Chapter 1135:

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“I believe we share a common interest, Candice. Milton turned his back on you, and I’m sure that didn’t sit well with you. Is your return an attempt to exact revenge? I’ve heard about your involvement in the thorough investigation of the Olson family and the arrest of their heirs. It seems your actions are all aimed at undermining Milton, dissolving his engagement, and stripping him of power. Your goal is to force him to yield and return to your side, am I right?” Bart said directly.

Candice, adept at concealing her emotions, maintained her composure. At that very moment, a waiter arrived, bearing two cups of coffee, one for each of them.

Candice delicately lifted her iced Americano and took a sip through a straw. The icy bitterness slid down her throat, sharpening her senses. Noticing her silence, Bart pushed forward, “We both have a vested interest in this. Candice, I know you’re digging deep into Royal Garden Corporation’s internal affairs. Frankly, the Royal Garden Corporation is riddled with problems, but it’s like finding a needle in a haystack when you’re casting such a wide net. I can guide you.

Given our shared interests, I can establish an international investment company and become its CEO, while you can exploit the direction I provide. When you pinpoint the corporation’s flaws, you can press for Milton’s impeachment.”

“And then you ascend to the role of Royal Garden Corporation’s president. Is that your vision?” Candice took another sip of her iced Americano and asked.

“Everyone takes what they want. I can have what I want, and you can have him. Is that not a win-win scenario?” Bart took a contemplative sip of his Blue Mountain coffee, his gaze darkening like the rich brew. As he pondered his possible ascent to the presidency, he couldn’t help but visualize Bettina forever under his sway. Not even the formidable Reeves family could defy him or stand against him.

“What do you say?” Bart asked confidently.

A sly smile graced Candice’s lips. Her grin held a subtle undercurrent of derision.

“Why bother with such elaborate schemes? I’d much rather see you reset to ground zero, back to the man you were when you first crossed paths with Betty. A fitting conclusion, don’t you think? It would serve both Betty and me well.”

With that, Candice abruptly rose from her seat, casting her gaze down at Bart.

gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰𝗈𝗺 – 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝖘𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝗶𝗻

“It’s all quite amusing, really. What sort of collaboration could we possibly have? And why would I spare the man who tormented Betty? Since your history with her began in such a way, it’s only poetic justice that it ends the same way.”

Bart’s face darkened instantly. He hadn’t expected Candice’s words to cut him to the quick.

Bart took a deep breath and said, “Candy, you love joking. When did I torture Betty? It was a mutual agreement between consenting adults. She never once refused. Haven’t your friends told you? She initiated our encounters. I’ve never forced her. She’s been more enthusiastic than anyone else. It’s been hard for me to resist.”

Candice didn’t respond but clenched her fists even tighter. Trying to reason with Bart on this topic seemed pointless. In men’s eyes, if a woman made the first move, it was all fair game. Unsolicited love was seen as worthless, and Candice was well aware of it.

Candice sneered and pulled a file from her bag.

“I’ve been meaning to give this to you for a while, but the right moment never came up. I’ve heard you have quite the entourage of women these days. Men might have poor judgment sometimes, so I did a little investigation for you.”

Candice tossed the file in front of Bart and pointed at it.

“Lena Carter, your newest secretary. She hails from Liseon and has only been in Ploville for less than three years. Her profile may suggest innocence, but that’s far from the truth. Take a closer look. She’s the top hooker at every nightclub in Liseon. Do you not find such a woman repulsive?”

Bart blinked, looking at Lena’s detailed background in the file. He had overlooked the investigation of her past. At this moment, he felt embarrassed.

“Just fire her.” Candice brushed past Bart.

“Mr. Glyn, there’s a notion you should remember. An enemy’s enemy is still an enemy. A friend’s enemy is even more so, and they’ll never be a friend.” With those words, Candice left the cafe.

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