They didn't get how the young people see the relationship, separating and getting back together so frequently. But they decided to discard the thought and focused on the purpose they came to see Nathalia for.

Nicolas suddenly exclaimed excitedly as if he just caught sight of the light of hope, "That's wonderful. I'm sure Mr. Spencer Davidson wouldn't just watch the company go into nothing. Please help us."

​​

Richard continued with a courteous laugh, "We are all a family, a team, aren't we? Let's work together and..."

Spencer sat Nathalia down by the tea table, placed the food and drinks out one by one, and said indifferently, "I won't have anything to do with The Carter's Company, nor will Nathalia. Everyone knows what a mess it is, and you should be ashamed of yourself for asking a nineteen-year-old girl to clean up the mess for you."

Disdain and contempt were conveyed in his tone on his face. Richard sensed it and didn't want to anger Spencer. "Mr. Spencer Davidson, we didn't mean that. We think that Miss Nathalia Carter is competent, and the public trusts her, the shareholders trust her, and we trust her. We believe she's more capable of managing the company than us, and that's why we..."

Wait, this is for everyone's benefit, all the shareholders, including Nathalia Carter herself, and she has got the biggest share! She should be the one worrying the most. This is not right.

Richard started analyzing as he spoke. Spencer cleared his confusion by saying, rather casually, "Frank Carter is faking sick in the hospital, escaping his responsibility. Why don't you question him instead of wasting my Nathalia's time?"

"What?! Fake?!" Nicolas exclaimed. Not again!

Richard was as shocked, "But we've been to see him, and he really looked sick..."

Spencer mocked, "Like he hasn't done it before."

Both Richard and Nicolas started to realize that they had very likely been tricked again by Frank Carter. They grew furious. "What the hell is he thinking?!"

"Isn't it obvious? He doesn't want to take responsibility. Outrageous!"

"Let's get everyone to the hospital and confront him right now!"

Nicolas and Richard left immediately without excusing themselves. They were too furious to remember the usual courtesy.

Nathalia watched them leave. A smile appeared on her face.

"A good show will be on soon." Spencer laughed as he forked a piece of cake to Nathalia. Nathalia took a bite and smiled contentedly.

"He deserves it," Spencer concluded, feeling good. "Indeed." Nathalia nodded and added cheekily, "but he deserves more."

"What have you planned?" Spencer lifted his eyebrows and looked at Nathalia curiously.

"We shall see," Nathalia replied with a mysterious smile.

***

In the luxurious room at the hospital, Frank sat up on the bed, wearing a heavy frown between his brows. "You can't even handle a girl. Useless." He scolded Maria Lawrence.

Maria felt rather unfair, thinking you are just hiding here doing nothing but complaining.

"Well. You know what she's like. She's too cunning. She just won't be persuaded. Perhaps she knows our plot?" Maria said as she recalled how self-conscious and unconfident she felt when Nathalia was around. That girl is too smart, too calculating. She's even frightening.

Frank lifted his eyebrows and glared at Maria. He snapped, "Impossible! How could she have guessed that I'm leaving the mess for her to clear up."

He had had all the documents prepared, all the paper that Nathalia needed to sign, all the proof that would leave her in debt all her life. When she took over the company, it would be the start of her nightmare.

He would then destroy her and bring an end to his biggest concern.

Maria smiled helplessly, thinking, what's the use of a plan, despite how good it is when she's not falling into your trap?!

Just then, someone pushed the door open and rushed in. Frank was about shouting angrily when he saw his favorite assistant Sam hurrying in anxiously. "Mr. Carter! Mr. Carter! We are in trouble!"

Frank sat up with his back straight, nervously, "Calm down! What happened?"

Terror-stricken, Sam stuttered, "It's the news from Europe that the plan failed and it's been announced to the public..."

On hearing so, Frank almost fainted, "How come?! Eddy Baker said it was going well just a couple days ago..."

Eddy Baker was the man in charge of the project, who had a good connection with the governments in Europe and great influence. He was the one that chose the business partners.

"Eddy Baker has gone missing. All the money we invested was taken..." Sam closed his eyes, sighed, and said timidly.

"No!" Maria jumped up and exclaimed. She had invested all her assets in the project. She felt like her world was tumbling down.

Frank almost had a stroke. He sat frozen, his jaw dropped, his eyes wide open. Sam put his hand on Frank's shoulder, tentatively. "Mr. Carter, you ok?"

Suddenly, Frank grabbed Sam's shirt and yelled, "Say it again?! What did you say?" I must have heard it wrong. I must have. He thought to himself, finding it impossible to believe a word Sam said.

Sam looked down at the floor, avoiding eye contact with Frank, and repeated, "Eddy Baker has gone missing. All the money we invested was taken..."

"No! No!" Frank screamed. He was screaming his heart out, screaming like his limbs were being torn off.

Ten billion dollars! All the money I've earned and saved is gone! Gone!

Drops of sweat covered Sam's forehead, but he dared not even wipe it off. "What should we do, Mr. Carter? It's ten billion dollars. It's all gone."

"Find him! Any way you can! Get the money back! Right now." Frank glared at him, with his murderous face on, and bellowed. He was shaking, with immense anger.

How is this possible? All my money. All my money. It's gone!

Sam couldn't wait to escape from the room, the suffocating anger that filled it; however, as soon as he got to the door, he stopped.

Frank yelled behind him, "Go, you stupid fool. What are you standing there for?"

Sam retreated, turned around, his face pale. A group of people followed in.

The shareholders marched in. Seeing Frank sitting on the bed, alive and alright, Nicolas was furious. "So Frank Carter is faking sick again! He's fooled us."