Chapter 418: Chapter 418

Rainie Hawthorne sat in the Hawthorne Family’s self-built red wine cellar, the luxurious old European-style light fixtures reflected shimmering specks of light in the red wine in her glass.

This wine cellar was built during her grandfather’s generation, but starting tomorrow, all the treasured wines here would no longer belong to the Hawthorne Family.

No choice, with the recent state of the family business, they had to mortgage existing assets one by one to make up for the losses.

However, it was still just a drop in the bucket.

Rainie Hawthorne herself wasn’t particularly interested in red wine; she just didn’t like the current situation of the Hawthorne Family, where she had no control.

The phone on the marble countertop suddenly buzzed, Rainie tapped it open with her index finger.

Seeing the message from Anna Thornton, she couldn’t help but smile.

This was the only genuinely happy news she’d received recently.

It seemed her instincts were right, Anna Thornton could so easily access Conrad Sterling’s computer, indicating that the man had no defenses against her.

However, after all, she was just a woman who relied on her looks; her mind couldn’t be too clever.

How could Rainie Hawthorne do a losing business deal?

Given the situation of the Hawthorne Family, the project initially signed with the Sterling Group was definitely not going to be completed.

The project compensation amounted to over a hundred million, which was undoubtedly adding insult to injury for the current Hawthorne Family.

Using half of that amount to buy off Anna Thornton wasn’t just to make her destroy a file.

The USB contained a hidden virus that would automatically implant once it contacted an interface, and now Rainie could remotely monitor the CEO’s work computer at the Sterling Group.

So, never deal with businessmen.

Their calculated profits are always more than the price they’re willing to pay you.

Rainie Hawthorne took out her usual computer from the large backpack she carried with her.

She placed it on the table, opened it, and entered a prearranged key to connect to an overseas voice call.

"Is it done?" a man’s voice came through.

Speaking standard Chinese, his tone didn’t deliberately lower, yet it was already felt like a pressure coming through the internet. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel-fire.ɴet

Rainie almost immediately felt her presence being suppressed, and unconsciously her attitude became respectful—or to be more precise, she was actually afraid.

To the man speaking on the other side, though she couldn’t see his face or know his exact identity, she felt a kind of instinctive fear from deep inside.

"I’ve already had the secretary analyze the data from Conrad Sterling’s computer, and it seems that Sterling Group is currently focused on a project in cooperation with the government. I think we can make a move from this angle."

With the current strength of Sterling Group, Conrad Sterling almost has no rivals domestically. Anyway, the Hawthorne Family can’t compete with him for the project right now, unless the four major families unite, maybe there’s a slight chance.

But for some reason, Rainie felt that the mysterious man on the other end of the computer might have that capability.

Sure enough, after the other party received all the information, there was only a less than five-second silence before he lazily said, "What if we have him collude with foreign forces?"

Hearing this, Rainie instinctively trembled all over.

To be honest, even though the Sterling Group is wealthy and powerful, it ultimately only counts as influential in the business world.

This is Aethelgard, under the Emperor’s feet!

Once given the label mentioned, even a skyscraper could collapse as quickly as it is said.

Ruthless! This move is too ruthless!

The man couldn’t hear Rainie’s immediate response and asked again, "You’re reluctant?"

Although Rainie had once thought about Conrad Sterling, after being rejected that night, she knew she had no chance.

She saw herself as an ambitious businesswoman who stands her ground against men, not someone who loses herself in love.

Though it was rare for her to be interested in a man in over twenty years, Rainie very rationally clarified her priorities and choices.

Love was no match for her dignity, much less the interests of the Hawthorne Family.

"If not, then perform well; make more use of that woman beside Conrad Sterling, she can certainly be a great help!" the man finished speaking and abruptly cut off the voice communication.

This left Rainie still contemplating how to maneuver to include someone as smart as Conrad Sterling in her plans.

This was her and the Hawthorne Family’s only chance!

Since the moment this mysterious man contacted her, Rainie knew that collaborating with him was the only hope for the Hawthorne Family to rebound.

Even though she didn’t know the man’s identity.

If Anna Thornton were here, she could tell that the man speaking perfect Chinese on the other side, wasn’t he the perverted Smith?

Although Smith had to leave early last time due to being tied up with urgent matters, not even sparring with Conrad Sterling.

But his ambition for trouble wouldn’t stop.

Hence this time, he played dirty!

"Miss Thornton, thank you for your help. Here is the remaining half of your payment!"

In accordance with the agreement, Rainie Hawthorne handed the remaining check to Anna Thornton.

At the same time, Rainie proposed, "I wonder if Miss Thornton is interested in another bigger deal?"

"Oh? Let me hear about it."

Anna Thornton took the money for betraying Conrad Sterling without any sense of burden.

Seeing her this way, Rainie was certain she had no feelings for President Sterling.

So she confidently said, "Actually, this time it’s very simple too; Miss Thornton just needs to place something in President Sterling’s office."

"I’ll sort out the specifics and give them to you then. The payment this time is five times the last one, and it will be paid half upfront as well."

Upon hearing this, Anna squinted slightly, tapping on the table: "Miss Hawthorne, if I remember correctly, I asked you last time about being able to give me two checks. Aren’t you tightening your belt now? This time you’re offering five times more, have you sold the Hawthorne’s old residence?"

The Hawthorne Family got wealthy relatively early, coupled with thriving in real estate, catching the favorable rise in property prices.

Considering the area and location of the Hawthorne Residence, selling it now at a high price wouldn’t be a problem.

But the old residences of the four major families in Aethelgard symbolize status, and they wouldn’t be easily sold unless it was an absolute necessity.

Sure enough, seeing Rainie shake her head, Anna Thornton said, "That’s not necessary! Miss Thornton, rest assured, if I can offer you this price, I’ll definitely afford it!"

"From your tone, Miss Hawthorne, you’ve found a big backer?"

Regarding Anna Thornton’s inquiry, Rainie gave a noncommittal smile: "Miss Thornton, that’s all for today. Talking to you for too long, I worry it might attract attention, which wouldn’t be good for you."

Rainie said this, got up to leave, "By the way, today’s meal is Western cuisine, just for a change of taste. I’ve already paid the bill, enjoy!"

"Wait!" Anna Thornton called after her, "You don’t really think Conrad Sterling doesn’t know, do you?"