Chapter 282
282
282
Third Person’s POV
Priscilla wasn’t a fool and knew Adelaide was deliberately freezing her out, so she huddled closer to Adelaide for warmth.
Adelaide spread her cloak and wrapped her in it.
Priscilla gratefully leaned on Adelaide, Lance’s mate, and even dozed off.
Two hours passed, the sky had darkened, and the cold had intensified.
The finance manager reported, “Madison, the accounts are verified–they match Luna Adelaide’s records.”
“How dare he!”
Madison smashed another cup, the loud clang jolting Priscilla awake.
She blinked owlishly at Madison’s rage.
Madison seethed, “That bastard, falsifying accounts to embezzle Priscilla and Wanda’s money? I’ll punish him severely.”
Adelaide released Priscilla and said, “The ledgers check out. Since Johnson embezzled, I’ll hand him over to the judiciary. He’ll repay every cent.”
“Adelaide!”
Madison’s tone softened. She sighed, “Wanda was negligent, allowing such fraud. Johnson’s from the Glenveil Pack. If this goes public, it’ll harm both Glenveil and Wanda. Here’s my offer: hand Johnson to me. I’ll make him repay the money. If he can’t, Wanda forfeits her thirty percent stake. The entire Golden Jewelry Store is yours. You know the store’s profits–it’ll keep making money. You won’t lose out.”
“Actually, we’d gain,” Adelaide smiled.
“But family comes first. I can’t let Wanda lose out. Since she managed the store and all the staff are her people, we’re not equipped to take over. But cooperation is impossible now. After such a betrayal, there’s too much bitterness. Relatives should avoid business partnerships to prevent future conflicts. So, we’re withdrawing our shares.”
She slid the contract across the table. “If there’s a loss, we’ll calculate based on our investment. But the store’s profitable now, so our share should increase.”
“As I said, family shouldn’t be so calculating. We’ll take back our investment and profits, and leave the rest,” she continued.
Wanda blanched–she’d rather die than agree.
“No way! I won’t agree!”
She turned livid. “In a partnership, decisions aren’t unilateral.”
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1/2
14:17 Sun, 13 Jul
282
“Easy solution.”
+5 Free Coins
Adelaide pushed the ledger forward and said, “Let’s sell the store. Starting tomorrow, we’ll post a transfer notice. Before it sells, we’ll settle our accounts. After the sale, we’ll split the proceeds thirty–seventy.”
Sell the store? Wanda was all for it. The Golden Jewelry Store had a tarnished reputation and wouldn’t fetch much anyway.
“SELL IT THEN!” Wanda snapped.
Adelaide smiled. “Glad you agree. So, about the dividend–shall we send Johnson to the judiciary first, or will you cover the payment?”
Priscilla was confused.
They were supposed to get the store, not sell it.
Madison’s expression was grim. Johnson couldn’t be sent to the judiciary, so she had to foot the bill.
Gritting her teeth, she ordered, “Butler, fetch the check.”
In the brightly lit room, Adelaide examined the check–the store’s profits over the years, not a penny less.
Wanda, watching Adelaide’s serious inspection, was seething with rage.
But relief followed the payment. At least the matter was settled.
Then Adelaide added, “Tomorrow, when we post the transfer notice, I’ll spread the word that the store is run by you and Madison. With your reputation, many will come for the store. Let’s set a minimum price of two and a half million dollars. What do you say?”
Wanda paled. “What? You can’t say the store is run by us! That’s impossible!”
The Golden Jewelry Store had poor service and low–quality materials.
Publicizing it would ruin their reputations.
She only wanted money, not to admit ownership of the store.
Adelaide said, “True, it’s not exactly managed by Wanda. Johnson is from Glenveil Pack. We could say it’s a Glenveil Pack store. Glenveil is a century–old pack. With a profitable store–it’ll still attract many buyers.”
“No way!” Wanda stamped her foot in anger. “Adelaide, what’s your game?”
Adelaide feigned innocence. “A higher price means more for your share. Why are you so upset?”
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