CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182

At that moment Oliver gave a slow, satisfied nod, but there was still suspicion in his gaze. "And Kingstone investment? You’ve tried to reach them?"

Cora sighed in frustration. "I have. Many times. But their CEO... he’s unreachable. It’s almost as if he doesn’t exist. Everyone wants to know who he is, but nobody knows his real name. No photographs, no interviews. And that’s what irritates me the most. I know Kingston will strike when the time comes, but until then, I can only wait."

Upon hearing what Cora just said, Oliver couldn’t help but let out a faint smile, the kind that revealed both amusement and a touch of curiosity. He leaned back slightly in his chair, his eyes fixed on her as if weighing every word she had spoken. Then, in a calm but deliberate tone, he said,

"So, if Kingstone Investment truly does what you just claimed, if they really decide to pull the trigger on James, you mean to tell me he’s finished? Completely?"

Then Cora’s expression hardened. She didn’t even hesitate. She nodded once, her voice sharp and filled with certainty.

"Yes. Utterly finished. Not just finished destroyed. He’ll be ruined beyond repair, Oliver. His reputation, his power, his name... everything will be reduced to dust. He will never rise again."

The weight of her words lingered in the air, and Oliver chuckled softly under his breath, as though savoring the finality of her conviction. "Well then," he replied smoothly, "if the time is truly that near, then Kingstone won’t delay. They’ll pull the trigger very, very soon. You only need to wait, Cora."

For a brief moment, silence stretched between them. Cora lowered her eyes, nodded slowly, and then lifted her chin again with calm determination.

"Oliver," she said firmly, "we’ll see each other again very soon. But for now, I have somewhere very important I must be tomorrow."

Oliver raised a brow, intrigued. "And where would that be?"

Then Cora leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying a hint of pride and reluctance at once. "Everything Luxury," she revealed. "They sent me a diamond invitation. At first, I didn’t want to go. I hate those kinds of pretentious gatherings. But... their invitation is not something one can ignore. Besides, they’re tied to me in estate partnerships, and there are certain people I cannot afford to let go of. So, I’ll manage. I’ll attend."

Immediately Oliver gave her a slow nod, his lips curling into a faint grin. "That’s the best choice. Sometimes appearances matter more than intentions. Go, attend, and keep your position solid. After all, people like them must be reminded that you are not one to be overlooked."

Cora’s expression softened, though she didn’t let it linger too long. Oliver, sensing the moment had come to part, waved his hand lightly. "Now go on, take some rest. Tomorrow will be demanding."

Just as she turned slightly, Oliver added with casual insistence, "Allow me to drop you off at your house. It’s already late, and I’d rather not have you leave alone."

But Cora immediately shook her head, her tone resolute yet polite. "That won’t be necessary. I came with my own driver and my personal bodyguard. They’re both very capable men. I’ll be safe."

At that moment, Oliver then nod his head slowly, his lips tightening into a thin line. "No problem," he muttered, masking his thoughts behind that calm expression he had mastered over time. Cora didn’t seem to notice she simply gathered herself, gave him one last sharp glance, and then turned around. The sound of her heels echoed faintly as she walked out, the atmosphere she left behind heavy with schemes and unfinished intentions.

Only after Oliver was certain that Cora had left his premises, the faint sound of the closing door confirming her absence, did he finally move. He reached into his pocket, brought out his phone, and dialed Lisa’s number. The call barely rang once before Lisa picked up, her voice carrying urgency as though she had been waiting for him.

"Oliver," Lisa said quickly, almost breathless. "I need to apologize for earlier. Cora was around, and because of Cora’s presence, I couldn’t tell you everything in detail. But listen, everything has already been communicated. The head of the police, the commissioner, even the chief... they’ve all been informed. I made sure everything was handled. Every trace has been wiped off the record. No one will ever point a finger at you. You’re completely in the clear."

For a moment, silence lingered. Oliver’s expression didn’t shift, his sharp gaze fixed on the empty space before him. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but steady. "Lisa... that isn’t the reason I called you."

There was a pause on the other end, Lisa’s breath catching. Oliver leaned back in his chair, his tone sharpening. "I called because it seems someone has gotten themselves entangled in my web, and I intend to strangle him completely before they think they can crawl free. James," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "That fool James took a loan from King’s Stone Investments, and I didn’t even know about it."

Lisa’s voice faltered as she quickly responded, "I... Oliver, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to keep this from you. Honestly, it isn’t something new to me I heard about it but I wanted to confirm before bringing it to you. I didn’t want to mislead you."

"There’s no need to confirm," Oliver cut in coldly. "Cora already told me. James took a loan. That’s all I need to know." His tone hardened, and for a moment, there was an edge of satisfaction in his words. "And since he was foolish enough to crawl into my debt, I want him crushed. I want him to know what it means to owe us. Deliver a message to him he either repays the loan immediately, or every single thing he has left will be seized. His house, his cars, the little money he has tucked away in the bank, everything. I want him stripped clean. And even then, the worth of his property won’t cover the loan. Let him feel the weight of desperation. If he can’t pay, then he better find another way to crawl out of this mess."

At that moment Oliver’s tone left no room for argument. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he finished with deliberate calm, "Lisa, I want you to dig into the details. Find out exactly how much loan he took, the worth of his property, and everything he still owns. Bring me the numbers."