked at the broken glass next to Mr. Zahn. His eyes became even grimmer.
He had more or less heard of these people's tactics when it came to women. If Nicole had drunk that glass of wine, he could guarantee that Mr. Zahn would not live to see tomorrow.
A bodyguard opened a bottle of whiskey expressionlessly, grabbed Ivy's hair to force her head up, and poured the whiskey into her mouth.
Ivy finally could not hold back. She could not pretend anymore.
She cried miserably, her body trembling. It was her first time seeing Eric's cruel side. It was a side that he would never show to Nicole.
“No... I didn't do anything. Mr. Ferguson, let me go. If Old Master Ferguson knows, he won't...”
Pale brownish liquid dripped down the corners of her mouth. Ivy choked and cried as she spoke.
Eric was expressionless. His eyes were terribly cold.
So what if Old Master Ferguson would not accept this?
This woman was thinking too highly of herself.
After that, Eric turned to leave. His pace did not even falter no matter how miserable the cries were behind him.