Chapter 554
I was startled and glanced at Grayson, pointing to the phone in my hand. “Speak!”
“Keegan suddenly wants to withdraw the investment!” Johnson’s voice came through, and this news shook me.
“Withdraw?!”
This was a big deal. Why would he suddenly want to withdraw? Could my entire plan be ruined?
I quickly put the call on speaker. “What’s going on exactly?”
“I heard it was Liora’s decision out of the blue. She’s already discussed it with Matthew, and he’s furious right now,” Johnson whispered.
“Do Matthew’s damage control immediately. I’ll dig deeper into this! Call me later,” I instructed Johnson. Then I hung up and turned to Grayson. “Go find out why Liora suddenly withdrew the investment from Matthew.”
Grayson immediately left the conference room. I felt uneasy. Why would Liora suddenly think of withdrawing? Did she hear some news on the ship?
No, it couldn’t be! She had practically secured Avalon Hills. Could she also be plotting against Matthew?
No, that wouldn’t work. If she detached herself, how would we act out the next scene? I had explicitly set up a trap for her. I couldn’t just let Avalon Hills slip through my fingers.
I paced back and forth in the conference room. Suddenly, I thought of Atticus. I picked up the phone and called him, but he didn’t answer.
No, I absolutely couldn’t let Liora slip away.
I grabbed my bag and informed Carol, then suddenly remembered the sofa that Jeremiah had sat on. It made me feel nauseous. “Carol, disinfect the sofa later!”
She looked confused.
I added, “It was too greasy just now!”
Carol instantly understood. “Got it! Don’t worry!”
I headed straight downstairs, planning to go to the Vanderberg Palace. As I left the garage, Atticus’s call came in.
“Chlo!” he called.
“Do you have time now?” I got straight to the point. This was something I could only discuss with Atticus.
“Yes,” Atticus replied directly.
“I’m going to the Vanderberg Palace. We can talk there,” I told him and hung up, heading straight to the Vanderberg Palace.
We arrived at the same time, but coincidentally, I saw Liora walking out from inside just as I got out of the car. Atticus’s car had also just arrived.
The Vanderberg Palace welcomed everyone. It didn’t suit us anymore. We needed to find a new place.
Liora glanced at me, squinted, and I calmly walked inside. She blocked my way, her eyes shifting to Atticus, who had just exited the car.
Her expression was weird, like an excited wife catching her husband with a mistress. “Hold on! Not bad, huh? This place is so quiet for a date!”
“Oh? Then I’m even more curious, Mrs. Liora, which date are you on?” I didn’t back down.
“What an excellent strategy, Ms. Chloe, constantly wandering among different men. Even my husband is hooked!” Liora’s words were full of implications. “It’s not a hook-up, just a meeting. No need to make a fuss!” I said casually, half true and half false.
Then I turned to Atticus, who had just walked over. “Mr. Atticus, very punctual!”
“Hmm!” he grunted indifferently, looking at Liora and slightly frowning. “Why are you here?”
“How else could I witness such a good show?” Liora said, casting a somewhat resentful glance at Atticus.
At that moment, Bella came out from inside. Seeing Atticus, she said, “Why haven’t you come in yet? I’ve been waiting for you!”
Atticus nodded and coldly walked inside, ignoring Liora’s words.
Liora’s face suddenly stiffened, and she turned to look at me, a bit puzzled.
I sneered inwardly. Thank goodness for Bella’s absent-mindedness. She was hitting the mark perfectly, t wasn’t because I was afraid of Liora slandering me.
It was just that it wasn’t the right time. We couldn’t let her catch any clues or sniff out any information.
Bella looked at both of us. “Why are you just standing here?”
“Chlo, I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon. Let me tidy up a bit. Why don’t you come in and wait? I’ll be quick, and then we can talk. Oh, do you have something to discuss with Mr. Atticus and Mrs. Liora?” S
l.n
“Nothing! My timing is just off today, and I am encountering obstacles everywhere: So unfortunate!” I said, “Let’s sit down and talk. I was planning to have a chat with M Atticus. I can’t let people gossip that I’m on a date.”
Bella comfortingly patted Liora’s shoulder and whispered, “Come on, now!”
Then, she briskly followed me inside.