Hayley Cole’s eyes widened in fear as she looked at the man in front of her, his eyes bloodshot and his face ashen.

This man’s features were twisted, his expression ferocious, as if he were a demon that had escaped from hell. There wasn’t a trace left of the usual gentleness and elegance of James Reed.

"Ah!" Hayley Cole screamed, then felt her reaction was a bit too timid. With her hands on her hips, she questioned, "James Reed, why are you yelling? You scared me!"

"I ask you, who agreed to you severing ties with Frederick Cole? Who approved that?" James Reed had lost his usual composure, stimulated by the series of events.

The news brought by Hayley Cole was no less than the final straw that broke him.

"What, what are you doing?" Hayley Cole struggled uncomfortably, as James Reed’s hands squeezed her shoulders like pliers, causing her acute pain. She even suspected he might crush her shoulder bones.

"Speak! Who approved it? Who let you do this? Huh?" James Reed was in no mood to care if Hayley Cole was in pain; he was on the verge of madness.

"James Reed, you lunatic! Let go of me!" Hayley Cole struggled desperately, but unfortunately, she couldn’t break free. Furious, she lifted her foot and kicked him hard.

James Reed felt the pain and finally released his grip on her.

"You maniac!" Hayley Cole cursed angrily, turned around, and ran away.

In the office, James Reed burst into laughter, laughing until tears came out.

This was simply laughable!

He had worked hard since he was a child, and in the end, this is what he got.

Is this some kind of joke?

Everything is gone!

The Seymour Corporation, Chairman Cole’s support... all of it is gone!

James Reed’s laughter was so chilling, like the laugh of a devil emanating from a desolate graveyard, scaring the employees outside to the point they all ran away, trying to stay as far from James Reed’s office as possible. They were afraid he might lose his mind and come out to harm them.

Quite a few people were already considering resigning; staying in such a company was simply too dangerous.

James Reed’s laughter suddenly stopped, leaving only his angry panting. It sounded just like the unpleasant huffing of an old bellows.

He turned his head, glaring viciously at his desk, as if it were his mortal enemy that killed his father.

James Reed strode to the desk, pulled open the drawer, and took out the business card.

His fingers pressed hard, leaving deep nail marks on the well-made card, then he sneered coldly and picked up the phone, dialing a number. Once the line connected, he said firmly, "We can talk about our deal."

After hanging up, James Reed’s lips curled into a malicious, cold smile, and he muttered neurotically, "Charles Seymour, you forced me into this! You forced me!"

——

"How is it now?" Sophie Wilson asked Lucy Wells, "Feeling better?"

"I’m really fine." Lucy Wells smiled at Sophie Wilson, "I really don’t need to rest. I was a bit scared that day, but... it’s over now, and I’m okay."

Moreover, Sophie insisted she rest at home, and not only did Kai care for her, but even her dad had been concerned about her lately.

He sent over many tonics to her, so many that she suspected her dad had emptied out the store.

Of course, the greatest gain was that her dad was visiting their home more and more frequently, and both her grandmother and mom... seemed to have no objections.