CHAPTER 128: TERMINATION OF COLLABORATIONS

Grace walked up to Cecilia with a reluctant expression, hesitating to speak.

"Miss Morrison..."

Cecilia looked up at her. The girl in front of her looked about 20 years old, pretty, and seemingly innocent.

For a long while, Grace didn’t say anything else. Finally, she glanced at Mary and gave up on what she had promised to do.

"I’m sorry! I can’t do it!"

After saying that, she burst into tears. Mary walked over angrily and gave her a glare.

"Useless!"

Elena handed the girl a tissue and asked curiously, "What exactly happened?"

Grace took the tissue and wiped her tears, saying, "Mrs. Mitchell asked me to tell Miss Morrison that she’s a shameless woman and have her thrown out. I can’t do it. It’s simply wrong!"

Hearing this, anger flickered in Elena’s eyes. She looked at Mary and spoke sternly, "Mary, what are you trying to do?!"

Mary gave Grace a vicious look and replied to Elena, "It’s all true. Besides, what qualifications does she have to be here in this kind of event?"

"The attendees are either company owners or wealthy people. What makes someone like her have the right to be here? She should be thrown out!"

Cecilia found her words amusing and replied, "And what exactly do you have? The company belongs to Great-aunt; you don’t have money either. What qualifies you to attend?"

"In truth, people only call you Mrs. Mitchell because of Great-aunt’s influence. Do you really think you’re the CEO of the company?"

Her words seemed to hit the nail on the head for Mary, making her face turn red in anger.

Pointing at Cecilia, she shouted loudly.

"Who cares about relying on her?! My investments in the Anderson family’s cosmetics industry are about to pay off, and once I receive the countless dividends, everyone will soon have to call me the CEO!"

Cecilia had heard this kind of talk so many times that her ears were tired of it.

"The Anderson family’s cosmetic monopoly project can’t possibly profit without the Lawrence family’s investment. Stop daydreaming."

Unexpectedly, Mary’s response to this wasn’t anger; instead, she became even more smug.

She affectionately linked arms with Jaxon before proudly replying, "Can’t you see who this is?! My husband carries the Lawrence surname. To put it simply, even Steven would have to call him his cousin!

"As long as Jaxon talks to the Lawrence family, they will naturally agree to cooperate!"

Upon hearing her words, Cecilia looked at their smug faces and suppressed the urge to laugh out loud.

Did Steven even know he had this cousin of his?

"Cousin? Steven probably doesn’t even know his name, and you still want to boast familial ties?"

Mary replied disdainfully, "I think you’re just jealous of my Jaxon!"

Cecilia didn’t want to argue anymore, so she finished the last sip of wine and prepared to leave with Elena.

Just then, the doors to the banquet hall burst open, and many people began to gather toward the entrance.

Noticing who it was, Mary remarked arrogantly.

"Looks like Mona’s here—just wait and see how we put you in your places!"

Mona had her bodyguards push away the eager businessmen offering name cards as she walked directly toward Mary.

Upon reaching her, Mona affectionately handed her a drink and asked with a smile, "Mary, have you considered the additional investment I mentioned last time?"

Mary took the drink. She looked at Cecilia smugly as she replied, "Of course, I’m more than willing to increase the investment. It’s just that..."

Mona was surprised. "Just what?"

"It’s just that my aunt doesn’t want to give us the funds for it, and the money is managed by her granddaughter here."

This was the first time Mona had met Cecilia, momentarily taken aback by her beauty.

After thinking briefly, she smiled and said to Cecilia.

"Miss, you seem just over twenty. You might not understand the intricacies of the market, but investing in my cosmetics project won’t let you down."

Mary snapped irritably, "Do you hear that? This is an invitation from the inheritor of the Anderson family itself. You should feel honored!"

Cecilia smiled and replied, "I may not understand the market, but I know a bit about investment and how the Lawrence family works. If I’m not mistaken, Steven Lawrence’s imports are leagues ahead in the cosmetics field in Star City. If your products end up launching, they will definitely be competing with them. Since you’re aware you can’t compete on par with them, you simply want to involve Steven so you could gain endless profit just from associating with him.

"Unfortunately, he isn’t shortsighted. He doesn’t care for your products or prospects, and that’s why he turned you down. Am I right?"

Mona was shocked as everything Cecilia said was true. How did a countryside woman know so much?

Not wanting to hear more, Mary figured Cecilia was just rambling.

"Just forget it, Mona. If they don’t want to invest, then so be it. My three million is already in, and they will regret it when our profits roll in!"

Having been exposed, Mona struggled to maintain a composed face. She took on a more arrogant demeanor as she replied, "The Lawrence family has always worked closely with mine. What do you know about it? Not to brag, but the Lawrence family has already agreed to invest in our cosmetics project. Mr. Lawrence just prefers to keep things low-profile!"

Mary exclaimed with joy, "That’s great!"

Suddenly, the banquet’s central screen began broadcasting urgent news, drawing everyone’s attention.

"Just now, the Lawrence Group CEO, Steven Lawrence has announced the termination of all collaborations with the Anderson family, removing them from the Star City Chamber of Commerce. Further details regarding the matter will not be disclosed..."

As those words echoed throughout the party venue, everyone present was shocked. When they turned to look at Mona, she was already panicking!