CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: ETHAN GRANT CHOOSES TO TRUST YVETTE ASTON

On the way to the airport, Christopher Carter was on the phone arranging for expensive gifts.

Yvette Aston didn’t stop him, just in case it might be needed.

"Last year, Nolan Linden’s winery acquired a bottle of wine with high collectible value, and the price is still reasonable," Christopher mentioned to Ethan Grant.

Ethan said nothing and looked at Yvette.

"How... how much?" Yvette asked.

"Over a million," Christopher chuckled.

Yvette took a deep breath. "I think we shouldn’t give too expensive a gift. The Solara project is an open bid from Scott Aldridge. Grant Group is an industry benchmark. Just coming to discuss this project and meeting him in advance is already a great honor. In business cooperation, you give a bit of face, but giving too much makes the other party complacent."

Christopher was a bit taken aback. "But hairy crabs... seem a bit too perfunctory."

"Scott Aldridge’s mother likes hairy crabs. Although it’s not the hairy crab season now, I selected crabs that were cultivated early in a greenhouse by the farmers. Their plumpness is comparable to those during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and they’re... very expensive," Yvette defended her choice of hairy crabs.

Ethan propped his head with one hand and chuckled. "How expensive?"

"Well... each one costs three hundred, and I bought fifteen female crabs," Yvette said, feeling a bit distressed.

"I still think..." Christopher still felt something was off.

"Jayden Grant and Melody Crowe arrived in Solara ahead of time. They must have arranged an appointment with Scott Aldridge, and given Melody Crowe’s character, she would definitely present a big gift. Scott Aldridge is not blind to the internal situation at Grant Group. The more one tries to butter up to him, the more it reveals an insecure position. Melody Crowe curries favor with Scott Aldridge; we should do the opposite, showing our confidence."

Yvette whispered, glancing somewhat unsurely at Ethan.

Ethan just looked at her with deep eyes.

"Mr. Grant, maybe we should prepare two gifts and see how it goes..." Yvette suggested, lacking confidence and lowering her head.

"Do as Yvette says," Ethan said calmly.

Christopher opened his mouth, sighed, and agreed.

Yvette’s eyes brightened as she sneaked a glance at Ethan, nervously clutching her dress and shrinking back towards the door.

"Mr. Grant, I’ve reviewed Eric Larson’s file from the investment department. His personal life is quite messy, and he seems to have many mistresses," Yvette switched the topic quietly.

"Hmm," Ethan closed his eyes, letting out a mild hum. "Eric Larson’s greatest skill is making his lovers and wife get along harmoniously."

Therefore, finding a weakness in Eric Larson’s personal life wasn’t easy for Yvette.

"Not only does Eric Larson have many lovers, but he also often attends events with attractive girlfriends, most of whom are second-rate celebrities or models with top-notch looks and figures. This shows he’s extremely confident and cares about his image. He’s also a longstanding employee of the company, so deep down, he greatly values his contributions to the Group and believes losing him would be a loss to Grant Group," Yvette quietly analyzed Eric Larson.

Ethan opened his eyes, surprised to look at Yvette. "You have a very keen insight into people."

Yvette had never met Eric Larson. She just skimmed through some investigative materials from Christopher and managed to get a good grasp of Eric Larson.

"In... in prison for five years, I’ve always been... been studying psychology," Yvette whispered.

Ethan’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, but he said nothing.

Yvette was undoubtedly a genius.

But only Yvette knew that her reason for studying psychology was self-preservation.

Her depression and anxiety were quite severe; she wanted to save herself.

"Mr. Grant, with this person, do we win him over, or eliminate him?" Yvette wanted to hear Ethan’s decision.

Christopher slammed on the brakes, stopping at a red light, and looked back at Yvette in shock. Her tone was quite audacious.

Ethan instinctively reached out to shield Yvette, frowning at Christopher displeasedly. "Can you drive properly?"

"Mr. Grant, I was wrong," Christopher, always adaptable and earnest in admitting mistakes, apologized. "Eric Larson is an old sly fox at the company. Mr. Grant’s plan is to remove him, but since he’s been with the company for so long, firing him directly would cause a huge stir, appearing a bit like using someone and then getting rid of them. So despite having much dirt on Eric Larson, firing him directly isn’t appropriate; Mr. Arthur Grant has been holding it back."

Yvette nodded understandingly. "For someone like him, we could let him rise to his demise."

Ethan looked at Yvette with great interest. "Oh?"

"He... he cares about his image, so we give him face. When moral virtue does not match the position, disaster follows. It’s said the position of Vice President of the Operations Department is vacant, and Eric Larson is top of the list for competition due to his capability," Yvette lowered her head, not daring to meet Ethan’s gaze.

Being under his scrutiny made her feel a bit tense.

"Indeed, Eric Larson has subtly and overtly brought it up with me several times, and I’ve never agreed," Ethan nodded.

"This Solara project is an opportunity. Melody Crowe and Jayden Grant have made their intentions too obvious by meeting Scott Aldridge first. Burdened by the rumors of being a mistress, Melody is quite desperate, and the more obvious she makes it, the more anxious you appear. Taking this excuse allows me to ’please’ him," Yvette explained with implied meaning, uncertain if Ethan would understand her intent.

"Your method is workable, but ’pleasing’ doesn’t need you to do it; Christopher will go," Ethan frowned.

Having Ethan Grant’s wife personally go to please Eric Larson? That’s giving him too much credit.

"If there’s anything, just order Christopher to do it. After all, he’s your little follower now," Ethan smirked.

Christopher rolled his eyes secretly, driving cautiously.

He truly felt unjustly treated.

Yvette’s heart was beating a little fast. She turned her gaze outward to the car window.

Such an outstanding man, it’s really hard not to be moved.

Except she’s not worthy.

...

Airport, waiting lounge.

"Ethan, how come you’re just arriving? I thought we’d miss the flight, thankfully we made it," Wendy Bell sighed, walking over to Ethan, speaking softly. "Special Assistant Carter has been with you for so long, how could he still make such a mistake?"

Christopher opened his mouth, well aware he had to take the blame.

If it wasn’t for their Mr. Grant being a hero saving a damsel, arguing with Charlotte Summers and Jayden Grant, they’d have arrived long ago.

"Ethan, there’s something I need to discuss with you," Wendy Bell took out her phone. "My senior sent me an address, saying he arranged something tonight and mentioned he missed me. Back in school, he pursued me... I was afraid of misunderstandings and mentioned our relationship. You don’t mind, do you?"

Wendy Bell looked at Ethan cautiously.

In the chat record, Wendy said Ethan was her boyfriend, and they were soon to be engaged.

Clearly, Arthur Grant had agreed to the marriage alliance with the Bell Family, giving Wendy Bell confidence.

By intentionally showing the chat record and mentioning Scott Aldridge’s past pursuit, she aimed to make Ethan aware that Scott’s arrangement tonight was entirely on her account.

With her presence, this project was foolproof.

Wendy Bell was declaring to Yvette and Ethan that she was the most valuable presence to Ethan.

Yvette following behind Ethan hesitated, feeling an unexpected pang of envy...

Envy for Wendy Bell being able to become Ethan’s rightful fiancée.

"What kind of relationship?" Ethan stopped walking and asked, sounding stern.