Chapter 240 His Trump Card
Chapter 240 His Trump Card
Zephyr’s gaze was intense, his eyes fixated on her, unwavering.
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Sophia averted her eyes, brushing past him as though nothing had happened, continuing on her way.
As they brushed past each other, Zephyr abruptly caught her wrist, staring at her. “Sophia.”
It was Jonas again.
Seeing her laugh and chat so easily with him stirred up an inexplicable bitterness within him, a mix of heaviness and resentment, as though he were drowning in saltwater.
There was no longer a place for him at her side.
Sophia stopped, her expression calm. “If you have something to say, wait until this is over. I still have work to do and am very busy.”
Zephyr looked at her for a long moment, then released her hand. “Go, then.”
By the time the Golden Phoenix Award Ceremony officially started, he went backstage to find her. Sophia had already disappeared without a trace.
His fists clenched as he returned silently to his seat.
The man next to him pointed at Jonas, who was singing on stage. “That’s him?”
Zephyr’s expression darkened as he gave a slight nod.
The man scrutinized Jonas thoughtfully. “He’s a bit like you, actually.”
He wasn’t referring to Jonas‘ looks but rather his aura–a fair–skinned, refined elegance that was reminiscent of a scholarly figure from ancient times.
Zephy glared intently at Jonas on stage, his gaze growing colder.
Meanwhile, Richie, as the victim, attended the mediation meeting alongside Connor and Tristan.
Lenora, wary of crossing paths with Richie, opted not to go and advised Connor to avoid mentioning her.
She was at the Children’s Palace with Harrietta, painting, when Connor sent her a message–the mediation had failed.
The supplier had refused to meet the compensation terms proposed by the Morris family.
Their options now were to attempt a second mediation or proceed with a lawsuit to await a judge’s ruling.
Tristan mentioned that Richie had demanded a full refund of all material costs with tenfold compensation, plus additional fees: lost wages, defamation, emotional distress, and so on, totaling three hundred thousand.
Tristan texted: Richie refuses to budge, and the supplier insists that he knew about the defective materials. They’re only willing to refund the material costs plus an additional hundred thousand in damages and won’t consider anything else. I doubt further mediation will work, so we may need to go to court.
Lenora: What did Connor think of Richie’s terms?
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Chapter 240 His Trump Card
Tristan: Nothing. Richie was the only one talking. Not to sound harsh, but he feels he has the upper hand and is quite arrogant, threatening litigation at every turn.
Lenora wasn’t surprised.
Richie, a known swindler, was hardly the paragon of integrity.
Connor, though, had surprised her. She’d expected him to step in, considering the supplier wasn’t likely to agree to tenfold compensation plus three hundred thousand in extras, practically treating the supplier as a fool.
If the supplier chose to avoid a lengthy trial, they’d likely try for a private settlement. But an angered supplier in court could easily leave the Morris family without the sum they were after.
If the goal was monetary gain, Richie’s approach seemed reckless. With Tristan’s expertise, he could secure a fair sum with a more reasonable demand.
Lenora replied: Let them pursue the lawsuit if that’s what they want. I’ll leave it in your hands, and get whatever compensation you can.
After all, the case had nothing to do with Ultimately, it came down to the Morris family’s stance.
Just then, Connor sent another message: Ms. Wilkin, do you know any private detectives?
Lenora: A private detective? Why do you ask?
Connor explained: To be honest, I already anticipated this outcome. Before the mediation, I saw the supplier’s representative talking to a man who said that no matter what compensation we demanded, they wouldn’t agree, that they’d force us to file a lawsuit, drag out the process through multiple trials and appeals, and delay enforcement for as long as possible, maybe even years.
This tactic meant dragging the process out for years.
Connor’s message was unexpected.
To clarify he sent her a recording. Though it only captured the latter part of the conversation, the intent was clear.
No wonder he hadn’t stopped Richie. He knew mediation was futile.
Lenora listened carefully, recognizing the voices of both the supplier’s representative and the instigator. The instigator’s voice was oddly familiar, as if she’d heard it somewhere before.
Yet, she couldn’t quite place it.
Lenora: This is strange. You want to investigate that man’s identity?
Connor: Actually, I suspect this is linked to the owner too. I think this man is setting us up. If we just sit and wait, they’ll drag us through years of litigation. I’m hoping to find some leverage on them.
Could it be that Richie truly didn’t know about the defective materials and was just being targeted?
Lenora: I don’t know any private detectives, but I’ll ask around. If I find someone, I’ll send you their info.
Connor: Okay. Thanks, Ms. Wilkin.
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Lenora then chatted with Gordon, briefing him on the situation and asking him to discreetly investigate the person for Connor.
Gordon didn’t respond.
She looked over at Harrietta, happily immersed in her painting, colors smudged across her face, hands, and clothes.
While she waited for Gordon’s reply, she casually browsed through her Instagram feed.
Many had updated their Instagram.
She liked what needed to be liked, and commented where a comment was necessary,
She saw that Elijah had posted a video of a cat.
Who knew that a rugged man like Elijah would own a cat?
She clicked on the video, and Elijah’s voice rang out. “Come here, kitty.”
She froze, her smile vanishing instantly.
This voice…
She continued watching, hearing Elijah’s voice coaxing the cat once more.
Lenora’s eyes shut tight for a moment as she closed the video abruptly.
Switching back to her chat with Connor, she replayed the recording, listening closely.
D*mn it, no wonder the voice felt familiar. The instigator is Elijah. Why would Elijah be targeting Connor?
It didn’t take much thought to link it to Zachary.
He’d been leaving her alone these past few days, and she’d assumed he’d finally let things go. She hadn’t anticipated he was scheming behind her back.
Jerk!
Lenora took a deep breath, quelling her urge to lash out.
Thinking it over, she messaged Gordon again: Forget what I said earlier. Please disregard the previous request.
There was no need to investigate further.
Gordon would easily uncover Elijah’s identity and his connection to Zachary.
Lenora shut her eyes, then texted Elijah: Mr. Levine, you seem to have a lot of free time lately to play with cats?
Elijah replied: Just killing time. Why do you ask, Ms. Wilkin?
Lenora: Free for lunch today?
A red flag went off in Elijah’s mind. You’re inviting me to lunch?
Ever since the two parted ways in Nardor, they had not been in touch.
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Chapter 240 His Trump Card
Something was amiss if Lenora wanted to buy him lunch.
Lenora: Correct.
Elijah: Why?
Lenora: Because I like you. I said so in Nardor, didn’t I?
Elijah was shocked.
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