Chapter 81 Taming
I spoke briefly and firmly, with no concern that Cadell might grow suspicious.
By now, who else could he rely on but me?
He’d just had a falling out with Charles, and knowing Charles’s temperament, it would be a while before they spoke again. Cadell certainly wouldn’t initiate contact either, especially given how clear it was that Charles had started favoring Cyril.
At this moment, Cadell no longer saw Charles as an ally, and it was unthinkable that he’d turn to him for help.
Aside from me, there was no one else who would support him.
As soon as I finished speaking, Cadell fell into a prolonged silence. His gaze was thoughtful, as though he was deliberating.
I remained calm, maintaining eye contact as I waited for his response.
Finally, after some time, he spoke, “How do you know… about the Hartman family’s secret operation chain?”
His reaction was exactly what I expected. I didn’t hesitate before replying. “You told me. Before we got engaged, you once got drunk and let it slip.”
I wasn’t lying–during the best period of our relationship, he rarely kept work matters hidden from me.
Even so, Cadell continued to eye me suspiciously, which I found mildly amusing. “Don’t you trust me, Cadell? You let Lorna use your computer without question, leaving trade secrets unguarded, yet you’re so wary when I ask to see this operation chain?”
Sensing the displeasure in my tone, Cadell quickly softened his voice, trying to reassure me. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that this operation chain is a family secret. I can’t let anyone see it.”
I
I looked up at him. “But you said that if I handed over my shares, you’d marry me. We’re already engaged. Don’t I count as part of the family?”
My words left him momentarily speechless. I let out a faint laugh. “I see. In the end, you still don’t trust me. But think about it, Cadell–before I started dating you, do you think I knew anything about your family’s secrets?”
I’m just an ordinary person. I didn’t have the power to get Hartman family shares. It was only because I had a crush on you for a long time, and when I learned your family was in trouble, I put all the money I earned from selling articles into helping you through the crisis.”
I delivered this fabricated story without a hint of hesitation. The truth was, I had never been infatuated with
Cadell.
But a man as arrogantly self–assured as he would never question the authenticity of my words. He would believe in his own charm.
I took a deep breath, my tone growing more impassioned “Cadell, I didn’t even know about this operation chain until you proposed to me. I was with you purely because of who you are. There’s no need to be so suspicious of me.”
By this point, my voice had turned colder. “If you truly think I’m only here for your family’s operation chain,
21 Tambo
then there’s nothing more to discuss. After all, you can see for yourself how close I am to Cyril Given the current situation, as long as he doesn’t make a mistake, he’s bound to become the Hartman family’s heir
“If I really wanted your family’s operation chain, why wouldn’t I just go to him directly? Why would I waste my time dealing with you, even sticking around after everything that’s happened?”
“You should understand that what you lack compared to Cyril is just that five percent of shares, if I took
those shares to him, do you think he’d risk it and take me to see the secret operations chain?”
“Cadell.” I uttered his name softly, my tone tinged with mockery. “I never intended to use you, but it turns out
my sincerity appears as a scheme in your eyes. If you mistrust me so much, then fine. You can rest and
recover–Пl leave now”
With that, I stood without hesitation, preparing to walk out.
Cadell couldn’t sit still any longer. He wasn’t able to fully grasp all the implications of what I’d just said, but he clearly understood my hint. If I sold the shares to Cyril, Cadell would lose any chance to compete.
He reached out and grabbed my arm, his tone suddenly softer and gentler. “Aurora, it’s my fault. Don’t go. Let
me think this through, alright?”
I couldn’t help but scoff. Did Cadell still not grasp the gravity of the situation?
Right now, he was the one begging me for shares. I wasn’t the one desperately clinging to give them to him. Why should I give him time to think it over?
I said nothing, shaking off his hand. Putting on an air of disillusionment, I walked unhesitatingly toward the
door.
That was when Cadell panicked. He scrambled out of bed, too hurried despite his injuries, and stumbled, falling to his knees in front of me
Hearing the noise behind me, I turned around. Seeing him kneeling there, I almost couldn’t keep from
laughing
Cadell, however, seemed unbothered by the humiliation. He was too desperate. Without even attempting to stand, he quickly said, “Aurora, II agree. Please don’t go.”
He looked a bit pitiful. Blood was seeping through the bandages on his knees, but he didn’t seem to notice at all. His eyes stayed fixed on me, filled with urgency.
At this moment, I appeared to him like a savior.
When I heard his agreement, I allowed a slight softening of my demeanor. I crouched down slightly in front of him, my voice lowering. “I’m glad you’ve come around, Cadell. You need to trust me. I want what’s best for you more than anyone else.”
After all, only by pulling you down from the heights could I ensure you would fall all the harder.
I silently tolerated his kneeling posture, not helping him up. Instead, I spoke gently, “I want to see that operation chain now. Can you arrange that?”
In that moment, all Cadell could think of was convincing me to stay. He couldn’t process anything else. After I spoke, he nodded repeatedly. “I’ll agree! Tonight, I’ll secretly take you there!”
Suppressing the excitement welling up inside, I helped him to his feet. “It’s a deal!”
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