Chapter 37


    Chapter 37


    the Stirling Group was facing a double whammy of product and trust issues.


    People were vowing to boycott the Stirling Group’s products left and right. Ives’ once pride and joy, with


    over 500 nationwide stores, had dwindled to a mere hundred within a week. Those that survived were


    barely holding on, resorting to drastic price cuts to avoid being stuck with their inventory, even if it


    meant selling at a loss.


    Seeing the ma**ive losses pile up day by day, the already frail Mr. Stirling finally sumbed. Una


    personally went to her sister for help. But Elspeth was too afraid to get involved again and could only


    watch from the sidelines.


    “Hamilton has issued a final warning. If anyone dares to help the Stirling Group, he will deal with them


    harshly. I’m living in someone else’s home, sis. I can’t even begin to describe the hardship,” Elspeth


    sighed deeply, taking her sister’s hand, and cing it in her own forfort. “Although the Abernathy


    Group can’t lend a hand, I’ve asked Frederic to find a suitable date for Acacia and Thaddeus’ wedding


    as soon as possible. How about the first weekend after Mr. Hamilton’s birthday?”


    “Wait till his 80th birthday?” Una asked anxiously. She could wait, but the Stirling Group couldn’t!


    “I wish Acacia could marry Thaddeus tomorrow. But Mr. Hamilton insists on waiting till his 80th birthday.


    There’s nothing I can do.”


    Elspeth lowered her voice. “I heard that after leaving Thaddeus, Ms. na started seeing the president


    of The K Group. She was whisked away by President Ashbourne the day she left The Abernathy


    Family. Many people in The Abernathy Family saw it.”


    Una had heard some of this from her son and was eaten up with jealousy. Her daughter for not having


    Ms. na’s cu nn ingness. She still hadn’tpletely won Thaddeus over, while Thaddeus’ ex-wife had


    already found a new wealthy partner.


    “Do you think The K Group’s attack on the Stirling Group had anything to do with something na said


    to President Ashbourne?” Elspeth asked, stirring the pot with a puzzled


    expression.


    A lightbulb turned on in Una’s head at her sister’s suggestion. She shot up from the couch, eyes aze


    with anger.


    “That bit ch! She ruined Acacia’s wedding, and now she’s trying to mess up our ns even though


    she’s already divorced from Mr. Thaddeus! Does she think she’s untouchable now that she’s got a rich


    new boyfriend?”


    “It’s hard for us to touch her.” Elspeth sighed, “After all, Ms. na is now President Ashbourne’s


    girlfriend. The Ashbourne family is high up there, out of everyone’s reach.”


    “Right, the Ashbourne family… Is she, an ordinary woman, even worthy of them?”


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    Una was seething with jealousy, her eyes cold. But she suddenly had an idea. “Ms. na always puts


    on a sweet act in front of Mr. Hamilton, pretending to be in love with Mr. Thaddeus, presenting herself


    as meek and mild. But she’s already betrayed Thaddeus. She’s secretly with President Ashbourne.


    How else could she have a new rtionship so quickly! Wouldn’t it be great if we could expose her


    hypocrisy on Mr. Hamilton’s birthday, sis?”


    Elspeth gave a knowing smile and took a sip of her high-end English tea. “That’s a great idea, but it’s


    all your imagination. I didn’t say anything.”


    In the manager’s office of the K Orld Hotel.


    The screen was filled with blood, and screams echoed everywhere.


    Evadne, who was quick-witted and a fast reader, had finished reviewing all the documents and was


    now happily ying her favorite game. She loved defeating newbie yers. Just as she shed a


    game character, blood sttering all over the screen, Jason walked in and was so frightened that he


    quickly turned his head and shut his eyes. “Speak up if you have something to say or leave if you


    don’t.” Evadne’s fingers were dancing on the keyboard and mouse, making everyone marvel at her


    speed. “Ma’am, there are two interesting things to report.” Saying this, Jason covered the screen with


    one hand and quickly ced a set of documents in front of her with the other, then quickly withdrew.


    “Oh my… You’re such a scaredy-cat. How are you going to protect your girlfriend in the future? Next


    time I’ll take you to a horror escape room to bolster your courage!” With that, Evadne shed another


    character, causing another spatter of blood.


    “Awesome!”


    Jason could hardly keep a straight face.


    When the game finally ended with no survivors, she exited satisfied and picked up the documents.


    “Isn’t this the pawn record from our Ashbourne Pawnshop? Why was it brought out?”


    “These jewels and essories were pawned by Acacia’s mother at the Ashbourne Pawnshop.” Jason


    smirked, “You’re really smart. You had me keep an eye on The Stirling Family’s movements these past


    few days, and sure enough, I found something new.”


    Evadne smirked, clearly amused. “I saw thising. Without a move from the Abernathys the Stirling


    Group had no choice but to raise some cash.”


    “I thought they’d sell their house, but no, they just pawned some jewelry. Guess they’re still loaded


    enough to take the hit.”


    “They’re just burning theirst bit of cash to keep the group afloat. Better to go out with a bang than to


    slowly bleed out,” Jason sneered. “This is what the Stirling Group gets for ndering us!”


    Evadne didn’t say anything else; she just idly flipped through the pawn records. Not many people knew


    that the Ashbourne family owned tworge, reputable pawn shops in Crescentville and Skyrim,


    Since Emeric liked collecting precious antiques, he secretly opened these two pawn shops, hoping to


    get his hands on some unexpected treasures. With these two pawn shops, Emeric didn’t make much in


    recent years. After all, not many who stepped into a pawn shop could redeem their items.


    Suddenly, Evadne’s pupils dted, her fingers trembling slightly. Seeing Ruby Enigma on the list, she


    felt a mix of mockery and resentment. Her eyes were about to pop from


    anger.


    This was the token of love Thaddeus painstakingly gave to Acacia. She fell in love with it at first sight


    two years ago when she saw him gazing at the pendant under the light. She always dreamed that the


    ne could be hers. She wanted a gift from Thaddeus, even if it wasn’t expensive, even a rock


    would make her happy.


    But dreams were just dreams.


    Thaddeus only gave gifts to those he loved. He didn’t love her, so she wasn’t even worthy of a rock.


    Now, Acacia had sold the man’s deep affection. Evadne wanted tough at this, but her eyes hid


    unspeakable sadness.


    “I wonder how Thaddeus would feel about this.”


    “What did you say?” Jason didn’t catch her words.


    “The Stirling family doesn’t know how to appreciate things. This ne is priceless, and they only


    sold it for $700,000? We made a killing!” Evadne smirked, a mischievous


    look on her face.


    12:10


    Her phone rang then. It was her brother.


    “Brother!” Evadne’sughter faded, her voice sweet.


    “Cas sius, how have you been? Tired? Need my help with anything?” Cas sius’ voice was full of


    tenderness.


    “I’m not tired, but don’t overwork yourself, remember to rest.”


    After a brief chat, Cas sius got to the point. “There’s a charity auction this weekend. Can you attend for


    me? Father tasked me to buy a Dante Chair, the budget is $10 million. But I have to give a lecture at


    the church this weekend, so… I have to trouble you to bid for the Dante Chair.”


    “Me? What’s my role? Can I go as the girlfriend of the K Group President, Cas sius?” Evadne asked


    teasingly, taking a bite of chocte.


    “You can. As long as you go, you can decide your role. Maybe you could say you’re thedy of the


    Ashbourne family.”


    Evadne nodded while chewing her chocte.


    Cas sius chuckled indulgently. “You rarely appear in the media or public. The high society of Elmsworth


    doesn’t know you, so you can go without worries.”


    “Okie dokie! But a budget of only $10 million is kinda small, what if I find something else I like?”


    “Then bid for it, I’ll reimburse you. We Ashbournes have a tradition, and once we participate in an


    auction, we must bid, we can’t let others have a chance.”


    “Got it, Emeric’s family motto, take all opportunities, and leave none for others!” Evadneughed,


    flicking her fingers lightly.


    “Good luck, Evadne. Don’t forget the Dante Chair.”


    After hanging up, Jason reminded her anxiously. “Miss Evadne, if we’re representing Mr. Cas sius at


    the charity auction, we should bring a collection. But if we prepare now, is it a bit tight?”


    “I’ve already prepared what we need.”


    Evadne’s lips curved into a yful smile, with a twin kle in her eyes.


    Weekend, Parkray Auction in Elmsworth.