My words were sharp, and I knew it. But I intentionally chose to speak this way.


    "I really want to transfer those shares to you, Ms. Chloe. After all, moving forward, I hope to have a long-term partnership with Tanum. I''ve carefully weighed the pros and cons, and Tanum is more than capable of meeting my requirements. So, I find that my previous blind investment was quite naive."


    "There''s no need for me to correct your mistake," I said bluntly.


    "I don''t want you to do that. But I think you''ll have some ideas for Ardora." Melvern was trying to convince me.


    Who did he think he was? Did he think I was a fool he could manipte at will? Even if I were interested in Ardora, this wouldn''t be how I acquired it.


    Ridiculous! What was he thinking?


    "I don''t know what you''re thinking, but I know myself! I believe you also know I''ve never been interested in anything that belongs to someone else, especially Ardora. I don''t intend to work with Liora."


    I spoke candidly, "It seems as though there''s a reason why you''re doing this, Mr. Melvern."


    Melvern smiled mysteriously, "You''re overthinking it, Ms. Chloe. I''ve weighed my options, and I believe it would be best for Tanum to take over Ardora."


    I chuckled and scoffed. "You''ve weighed your options? Since when did Tanum be so attractive to you, Mr. Melvern?"? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    His face turned slightly red. He was clearly embarrassed, but he smiled. "You''re very straightforward. I like your character. You never hide what you''re thinking, which allows us to have frank discussions. So, that''s one of the reasons why I see potential in working with you."


    He wrapped up his words withpliments.


    "ttery! But I''m not very fond of your style. Someone else is always targeting you. It''s unsettling!" I said bluntly. "Ardora is too chaotic right now, and your actions have


    tarnished its reputation. I might have considered Ardora before this, but not anymore.


    "More importantly, I don''t want to be associated with someone like Liora. With Matthew in the past and now Liora, Ardora is taboo for me. It''s better to keep a distance and avoid unnecessary trouble. I don''t have time for disputes."


    My words were undeniably harsh andcked any semnce of mercy. "My apologies, Mr. Melvern, but you can''t me me for being direct."


    "Well... okay." Melvern forced a


    smile. "Perhaps I didn''t n this very


    well. If you ever consider taking over


    Ardora, we can discuss it then. I''m


    not in a hurry to offload these


    shares. Besides, no one else


    deserves to have Ardora.".


    "You overestimate it, Mr. Melvern. In my eyes, Ardora is worthless." I stated bluntly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.


    That was a genuine statement. My projects had significantly surpassed Ardora. What was once a beautiful song had been shattered by Liora and Matthew. Why should I clean up their mess? Matthew had already paid a heavy price, and the Murphy family had lost everything. Did I really need Ardora?


    I didn''t know what Melvern was thinking, but if I took over, I''d be left holding a hot potato. I wasn''t going to y into his hands. That was why I said Ardora was worthless to me.


    The atmosphere was awkward. Someone knocked on the door just as we were caught in the ufortable silence. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Arnold walked in with a smile.