NovelOnline
Chapter 539
When Leanna returned to the company, Freddie was leisurely resting on the couch while humming a
song. He had a euphoric expression on his face.
She placed down her things and sat at her desk. "What's with that expression of yours?"
"Congratulations! You effortlessly received 20 million from Jimmy!"
She paused for a moment upon hearing the glee in his voice. "Have we received the funds?"
"Yes. We received the funds half an hour ago."
"I did not expect him to be so efficient."
He straightened his posture. "You sent your men to watch him closely at every step of the way. How
can he not be efficient? If he had continued to refuse, I would have gone to confront him." Instead, he
added, "What about it? Don't you think you should treat me to a meal after receiving such a pretty
penny?"
She pouted. "Don't you eat here often enough?"
"How can you say that? Can you call the meals here food? The food here can only be considered
sustenance to fill my stomach," he said. "I break my back every single day for the Crossley Group, for
your sake. So, a meal is the least you could do!"
She stretched out her hand and mimed for him to zip it. "Stop right there. You talk as though you don't
have money."
He coughed. "Money is not important. It hurts my feelings when all you talk about is money. With our
relationship, I have to help you even if I don't have any money."
She replied seriously, "In that case, please return my money to me."
He glanced around him. "Wow! We have such great weather today!"
She withdrew her gaze and couldn't be bothered to continue giving him a shred of attention.
A long while passed before Freddie finally spoke again, "Now that things have come to this, how do
you plan to deal with Jimmy?"
"We will first collect evidence of his crimes. He has done many similar things in the past. Although they
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtwere an exchange of benefits where both parties had been willing, that did not mean he could wantonly
and recklessly carry out such acts."
"However, those incidents were carried out when Leroy was still around. The evidence has probably
been destroyed by now. We might not find anything useful."
She shrugged. "We have to search even though it'll most likely be akin to finding a needle in a
haystack. You don't expect us to let him walk away scot-free, do you?"
He tapped his fingers against the armrest of the couch. "I support you 100% if you wish to bring down
scum like Jimmy. However, I need to remind you that he is a veteran employee of the Crossley Group.
For him to climb to his current position, he requires not only the necessary ability but also the countless
means and connections." He paused momentarily before he continued his speech, "What's more, it has
not been long since you entered the Crossley Group, and you've already begun eliminating the people
left behind by Leroy. So, while there are no issues from our point of view, in the eyes of others, it is
inevitable..."
She calmly reassured him, "I understand what you are trying to say. But, have you ever wondered
about the reason why the Crossley Group became what it is today? It's because the corruption began
from the very roots. Leroy was the source of the corruption. If we wish to save the Crossley Group, it is
necessary to remove all the rotten parts. Otherwise, the Crossley Group will continue to rot away, little
by little, until it perishes completely."
He probably did not expect her to speak such grand words. Thus, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
She added, "But you're right. It's only right to celebrate after receiving such a large sum of money.
You've worked hard throughout this period. Please help me organize a gathering of the executives. You
can also decide the location."
"A gathering of the executives? Do you plan to invite Jimmy?"
"Of course. The money came from him. So, isn't it only appropriate to invite him?"
He laughed. "Are you trying to make him explode from rage?"
The corners of her mouth lifted into a smirk. "It's decided then. I'm going to visit my friend tonight, so
please inform the others for me."
He rose to his feet and stretched. "Fine. It's my fault for accepting the salary. Unfortunately, I have to
work since I've already taken your money."
Half an hour later, news of tonight's gathering involving all of Crossley Group's executives spread
throughout the company.
Jimmy had just arrived home when he heard the news. He was so furious that he nearly kicked a hole
in the door. He finally suppressed his rage and issued a command after hurling abuse after abuse at
Leanna. "Convey the message! Nobody is allowed to attend the gathering! If anybody dares to attend,
then they can walk themselves out of the Crossley Group tomorrow morning!"
His assistant beside him stammered, "M-Mr. Ollander, we can control those on our side. But... Those
whom Miss McKinney recruited do not listen to us!"
Jimmy grabbed his assistant by the collar and kicked him harshly. "You f*cking useless good-for-
nothing! Is there nothing you can do if they won't listen to you? If anybody tries to attend, intercept
them on the road and break their legs! Let's see how they attend in that condition!"
"Yes... Yes..."
However, Jimmy did not expect one thing—he was not the only one who had plans. Freddie had also
prepared countermeasures in advance. While his subordinates were waiting beside the cars of these
executives, he had already arranged for a bus to transport everybody away.
After Leanna flounced out from the Crossley Group, she entered the car and called Aidan without any
delay. When he answered the phone, she immediately asked, "When will you get home tonight?"
Aidan's voice was very low. "Hmm?"
"I need to visit Zoe, but I don't know when my visit will end. So, if you have nothing particularly urgent
on your end, you should head home directly."
"Okay."
When she heard the silence on his end, she suddenly had a bad feeling and probed tentatively in a
small voice, "Are you in a meeting?"
There was a pause for several seconds. Then, she heard his amused voice on the phone. "Yeah."
She immediately went silent at his answer. The instant she ended the call, she yelled at no one in
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmparticular, "Next time, don't answer my call if you're in a meeting!"
She huffily tossed her phone to the side, took a deep breath before securing her safety belt, and drove
toward Zoe's residence.
When she arrived downstairs, she thought about buying some fresh fruits and vegetables. However,
she recalled that Daniel had gone to the market this morning. So, she became worried that they might
not finish all the food they bought in time. Eventually, she decided to head upstairs without making a
stopover.
She stood outside the door and pressed the doorbell.
It didn't take long for the door to open. Daniel's figure appeared at the door. "Miss McKinney, why are
you here?"
Leanna replied, "I came to visit Zoe."
Daniel turned sideways and made way for her to pass. "She is in her room. You can go ahead and
enter."
"Okay."
After she entered the house, she found that the whole living room was far brighter than before.
Everything was neat and tidy, and there was no mess in sight. Moreover, a strong aroma lingered in the
air because Daniel was making soup in the kitchen.
Inside the bedroom, Zoe was sitting on the bed and looking out the window with blank eyes.
Leanna closed the door behind her and walked over. "What are you looking at?"
Zoe immediately came back to her senses upon hearing Leanna's voice. "You're finally here, Nana!
Please help me!"
Leanna was puzzled, so she tilted her head in confusion.
Zoe complained weakly, "I've been lying on the bed for the whole day! Daniel won't let me go anywhere
except for the bathroom! I'm so uncomfortable! It feels like my limbs are going to atrophy! At this
moment, I'd be willing even if you asked me to run ten laps around the garden downstairs!"
Leanna sat by the bed and mercilessly rejected her plea, "In your current condition, you should be on
bed rest and recuperating."
"It's only been less than a day, and it's already so torturous! When will this torture end?"
She smiled and promised, "We'll definitely go out and have fun once you've fully recovered."
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