Chapter 5

Sophia left Cedarcrest Estates with the divorce agreement bearing Charles’ signature in hand.

She was extremely pleased. From that moment onward, she would have full ownership of Horizon Group.

“We still have to wait through the one-month cooling-off period. I absolutely can’t let Charles know that I can solve Horizon Group’s problems during that time.”

Wendy nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. We mustn’t let him find out. That shameless man will definitely change his mind.”

Gerald clutched his swollen face and said through clenched teeth, “Sweetheart, Charles has nothing to do with you now. You won’t object if I get revenge on him, will you?”

Sophia smiled. “Even if we weren’t divorced, I wouldn’t object to you taking revenge. You’re my father. He’s just an outsider.”

Gerald’s expression darkened. “I’ve recently made friends with some people in the criminal underworld. They’ll come in handy.”

Sophia said to her parents, “Dad, Mom, go home first. I’m going to Kingston Industries to share the good news with Fancy.”

Kingston Industries.

Sophia sat happily across from Fancy and took out the divorce agreement.

“Miss Lowe, your suggestion was brilliant. Horizon Group belongs entirely to me now. When are you planning to invest in Horizon Group?”

Fancy smiled. “Miss Shaw, you certainly work fast. However, this isn’t something I can decide.”

Sophia immediately grew anxious.

“Miss Lowe, what do you mean?”

Fancy waved her hand. “Don’t worry, Miss Shaw. My boss will arrive in Rivergate next month. I’ll introduce you to him then.”

Sophia was so delighted that she nearly jumped for joy.

Everyone in Rivergate’s business world was now trying to find a way to get connected with the owner of Kingston Industries.

They would have given anything for an opportunity like this, yet it fell into Sophia’s lap. How could she not be thrilled?

“Miss Lowe, you’re not joking, are you?”

Fancy smiled. “Of course not.”

Sophia placed a hand over her chest. “I’m sorry, Miss Lowe. I must look ridiculous. I’m just too excited. Give me a moment to calm down.”

Fancy said, “Just wait until you meet my boss. You’ll be even more thrilled.”

Sophia nodded repeatedly before asking, “Miss Lowe, may I ask how old your boss is?”

Fancy replied, “He’s under thirty.”

Sophia exclaimed, “Under thirty! I thought he would be an old man. I never expected him to be so young. He’s truly impressive for his age. Is he married?”

Fancy smiled. “Miss Shaw, do you have something else in mind?”

Sophia replied confidently, “I’m divorced now. If he isn’t married, I’ll naturally have a chance. With Horizon Group and Kingston Industries joining forces, we could achieve even greater success.”

A strange smile tugged at the corner of Fancy’s lips.

“Miss Shaw, if there’s nothing else, I won’t keep you company. I still have work to do.”

Sophia nodded repeatedly. “Of course, of course. Go ahead. I won’t disturb you.”

Cedarcrest Estates.

Charles turned off the security feed and sneered. “Sophia, I’m even more curious to meet you under a different identity. I wonder what expression you’ll wear when you see me.”

As evening approached, a group of uninvited guests suddenly barged into the house.

Kane Carter told his men, “Guard the entrance.”

Kane became one of the most influential figures in Rivergate’s criminal underworld over the past year. His position had risen at lightning speed, and he was now practically without an equal.

He entered the house and walked up to Charles.

Kane placed both hands at his sides and bent forward at a ninety-degree angle.

“Don Clarke.”

No one could have imagined that such a powerful criminal underworld figure would act so humbly in front of Charles.

Charles said nothing. Three full minutes passed before he finally spoke.

“Does your back hurt?”

Kane said, “It’s only right that I do this.”

Charles stretched and asked, “Who sent you?”

Kane replied, “Gerald Shaw used his connections to hire some of my men. I came as soon as I learned that he wanted to deal with you.”

Charles could not help laughing. “What a coincidence. How was he planning to deal with me?”

Kane replied, “By breaking both your legs.”

Charles’ expression instantly changed. “He certainly is ruthless. I gave him a life of wealth and comfort, helped him leave the countryside, move into a mansion, and drive a luxury car. Yet he wants to destroy me in return.

“In that case, go deal with him.”

Kane nodded. “Yes, Don Clarke.”

The Shaw residence.

Gerald received a phone call.

“You’re really lucky. Mr. Carter personally took his men to Cedarcrest Estates. Charles Clarke is finished!”

Gerald was instantly excited. “You’re not joking, are you? I only contacted one of his underlings. Why would he show up in person?”

The voice on the other end said, “Mr. Carter has already gone to Cedarcrest Estates. Of course I’m not joking.”

Gerald threw his head back and laughed.

“Hahahaha! This is wonderful! Kane Carter is notorious for being ruthless. Charles’ fate will be far worse than having both legs broken. But why would he show up in person?”

Gerald was puzzled. He knew his own influence was not enough to make Kane take him so seriously.

The voice on the other end said, “Mr. Carter probably came because of your daughter. Maybe he wants to curry favor with Horizon Group too.”

Gerald was so flattered that he began to feel conceited.

“That makes sense. Hahahaha. After all, my daughter has already secured a partnership between Horizon Group and Kingston Industries.”

The voice on the other end exclaimed in shock, “Holy shit! Is that true? Kingston Industries is partnering with Horizon Group?”

Gerald was about to speak when Wendy slapped him on the head.

“Don’t talk nonsense! What if Charles finds out?”

Gerald finally came to his senses. It was still a secret, and he absolutely could not reveal it.

“No, no. I was just saying it casually. Don’t take it seriously. I have something to do, so I’ll hang up first.”

After Gerald ended the call, he said gratefully, “It’s a good thing you stopped me. Otherwise, we would’ve given everything away.”

Wendy glared at him. “If you ruin our daughter’s plans, I’ll twist your ears off.”

Gerald laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll remember that. Our daughter is truly incredible. She has that orphan Charles completely under her thumb, and now she’s even secured a partnership with Kingston Industries.

“I can’t even imagine how wonderful our lives will be from now on.”

Just then, hurried knocking sounded at the door.

Gerald rose and opened it. A group of people filed inside.

Kane entered the villa last.

The moment Gerald saw him, his eyelid began to twitch.

Hadn’t Kane gone to Charles’ house? Why had he come to their home?

“Mr. Carter, you must have come to the wrong place. This is my home. Charles doesn’t live here.”

Kane said coldly, “How could I have come to the wrong place? You’re the one I came for.”

“Get him! Break his legs!”

The group swarmed Gerald, and his miserable screams soon echoed through the villa.

Wendy stood nearby, her face deathly pale with terror. She did not dare move. She knew she could not afford to provoke these ruthless men who lived by violence.