CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: WHIMSICAL

"Did the Sunworth Family agree?"

Christopher Fuller had a stern look on his face, "Judging from Chairman Sunworth’s attitude, it seems they’re planning to swallow this indignity."

Michael Fuller and James Fuller are pinning their hopes on this singular lifeline from the Sunworth Family.

Even if the Sunworth Family intervenes, their chances of turning the tables are still slim, and it might even drag the Sunworth Family down with them.

"This step won’t work for him, so what’s next?" Florence Fuller asked him.

Christopher Fuller shook his head, "Currently, I must follow the turbulence of the Fuller Clan. On the surface, those two seem as steady as a rock, but the board is already worrying unnecessarily."

Florence Fuller looked at him.

"Some have already started secretly selling off shares." Christopher’s expression was inscrutable, "I wouldn’t mind stirring up more trouble for the chairman and his son."

"The Sunworth Family can’t save them." Florence Fuller asserted, "I’m curious to see how long those two can hold out."

"That so-called husband of yours has also contributed quite a bit." Christopher looked at her, "It seems that the rumors about your marital issues were false, huh?"

Florence Fuller frowned, "What did he do?"

Christopher looked at her without speaking, but his eyes said it all.

Florence Fuller had already guessed it.

Making the Gardiner Clan withdraw investment and ceasing future cooperation were the only two things she wanted them to do.

And now, he’s also helping to trouble the Fuller Clan... Luke Gardiner?

"Let him be." Florence Fuller was too lazy to speculate about Luke Gardiner’s intentions. "I guess it’s just because he’s been idle in Cloudsea for too long without anything to do."

Christopher chuckled lightly, "Are you two... having an argument?"

"Why do you say that?"

"We ran into each other quite by chance a couple of days ago, and he asked me if I knew where you were living."

Florence Fuller: "So?"

"At that time, I honestly didn’t know you were here, so I said I didn’t know." Christopher thought, "He looked quite dejected, which was surprising."

Florence Fuller snorted.

"So he really doesn’t know you’re here?" Christopher asked.

Florence Fuller nodded, "I guess not, but if he really tried to find out, it wouldn’t be impossible."

Then why hasn’t he tried?

Christopher stayed a little longer, and Florence initially wanted to keep him for dinner, to which he agreed.

But he got called away by a work-related phone call and left in a hurry.

They didn’t even get to eat.

Florence Fuller leaned on the sofa, lost in thought.

What will ultimately happen to the Fuller Clan?

Though her intention wasn’t to cause the Fuller Clan to collapse, she wouldn’t tolerate Michael Fuller making her a pawn and letting James Fuller gain benefits through the marriage alliance with the Gardiner Family.

She didn’t even know James Fuller.

It’s just like when Michael Fuller told her before that if she married into the Gardiner Family, once the Fuller Family reached new heights, the company would still be hers in the future.

An exchange of interests like that wasn’t necessarily unacceptable, she thought.

But it hasn’t even come to that point yet, and Christopher Fuller already told her that James Fuller had taken over the CEO position in her absence, firmly holding real power in the company.

The more Florence Fuller thought about it, the angrier she got.

The fate of the Fuller Clan ultimately depends on Michael Fuller’s decision.

She’s waiting to see what happens.

——

Peaceful Tea House.

The pouring rain hung like a beaded curtain from the eaves of the tea house, and the building was solemnly silent with steam rising from freshly brewed tea on the table.

Just after pouring two cups, the door to the private room opened.

Miranda Sunworth looked up, locking eyes with the newcomer.

The off-white suit dress seemed slightly out of place in the tea house, yet the woman who came in had delicate brows and phoenix eyes, with a face as beautiful as a flower. She walked over step by step to sit opposite Miranda with an air of elegance and nobility, enveloping the tea house with a subtle pressure.

Florence Fuller looked up, meeting her gaze.

They had met a few times before but didn’t really know each other.

Due to Clara Fuller, Florence Fuller’s reputation in their circle wasn’t very good. Clara had said that she was brought back by the Fuller Family from outside, crude and unrefined, causing embarrassment to the family, who didn’t want to let her go public.

And so they mostly agreed with that view. When she was brought back, there wasn’t even an announcement from the Fuller Family, and she hadn’t appeared at any major events until the news of the Fuller Family’s marriage alliance with the Gardiner Family emerged.

That’s when people got to know who she was.

"Mrs. Gardiner," Miranda Sunworth began, noticing Florence Fuller’s slight frown.

She took a discreet breath and introduced herself, "I’m Miranda Sunworth; you might not know me well."

Her father had asked her to find Florence Fuller, and it was only after involving Christopher Fuller that they were able to arrange this meeting.

Florence nodded.

"This tea is the house specialty; you should try it."

The tea, right in front of her, filled the air with its aroma. Florence picked up the delicate green porcelain cup with her slender, jade-white fingers. She sniffed it carefully but didn’t drink.

Miranda noticed her hesitation, "Meeting here at the tea house is indeed unconventional."

"There’s nothing wrong with this." Florence tapped the cup’s rim with her fingertip, "The tea is fragrant."

Not knowing Florence Fuller well, Miranda had heard from people in SJ that she was gentle and affable, expecting this would make her easy to approach. But from the moment Florence entered, her aura suggested otherwise.

Gentle and affable?

Not knowing how to proceed, Miranda hesitated, while the other person spoke first, "Are you here because of the Sunworth Family or the Fuller Family? Or... both families together?"

Miranda eagerly nodded, "We really have no choice... I can’t just watch as my father sends the company to its death."

Florence raised an eyebrow, "So, you want me to spare the Fuller Family?"

Miranda didn’t answer, but her eyes were pleading.

Florence laughed coldly and stood up, "Wishful thinking!"

Seeing her about to leave, Miranda hurriedly stopped her, "Mrs. Gardiner!"

Florence frowned, "Do I have the surname Gardiner?"

Miranda shook her head, "No... Miss Fuller."

Florence looked at her.

Miranda bit her lip, "I really have no other options. James Fuller, that bastard, has a video of me. He’s nothing but scum, using it to blackmail me and the entire Sunworth Family. I really can’t let the Sunworth Family be ruined for nothing."

Her gaze was pitiful and full of entreaty, but Florence’s expression remained unchanged, "Then you’ve come to the wrong person."

Miranda shook her head, "Please help me, save the Sunworth Family. As long as your demands aren’t excessive, my father said we can offer you shares of the Sunworth Family within reasonable conditions."

"Do I need that little bit of shares from the Sunworth Family?" Florence’s gaze was icy, "Instead of finding a way to deal with James Fuller, you’re instead coming to beg me to spare the Fuller Clan. What are you thinking?"

"If I don’t do it this way," Miranda was on the brink of collapse, "he’ll release my video. What am I supposed to do then? How can my parents hold their heads up in front of others?"