Chapter 80 Secret Operations
I could sense the sudden shift in his mood. His rising anxiety even caused him to lash out at the caretaker
several times.
The tipping point came when Cyril intentionally called to gloat, pushing Cadell’s unease to its peak
He even smashed a bowl during lunch, then erupted in fury in the hospital room, shouting Cyril’s name, his face contorted. The caretaker attending him didn’t dare make a sound, doing everything she could to fade into the background.
I watched from the sidelines, observing his pathetic state. It was easy to discern the anxiety in his words.
He was scared.
Scared that Cyril’s success would surpass his own. Scared that Charles would abandon him.
Deep down, he knew he couldn’t match Cyril’s abilities. If Charles started to groom Cyril, Cadell’s status as heir would be in serious jeopardy
How could Cadell tolerate that?
Seeing him on the verge of breaking, I smiled slightly and, pretending to be worried, approached him and fanned the flames. “Cadell, do you think Charles’s actions mean he’s really upset? That he’s considering handing power over to Cyril? If that’s the case, your position as heir could truly be at risk.”
People are always susceptible to suggestions. If I hadn’t said it, Cadell might still have clung to the hope that
he was overthinking things.
But by voicing it, I could tilt the scales in his mind. He would start to believe that if he wasn’t the only one to think that way, then the chances of it being true must be greater than 80%
This kind of subtle prompting would intensify his anxiety and chip away at his rationality. In the conversations that followed, he would become more pliable, more open to my guidance
Cadell didn’t respond immediately, but as time passed, the anxiety on his face became more and more
apparent.
I sighed beside him, saying, “If Cyril really takes over the family, given how strained our relationship is with
him, we’ll likely be shut out completely…
“It’s all Lorna’s fault. If she hadn’t stolen the trade secrets at such a critical moment, Grandpa wouldn’t have paid so much attention to Cyril, no matter how successful he is! That damned Lorna, conspiring with
Edmund to betray you!”
I spoke with apparent anger, as if I were genuinely considering Cadell’s best interests.
As his expression grew darker, I added, “No. If this really happens, how will we get back at Edmund?”
That struck a nerve. Cadell’s face twisted instantly.
Few things were more painful than being betrayed by a lover, and getting revenge on Lorna was what Cadell wanted most recently.
I had been subtly reminding him that without the security of the heir’s position, he wouldn’t have the means
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Chipe
to exact his revenge.
My words seemed to light a fire inside him. He stared at me intensely, then took a deep breath and forced a smile, as if seeking my favor. “Aurora, if I’m not mistaken, you hold some Hartman family shares, right?”
This was exactly the topic I’d been waiting for!
Although I had already sold those shares to Cyril, no one besides the two of us knew about it.
Cyril was extremely cautious. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t reveal the increase in his
shares.
And since we had discussed the plan beforehand, I had specifically reminded him not to disclose that I had
sold my shares to him for at least the next month.
As such, I could use those non–existent shares to mislead Cadell, nudging him toward the course of action I
wanted
I looked at Cadell and asked, “Cadell, are you hoping to get my shares?”
His intentions were clear, and I chose to call them out bluntly. He showed no embarrassment, instead
grasping my hand tightly, his eyes pleading. “Aurora, we’ve been together for seven years. You wouldn’t refuse to help me, would you?”
His tone was urgent. I can pay for them. You have five percent of the shares, right? I’ll give you twenty million
dollars is that enough?”
Twenty million dollars?
I sneered internally. When I sold the shares to Cyril, he didn’t hesitate to offer eighty million dollars.
In comparison, not only was Cadell calculating, but he also came across as downright stingy. If I had actually
married a man like this, I shudder to think what life would have been like.
I mocked him inwardly, but outwardly I feigned hesitation.
Seeing that I didn’t agree right away, Cadell grew anxious. After all, he needed me and didn’t dare lose his temper. Despite his foul mood, he forced himself to flatter me.
He smiled with exaggerated warmth. “Aurora, we’ve been together for seven years. You wouldn’t want to see me in such a difficult position, would you? I promise, I’ll treat you well from now on. As long as I secure the position of heir, we’ll get married, alright?”
How disgusting. Cadell really thought marrying him was something I’d look forward to?
Still, I managed to put on a somewhat moved expression. “I believe you, but… Cadell, I can’t take your
money…
At these words, Cadell’s eyes lit up. He must have thought he could get the shares for free and was ready to
sweet–talk me.
Before he could say anything, I slowly added, “But you know my mother is gravely ill. Keeping her treatment going costs a lot of money. So, for now… I can’t sell them to you.”
Cadell’s face immediately darkened. He fixed his gaze on me. “You won’t sell them to me? You have a good relationship with Cyril, don’t you, Aurora? You’re not planning to betray me too, are you?”
“What are you talking about? How could you think that about me?” I cut him off angrily. Tm saying I won’t sell
them to you, not that I won’t help you. But first, you have to prove you’re a worthwhile investment!”
Hearing this, Cadell’s tone shifted at once. A worthwhile investment? What do you want?”
I lifted my head and locked eyes with him. Speaking slowly, I said, “Cadell, I know the Hartman family has a secret operations chain Could you take me there?”
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