Chapter 3

"This is bad, Ms. Hawkins!" The atmosphere in my office had still been tense and awkward when my assistant came running in, panting.

"The two projects Mr. Brown invested in have just crashed. The companies involved were sealed off a moment ago. Our losses are estimated to be over 20 million dollars at the very least!"

My heart lurched. Had Leon already bound himself to me ahead of time in this life?

Before I could dwell on that, several of the company's shareholders had already rushed in and swarmed me.

Ignoring the blood running down my face, one of them yanked me by the collar and demanded, "Back then, you were the one who promised us that these two projects would be profitable! Now that tens of millions of dollars have gone down the drain, tell us, how exactly are you going to compensate us?

"First, you pull that stunt at the tender meeting, and now you've caused us to lose this much; what exactly are you up to?! Are you trying to drive us to jump off a building?"

While I was wondering how to explain myself, another shareholder suddenly stared at his phone and gasped.

"What? The declining stocks Mr. Hart invested in yesterday have rebounded! Look at this limit up, we're probably going to make a fortune this time!

"It looks like we really should give opportunities to the younger generation after all. I have to say, you were removed from your post for good reason, Mr. Brown!"

After checking the stocks, Gemma sneered at me with utter disappointment in her eyes. "Dalton, you've been in this industry for a decade—you aren't a greenhorn anymore, yet you still managed to lose this much of the company's money!

"If Leon hadn't made a profit on his investments this time to cover for you, there's no telling how much the company would have lost!"

As soon as her words fell, Leon scratched his head, feigning embarrassment. "You flatter me, Gemma. I don't know anything about investing. I was merely lucky this time."

His humble demeanor evidently pleased Gemma. With a doting look in her eyes, she patted Leon on the shoulder before glancing sideways at me and snapping, "What are you waiting for? Leo is your benefactor. Get down on your knees and thank him right this instant!

"If it weren't for him, our company's shareholders might truly have been driven to their deaths by you. Besides, he has done such a great job that you, as his mentor, should reward him.

"Why don't you give him 5% of your shares? That way, you can make up for your mistake and ensure the company retains such talent!"

I couldn't help but sneer inwardly as my gaze landed on their intertwined hands.

Her claim about hating physical contact was nothing more than a pathetic excuse to brush me off. And all that talk about making up for my mistakes and retaining talent? It was nothing more than a ruse for Gemma to find ways to give Leon money.

Unfortunately, I had been such a fool in my previous life. I had refused to accept that she had already fallen for someone else. I'd always believed that if I just worked a little harder, I could win her back.

Little did I know that Gemma had only ever seen me as a tool. At first, I made money for her. Later on, I paved the way for Leon. Once I had been squeezed dry and of no further use, she decisively kicked me to the curb.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I nodded and agreed with her. "You're right, Ms. Hawkins. Leo has saved me twice, so I've decided to give him half of the shares under my name. "

Right after my words fell, everyone in the room turned to look at me in bewilderment.

Gemma, too, hadn't expected me to agree so readily. Her expression eased, and she immediately asked her subordinate to prepare the transfer agreement.

When I signed my name without hesitation, Leon, standing beside her, couldn't hide the glint in his eyes. Still, on the surface, he wore a flattered look and politely began to refuse.

"I was only able to achieve this because Dalton taught me well. I should be the one thanking him. How could I possibly accept his shares?"

After saying that, he went back to his desk, grabbed a jar of coffee beans, and headed to the pantry. He returned a moment later and walked up to me with a steaming cup of coffee that looked a little off.

"This coffee is made from beans my mother roasted by hand before she passed away. To me, they're the most precious thing in the world. I hope you won't look down on them, Mr. Brown. Please drink it as a token of my gratitude!"