CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167 TO CAUSE THE PARTNERSHIP TO BREAK DOWN

Author’s POV

Lucian’s gaze flickered at Sophie’s words. Of course he knew Kane Blackwood.

But Kane was essentially crippled in the corporate world, thoroughly suppressed by Ryan within the Blackwood family structure. He couldn’t stir up much trouble internally anymore.

What use could such a person possibly be?

"What brilliant insight do you have, Miss Hart?" Lucian asked coolly.

"My partnership with you doesn’t come with hidden agendas, Mr. West. That’s precisely why I’m mentioning Kane Blackwood to you." Sophie leaned forward slightly.

She paused briefly before continuing. "Ryan’s uncle may have fallen from grace, but he still controls Grandma Evelyn’s shares. He’s far from useless."

"That man is ruthlessly cunning. By my estimation, he’s simply biding his time. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Perhaps you two should consider working together."

Lucian contemplated her words for a moment before letting out a cold laugh.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"Mr. West, obviously I want to bring Ryan down quickly! Before coming here, I went specifically to his office and couldn’t even get a meeting with him!" Sophie’s teeth were practically grinding together, her jealousy clearly genuine.

"He’s completely bewitched by that Serena woman. He’s forgotten our history together, cutting me like a knife through flesh!"

"I’ll make him pay for this!"

Lucian, tired of hearing Sophie’s romantic grievances, waved his hand dismissively to cut her off.

"What makes you think Kane Blackwood would be willing to work with me?"

Sophie turned to face him directly, shaking her head.

"I don’t know the outcome for certain, but Kane surely needs a partner. After being so thoroughly outmaneuvered by Ryan, how could he not want revenge?"

Having said what she came to say, Sophie stood up, ready to leave.

"Mr. West, you can consider this at your leisure. I should be going now."

Lucian nodded. "Miss Hart, I’ve heard some information that might be useful to you."

Sophie stopped in her tracks and turned around, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"What information?"

"When Serena was in San Francisco, she became quite close with the LUXE team and secured a partnership. LUXE’s CEO is arriving in New York in a few days."

"If you want to create trouble for Serena, you might start with undermining this partnership."

Sophie’s eyes brightened as she displayed a meaningful smile.

"LUXE... what a coincidence. They share the same surname."

"Indeed, quite a coincidence," Lucian replied. "I hear this CEO and Serena stirred up some gossip. Perhaps the argument between Ryan and Serena was because of this man."

Sophie raised an eyebrow with interest. "Fascinating. Mr. West, is this your masculine intuition speaking?"

Lucian ignored her teasing comment and simply advised, "Rather than wasting time here, you should focus on figuring out how to approach LUXE’s CEO."

Sophie scoffed. "I have my ways."

"Goodbye, Mr. West."

After Sophie left, Lucian leaned back in his office chair, softly repeating Kane Blackwood’s name to himself.

He didn’t have much information about this disgraced man. After all, Kane was the family’s discarded piece, spending years in overseas rehabilitation facilities following his accident before returning to the States.

Such a person challenging Ryan would be like an egg striking stone—utterly foolish.

But a partnership might not be out of the question. He could use Kane to obtain inside information on Blackwood Enterprises, and then use it against Ryan.

Ryan’s parents were already dead. So the son would pay for the father’s debts.

---

Ethan Quinn arrived in New York two days early for the partnership discussions. He checked into the luxurious Sherton Hotel in downtown, and Sophie received this information first thing in the morning.

She changed into a professional outfit, wore black-framed glasses, and applied trendy makeup that completely transformed her appearance.

Sophie directly approached Ethan’s assistant, introducing herself as Ryan Blackwood’s representative.

Ethan had been planning to rest, but after hearing his assistant’s report, he put on his jacket and went downstairs.

The hotel’s second-floor restaurant was known for its excellent tea and pastries. Sophie sipped her floral tea while waiting for Ethan to appear.

Lucian had provided her with extensive information about Ethan Quinn. By now, she felt she knew this Quinn family heir’s personality and interests intimately.

"You’re Mr. Blackwood’s assistant? What brings you here?" Ethan asked as he approached.

Sophie stood up, appraising him briefly before extending her hand.

"Mr. Quinn, it’s an honor."

She didn’t introduce herself by name, and he didn’t ask—after all, an assistant’s name hardly mattered to someone of his status.

This worked perfectly for her, allowing her to minimize her importance in his memory.

Ethan nodded and shook her hand briefly.

"Hello, please sit."

Sophie smiled politely, and after they were seated, Ethan spoke first.

"My assistant mentioned that Mr. Blackwood sent you to discuss our partnership?"

Sophie nodded. "Yes, partnering with LUXE would be an honor for Blackwood Enterprises."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ethan’s expression remained impassive.

In his mind, partnership discussions should be conducted with Ryan directly. Sending just an assistant seemed inappropriate.

"So what specifically do you propose for this partnership?"

Sophie shifted slightly, calculating her next words. "Mr. Quinn, Mr. Blackwood understands that your primary purpose for visiting is to collaborate with Dreamland Studio. Blackwood Enterprises simply wanted to see if there’s any way we could assist."

Ethan paused, not quite understanding her meaning.

"Assist? When I last met with Serena, we discussed the collaboration quite thoroughly. Is Mr. Blackwood not confident in our arrangement?"

Sophie’s eyes flickered momentarily as she let out a dry laugh.

"It’s not a matter of confidence. It’s just that Serena isn’t in the best physical condition right now and might not be able to handle such intense work. This collaboration might end up disappointing you."

Ethan’s expression darkened, his tone shifting.

"What exactly are you implying?"

"Mr. Quinn, Serena is a workaholic. If Mr. Blackwood hadn’t sent me to inform you, she would never back out of this collaboration."

"And with Dreamland’s leadership being so exhausted, the partnership results might not be optimal."

Sophie paused, secretly gauging his reaction.

"What do you think, Mr. Quinn?"

Ethan frowned, his expression growing increasingly displeased.

Sophie subtly curved her lips in satisfaction before sighing.

"Mr. Quinn, I sincerely apologize. Mr. Blackwood actually sent me here without Serena’s knowledge. If you require any compensation for this inconvenience, I’d be happy to relay that to Mr. Blackwood."

She deliberately spoke these considerate words while actually probing his reaction.

According to the gossip from San Francisco, Ethan’s attitude toward Serena had been unusually intimate.

Ryan would certainly not tolerate such a close relationship between them.

If this partnership collapsed because of her intervention, that would be perfect.

And if Ethan didn’t believe her and asked Serena directly, Serena would inevitably blame Ryan.

Their argument would continue, the cold war would persist—either outcome worked in her favor.

While Sophie was still calculating her next move, Ethan stood up, giving her a cold look.

"Please tell Mr. Blackwood that this is a partnership between LUXE and Dreamland Studio. Even if Serena doesn’t have the energy to participate fully, I don’t mind."

Sophie rose hurriedly, feigning panic, wanting to say more, but he had already turned and walked away.

She didn’t follow him, her eyes revealing a glint of cold satisfaction.