hapter 44
27%
+5
“Braylen, I personally think the Sarrattop Group’s experience and sharpness in investment is among the best in the country.”
Rachel glanced over at Braylen, then shifted her gaze to George.
Both of them were momentarily taken aback. Was George really speaking up for the competitor?
But before they could process it, George’s next words made everything clear.
“If the Sarrattop Group is interested in Elysium Media, the investment is certainly possible. However, their understanding of entertainment companies is nowhere near as deep as the Fox Group’s. If they need assistance, the Fox Group could come in as a secondary investor in Elysium Media. What do you think, Braylen?”
Rachel immediately caught on. ‘Of course, George, the fox, would take a step back to advance. He’s agreeing to let the Sarrattop Group lead as the primary investor in Elysium Media, but they’ll still find a way to get involved. That way, not only will they join the investment, but they can also charm the Sarrattop Group, who they’ve been eyeing for cooperation. It’s a two–birds–one–stone strategy.
Braylen thought for a moment, clearly intrigued. If both the Fox Group and Sarrattop Group invested, it would guarantee a massive leap for Elysium Media.
Rachel, noticing that Braylen was genuinely considering it, quickly added, “The Fox Group already owns numerous entertainment companies, some of which have directly competed with Elysium Media in the past. If they invest, who’s to say whether they’ll try to build up Elysium Media or dismantle it?”
Her words reminded Braylen of the Luxora Group’s acquisition. After they were taken over, all their core assets were siphoned off, and the company was rebranded, effectively wiping Luxora off the map. What had seemed like a promising deal turned out to be a move to acquire valuable resources, not to develop the company itself.
George responded confidently, “If it’s a joint investment, I’m sure the Sarrattop Group won’t just let us take over Elysium Media.
“That’s not necessarily true,” Rachel said with a smirk. “It’s just like poker–until the final cards are revealed, no one knows what kind of trump card the other player is holding.”
Braylen was thoroughly confused now. “Let’s just leave this topic for later. We’re here to watch the game today, right? Let’s talk about business at the company later.”
He quickly sipped some water, trying to redirect the conversation,
George met Rachel’s eyes, narrowing his gaze.
The game ended soon after, and Braylen found an excuse to slip away.
Herb approached Rachel. “I guess we should head out too.”
“Rachel‘ George followed her, his voice low and controlled. “Your poker skills were pretty impressive just now. How did you do it?”
Rachel smiled innocently. “What are you talking about? I wasn’t cheating.”
“Fine, you don’t have to tell ine. But I know what happened.”
Rachel just chuckled, not offering any explanation.
George continued, “A collaboration between the Fox Group and the Sarrattop Group benefits both sides. I don’t understand why you’re trying to sabotage our partnership
1/3
17:39 Sun, 23 Feb M
Chapter 44
27%
Rachel raised an eyebrow. “What, Mr. Fox, are you feeling threatened? Coming to me with an olive branch? But I think your approach lacks sincerity.”
George’s expression hardened. “Threatened? You’re imagining things. I’m looking out for you. Do you even know what you’re getting into? I’m trying to play it nice, but if you keep digging yourself into a hole, I won’t stop you. But when that time comes, don’t come crying to me.”
Rachel’s smile remained unbothered. “Your ‘niceness‘ is already so aggressive. I’m curious–what kind of ‘threat‘ will you bring next?”
George let out a low, frustrated laugh, realizing that nothing was getting through to her. With a cold glare, he turned and walked off.
Herb, following behind, smirked. “You still got it, huh?”
“It’s nothing,” Rachel said, brushing it off as she strode ahead.
Herb could only shake his head and smile at the spectacle.
smile at the spectacle.
George emerged from the back, his face dark with anger. Callie quickly approached him.
“George, Rachel is going too far. She must have done something to deliberately target me,” Callie fumed, her frustration growing as she replayed everything in her head. She had come here hoping George would notice her, to show him her value by trying to win over Braylen. But now, everything had been ruined by Rachel. And she was the one who ended up looking
like a fool.
George sighed, looking at her with a mixture of disappointment and fatigue. “Callie, you were too impulsive earlier.”
“I…” Callie’s face flushed with indignation, almost as if she might burst into tears.
George couldn’t believe she was still defending Rachel. “But she must be cheating! How else could she win against me?”
Callie’s face was bright red with anger as she tried to hold back tears, her voice trembling. “She’s clearly up to something, George! How can you not see that?”
George’s expression grew even sterner. “You’ve forgotten why we’re here. What you said and did earlier completely went against our original goal.”
George had thought Callie, being the daughter of the Nunez family, would be tactful, that she’d have the emotional intelligence to handle situations better. But now, her behavior seemed immature in comparison to Rachel’s sharpness.
Callie froze, realizing the weight of his words. Ever since she returned to Burenheim City, and especially after George learned of her pregnancy, he had never spoken to her like this.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly covered her face, breaking down. “Do you… do you not like me anymore, George? Are you regretting your divorce from Rachel?”
Seeing her sudden tears, George felt a sharp headache coming on. He walked over and gently placed a hand on her back, trying to comfort her. “No, it’s not like that.”
“But you’ve never been this harsh with me before,” Callie sobbed, looking up at him with tearful eyes.
George sighed deeply. “I was wrong.”
Callie wiped her eyes, still sniffling, and said in a quieter voice, “I know I messed up, but Braylen and my family have a long history. I’ll convince him to partner with the Fox Group. Rachel just played a little trick. You have to trust me.”
George wasn’t so sure. But seeing the hope in her eyes, he reluctantly nodded. “I know.”
2/3
17:40 Sun, 23 Feb M*
Chapter 44
ས ཏྲཱི་ 26%–
+5
Callie wanted to lean into him, seeking comfort, but George suddenly gripped her shoulders firmly. “Rachel is sly. You need to be careful when you deal with her. This time, take it as a lesson. If you run into her again, don’t provoke her.”
His words were meant as advice, but Callie couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being treated like a child. ‘Why is Rachel getting all this attention? Why does George have to warn me about her so seriously?‘
୦
AD
17:40 Sun, 23 Feb MS
Chapter 45
