"Why?"


    I looked at Ss in confusion. My heart ached uncontrobly. Jay Caldwell & Co. was a business under Pete. Nichs wouldn''t dare offend Pete no matter how reckless he was. Besides, dealing with the Shelmans'' elders was no easy task, and Pete''s older brother would help out.


    Ss forced a smile. "Ariana, don''t you know why Jay Caldwell & Co. exists?"N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    His words struck my heart like a sledgehammer, and my vision of him became blurry. He looked like he was about to say something, but ended up only letting out a faint sigh.


    "Let me take you back, Ariana." Ss reached for my arm, but I shook him off.


    I controlled my rage with great effort and spoke to him calmly. "I''ll go find Pete."


    I couldn''t let Jay Caldwell & Co. go under because of me. Nichs'' methods of revenge were too petty. Pete, despite his grievances against me, wouldn''t y games with so many people''s livelihoods,


    Smiling, Ss said, "Ariana, thepensation Pete offered is beyond what you can imagine. Otherwise, why do you think none of thewyers at the firm are causing a fuss?"


    His calmness surprised me. "Did you know this would happen?"


    He shook his head. "I only knew it after meeting you."


    "Didn''t you ever try to negotiate? You''re close with him."


    "I do feel disappointed, but I don''tck opportunities. I just can''t give him the things he wants."


    His voice was emotionless. "When I first met him, he was just a wealthy scion who knew nothing but spending his family''s money. Now, he''s a serious businessman. How long do you think he''ll offer a losing deal?" "You''ve never let him make a loss!" I was certain of that.


    Who was Ss? No matter where he was ced, he''d make waves. Yasmine''s admiration for him wasn''t just because he was her superior.


    Ss spoke softly. "Ariana, you''ll understand in the future."


    I stared into his eyes. At that moment, he was hiding his emotions well. I didn''t want to only understand in the future. All I knew was that I had dragged Yasmine into this mess.


    Her family was just a typical family with a higher educational background. With her parents retiring, they were already on the decline. If she lost her job, how would she hold her head up at home? "Ss, go back yourself. I''m going to find Pete," I said firmly.


    "Why are you so stubborn, Ariana?" Ss sighed. "You can''t give him what he wants either. What will you use to negotiate with him?"


    "What does he want?" I asked, but Ss only shook his head in response.


    Eventually, Ss dragged me into the car. My head felt like it was about to explode.


    There was no progress on udia''s case, Nichs was tightening the pressure, and now I had to worry about my childhood nemesis.


    That night, I received news that udia had fainted in fail. Nichs had urgently balled her out and sent her to the hospital. Her wound had inexplicably torn open and Infected.


    Nichs called me in a fury. "If something happens to udia, I''ll make sure you pay for it!"