Chapter 7

After dropping the kids off at school, Neil drove straight to the office.

As he stepped through the front doors, his assistant, Jonathan Ritson, approached with a serious expression. "Mr. Hammond, we have an update. Washi Pharmaceuticals just changed its major shareholder."

Neil's expression shifted as he took the tablet Jonathan handed him.

The top headline on the financial morning news read: [Pharma Giant Washi Pharmaceuticals Sees Major Shakeup in Ownership! Former Chairman Jack Cartwright sold his 25% stake last night. The buyer remains undisclosed.]

Jonathan kept pace as Neil walked, briefing him, "From what I found, this mysterious buyer didn't just acquire Jack's shares. Over the past six months, they've quietly bought smaller stakes from minor shareholders. Altogether, they now hold over 50% of the company."

Over 50% meant that this investor had become the undisputed majority owner of Washi Pharmaceuticals.

Jonathan pushed up his glasses. "Mr. Hammond, Washi is one of our biggest strategic partners. Mrs. Hammond negotiated that deal five years ago, and it expired last month. We've been trying to renew, but they've been stalled. And now, with this new owner, we don't even know who they are."

Neil stepped into the elevator, his face darkened with tension in the reflective glass. "What about Jack? Has he said anything?"

Jonathan replied cautiously, "He took his whole family and flew out this morning. He's gone off the grid. The only one who might have his personal contact is Mrs. Hammond, but in her current condition…"

Neil's expression soured. He hadn't told anyone Arya had woken up, and he didn't plan to.

Washi Pharmaceuticals had chosen to partner with the Niall Group because of Arya. She had once saved Jack's wife's life. Grateful, Jack had agreed to give the Niall Group a chance. Even during Arya's pregnancy, she had worked under immense pressure to deliver an outstanding pharmaceutical R&D proposal that earned Jack's full respect and secured a five-year strategic agreement.

Neil's eyes turned cold, his voice icy. "So, without Arya, the Niall Group's finished? No matter what it takes, I want everything on Washi's new owner within three days."

"Yes, sir," Jonathan replied.

Neil swallowed his frustration and entered his office. As he opened the door, he saw Lindsay bent over his desk, tidying up.

She wore a fitted white pencil skirt. The way she leaned forward highlighted her curves.

Neil swallowed involuntarily and quickly looked away.

At the sound of his footsteps, Lindsay turned and gave him a sweet smile. "Good morning, Mr. Hammond."

Before Neil could respond, his phone rang. It was the villa's landline. He didn't need to check to know it was Arya.

Just the thought of her stirred his irritation, especially with Washi on his mind. He took a breath, adjusted his tone, and answered gently, "What's wrong, Ary?"

"I forgot to mention something," Arya said. "I want someone to clean up the garden a little. You don't mind, do you?"

Neil frowned slightly, already impatient. She probably meant pulling weeds.

That garden was full of tulips—flowers had Arya planted herself after he had once mentioned liking them. She had painstakingly worked on it, even injuring her hands, just to make it beautiful for him. His smile made it all worth it.

She wouldn't make any major changes. Her emotions revolved around him.

Neil wasn't unmoved. As a wife, Arya had been perfect. At work, she had helped him establish his foothold. At home, she had been completely devoted.

But to Neil, someone like Arya, so easily read and predictable, had grown unbearably boring.

"Whatever you want at home is fine," Neil said coolly. "I have to get back to work."

Right on cue, Lindsay approached in heels. "Mr. Hammond, the meeting is ready to start."

On the other end of the line, Arya heard Lindsay's overly delicate tone and let out a cold, silent laugh.

Neil had just arrived, and they were already cozy.

Arya said sweetly, "Alright then, I won't hold you up. Go ahead with your meeting."

Just as Neil was about to respond, a beep told him she had hung up.

For a moment, he was stunned.

Arya had hung up on him? She used to wait for him to hang up first.

"What is it, Mr. Hammond?" Lindsay asked, pulling him back.

She stood close, her petite face turned up in concern. The curve of her chest lightly grazed his arm, but Neil neither moved forward nor stepped back.

Lindsay smirked and gently smoothed the frown on his brow. "Was it something Arya said?"

It was Arya, but the reason sounded ridiculous, even to Neil. What could he say? That she had hung up first?

Something about Arya felt different.

Before he could brush Lindsay's hand away, someone pushed open the door behind them.

"Well, I hope I'm not interrupting," came a teasing male voice. "Sorry to spoil the moment."

Lindsay blushed and stepped back. "Seamus."

It was Seamus McCauley. The McCauleys and Hammonds had been close for generations. Seamus was not just Neil's childhood friend, but they had also been university roommates.

Once Lindsay left the room, Neil shot Seamus a disapproving look. "Do you have to say that?"

Seamus dropped lazily into a chair. "There's no one else around, and besides, that's what we always said in university."

Neil grabbed a folder and tossed it at him.

Seamus dodged easily, his playful tone fading. "Alright, let's get down to business. You've heard about the shakeup at Washi, right?"

"I have someone looking into the new owner now," Neil said, rubbing his temples.

Seamus leaned in, lowering his voice. "My old man mentioned something. The new boss at Washi… Odds are, it's someone from the Pearces."

At that name, Neil's face darkened.