Chapter 279
279
Third Person’s POV
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Madison glanced at her and said, “If you keep using that brain of yours, within three years, your mate’s mother will have you kicked out of the pack.”
Hearing this, Wanda’s face fell. “That hateful she–wolf, I’ll poison her sooner or later.”
Madison coldly replied, “Do me a favor and stay out of trouble. If you cause a mess and expect me to clean it up, do you think she is someone to trifle with? You might as well try getting close to her before you talk big.”
Wanda was feeling downcast. “Forget her. What do you think Priscilla and that wretched Adelaide are here for, Mother?”
Madison put down her cutlery. An omega handed her water, which she sipped before taking a napkin to wipe her lips.
After tossing the napkin aside and standing up, an omega draped her cloak over her. She strode out, saying, “Shall we go take a look?”
Seeing this, Wanda also put on a cloak and followed.
Upon reaching the side hall, Madison first noticed several boxes on the ground. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.
These boxes were all too familiar to her. The Golden Jewelry Store’s ledgers were sent to her for review every year, each annual set contained in a single box.
These were the same kind of boxes.
Now, six boxes sat on the floor, presumably holding all the financial records from past years.
Although the Golden Jewelry Store was technically Wanda’s, it was actually Madison’s.
Naturally, she would never admit to owning the copycat Golden Jewelry Store.
Wanda recognized the boxes too and gasped, “Aren’t these the Golden Jewelry Store’s ledgers?”
Adelaide rose with a beaming smile, “Madison, Wanda, it’s been a while.”
Wanda’s face darkened, “Cut the sweetness. Why are you here?”
“Mind your manners, Wanda.” Madison slowly sat down and mildly reprimanded her.
Wanda plopped into a seat, her gaze flickering over the ledgers. Her expression shifted momentarily but quickly returned to normal.
“Priscilla, what does this mean?”
She pointed at the boxes on the floor, addressing Priscilla–not Adelaide. She wasn’t foolish enough to engage Adelaide directly and preferred to target the seemingly softer Priscilla,
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Adelaide, of course, wouldn’t let Priscilla take the lead. She smiled and said, “Here’s the thing. Yesterday , Priscilla mentioned that she and you co–own a jewelry store. Upon inquiry, it turned out to be the Golden Jewelry Store. What a coincidence! Before my wedding, Craig bought me a golden bracelet from there.
Her face was all smiles, with no sharpness in her eyes, as if she weren’t there to audit accounts.
Having crossed swords with Adelaide a couple of times, Madison wasn’t about to let her guard down. She looked at Wanda and said, “This Golden Jewelry Store is the one you told me you opened with Priscilla, right?”
Wanda replied, “Yes, Mother.”
Adelaide nodded and said, “I recall you mentioning that the store had been struggling.”
Wanda immediately began to complain, “Exactly! We’ve been in business for years, not only failing to make a profit but also running at a loss. It wasn’t until we did a year–end promotion that we barely covered the rent and salaries. I feel terrible about it, Priscilla trusted me to open the store with her, and instead of making money, I’ve been draining her funds.”
Adelaide picked up the conversation, “These days, every industry is tough. You don’t need to feel guilty. I’m sure Priscilla understands, right?”
She turned to Priscilla.
Priscilla, caught off guard by the sudden attention, remembered their prior agreement to keep quiet . But under Adelaide’s prompting glance, she stiffly nodded, “Yes.”
“Exactly,” Adelaide continued, “No need to blame Wanda. Business is tough for everyone.”
Wanda quickly agreed, “Right, business is really tough.”
Adelaide produced the contract, “I’ve reviewed this contract. Mother holds a 70% stake in the ‘Golden Jewelry Store. Besides the initial investment, she’s subsidized the store for years, with every expense documented. Cousin holds a 30% stake; I assume you’ve also contributed according to the ratio?”
Wanda felt something was amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it. She nodded, “Of course, whenever there was a need to top up funds, I contributed 30% as agreed.”
“Fair enough,” Adelaide said, “Priscilla covers 70% of the costs and holds 70% of the shes; you cover 30% and hold 30%. Seems reasonable.”.
Wanda watched Adelaide closely–what was she up to?
Had she not seen the ledgers, or did she already know?
What about Johnson?
The Blackthorn Pack had retrieved the ledgers–how could no one have reported this? She’d have to deal with him later.
Madison, reading the situation, knew Adelaide must have reviewed the ledgers and discovered the profits.
They must have been taken directly from the jewelry store. Johnson was likely caught off guard and might already be under interrogation at the Blackthorn Pack.
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That man was a weak link–he’d probably confess everything under questioning
Adelaide continued, “I’m glad you think it’s reasonable. Since funds were contributed according to the share ratio, profits should be distributed the same way .
She opened a box and took out the top ledger, “The Blackthorn Pack’s financial team spent all day on this . nearly wearing out a dozen calculators to straighten out the accounts. Take a look–it’s been a tough year for everyone, but our ‘Golden Jewelry Store‘ has made a decent profit.”
Wanda’s face drained of color, “What? Profit? How is that possible? We were still subsidizing it two months ago!”
She snatched the ledger and, upon seeing the final figures, her pupils shrank in disbelief, “Impossible! This ledger must be fake!”
Madison frowned, “The ledger seems genuine.”
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