bChapter /b60

Aria went silent for a moment. Liam thought she had been hit where it hurt.

Then Liam was just about to press a lite harder when a coldugh came through the phone.

Aria spoke un “Liams, I’ve never spent a single penny from the Cole family. In fact, every dime spent in that house came out of my own picket

Liam let out a short, mockingugh. “Wia, if you’re gonna make stuff up, at least back it up. Do you even know how much the Cole family’s annual expenses are? You paid for that? Please. The 150 million dors you scammed all went into the Cole Group. Where’d you get money to support the family?

Aria didn’t bother arguing. “If you don’t believe me, go ask your grandpa. Or better yet, check with the Cole Group’s ounting”

Ana’s voice was calm, steady, without the slightest hit of guilt.

Liam pressed his lips together. “Even if what you’re saying is true, your money’s dirty. What can your measly 15 million dors in engagement gifts even do?

“Idiot,” Aria said tly.

bLiam’s /beyes burned with fury, “bArial/b”

Liam inhaled deeply, then exhaled, telling himself not to stoop to her level “Those pieces of equipment–I already had them refurbished for Hannah.”

Aria braised /ban eyebrow, confused. “She’s not grossed outb?/b”

“You think Hannah’s like you? She doesn’t waste money. She’s strong, independent, smart, and clear–bheaded /b“Liam started rattling on.

“Shut up,” Aria interrupted impatiently. “If Hannah’s fine with second–hand junk, good for her. I’m not. Since she’s already used them, pay me back the full price. The invoice’s with Lucy.”

Liam was just about to snap back, thinking the stuff had been used for two years–bno /bway it was still worth that much–when bAria /bspoke again.

Aria said, “A future chairman of the Cole Group… Don’t tell me you can’t even cough up 30 million dors?”

Liam went quiet for half a second, frowning slightly, his voice tight. I bhave /bit.”

“Then wire it to me. ASAP” Right after she said that, Aria hung up without hesitation and shot over her bank ount info.

Liam’s face turned cold, his mood even worse. He pressed his temples, feeling the irritation surge up

“If had known it would end like this, I would’ve just had a new set custom–made for Hannah, Liam thought.

The manager had been waiting. Only after Aria texted her did he take the staff and leave.

The living room went quiet. Liam massaged his temples again and called the finance department, getting straight to the point. “How much money bdid /bthe finance department bsend /bover for the Cole family’s expenses these past two years?”

The department head froze, blurting out, “Uh–Mrb//bCole, we haven’t sent anything.

“Since thest bfinancial /bcrisis, the Cole Group’s been running at a loss. Bonus payouts for the board and employee year–end sries have been put on hold. Things only started to get a little better affer Ms. Saxon took over.”

Luam stiffened. “The situation was that bad?”

The department head almost rolled his eyes so hard they fell out. He muttered, “bWe /bbusted our asses at thepany just to get to where we are now.

b1/2 /b

10:10

“And Mr. Cole just walled back from abroad and managed to drive Ms. Saxon away

“bNow /bwe’ve lost several big partnerships, a bunch of employees have quil, and he still has the nerve to casually say, “I didn’t know things at Col were this bad”

He seriously has no clue how hard it is to actually run a business!

The department head forced a smile, “Mr. Cole, if you really wanna understand the Cole Group’s situation, you could honor us with a visit sometime”

Liam didn’t catch the sarcasm at all and praised him instead, “Having you guys in charge really puts me at ease.

Hearing this, the department head froze. Just destroy everything already,‘ he thought.

After hanging up, Liam rubbed his forehead again. He honestly hadn’t realized the Cole Group had been in such deep trouble two years ago.

But now things were back on btrack/bb. /bLiam could focus on his career.

Still, thinking about that 30 million dors felt like swallowing a fly. Liam hated owing Aria anything.

In the end, gritting his teeth, Liam emptied 30 million dors from his private stash and wired it to Aria’s ount.

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