Chapter b7 /b

    “Holy shit, this is wild!“[]

    Someone was shouting.[]

    The media cameras immediately focused on my phone.]]

    To get a clearer shot, I practically shoved my phone right up to the lens.[]

    But just as the video showed the two of them embracing at the vi, Ryder lunged forward, using his body weight to try and grab my phone.]

    Kade blocked him so Ryder couldn’t get past.[]

    The video didn’t finish ying, but people got the gist.[]

    Seeing someone recording and uploading it to social tforms, with media capturing all the detailed shots, I smiled with satisfaction, called out to Kade, and drove away.]]

    Behind us came chaos–Ryder’s cursing, Wren’s unwillingness to ept defeat.[]

    I didn’t care to deal with it anymore, just pulled out my phone and bought promotion for several hashtags.[]

    Let it get even hotter!]

    Sure enough, the video spread rapidly online.[]

    Even though my mother–inw tried to suppress itb, /bpeople with ulterior motives had already taken screenshots and copied it to cloud drives.]]

    You could buy ess in variousment sections for pocket change.[]

    Kade texted me: [How’s that? Feel satisfying?]]

    [Not enough.]]

    [Then wait for the sequel.]]]

    I didn’t ask, but I knew what the sequel would be.]

    The new product line my mother–inw had worked so hard to prepare was simultaneously exposed for quality issues, with inspection reports stered all over the inte.[]

    The unreleased product line was finished.[]

    When she called, her voice was weak, “Do you realize your family’s money is tied up in this too…“[]

    b“/bIt’s just rtionship drama.“[]

    bPure /bFriendship? Then Why’s the Baby bHis/bb? /bEnjoy bYour /bbCells/b, Soulmates!

    b97.2/b%

    “Was it necessary to make both our families suffer losses?“]

    My voice was soft.]

    “Mom, about what you just said… that’s not necessarily true.“[]

    On the other end, my mother–inw’s breathing grew heavier, disbelieving, “Jessa… what do you mean by that?“]

    I stood by the floor–to–ceiling window.]

    “I’m sorry the Hawthorne product line failed.“]

    “But business partnerships have wins and losses–it’s normal. What can anyone do about it?“[]

    “Normal? This is a multi–million dor project! Your family’s money is tied up in it too! Aren’t you worried at all?“]

    Her voice rose.]]

    I looked down at the city’s traffic flow, feeling calm.[]

    “If worrying helped. Ryder would be in the boardroom right now instead of…” I paused, then added, “running off somewhere. Don’t you think?”

    Long silence on the other end.[]

    She seemed to finally realize this daughter–inw was crazy–when she lost it, expensive bracelets couldn’t control her, and she didn’t care about the Sterling family’s interests either.[]

    “Mom.” I said sweetly, “I have a meeting. Gotta go. Take care of yourself.“[]

    I ended the call and looked toward the horizon.[]

    Who could say for certain that the Sterling family would definitely go down with the Hawthornes?]

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