CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 314: THE WILL

Caleb Lockwood’s voice was calm and composed as he finished speaking, and Ethan White took a pen from his suit pocket and signed the document Caleb had given him.

"Remember... You’re the one helping with the busywork, I’m just a consultant, and I’ve received my compensation. We owe each other nothing, strictly business."

Caleb Lockwood put away the document, stood up, and left the private room.

When Ethan White left Clearwater Villa, the deep space gray Koenigsegg had already disappeared.

Country C.

Wendy Linton met with Jared Warren in the hotel.

"Attorney Warren, have a seat, no need to be so formal."

Jared Warren was the chief attorney appointed by the Linton Group and was also Jasper Linton’s most trusted personal lawyer.

He wore a crisply ironed suit, looking every bit the legal elite, with a serious expression on his face.

But facing Wendy Linton at this moment, Jared Warren was somewhat awkward, even fumbling.

The hotel suite was lavishly furnished.

Wendy Linton comfortably lay on the chaise lounge, holding a glass of champagne.

Her attire was quite the contrast to Jared Warren’s.

If Jared Warren’s suit was like a wrapping to cover him completely, Wendy Linton was just shy of being completely exposed.

She wore a bright red nightgown, sheer underneath.

The gown was short, its hem barely reaching the tops of her thighs.

With a deep-V neckline, at least half her chest was exposed.

The water-soluble lace fabric was semi-transparent, making it sexier and more alluring than wearing nothing.

Jared Warren swallowed his saliva several times.

Though Wendy Linton invited him to sit, he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

Watching Jared’s face cycle between red and white, Wendy Linton smiled brightly, stood up, and lifted her delicate hand to yank Jared Warren’s tie.

"Attorney Warren, do you know why I asked you to come today?"

The demeanor Wendy Linton presented was seductive and charming.

But her tone and gaze were filled with blatant ambition and coercion.

Jared Warren had found Wendy Linton intriguing from the moment Jasper Linton decided to adopt her as his foster daughter.

Clearly just a foster daughter, yet she carried herself with confidence and extravagance as if born into an aristocratic family.

He once wondered if Wendy Linton might be Jasper Linton’s mistress.

Such scandals, from someone of his age, could have unusual negative implications for the Linton Group and Country C.

This was why Jasper Linton adopted Wendy Linton as a foster daughter, keeping her in the Linton Family.

But as time passed, he dismissed his hypothesis.

After becoming the Linton Family’s foster daughter, Wendy Linton didn’t spend much time with Jasper Linton, even less than Aaron Linton and Jade Shaw.

Yet Jasper Linton’s favoritism towards Wendy was obvious.

He found various experts and scholars to tutor Wendy Linton, entrusting her with managing the Linton Group’s business affairs.

This favoritism was something Jared Warren couldn’t comprehend.

As long as Jasper Linton was alive, Jared wouldn’t dare offend Wendy Linton.

"Miss Wendy, if you have instructions, feel free to say them."

Jared Warren lowered his gaze, not daring to look at Wendy Linton.

Especially not daring to look at Wendy Linton’s body.

Yet, as a healthy man, he couldn’t help but want to look.

Seeing Jared Warren’s flushed face, Wendy Linton curled her lips in contempt.

"Attorney Warren... How old is Grandpa this year?"

She spoke, while her delicate hand hooked around Jared Warren’s neck.

Jared Warren shivered all over.

"Mr. Linton is already seventy..."

"Do you think... you can serve him for how many more years?"

Jared Warren scrunched his brows.

"Miss Wendy, what do you mean..."

"What I mean... can be discussed over there... We can have a slow chat..."

Wendy Linton’s virtually bare body was almost pressed against Jared Warren’s.

Jared Warren became stiff, sweat seeping from his forehead.

He followed Wendy Linton’s direction, seeing a bed covered in flower petals.

Wendy Linton believed Jared Warren understood her intentions the moment he entered the suite.

Though Jared Warren seemed expressionless and unmoved by her seduction, he didn’t show disgust or rejection either.

Thus, Wendy Linton pulled Jared Warren’s tie, leading him to the bed and pushing him down onto the soft sheets.

The man’s desires quickly awakened by the enchanting woman.

However, just as Wendy Linton began to undress Jared Warren, she abruptly stopped.

This left the already burning Jared Warren in agony.

"Miss Wendy..."

"Attorney Warren, do you want me?"

Wendy Linton casually flipped her golden curls.

"I... I want..."

Jared Warren breathed heavily.

At this moment, rational thoughts held no value.

Humans are creatures guided by instinct.

Wendy Linton smiled softly, leaned on Jared Warren’s burning body, and whispered in his ear:

"Then first tell me, what’s written in Grandpa’s will?"

City A, The Lockwood Group.

Half an hour after Ethan White handed the folder to Serena Jennings, on Halycon Island, Cygnus Biotech issued an announcement across the network, proposing to buy all circulating shares of Lockwood Group at 160 yuan per share, with the offer valid for 30 days.

The announcement sent shockwaves through Country A’s business circles.

Joker, who thought victory was assured and swallowing the Lockwood Group was just a matter of time, suddenly stood up at The Wyrmfang Gang headquarters.

Meanwhile, Serena Jennings convened a shareholders’ meeting, informing all shareholders of the plan to introduce Cygnus Biotech as the White Knight.

Before the scandal broke, Lockwood Group’s stock was priced at 120 yuan per share.

Now it had fallen to 40 yuan per share.

While Cygnus Biotech’s offer was at 160 yuan per share—

A 300% premium.

Shareholders who just sold their stocks to Solara Tech were dumbfounded, each filled with regret.

And the hesitant shareholders were invigorated as if given a shot of adrenaline.

They hadn’t expected stocks almost on the verge of becoming worthless to quadruple overnight.

The 160 yuan per share offer surpasses the original 120 yuan, proving Cygnus Biotech is not just saving the day but also affirming Lockwood Group’s future value to the industry.

Suddenly, shareholders who were once resigned to losses now found themselves in a position of strength.

"Mr. Reed, how did you get in touch with this offshore company?"

One curious shareholder asked.

He hadn’t imagined Serena would seek out a White Knight, but guessed it would be their old employer—

The Lockwood Family.

After all, Serena was once married into the Lockwood Family.

But the White Knight Serena found had no relation to the Lockwood Family.

"A friend helped me."

Serena said, showing a deeply grateful smile.

After the shareholders’ meeting concluded, she exited the conference room, spotting Ethan White waiting for her outside.

"Ethan White, you’ve really helped a lot this time. How did you do it, getting in touch with the strongest company on Halycon Island, and how did they have so much liquid capital available?"

Seeing Serena’s eyes filled with gratitude and admiration toward him, Ethan White felt his throat clogged with lead.

After a moment of silence, he spoke softly, "I... have a consultant."