Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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The Finley family in Vrufield, whether in influence or social standing, was on a level far beyond anyone Lavern was dealing with now.
If it hadn’t been for the whole Shawna fiasco, he’d probably already be mixing with Vrufield’s top–tier crowd.
Lavern couldn’t help but feel a wave of regret wash over him.
He was so frustrated that he wanted to punch a hole through the wall.
But then he remembered how Marina was sentimental and loyal. They’d been together for seven years. It would not be just so easy for her to forget these feelings.
If he could grab the chance and win her trust back, there was still a chance for him to rub shoulders with Vrufield’s big shots.
With that, Lavern warned himself to tread very carefully from now on.
He shot a look at Marina’s tightly shut office door, a burning greed flashing in his eyes.
Inside the office, Marina sat in her chair, making no move to invite Carter to a seat.
Carter shot her a serious look, then pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.
“Heard from some old friends in Vrufield that you’ve been hanging out with Daron a lot lately. Did you finally figure things out?” Carter asked.
Marina kept her face cool and unreadable, not showing a single emotion. She leaned back in her chair, looking laid–back, almost like she couldn’t care less.
“So, what is it this time? Got another scheme cooking, trying to mess with Elnora and me again?” she shot back.
Carter’s face stiffened, and he spoke in a low, serious voice.
“You two are my daughters. Why would I dig a pit for you? The Finley Group has been half–dead in your sister’s hands all these years. It worries me. That’s why I thought of taking the company back,” he said.
Marina let out a cold snort. “And who dug the pit it’s stuck in? If the Finley Group were in your hands, it would’ve collapsed ages ago.”
Carter’s face darkened, and he shot Marina a glare, clearly annoyed.
“At the end of the day, your sister’s a woman. In the business world, she has no natural advantage!” he snapped.
Marina shot him a sideways glance, a mocking smile on her lips. “You’ve been tangled up with Mary for over ten years now. How come she still hasn’t given you a son to date?”
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Carter’s face darkened.
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Marina kept going, “Even Grandpa was way more clear–headed than you! No matter how tempting the deal, he’d never let outsiders benefit. He always groomed Elnora to be the successor.
“And you? You put all your effort into raising a ‘son‘ who’s not even your flesh and blood, gave him a home, and now you’re left with no one on your side.
“Reynaldo Miles, oh, sorry, I mean Reynaldo Finley. So what if you switched his last name? That’s to make you feel a little better about yourself. Doesn’t change the fact that he’s still a Miles by blood.”
Carter’s face turned red with rage and embarrassment at Marina’s words. He slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet.
“Marina!” he growled.
Daniel heard the noise from outside the door and pushed it open.
“Ms. Finley, is something wrong?” he asked.
Carter turned to the door, his face still dark, but when he saw Daniel’s massive frame, his expression flickered.
Marina just smiled slightly and replied in a calm voice, “It’s nothing.”
Daniel nodded, giving Carter a cautious look. “If anything happens, just call me. I’ll come right away to protect you.”
Marina smiled and nodded. “Sure.”
With Marina’s reply, Daniel closed the office door.
Marina gave a sly grin, rocking her chair slightly as she stared at Carter, her eyes glinting with sarcasm.
“Were you planning to hit me?” she sneered.
Carter’s chest rose and fell with anger, his face still dark as he pulled out the chair and sat down again.
“Marina, I’m still your father. The way you were speaking to me just now was far too much. I’m hoping we can sit down and talk properly. You don’t have to provoke me like this,” he said.
Marina gave a faint, amused breath and spoke softly, “Dad, if I’m not mistaken, we’ve been basically estranged for nearly a decade. I’d almost forgotten I even had a father. What exactly is there to sit down and talk‘
about?”
Carter’s face stayed cold. Seeing that Marina wasn’t interested in emotional reconciliation, he cut straight to the chase.
“You wanted me to buy Ross Group’s shares last time, didn’t you? I can help you. I can make you the largest shareholder,” he said.
Marina looked completely unfazed. “I’m already the biggest shareholder in Ross Group.”
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Carter said, “Even if you’re the biggest shareholder, Lavern still holds more influence in the company than you. The management and shareholders, most of them are his people.”
Marina turned her chair to face Carter directly.
“Looks like you’ve you’ve done your homework,” she said.
Seeing that she seemed a bit interested, Carter kept going. “I’ll buy up shares in Ross Group and team up with you. Together, we’ll drive out Lavern and his people. You’ll still call all the shots at the company. I only want a portion of the dividends, and for Reynaldo to take a position in the company. How about it?”
Marina shook her head. “No.”
Carter gritted his teeth. “Once I buy the shares, I’ll give you an extra five per cent, no questions asked, as compensation for all the years I failed you. Is that enough?”
Marina still shook her head.
Carter’s patience was gone, and he shot her a cold look.
“So what do you want?” he asked, his tone icy.
Marina
gave a small, knowing smile. “You’re too late. Ross Group’s shares have already been bought.”
Carter’s face fell. “Who got them?” he demanded.
Marina let out a soft sigh. “That’s confidential. I can’t tell you.”
“When I approached you before, you wouldn’t cooperate. After you rejected me, Lavern learned who you really were, and he immediately brought in someone else to buy the shares overnight. Caught me completely off guard,” she said.
Carter’s face went stiff and ugly. He never expected Lavern to move so fast.
That weasel–faced brat had even been messaging him constantly, flattering him.
Seeing his suffocated expression, Marina knew she’d guessed correctly.
During this period, Lavern had likely continued keeping in contact with Carter.
After all, Carter was the person Lavern had tried to bring in to buy Ross Group’s shares, just like he had tried to bring in Daron.
There was no way he would tell Carter the shares were already gone.
Watching Carter’s face twist like he’d swallowed dung, Marina knew she’d won this round.
Carter probably caught wind of her and Daron, saw a chance to cash in, and came over looking to cut a deal.
After all, if things between her and Daron were for real, then Ross Group would have Daron backing them up.
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If he couldn’t break into the Finley Group, surely he could muscle his way into a small outfit like Ross Group.
Marina let out a soft sigh. “You’ve already missed your best chance.”
Carter realized he’d come all this way for nothing, and with a dark look on his face, he shot up from his chair and stormed out.
Marina watched Carter rush out, a cold, mocking smile twisting on her lips as she threw out one last savage jab.
“Lavern just played you like a fiddle,” she sneered. “All these years and you’re still falling for the same old tricks. No wonder Grandpa never trusted you with the Finley Group.”
Carter turned back, shooting Marina a cold, furious glare.
Marina didn’t hold back. “Seriously, stop messing around. If you end up squandering the inheritance Grandpa and Grandma left you, Mary will take your so–called son and ditch you.”
Maybe Marina’s words hit a little too close to home, because Carter actually stumbled, almost tripping over his own feet.
Marina let out a cold, mocking laugh.
One day, she’d see him get what he deserves with her own eyes.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
