Chapter 981: Deadlock


    Chapter 981: Deadlock


    Ayan squinted his eyes, gazing out of the window with indifference. His voice remained dispassionate


    as he said, "Let''s see how he handles it. If he doesn''t adjust his attitude, Simpson Group will withdraw


    from this projectpletely, and we won''t need to cooperate with him again."


    Kian nodded lightly, "Do you think Mr. Bell will really take your warning to heart? Won''t he worry that


    after he offends Mr. Mikk, you might also ignore him?"


    His face remained cold, and his voice was as cool as water, "That depends on whether he has any


    basic trust in me."


    If Mr. Bell couldn''t understand, then he would continue to be threatened by Mr. Mikk, after all, the


    choice was in his hands.


    It was gettingte, and Ayan pushed the door open and got out of the car. He gave Kian a gentle


    reminder, "If Mr. Bell contacts you, make sure he shows sincerity."


    "Alright," Kian replied softly.


    Ayan headed towards the entrance of the building, and Kian revved the engine, making a U-turn to


    leave Maple Leaves Mansion.


    That night, the online world was buzzing with gossip. Those keyboard warriors who loved drama hastily


    issued apologies and pinned them to the top of their posts.


    However, some were still fearful, while others remained unafraid.


    Those who refused to apologize were adamant, "I don''t believe Simpson Group is innocent. I don''t


    believe that all of this has nothing to do with Simpson Group. They''re just trying to confuse us with this


    stunt. They want us to shut up, and then Simpson Group can get away with everything."


    These resolute non-apologists were prepared to confront Simpson Group, but sometimes,


    confrontation came with costs. If theycked the means and money, then this kind of confrontation


    would lead to their own demise.


    However, most people immediately apologized and imed they were just venting, with no evidence in


    their possession.


    These were the typical "talk but won''t walk the talk" type of people.


    While the online world was in turmoil, the atmosphere in a certain luxury hotel suite was also heated.


    Mr. Bell was smoking, his face extremely grim as he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the


    living room. His phone on the coffee table kept ringing incessantly, but he showed no intention of


    answering.


    Mrs. Bell nced at the notes on the phone screen from the corner of her eye, her expression subtly


    tense. She spoke in a cold, detached tone, "You should answer the phone first."


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    Mr. Bell showed no sign of moving or any intention to answer.


    Mrs. Bell''s voice remained calm, "Not answering the phone won''t solve anything. If she''s in a hurry or


    does something you wouldn''t want to see, that wouldn''t be good, right?"


    Mr. Bell hesitated briefly, then extinguished his cigarette and picked up the phone to answer.


    On the other end, an anxious female voice spoke, "Why did it take you so long to answer my call? Is


    the situation on the inte still not resolved? Could it be rted to you? I''m worried about you. Will


    Simpson Group cause trouble for you? You can''t afford any problems, or what will happen to me and


    the baby?"


    The woman''s voice sounded gentle, but in moments of impatience, even gentle individuals paid no


    attention to their tone.


    Mrs. Bell listened attentively to their conversation, not missing a word. Her expression grew even


    colder as she waited, anticipating what Mr. Bell would say next.


    Mr. Bell ced the phone down after the call and sat in the empty seat opposite Mrs. Bell. Their gazes


    met, and his expression remained icy. He asked, "Is this Ayan''s decision, or is it Camille acting on her


    own?"


    "They are married, so what''s the difference?" Mrs. Bell asked with a hint of indifference.


    Mr. Bell, however, remained unconvinced. He said, "If it''s Ayan''s decision, then I would definitely do it


    because that''s what Ayan wants. But now, it''s only Camille who''s saying it. That doesn''t mean it''s


    Ayan''s choice, right?"


    "Why do you just not understand what I mean? They are a married couple, Camille''s thoughts are


    Ayan''s thoughts, what''s the difference?" Mrs. Bell''s tone grew colder as she looked at Mr. Bell.


    "Actually, I have nothing to do with everything that''s happening now. I just don''t want everything we''ve


    built together to end up with nothing. As for what you decide, it''s your business, and it has nothing to do


    with me."


    Having said her piece, Mrs. Bell stood up from the sofa and looked at Mr. Bell with a faint, distant gaze.


    "I''ve said everything I needed to say. What you do next is up to you."


    Mrs. Bell left the room. She hade to see him after her conversation with Camille, simply because


    she didn''t want him to sink even deeper.


    In truth, Mrs. Bell agreed with what Camille had said to her. She understood very well that in this world,


    the person who could truly help you was yourself.


    If you weren''t willing to help yourself, how could you expect others to help you?


    As for whether Mr. Bell had taken her words to heart, she no longer cared. After returning to her room,


    she immediately booked the nearest flight back to her home country. Once she had taken care of her


    personal matters, she intended to settle down in Hance for a while.


    She liked Hance very much, especially since she had met Camille. Despite the significant age


    difference, she found Camille to be a girl worth befriending.


    Mr. Bell was unaware of what she was nning to do. After all, she had no intention of telling him.


    The unrest of this night was inevitable. Both individuals and media were busy issuing apologies and


    crafting statements. Some were trying to distance themselves. However, could this kind of busyness


    really absolve them of responsibility for what they had said?


    The answer was, of course, no.


    Don''t think that just because it''s on the inte, you can say and do anything without consequences.


    The inte also has a memory, and Simpson Group had collected enough evidence to shut up those


    who had spoken recklessly. Some with weaker nerves might even decide to quit the inte altogether.


    This night was indeed eventful. In just a day and a night, it felt like the world had gone through half a


    century.


    Early the next morning, Kian arrived at Maple Leaves Mansion to pick up Ayan, as usual. As they got


    into the car, Kian drove while saying, "Mr. Simpson,st night at around one in the morning, Mr. Bell


    called me."


    Ayan didn''t react strongly, as he had anticipated this. His voice remained warm and calm as he asked,


    "What did he say?"


    Kian replied, "He''s willing to cooperate and has decided to make this matter public. However, he hopes


    to use our Simpson Group''s public rtions team."


    "Alright," Ayan said, looking out of the window. There was no visible emotion in his deep gaze as he


    continued, "Then tell him that if he''s already decided, there''s no need for further dy. It''s better to


    resolve this matter sooner rather thanter."


    Kian nodded and said, "I''ve already told him. He hopes to do it today."


    "Very well, you can arrange it."


    "Okay," Kian acknowledged with a nod.


    A whileter, Ayan arrived at thepany. The online situation had been resolved, and he had no


    intention of responding more. However, a few media outlets with good rtions with Simpson Group


    wanted to interview him regarding what happened yesterday. Ayan instructed Kian to handle the


    interviews, considering it as a way to boost Simpson Group''s publicity.


    As Kian handled these matters on Ayan''s behalf, he found himself with some free time. He sat at his


    desk with his phone, lost in thought for a while.