I gazed at As''s handsome profile, feeling like I was falling in love all over again.


    "I finally understand why Liora has been keeping a low profiletely." I smiled contentedly.


    "Yeah, because she''s lost her confidence. After Melvern cut off the funding, Liora''s ns took a major hit. She feels the crisis and wants to liquidate her remaining assets as quickly as possible. What else does she have left?" As chuckled, his smile charming.


    "She only has Ardora left."


    "Exactly! She intended to hand Ardora over to Melvern, but he refused. However, Melvern did release his shares, all because Liora threatened him. If he didn''tply, she would attract more funds and dilute his ownership."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "Liorapletely manipted Matthew and Mnie. They walked right into this mess themselves," I said.


    "Once Matthew got caught in Liora''s trap, he lost all autonomy. That''s why he handed over Muborough to Mnie to manage. Mnie was the one acting out and disrupting their peaceful lives. So, Matthew used Muborough to control her, a temporary solution to deal with her antics."


    I was utterly confused. Things were getting more convoluted by the minute.


    "In fact, Matthew has been doing everything to protect Ardora. He''s probably afraid of devaluation." I sighed.


    "If that happens, Matthew will have nothing. Prior to this, Matthew brought in a sizable seven million dors, along with funds from other investors Liora enlisted. Matthew agreed to invest these funds in Ardora through the issuance of shares.


    "That was just a pie in the sky that Liora painted for Matthew. She must have fooled him big time." I rolled my eyes as I spoke.


    As reached out and pinched my cheek, asking softly, "Upset?"


    I immediately red at him. "Nonsense!"


    He grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth. "Do you know how much Liora gained from empty-handedly deceiving him?"


    "How much?" I was curious now. I realized I knew too little about Ardora, and As had the whole picture.


    I had to admit that, without As, I would be utterly lost. I didn''t know Liora''s background or her ruthless tactics, while As had a clear train of thought.


    "15 percent! She obtained it through project investment, with Keegan owning 8 percent and the sisters owning 23 percent. It''s nearly a quarter As soon as she got it, she transferred this acquired stake to Melvern."


    "Good grief!" I eximed.


    As looked at me with a smile.


    "Melvern invested, seeing through Liora''s game n. Once he understood the situation, he woke Liora up from her dream. If she


    didn''t return the funds, Melveri


    would retaliate. But this retaliation would be fatal for Liora and the Thompson family."


    "She''s caught between a rock and a hard ce." I sighed. "Isn''t Melvern being too stingy?"


    "He''s definitely not stingy. He has other ns," As said casually.


    "My goodness, it''s soplicated! So, Melvern and Liora are at odds now?" I finally grasped that point.


    As nodded decisively.


    "Liora released Mnie to buy some time because, with Matthew acquitted, she has no other way out under Melvern''s pressure."


    "That''s clever, but not the whole story."


    I felt my brain working overtime. Suddenly, I asked As a daring question. "Do you think...Liora and Felix have been friends for many years?" "Yes." As nodded affirmatively.


    I looked at As, and questions swirled in my mind. Finally, feeling a little nosy, I asked my question...