Chapter 42: Chapter 42: As Expected of You

Then, a line of text flashed on the screen, instantly plunging the entire conference room into a dead silence.

Lawrence Group: Willing to donate half of the company’s assets to support the government and join hands with the people to overcome these harsh times.

A series of sharp hisses and gasps echoed through the room as everyone stared at the line, utterly dumbfounded.

’Half the company’s assets? Not half the profits, not just some supplies, but a solid half of the company’s entire assets. That was like handing over half the Lawrence Group’s empire! Did Vincent Lawrence have this much nerve? Was he insane?’

All eyes turned to Vincent Lawrence. The man, in his early fifties, remained seated with perfect composure, his back straight. The lines on his forehead and at the corners of his eyes spoke not of the ravages of time, but of the calm and foresight forged by a lifetime navigating the tumultuous seas of business. His expression was placid, as if he had just done something perfectly ordinary.

Beside him, Elliot Lawrence unconsciously straightened his back, his face beaming with vicarious pride. Sue Lawrence, meanwhile, raised the corners of her lips in a composed and relieved smile.

’We’ve already finished stockpiling supplies, and the gold Wyatt Sterling promised will be delivered to the Lawrence Family soon. The remaining assets would have been difficult to liquidate quickly anyway. By doing this, we’ve not only done the government a huge favor but also earned a reputation for being responsible and visionary. More importantly, it will help the Lawrence Family build enough connections and prestige for the apocalypse. It kills multiple birds with one stone.’

’Dad! You’re truly one of a kind!’

Sue couldn’t help but give her dear father a thousand likes in her heart, wishing she could stand up and applaud on the spot. This move was simply brilliant!

Meanwhile, Jason Sterling’s expression had completely darkened, and he frowned with resentment.

’I thought the Sterling Group’s two million was already a lot,’ he thought. ’But the Lawrence Group does something even more shocking, giving up half their assets?’

"Alright, everyone, no need to be so formal," Marcus Morgan announced. "It’s time for lunch. Let’s all have something to eat and take a break."

Soon, food carts were rolled in, with a boxed meal for each person and drinks available for self-service. Everyone was now free to move about.

Felix Norris took his meal box and sat down next to Wyatt Sterling, whispering, "That old fox Vincent Lawrence, what in the world is he plotting?"

Wyatt Sterling was also furious, but he knew deep down that he didn’t have any more money to give. This was all he could do for now.

Besides, with two million, he was still second on Stellaport’s list of donors!

"After the meeting, go sound out Vincent Lawrence."

Wyatt Sterling ordered coldly.

The two of them whispered to each other, unaware that Sue had been using her Superpower the whole time, watching their every move.

’So Felix Norris really is on Wyatt Sterling’s side,’ she mused. ’That makes sense. Tia Norris is also at the company and always sticks with Jason Sterling. Naturally, Tia’s father would side with Wyatt Sterling.’

"Dad, trouble’s here," she said.

She mumbled without looking up, chewing on a piece of sweet and sour pork rib.

Vincent Lawrence didn’t look up either, continuing to eat. "I know. That Perception you gave me is a good thing. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but I can tell just by looking that those two are up to no good."

Elliot Lawrence also kept his head down, pretending to eat while muttering, "Hmph, I told you long ago, Jason Sterling is nowhere near good enough for my sister. He’s a piece of trash!"

Hearing this, the father and daughter duo looked up at him in unison, thinking, ’Back then, you were all "brother-in-law" this and "brother-in-law" that. You were practically ready to let him walk all over us.’

Elliot looked completely bewildered, instinctively covering his meal box. "What are you looking at me for? I’m not sharing my sweet and sour pork ribs!"

Jayden Sterling had been watching the family’s interaction the entire time.

After a long moment, his face darkened. "Bro," he said in a low voice, "are you sure Sue Lawrence isn’t reborn?"

"What do you mean?"

"Otherwise, why would Vincent Lawrence suddenly offer up half his company’s assets? Think about it. They said they were going to invest in new industries, but there hasn’t been a whisper of any investment. Instead, they’ve been liquidating assets. And now they’re donating half the company?" Jayden’s gaze fell hauntingly on Sue. "How can there be so many coincidences in this world, hmm?"

Jason Sterling’s heart skipped a beat.

He frowned in thought, then pulled out his phone and opened his chat with the private investigator.

On the screen were a location and photos sent an hour ago, showing a crystal-clear shot of Sue’s back and profile as she entered the municipal building.

’Sue was reborn too?’

’That couldn’t be right. The PI had been tailing Sue for over ten days and hadn’t noticed anything unusual. He hadn’t even seen her stockpiling groceries. The only recent trip was to the supermarket today, and that was after the news had mentioned stockpiling three times and everyone was panic-buying...’

Had he really missed something? Spurred by Jayden’s words, the unease in his heart grew and grew, eventually becoming immense.

Jason Sterling finally lost his composure and sent a direct message to the private investigator: "Where are you? Come meet me after the meeting. I need to talk to you in person."

Vivian Young, who was in the middle of drinking coffee: !!!

"PFFT!!!"

Vivian Young’s heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and it began to pound erratically. Her fingertips were so cold she could barely hold her napkin. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

’Why does he suddenly want to meet, out of the blue?’

Her mind went blank, filled with nothing but looping waves of fear.

’Jason Sterling has met me before! The Sterling kid used to run over to the Lawrence house almost every day, calling me "Miss Young" sweeter than anyone. Later on, he followed Sue around, sticking so close to me you’d think he was about to call me "Mom"!’

’It’s one thing to pretend to be strangers through a screen, but if we meet in person, wouldn’t a familiar glance or an unconscious slip of the tongue expose me instantly?’

Her breathing grew ragged. Unaware that she’d smeared coffee on the corner of her mouth, she wiped at it haphazardly with her napkin. In her panic, she stared at the message on her phone, quickly took a screenshot, and sent it to Sue.

[Mom]: Sue! What do I do, what do I do, what do I do!

Sue had just picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork rib. The moment her phone vibrated, she instinctively opened it. The instant she saw the message, the meat in her mouth suddenly lost all its flavor.

She frowned. ’Jason Sterling’s luck has already dropped below 0.5 points. How can he keep having these moments of clarity, as sharp as a venomous snake waiting to strike back?’

"What’s wrong?" Elliot and Vincent, who were beside her, craned their necks almost simultaneously. The father and son’s gazes fell on her suddenly somber face, and they both sensed that something was amiss.

Sue turned her phone screen toward them. "That animal over there is getting suspicious again. He’s even demanding a meeting!"

The chat history on the screen was plain to see, and the brows of both father and son instantly furrowed into knots.

"Jason Sterling knows your mother," Vincent Lawrence said, his voice low and grave.

"It’s more than just ’knows’."

Sue sneered and irritably shoveled a mouthful of cabbage into her mouth. "This damn mutt just won’t go away! Why isn’t the apocalypse here yet? The second it arrives, he’ll be the first thing I slaughter. That’ll stop him from running his mouth!"