Chapter 986
Silas sneered inwardly. Empty boasts cost nothing.
But Victoria, Johanna, and Jamie all knew the truth-Thomas could make good on his
words.
Other families might not be able to raise that kind of money overnight, but the Ferrero family could. After all, they were the richest family in the world.
Victoria interjected, her voice calm yet edged with warning.
“Scott, Silas, we’re supposed to be discussing what happened between Jamie and Sharon.”
If that reckless wager truly went forward, her brothers would lose without question.
The thought brought a flicker of unease to Victoria’s eyes. She cast a discreet glance at Jamie, and he, in turn, looked back at her. Their silent exchange carried a wordless understanding.
Victoria had long wondered why Thomas remained at Sharon’s side. After all, Johanna had already fortified her position as the one he had been looking for all these years. Why, then, would Thomas still linger near Sharon?
No matter how she puzzled over it, she couldn’t believe Thomas had feelings for Sharon.
Sharon was divorced and a mother. Thomas, on the other hand, could have any woman he wanted. There was no way he would ever lower himself for someone like her.
There had to be another reason.
Now, Victoria believed she had found it. Thomas wasn’t after Sharon herself—he was after
Kalen Group’s equity. He was just using Sharon as his leverage. That, finally, made sense of
his return. 2
Johanna had arrived at the same conclusion. Her eyes brightened, the heaviness in her chest evaporating in an instant.
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So long as Thomas wasn’t interested in Sharon, she could accept any other explanation.
As for his ambitions toward Kalen Group? A man with vision and drive was worthy of admiration. Far from troubling her, it only made her appreciate him more.
She didn’t feel the slightest guilt toward Victoria.
Once she married Thomas, he could always return the shares to Victoria. Without him, those stubborn old directors would keep blocking Victoria’s path into the company; for her
to seize true power was nearly impossible. 3
In the end, Victoria might even thank her.
The more Johanna thought about it, the more delighted she became already envisioning
her future, where she held both love and friendship in her hands, basking in perfect
happiness.
Silas and Scott, meanwhile, though eager to force Sharon to hand over her original shares,
also knew such a wager was far too childish. It would invite ridicule.
Better to exploit the matter with Jamie and pressure Sharon into a compromise.
If they wanted her to yield, they’d have to offer her something in return. Who here was foolish enough not to see that?
Listening to the exchange, Sharon kept her face serene, but ripples stirred faintly in her
heart.
She couldn’t tell whether Thomas truly had evidence—or if he was simply playing mind games with Jamie.
She stole a sidelong glance at him.
Jamie’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t speak immediately. That hesitation—an instant of restraint-betrayed wariness.
Strange. Could Thomas’s few words alone truly unsettle Jamie?
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Richard rubbed his temples, his expression weary.
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“Each of you argues your own case—it’s difficult to judge. Sharon and Jamie certainly have past grievances, so yes, it’s possible Jamie kidnapped her. But…”
His words dangled deliberately, their meaning sharp. If it was possible Jamie had done it, it was equally possible Sharon was fabricating her accusation.
After all, enmity existed on both sides.
Johanna quickly regained her composure. Her voice rang clear, sharp with challenge.
“Since ancient times, the rule has always been this: whoever makes the claim must provide
the proof.
“Jamie is the head of the Walton family. Unless the Kalen family produces hard evidence showing he kidnapped Sharon, then Sharon’s actions-slapping him, dousing him with wine, and now slandering him—will not be brushed aside so lightly.”
