Sharon sent people to investigate Doug, but they came back empty–handed.Â
In truth, she already knew the answer–anyone who could casually offer fifty billion was operating on a level far beyond her reach. No amount of digging would uncover anything useful.Â
When Julliard learned about it, he rushed to her company, his face drawn with concern.Â
“Sharon, don’t believe a word that guy says. He’s probably a con artist–or worse, someone deliberately trying to block your funding to stop you from signing the deal.”Â
Sharon had considered that possibility, too. But Doug’s confidence and the precision of his words were extraordinary. He didn’t seem like a fraud. She’d met her share of people over the years; her instincts told her Doug wasn’t one of those slick–tongued liars.Â
Julliard’s voice grew urgent. “Sharon, don’t worry about the money. Carter and I will find a way. I promise, we’ll raise the full amount for you within three days.”Â
“I truly appreciate your willingness to help,” Sharon replied. “But this isn’t a small sum. If something goes wrong, your company’s entire cash flow could collapse.”Â
She lifted her gaze to meet his.Â
“So after thinking it over, I’ve decided to sell one percent of my original shares. I’ll use that as capital for future projects and to maintain liquidity. I can’t keep borrowing every time I need money.”Â
Julliard’s face paled. “What? You’re going to sell your original shares?”Â
She nodded. “I’ve already contacted the shareholders who supported my mom’s faction. They’re willing to buy, and they’ve promised I can repurchase them anytime.”Â
Those shareholders owed their positions to Shayla’s favor; their loyalty to her mother was unwavering.Â
Julliard’s tone rose sharply, almost losing control.Â
“The original shares are your mother’s legacy–your foundation! How could you even think of selling them? Don’t you see? This is exactly the trap the Kalen family wants you to fall into!” 1Â
Sharon looked at him in surprise, startled by the intensity of his reaction.Â
Standing beside him, his assistant hesitated before speaking in a low voice, “Mr. Macaron sold off all his personal assets to raise money for you, Miss McKinzie. Even his Macaron Group shares… he’s liquidated everything. Now that you’re saying you don’t need it, all his efforts have gone to-”Â
“Flint,” Julliard snapped, cutting him off. “Enough.”Â
The assistant ducked his head and fell silent immediately.Â
Sharon was stunned. She hadn’t known that Julliard had sold his assets–his company shares, even–to help her. A pang of guilt welled in her chest. 1Â
“Julliard… thank you for doing so much for me. The assets you sold-”Â
Before she could finish, a clear, cool voice interrupted from behind her.Â
“You’ll be reimbursed at double the price. You won’t lose a cent.Â
The door to Sharon’s lounge swung open.Â
Thomas stepped out, water still glistening on his hair. He wore a loosely tied bathrobe, exposing the clean, sculpted lines of his chest. Droplets slid down from his damp hair, tracing the hard contours of his skin–both restrained and sinfully enticing.Â
Julliard froze, staring as if struck by lightning.Â
“You… why are you here?”Â
If he wasn’t mistaken, Thomas had just walked out of Sharon’s private lounge. Why was he there? And why, for heaven’s sake, had he been showering?Â
Julliard’s fists clenched unconsciously. His breathing quickened, and his eyes flushed red at the edges.Â
Sensing the sudden tension, Sharon hurried to explain.Â
“Um… just now, Thomas accidentally spilled scalding coffee on himself. I was afraid he’d get burned, so I told him to take a quick shower to rinse it off.”Â