Chapter 10: Why Should She Let Someone Pull Her Strings?

Eliana furrowed her brows, immediately sensing Jeremy's pressure tactics. She remembered his past proposal, how he had urged her to prove her worth to Randall with the cases he gave her. She remember she said, "The credits are yours, not mine." "Silly girl. Having a good husband is your credit." Then, she giggled, "Don't say that too early. I might marry to someone else!" Now, that jest became the damn reality. "You've been together over a decade, knowing each other inside out. You never minded his status as a bastard child, yet he betrays you first," Colin grumbled, feeling mad for his niece. Jeremy was growing without parents. It was Colin and Eliana who stayed with him. They were a perfect couple in everyone's eyes. How could someone change so dramatically? Colin couldn't figure it out. Setting her phone aside, Eliana resolved, "I'm not going to see him." She wasn't one to be manipulated. Why should she let someone pull her strings? Jeremy, if you think you could threaten me with your little tricks, you have no idea what I'm capable of. "What about the contracts? If your father learns you've lost three, he'll push your stepmother into power." Colin pointed out, worried yet pragmatic. "I'll renegotiate three new collaborations. Even without Jeremy's help, I can manage," Eliana declared, collecting the contracts. "Uncle, get ready." "For what?" Colin asked, puzzled. "Riding attire." With that, Eliana headed to the dressing room. Colin remained bewildered. With pressing matters at hand, why focus on horseback riding? Once both were dressed, they left the company. ... The Hoffman Riding Club was elite, its membership fee hefty. Eliana gritted her teeth when paying the fee. In riding attire, Eliana's graceful figure stood out. Colin commented her bizarre behavior in a thoughtful tone, "People do odd things after heartbreak. Spending your fortune on riding makes sense." Eliana met his gaze. "Uncle Colin, your intellect was the reason Dad seized your assets successfully. Of course, I'm not here to ride a stupid horse. I'm here to find someone." Colin had been abroad for years. Had Randall not stripped the Maxwell family's resources, he wouldn't have returned. Upon his LA return, it was too late. Despite his place in Griffith's Enterprise, Camille's influence loomed large. "H&X Group had a switch in its owner. We can offer what was Wilkinson's products before," said Eliana. Colin was still concerned. "But why would they agree?" "I won't know until I try. Giving up isn't my style," Eliana replied confidently. Meanwhile, in another lounge, Chase perused materials on the acting CEO. The face in the photo was none other than Eliana's ex—Jeremy Wilkinson. How did someone like him become the acting CEO chosen by Uncle? "Mr. Wilkinson, Jeremy's at the door." Chase furrowed his brows slightly. "Let him in." ... Eliana rode into the horse farm and immediately saw the new CEO of H&X Group. The woman had her hair tied up high, slint eyes, a high nose, and a standard broad face. She wasn't exactly beautiful, but she exuded an air of nobility. It was said that the former CEO of H&X Group had three sons and one daughter, Margaret Hardy. When he retired, he handed over the position to his eldest daughter, which was rare in this industry. Seeing her alone, Eliana rode over. She might not have been in the business circle for long, but she had realized a big truth: in business, you have to be bold. Being meek and submissive is not as effective. After introducing herself, she expressed her desire to cooperate. Margaret smiled faintly upon hearing this. "I appreciate your self-recommendation, but we have no experience collaborating with small companies. We have many candidates, and your company does not meet our standards." Eliana felt disappointed. She had started with enthusiasm but ended up with nothing. The other party looked down on her small company that hadn't even made it to the Fortune 500 list. Before she could respond, Margaret rode away. The company's lack of progress over the years was really not her fault. Ever since Camille took over, the company had not progressed at all. Every time she faced Randall, she would cry and lament how much efforts she had paid into the company. In reality, she had been doing everything she could to empty the coffers. There was no point in clinging to someone who had clearly rejected her. As Eliana thought about how to proceed, she heard screams behind her. When she turned around, she saw Margaret's horse panicking and rampaging in the sand arena. Margaret's figure was swaying on the horse's back, on the verge of falling off at any moment. Colin noticed from afar and hurriedly shouted, "I'll call for help. Don't go over there; it's dangerous." "There's no time to call for help." Eliana immediately turned her horse around and ran towards them. It was difficult to get close because the horse was so unruly; its powerful hind legs kicked out at anyone who approached. "Ms. Hardy, hurry, jump over!" Eliana shouted as she got closer. At this point, they had no choice but to abandon the horse. Margaret managed to leap over to Eliana's horseback. Both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, the frantic horse charged towards them again. Eliana urged her horse to run, and just as the mad horse was about to collide with them, a figure on horseback galloped in between them, giving them time to escape. Eliana found a vacant spot to steady her horse. Both of them were covered in sweat by the time they dismounted. Initially tense, they found themselves laughing when their eyes met. After the ordeal, they walked back leading their horses. Margaret felt a sense of guilt she couldn't quite explain. Just moments ago, she had looked down on Eliana's small company, but now Eliana had saved her life. It was ironic. "Give me your contact information. I agree to the collaboration you proposed," Margaret said. Eliana looked at her earnestly. "I'm not asking for your charity, and I didn't save you just to get your cooperation. I would have done the same for anyone. Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Hardy." With that, she led her horse back. As she glanced back at the person who had helped them earlier, she recognized the tall figure standing beside the frantic horse. He was wearing a suit, his shirt slightly disheveled, but it didn't detract from his proud and handsome aura. It was Chase!