Before Iris could ask another question, Gideon spoke as though answering the very questions running through her mind."When I received the proposal Mr Blackthorne sent over, I requested to see a prototype of the bracelet. So he sent one to me." He glanced down at the bracelet on his wrist, a faint smile appearing on his lips."At first, I only intended to examine it myself. But my wife happened to see it." His smile deepened. "She immediately took a liking to it and refused to give it back. I eventually had no choice but to ask Mr Blackthorne for another prototype."Naomi almost staggered backward. She stared at the bracelet on his wrist, her eyes widening in disbelief.Everyone in Highmont's jewelry industry knew Gideon Callahan's reputation. But those who knew him personally also knew something else.He adored his wife. His wife was an avid jewelry enthusiast and had spent years collecting pieces from different parts of the world. She had an especially sharp eye for unique designs a

However, Naomi wasn't willing to give up. She held Gideon's hands. "But even talent is useless without benefits. Mr Callahan, think of the profits you can earn by cooperating with my company."But in the very next second, Gideon pulled his hand away from Naomi's grasp. His expression turned icy."Are you trying to teach me how to run my business?"Naomi froze, unable to refute his accusation. His gaze hardened as he looked at her."Naomi, when I entered this industry, you were probably still trying to figure out what you wanted to do with your life. And now you think you can stand here and tell me how to run my business?" His voice became colder. "How presumptuous.""No, Mr Callahan..." Naomi's face immediately paled. "That's not what I meant. I was only trying to—""Enough." Gideon raised a hand, cutting her off. "I don't care what you think."His eyes were sharp and unwavering. "My decision has already been made."Naomi's lips trembled. "But, Mr Callahan...""Do you understand?" The

In the end, Naomi could only grit her teeth and glare at Veyron."You... Just wait and see! This isn't the end!"Her chest heaved violently as she stared at him. She was so furious that she couldn't think of anything else to say.She simply snorted before turning around and storming away. As soon as she stepped out of the building, she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number.The call rang three times before it was answered."Hello?" The deep, hoarse voice on the other end would usually have been enough to calm her down. Not this time."Honey..." Her voice trembled with anger and frustration. "I failed again."There was a brief silence. "What happened?"Naomi immediately began recounting everything that had happened at Callahan's company. She didn't leave out a single detail, although she naturally made herself sound far more innocent than she actually was. When she finally finished, silence returned to the other end.Then the man's voice finally came through. "I didn't expe

"Iris, we are all family here." Catherine remained calmer than Victor, and her face still carried a gentle smile as she spoke in a self-righteous tone."You can't just stand by and watch your own family suffer, can you?"Iris fell silent. For a brief moment, she didn't know how to respond. Those words had always been her weakness.No matter how badly the Blackwell family had treated her in the past, a small part of her still couldn't completely turn her back on them. She wasn't heartless enough to watch people she once considered family suffer without feeling anything.Her resolve began to waver. But just as she was about to give in, a sarcastic voice suddenly came from behind her."And who said you are family?"Everyone instinctively turned around. The moment Victor and Catherine saw Veyron approaching, their expressions darkened.Catherine's gentle smile disappeared. She looked at him disdainfully. "And who gave a mere ex-convict the right to interfere in our family affairs?""Exact

"Who could be calling me at this hour?" Victor grumbled as he pulled out his phone. His brows immediately furrowed when he saw the caller ID."Hello?" He answered almost immediately. For several seconds, he simply listened. Then his expression changed. The color drained from his face, and his eyes widened in disbelief."What?!" His voice was filled with shock. "Why did they suddenly change the deadline? What do you mean they've moved it forward?"He paced a few steps away from the car. "Wait... What? I'm going to face a lawsuit for delayed payment?"His voice became increasingly anxious. Catherine watched him nervously. She couldn't hear what the person on the other end was saying, but judging from Victor's expression, it clearly wasn't good news.The call continued for another minute. Victor eventually nodded repeatedly, even though the person on the other end couldn't see him."I understand." He swallowed nervously. "I'll try to find a solution as soon as possible. Just... please h