Ashton didn’t want me to face the shareholders’ wrath, so he told me to stay in his office.
I wasn’t afraid of that. After all, I had to face it someday.
Concerned about my mental health, Ashton arranged for Joseph to stay with me.
I read everything on the headlines and left my phone aside. Looking down from the French windows, I could still see the reporters milling around the entrance of Fuller Corporation.
“Mrs. Fuller, there are plenty of books in the lounge. You can pick one to read if you like,” suggested Joseph. To him, the easiest way to offer his comfort was to change the topic suddenly.
I let out a faint chuckle and turned at my shoulder slightly. “There are many influential men in K City. Isn’t it a waste of resources to gather at Fuller Corporation’s entrance?”
Joseph pressed his lips together, but he said nothing.
Shortly after, Ashton came back with a scowl on his face.
Upon spotting me, his expression relaxed. He beckoned me over, and I trotted to him obediently. Pulling me into his lap, he declared, “It’s nothing. Don’t worry!”
I nodded silently. Deep down, I knew something huge must’ve happened to make him frown. The rumors hadn’t just affected us, it had also brought a negative impact on the company.
A listed company would be in trouble if its president’s name was dragged through the mud.
Ashton always had a positive public image. His intimidating presence and decisiveness gave the shareholders a sense of security.
I knew he brought me to his office so I wouldn’t lose control after reading the news. After all, there was no one to take care of me there.
“Mm!” I grunted in acknowledgement.
Joseph handed a file to him. It was a report of how Fuller Corporation’s share prices dropped drastically over the past few hours.
I knew nothing about the stock market, but the red line on the chart was obvious even to a clueless person like me.
Ashton patted my hand and gestured for me to take a nap before returning to his desk.
Joseph seemed fidgety as his employer said nothing.
Thud! Suddenly, he slapped the file on the table. The loud sound resounded in the silent office.
Sensing my gaze on him, a warm smile flitted across his lips. “I’m fine.”
His voice was reassuring.
I inclined my head. It doesn’t seem to be a trivial matter.
I didn’t want to disturb him at work, so I stood up and told him I was tired before entering his lounge.
He shot me a comforting smile. “Okay. Take a nap. Don’t you worry.”
I entered the lounge and lay on the bed, but I just couldn’t fall asleep.
For the first time in my life, I browsed the finance website. As I had expected, the experts were already analyzing the after-effects of Fuller Corporation’s current crisis.
Fuller Corporation had three crises this year, so one expert claimed Fuller Corporation would be destroyed if Ashton couldn’t solve this crisis soon enough.
Another expert explained this crisis could be a turning point for Fuller Corporation. After four years, Fuller Corporation had reached its peak. Thus, it would be hard for it to achieve more.
However, the outcome would depend on how Ashton dealt with the matter.
After a long hesitation, I finally decided to call Marcus. Years ago, he gave me his number after I lost my child that horrible night. As long as I called this number, he’d pick up for sure.
Marcus was a man of his words. He answered the call after a few rings.
Without waiting for me to speak, he asked, “I didn’t leak those photos. Do you trust me?” His voice was low, and it sounded like he was busy at work.
“Of course!” I replied.
After a brief silence, his voice turned hoarse. “I’ll make sure you won’t get hurt this time.”
At this stage, my feelings were exhausted. I had nothing but gratitude for him.
I replied calmly, “I don’t care how you deal with the matter. This call is to let you know that I no longer owe you anything.”
He fell silent at the other end of the line. As almost a billion was transferred into his account, White Corporation could survive the ordeal.
He spoke slowly, “Does Ashton know about the money you transferred to me?”
“No,” I answered. Under Ashton’s management, HiTech racked up billions in profits every year.
George didn’t want me to be stripped of everything if Ashton divorced me one day, so he registered my name as the recipient of HiTech’s company earnings.
