Chapter 63


    Chapter 63


    After ElitePinnacle Investments made its triumphant return from Bullion Boulevard to domestic shores,


    instead of the anticipated struggle to limatize, they thrived like a fish


    to water.


    Out of the blue, they announced the acquisition of VentureVista Securities from VectorVista Bank.


    Then, in a bold move, it swiftly secured severalrge IPO projects.


    Their meteoric rise put other investment banks under immense


    pressure.


    “ElitePinnacle Shakes Up Domestic Market, Curtis Creates New Legend”.


    Headlines like these were stered across major financial websites for days.


    The bigger his steps, the busier Curtis got, pouring his energy into work, spending consecutive days in


    an apartment just a stone’s throw from thepany office.


    ElitePinnacle’s affairs were enough to keep him upied around the clock. Yet, he took on a


    particrly thorny acquisition case from the Richardson Group.


    Back in the day, Curtis was notorious for his high-and-mighty attitude. When Maddox needed a favor,


    he had to approach Curtis with extreme deference.


    Recently, Curtis had be unusually dedicated, devoting so much time to Maddox’s projects that it


    seemed as if he was aiming for the chairman’s position himself.


    Even when Skyler’s inte startup went public on the stock exchange, ringing the opening bell, Curtis


    managed to make time in his hectic schedule to lend a hand and show support.


    Caleb thought Curtis was either courting an early grave or hadpletely lost his


    mar


    ack that afternoon, Caleb found Stonebridge covered in ayer of fresh snow. winter seemed colder


    than usual, with the season’s first snowfall arriving early. Stepping out of the airport, Jake had the car


    idling at the curb. After Caleb loaded his suitcase into the trunk, he returned to find Curtis still standing


    by the roadside, not yet in the car.


    Curtis looked up at the fluttering snowkes and seemed to remember something, then asked, “Did she


    pick out the house?”


    Caleb had been in touch with Leanne asionally, and she was busy enough that she’d only reply


    when she had a spare moment.


    “Mrs. Richardson doesn’t want the house anymore, just give her the cash equivalent.” Curtis furrowed


    his brow.


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    Chapter 64


    “Before, she was dead set on the house. Now she wants cash instead?” he said icily.


    Caleb had no idea. Getting even a short response from Leanne was already challenging. How could


    she tell him what she was thinking?


    “I’ve prepared the cash equivalent to the value of the Crystal Cove Vis. Should I transfer it to her


    now?”


    Curtis reached into his pocket for a cigarette, only to find his pack empty.


    Tossing the empty pack into a nearby trash can, he extended his hand to Caleb.


    “Cigarette.”


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    Caleb hesitated.


    Curtis said coolly, “I pay you a good sry and you begrudge me a smoke?”


    “It’s not that.”


    Caleb quickly offered his pack, which Curtis dismissed with disdain, “Cut back on these cheap smokes,


    they’re bad for you.”


    Cheap? Caleb thought inwardly, maybe he just didn’t want to give Curtis one.


    Lately, Curtis had been smoking more than usual, probably to stay alert amidst the non-stop work,


    burning through what was supposed to be a three-month supply in half a month.


    “Mr. Richardson, smoking is bad for you in general.”


    Caleb intended to advise Curtis to cut down, but before he could get the words out, Curtis gave him a


    sidelong nce.


    “Picking up babits, are you? You’ve been learning all the wrong things from Leanne.”


    ted, unable to pinpoint the trap in Curtis’ words, “I haven’t been rdson, nor have I learned anything.”


    Cale


    f


    e car with a snort, “Do you wish you could follow her?”


    sat a loss for words.


    one phase of ElitePinnacle’s workplete, there was finally a chance to take a ther. However, Curtis,


    unsatisfied with any nk space in his schedule, was looking more tasks to tackle.


    The office was awash withints, and they all turned to Caleb with their pleas, “Caleb, please talk


    to Mr. Richardson. He might be a workaholic, but we’re not!”


    With the fervent hopes of the entire staff weighing on him, Caleb entered the office. After Curtis finished


    signing documents, Caleb steeled himself and spoke up, “Mr.


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