Mag-log inVictoria said, "That's precisely why we'll let them fight among themselves. We'll just sit back and reap the rewards. As for being used…" She gave a careless smile. "With Silas gone—no longer charging into battle for them—they have no choice but to support me, to give me enough capital to stand against Sharon. "Rick is willing to back me simply because he believes that I, as a woman, won't be able to stir up much trouble. He believes that in the future, if he gives me a position within the Kalen Group, I'll willingly work for him and create value on his behalf. "But for now, I do indeed need them to give me this opportunity." The Kalen family's cultivation of Victoria was never as simple as arranging a marriage alliance for her. They intended to squeeze every last drop of value out of her. A marriage alliance was merely the option with the lowest return. And Victoria's exceptional social skills had genuinely shown the Kalen family the value and benefits she could bring to the
'Damn it! There really is something wrong with the minds of the Ferrero family members,' Scott couldn't help thinking. Rick knew perfectly well that Thomas was deliberately toying with Scott. And as for Scott… he was never a match for Thomas to begin with. Stepping forward, Rick said, "Scott, don't waste time on him. Let's go." With Thomas being so utterly impervious to reason, Scott had no choice but to give up. He stopped arguing and left together with Rick. They waited for Victoria in Rick's office. About half an hour later, Victoria arrived. Scott immediately asked, "How did it go? What did Dad say?" Victoria sighed. "Dad is still extremely angry that we hid it from him. But the matter of the original shares has always been a thorn in his heart. He probably won't so easily side with Sharon. "However, from his words, it's clear that he greatly admires Sharon's abilities and methods. I suspect…" She trailed off, hesitating. Rick asked, "Victoria, what are you
Scott finally understood that no matter what unforgivable thing Sharon might do, Thomas would always find a way to excuse it. A dark glint flashed across Scott's eyes. With a cold laugh, he said, "Thomas, we've known your identity for a long time. Do you really think Sharon didn't know? "She was just pretending to be clueless. Otherwise, why would she keep you by her side all this time and treat you so well? She's only using you. Not only is she using you to stir up conflict between our two sides, she's also using us to expose your identity." At this point, he paused, his gaze turning inscrutable. "Have you ever thought about why Kelly was so conveniently captured by Jamie? It's very likely that Carter and Sharon set it up together. Carter feels indebted to Sharon and is still begging for her forgiveness to this day. For her sake, he'd do anything. "And after you helped her secure her footing in the Kalen Group, she decided you were no longer of much use. So she schemed to
"…And his true purpose was to raise Sharon's importance in front of all the Kalen Group shareholders, while stepping on us and slapping every member of our family across the face!" Scott stared at Richard with blazing eyes, his voice sounding as if it were forced through clenched teeth. "How are we supposed to tolerate Thomas?! If we let Thomas continue helping Sharon, then in another three to five years, the Kalen Group will be completely taken over by Sharon! Honestly, I wouldn't put it past her to change the company name to McKinzie!" Richard slammed his palm hard against the desk and shouted, "Scott, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?! Sharon is your sister. Like all of you, she has the right to inherit the Kalen Group!" Scott burst out laughing. "Dad, if you truly thought that way, would you have gone to such lengths back then to force Mom out of the company and seize her shares? In your heart, the Kalen Group can only bear the Kalen name. It was never going to b
The moment Thomas returned, he handed Sharon a contract of staggering value—one even larger than what Jamie had offered back then. By appearing publicly at an occasion like this, Thomas wasn't just elevating Sharon's status. He was also stepping on the Kalen siblings, leaving them utterly humiliated. Whether he was a bodyguard or the Ferrero family head, Thomas had never changed. His very first appearance after leaving was still about creating the greatest possible benefit and value for Sharon. Victoria lowered her gaze. The long strands of hair on both sides of her face hid her expression. Only her tightly pressed lips and the fists clenched beneath the table betrayed how far from calm she truly was. Sharon had not been involved in the detailed negotiations of this collaboration and could only familiarize herself with the content as the meeting progressed. Even so, she remained composed under pressure, guiding the meeting smoothly from beginning to end. Thomas watched the
Thomas showed no regard for appearances whatsoever, calling Rick and Victoria out in public without the slightest hesitation. Rick's expression darkened instantly, while a flash of humiliation crossed Victoria's eyes. Thomas was still the same as ever—arrogant and ruthless. Even the smile on Richard's face faded noticeably. When the Ferrero family had first sent over the letter of intent for cooperation, Richard had been genuinely surprised. At the time, he had no idea about Thomas's true identity. He had assumed that after Rick's trip to the Ferrero family to offer an apology, he had conveniently expanded their business ties as well. Now, not only had the Ferrero family taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, they had also presented such a generous, benefit-laden contract. No matter how dangerous the rumors surrounding the Ferrero family might be, Richard could never have refused. There was no helping it—the profits on offer were simply too substantial. Belie







