CHAPTER 678: CHAPTER 678: BETROTHAL GIFT

This is just like someone asking you to solve an advanced math problem with a language exercise book, completely off-topic and on a different wavelength.

No wonder Uncle Murray had a hard time when mentioning these shareholders, Ann Vaughn finally experienced it firsthand.

Who would have thought that wasn’t the end of it? Ann Vaughn’s previous proposal convinced most of the shareholders, with the minority submitting to the majority. Those shareholders who attempted to stir things up were left restless, eager to act.

However, Ann Vaughn didn’t expect they would be so ruthless, pulling the rug out from under her by selling off their shares completely.

Though not a small amount, this portion of shares could significantly weaken Ian Vaughn’s voice at headquarters.

If they fall into the hands of a rival company, the consequences would be unimaginable...

Flynn Murray only learned, after sending people to investigate, that these shareholders had been secretly solicited before Ian Vaughn’s accident but had kept quiet, not exposing any clues.

Yet, once there was turbulence at The Vaughn Group, these people naturally couldn’t sit still anymore.

One trouble after another, leaving Ann Vaughn feeling almost suffocated.

Not even in the mood for dinner, Ann Vaughn went directly to Ian Vaughn’s study and took out the share transfer documents.

Her foundation at Vaughn Headquarters was too weak, and she didn’t have any trusted subordinates. She couldn’t convince those shareholders with just the proposal.

But she couldn’t, though Uncle Murray could.

Uncle Murray had deep ties with the Vaughn Family; otherwise, he wouldn’t have helped manage the family company for so many years.

After considering it, Ann Vaughn couldn’t find anyone more suitable than him.

Picking up the phone on the table, Ann Vaughn was about to dial Flynn Murray when his call came in.

"Uncle Murray, I was just about to..."

"Annie, why didn’t you tell me you privately acquired the shares from those shareholders?" Flynn Murray’s slightly complex voice came through the phone.

Ann Vaughn was stunned, "What?"

"Since the matter is settled, there’s no need to hide it from me." Flynn Murray joked half-seriously, "I just didn’t expect you to be so bold, taking over 15% of the shares at once."

"But how did you manage to snatch them from the hands of the behind-the-scenes acquirer?"

That was a question even Ann Vaughn herself wanted to know.

Suddenly, Ann Vaughn’s eyes lit up. She forgot to grab the share transfer documents from the table and hurriedly ran to her room in her fluffy slippers.

She was planning to change and go find Cyrus Hawthorne when she opened the door and saw the familiar figure sitting on the off-white sofa, working on a laptop.

"Did you transfer 15% of The Vaughn Group’s shares to my name?" Ann Vaughn panted as she ran up to him, asking breathlessly.

Cyrus Hawthorne’s focused gaze shifted from the screen and landed on her flushed face, red from running.

"Yes."

"Why?" With that confirmation, Ann Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat, an indescribable mix of emotions sweeping over her.

He always professed to be a businessman who valued profit and return, both publicly and privately.

But why...?

Noticing the perplexity and confusion flashing in her eyes, Cyrus Hawthorne’s lips slightly curved, and he said lightly, "A betrothal gift."

Betrothal gift??

Ann Vaughn was almost choked by the answer, her cheeks puffed up with a deep crimson color, "Don’t think you can buy me off like this, making me forget how you kicked me out the night before."

At those words, Cyrus Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, his narrow eyes glancing at her deeply, "You’ve been in Marinia for almost a week, and you haven’t noticed you’re being followed?"

"...So it wasn’t you following me?" Ann Vaughn’s bright eyes widened slightly, recalling the stalkers Dragon couldn’t identify, a sudden fear gripped her heart.

Initially, when she realized someone was following her, she was constantly vigilant, hardly visiting places other than Viridian Palace, just in case.

But after Cyrus Hawthorne appeared, she mistakenly believed it was him and let her guard down...

"No." Cyrus Hawthorne casually supported his chin with one hand, explaining softly, "Apart from your partner, there were five people hiding in the hotel room that night, with two syringes containing a special virus still in the experimental stage."

Including an implantable micro-monitor that can constantly record the physical changes of those injected with the virus.

A chill ran up Ann Vaughn’s spine, "They want to use me as a test subject?"

Cyrus Hawthorne nodded slightly.

Ann Vaughn pursed her lips, her hand at her side clenched tighter, no wonder he was so angry then...

She could handle a single Jonah Lynch, but facing five hidden attackers who could ambush her at any time was another story.

"Was the person following me and Kenny at White Queen Town part of this group too?" Ann Vaughn’s thoughts were a bit scattered.

Noticing the unease flickering in her eyes, Cyrus Hawthorne’s long fingers paused on the keyboard, then set the laptop aside and took her cool little hand, gently pulling her to sit in front of him.

"They’re not targeting you, there’s no need to be afraid." He hooked an arm around Ann Vaughn’s soft waist, the other hand soothingly caressing the back of her neck to help her relax.

Ann Vaughn practically knelt between his long legs, her forehead against his chest, hands tentatively on his waist, her heartbeat syncing with his.

The loud drum of his heartbeat in her ears was so overwhelming that Ann Vaughn almost forgot to keep asking questions.

Admittedly, the beauty trap, when used effectively, had quite an outstanding impact.

Perhaps it was because she was exhausted from the day, Ann Vaughn soon fell asleep while lying in Cyrus Hawthorne’s warm embrace.

Cyrus Hawthorne’s gentle patting on her back gradually slowed, then he gently cradled her horizontally and laid her on the bed.

After pausing for a moment, he turned and left the room.

"President Hawthorne," Mark Joyce immediately approached with a respectful report as Cyrus Hawthorne emerged from the room, "The source of the special virus held by those hiding in the hotel last time has been tracked down. They all came from Y. Their target has always been you; Miss Vaughn was merely the bait."

"The remaining two really don’t seem to know who the boss behind Y is. I had a psychologist look into it; they’ve been given psychological suggestions to forget everything except their mission."

"Y" repeatedly targeted President Hawthorne, but with his fortress-like protection, they couldn’t find an opportunity. So they turned their attention to Miss Vaughn.

Because Miss Vaughn is President Hawthorne’s only weakness, controlling her is easier than controlling him.

But if they dared to harm Miss Vaughn in the slightest... the bloodbath from the night before would be just a prelude to their fate.