Cage

Chapter 130

Back in the meeting room, I told Vinson to head back first and wait for some good news. Clyde had agreed to feel out Lisa for me, so a collaboration with Aspire World was in the bag.

Vinson spoke, “You don’t have to stress about this. If it doesn’t work out, there’s always next time.”

Vinson considered my feelings as always, but I just shook my head. “Head back. Don’t worry. We’ll nail this collaboration.”

It would be out of my mind to miss a partnership with a top–notch company like Aspire World.

It turned out Lisa had been in Clyde’s office all afternoon.

When they left work together, the office buzzed with rumors.

Our picture–perfect marriage facade was crumbling, and everyone sighed as they watched.I was secretly thrilled, sensing a breakthrough might be around the corner. Lisa was no match for Clyde’s wits.

I grabbed Jade and Eliana to dine out.

Jade gave me a look that said a thousand words. “Your cousin, is she out of her mind? Flirting with your husband?”

“No way! Clyde’s got no class? Thank goodness I got out when I did.” Eliana clutched her chest, visibly shaken.

I waved it off. “No worries, girls. I asked him to test Lisa. Why did the Crawford family suddenly show up after nearly two decades? Smells fishy.”

Jade knew about my mom’s diary and fell silent.

However, Eliana was intrigued. “You mean Talbot and his family? Their influence in Ironvale is no joke. My family’s restaurant has worked with them. I had no idea you were related.”

I nodded. “Talbot and his family are influential. But why did they suddenly seek out the Patterson family for a partnership by crossing state lines? And if it’s about seducing Clyde, why so brazenly? Why not more subtly, behind the scenes?”

That was something I couldn’t figure out, either.

Lisa had never got involved in business affairs. It was clear from meetings she was clueless.

If genuinely seeking a partnership, the Crawford family would back her with a professional team, not let her bumble through it. But Lisa’s intentions were too obvious. They couldn’t possibly be expecting me to drop dead suddenly, stepping in as replacements, could they? Three heads are better than one. We figured the Crawford family must be in trouble and seeking a marriage alliance as a solution.

As for the nature of their trouble, Eliana volunteered to investigate. “My family’s restaurant chain in Ironvale is celebrating its anniversary. I’ll have folks dig around. Don’t worry. My staff are great at gathering intel. They’d dig what you want!”

I felt guilty for relying on Eliana so much.

We weren’t close in college, and at that moment, she was helping me out, and I didn’t know how to repay her.

I offered, “How about I give your people a generous bonus? It doesn’t feel right having them work for nothing.”

“I pay

them. Why not give me a big bonus?” Eliana looked at me, half–joking, half–serious. “Or, you don’t want to owe me one?*

I nodded earnestly. “I feel I can’t ever repay you.”

Eliana rolled her eyes and sent me several messages on WhatsApp.

[Warren’s working on a new drug that needs patients like you for data, Want to try it? It’s approved abroad.]

[Make a few more trips to the hospital, and consider it your way of repaying me.]

[If his research could cure cancer, I’d save lives.]

tsighed, “So, you help me a bit, and suddenly you’re taking all the credits?”