CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 249: THE RESOURCES HE COMMANDS FAR SURPASS ELIAS LANGLEY

Juliana looked at those familiar digits, thought for a moment, and hung up.

The other end did not call back.

Auden Hughes watched his grandfather get into the car heading back to Hughes Manor, the gentle and respectful demeanor on his face vanished instantly.

With a blank expression, he picked up his phone and dialed Florence Sinclair’s number.

At that moment, Florence Sinclair and Isabelle Sinclair were heading towards the parking lot, and the sudden ringing startled them both.

The name "Auden Hughes" on the screen made Isabelle more panicked than Florence.

"Sis, is he... is he going to come after you?"

Florence took a deep breath and pressed the answer button.

As soon as the call connected, Auden’s icy voice came crashing through.

"I know you haven’t gone far, get back here!"

Florence forced herself to stay calm, "If there’s something, let’s talk back at the place."

Auden agreed.

When Florence pushed the door open and entered the room, Auden was standing with his back to her by the window.

Isabelle originally didn’t want to go up with her, but Florence said she’d take her home after resolving the conflict with Auden, so she had to gather her courage and follow inside, cautiously shrinking into the shadows of the entrance.

Auden turned around, looking at his girlfriend with eyes devoid of warmth.

"Florence Sinclair, does stalking, secretly photographing, and tattling make you feel proud today?"

Florence’s pent-up anger flared instantly.

"And you? Auden Hughes, you knew it was a couple’s restaurant, but still agreed to meet her there, what are your intentions?"

"Just a couple’s restaurant, having a meal, not like going to a hotel room. Normal social engagement, and you see it as something so filthy?"

Florence wanted to say they agreed never to do anything that could be seen as betraying their relationship.

But with Isabelle there, she turned passionate instead, "You’re clearly up to no good. Let me tell you, her friend’s application, I will absolutely reject it!"

"Don’t bring your personal grudges into company decisions, the company’s not your battleground for petty fights."

"You... you’re calling me a shrew?"

Florence couldn’t believe it, and even more couldn’t accept it, she stepped forward intending to grab Auden’s arm to make him explain.

But Auden intensely didn’t want to be touched by her then.

So he brusquely brushed away her pointing hand.

Florence lost her balance, staggered, and knocked down Isabelle who was about to step forward to intervene.

"Ah..."

Isabelle fell back, her bruised and sore hip suffered another hit, the already swollen and bruised subcutaneous blood vessels burst instantly, and dark red blood beads seeped out rapidly, staining her light-colored pants red.

The argument came to an abrupt halt.

Isabelle was in such pain she couldn’t even make a sound...

The next day, as Juliana was about to head out for some business, Caleb Shaw’s call came in.

His voice carried an uncontrollable excitement.

"Old Mr. Paxton’s secretary just contacted me, he’s very interested in our new battery, and asked specifically to meet you."

Juliana frowned, "Who is this old man?"

Caleb was momentarily choked by her bluntness.

"Let me put it this way, a lot of rules and methods we’re following in our current work trace back to standards he set in the past. Many big names today were once under his guidance, which is why he’s seen as someone rules can’t bind. Because he himself is the standard."

"Like the Living Devil?"

Caleb admired her perceptiveness, "His public image is still ’kind’."

"Why’re you so happy about being targeted by someone like this?"

"It’s a double-edged sword, Old Mr. Paxton is... not, that’s not what I mean, I didn’t say that, even though he’s retired, he wants to contribute to his family. He thinks highly of Aetherflame, and as long as he’s willing, he can immediately make us the leader in national new energy! You must know, his words carry more weight than Elias Langley."

"Aetherflame has its own path, I don’t want to grow it forcibly." Juliana’s tone was calm yet firm, "If the Paxton Family doesn’t have a solid foundation in the industry, and only rely on power, I refuse to collaborate."

The other end went silent.

Juliana softened her tone, "I understand, you want to give Summer a surprise when she wakes up. But I still hope Aetherflame progresses one step at a time."

"Alright, I’ll refuse him."

After saying that, Caleb hung up the call.

"Kingsford, Paxton Family?" Raine Kane asked from the side.

"You know?" Juliana looked at her.

Raine’s gaze drifted to the ceiling, she blinked, her expression somewhat subtle.

"Uh... Mr. Langley should know more. I heard Quinn Shepherd mention that even though Old Mr. Paxton and Mr. Langley don’t get along now, Mr. Langley was once helped by Old Mr. Paxton."

Juliana pondered silently, didn’t ask further, and the two of them went out together.

In the afternoon, Ethan Carter’s call came in.

Juliana answered, only to hear Evan Grant’s voice on the other end.

"I know you don’t want to see me, but you’ll be interested in what I have to show you," Evan said.

Juliana raised an eyebrow, "What have you found now? Trying to negotiate with me."

"Aren’t you interested in who Mitchell Shepherd is working for?"

Juliana’s slender fingers tapped on the phone case, "Alright, send me the time and place."

The other end paused for a moment, "You need to take me off your blacklist first."

Juliana didn’t reply and hung up the call.

Five minutes later, Evan sent her the time and place for their meeting that night.

He added a final line: "If you can’t find it, I’ll come pick you up."

Juliana didn’t respond to him.

In the evening, at The Cardinal Art Club.

Juliana wore a charcoal gray stretch suit set as she arrived on time.

Ethan Carter guided her and Raine Kane upstairs from the ground floor.

"You must not have been here in Kingsford these past few days, right?" Ethan explained as they walked, "This club only accepts private invitations, and members have a certain asset threshold."

Juliana heard this and only smiled faintly, not replying.

Arriving at the 16th-floor revolving café, the hall wasn’t very crowded.

"There doesn’t seem to be a problem here for now, but I’ll be nearby and can quickly be by your side if anything happens," Raine whispered.

Juliana nodded and walked to the reserved window seat.

Evan was already waiting there, wearing a custom suit, his smile as enigmatic as ever.

"I’m glad you came."

He stood up, trying to show courtesy, but Juliana pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down herself.

"Didn’t you want to show me what you found out?"

Evan chuckled, "You initially refused to cooperate with me."

Juliana raised an eyebrow, "Curious about what you found doesn’t mean I agree to work with you."

"Juliana, I genuinely want to help you."

"Doesn’t seem that way."

Evan pursed his lips, "You made a name for yourself at the Energy Storage Summit, and I’m happy for you. Having fame doesn’t necessarily mean having social power. Since you don’t want to rely on me to build Aetherflame bigger, you should choose another shortcut."

Juliana’s gaze was profound, every smile seemed laden with meaning, "Oh? You’re saying there’s a shortcut..."

Evan lowered his voice, "Old Mr. Paxton greatly appreciates your ability, the resources he holds far exceed Elias Langley’s. As long as you’re willing to work with him, you’ll become the undisputed leader in the domestic new energy field."

Juliana gazed at him, her eyes gradually showing a knowing understanding of everything.

"So, what’s your connection with this Mr. Paxton?"

As soon as Juliana finished speaking, four men in black suits, exuding a fierce presence, silently surrounded her from behind.