Chapter 6
634words
By morning, "Chen Group Caught Short-Selling Howard Corporation" dominated financial headlines.
Though the reports didn't explicitly name Ethan Lane, the phrase "Chen and Lane conspiracy" was enough to spook investors.
Lane Group's stock, which had soared after acquiring Howard Group, plummeted when markets opened.
I knew Ethan must be panicking.
He'd suspect me, certainly, but he had no proof.
His most pressing concern would be damage control with his "ally"—Mr. Chen.
I intended to drive a wedge between them.
Sure enough, that afternoon my phone rang with an unknown number.
"Miss Howard?"
The voice sounded vaguely familiar.
"Who's calling?" I asked.
"Frank Chen from Chen Group."
Mr. Chen—the fish had taken the bait.
"Mr. Chen, what can I do for you?" I kept my voice steady.
"Miss Howard, let's cut to the chase. Today's news was your doing, wasn't it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Chen."
"Nina Howard!" Frank Chen's voice grew agitated. "I know you hate Ethan Lane—well, I've been screwed by him too! We have a common enemy!"
"Oh? What makes you say that?" I feigned confusion.
"That backstabbing bastard! He promised we'd split Howard Group's assets fifty-fifty! Now he wants everything! After today's news, my company's stock nearly hit limit-down! This has to be his scheme to force me out!"
I nearly laughed aloud.
Typical selfish businessman.
Always acting purely in self-interest.
Ethan never imagined that before he could deal with me, his own ally would stab him in the back.
"So what exactly do you want, Mr. Chen?"
"Let's join forces!" Frank Chen declared. "You must have dirt on Ethan Lane, right? Give it to me, and I'll destroy him! Afterward, I'll give you half of Howard Group's assets!"
Give me half?
How generous.
My own birthright had become his bargaining chip.
"Mr. Chen, why should I trust you?"
"Because right now I want Ethan Lane's head on a spike even more than you do!" Frank Chen's voice dripped with venom. "He played me for a fool, and I'll make damn sure he pays for it!"
"Fine," I didn't hesitate. "I can give you something. But not yet."
"What do you mean?"
"Ethan's convening a Shareholders Meeting next week to announce his integration plan for Howard Group. I want you to help me give him a special surprise that day."
I paused, then added:
"As for my price—it's not half of Howard Group. It's ten percent of Chen Group shares."
Silence fell on the line.
Frank Chen clearly hadn't expected such a demand.
"Nina Howard, have you lost your damn mind?!"
"Lost my mind? Compared to you, Mr. Chen—who tried to steal someone else's company only to be outplayed—I'd say I'm thinking quite clearly."
I smiled and calmly cast my line.
"My brother's cloud storage contains more than just that video. There's another clip where Ethan tells his confidant that Chen Group has massive financial vulnerabilities, and after finishing with the Howards, you're next on his hit list."
"He said he's looking forward to watching you being escorted from your office in handcuffs."
"You…" Frank Chen's breathing instantly grew heavy.
I knew he believed me.
Because Ethan Lane was exactly that kind of person.
"Ten percent of your shares in exchange for saving your entire company—surely you can do that math, Mr. Chen?"
After a long pause, his voice returned, teeth clearly gritted.
"Fine. I agree!"
"Pleasure doing business with you."
I hung up and deleted the call log.
I exited the phone booth and gazed up at Lane Group's massive billboard.
On it, Ethan Lane smiled with confidence and vigor.
I took out my phone, aimed it at his face, and snapped a photo.
Then I sent it to K.
"Find out exactly which 'facility' my mother is in."
