"Silly girl!" Kris Cooper reached out his arm and pulled Vera Wave into his embrace, his large hand ruffling her hair. "The Holland consortium always wanted to take us down. Even without Nathan Leafcastle, they’d have found another way. Just as well, I’ll make sure they end up with nothing for their efforts!"

Her face leaned against his shoulder, and Vera gently pinched the fabric of his shirt, nodding softly.

Her brows gradually knitted together. The confrontation between Kris Cooper and Nathan Leafcastle was the last thing she wanted to see.

Now, it seemed inevitable. She had done everything she could, and what would happen next was beyond her influence.

Kris Cooper had already given Nathan Leafcastle several chances, yet he continued to target Ashton. Vera had to clearly state her position now.

But, he was once a childhood friend who had even saved her life.

"Kris..." She slowly lifted her face, "I... I..."

Kris Cooper understood her without needing her to say much, already knowing her thoughts.

"Don’t worry, I’ll leave him with a way out. As long as he doesn’t keep pestering, I won’t eradicate him. Consider it as repaying the favor you owe him."

With arms wrapped around him, she hugged him gratefully.

"Thank you, hubby."

"However, let me make it clear!" Kris Cooper held her tightly, "Just in case, you still need to be cautious of him, understand?"

She nodded in his embrace without saying anything further. Kris Cooper merely patted her back gently, rocking her slightly like coaxing a child.

The warmth of his arms and the firmness of his broad chest soon lulled her into a drowsy state, and she quickly fell into a deep sleep under his comfort.

After settling her onto the pillow, Kris Cooper turned off the bedside lamp and lay down beside her.

In the darkness, he didn’t sleep, instead laying with open eyes, lost in thought.

Dealing with this situation in a way that both protected Ashton and didn’t put Vera in too difficult a position wasn’t going to be easy.

...

...

Nathan Leafcastle’s actions were quicker than Kris Cooper had imagined.

The next morning, Kris Cooper and Vera went to an event together. After lunch, they returned to the company and received a call from Tommy Taylor just as they got out of the car.

"Nathan Leafcastle is upstairs. What do you think...?"

This guy certainly acts fast!

Kris Cooper pondered briefly, "Tell him I’ll be up right away." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As he hung up, their car had already stopped at the entrance. He got out with Vera and headed into the elevator, directly pressing the button for her floor.

"Nathan Leafcastle is up there; you should stay here."

Vera nodded gently. At this point, she wasn’t sure how to face Nathan Leafcastle anymore.

Seeing her off to her floor and watching her walk away, Kris Cooper then continued upstairs to the top-floor meeting room.

Inside, besides Nathan Leafcastle was Sally Dalton.

"Sorry to keep you both waiting." Kris Cooper took a bold seat, slightly raising his chin, and spoke arrogantly, "What brings you here, Mr. Leafcastle?"

Nathan Leafcastle’s eyes showed a touch of coldness as he retained his calm gaze.

"We’ve come to discuss a business deal with Mr. Cooper."

"A business deal?" Kris Cooper sat up straight, "Do we even have business worth discussing?"

"As I understand it, your company is also considering bidding on the Jade River project. To be frank, Barker is doing the same." Nathan Leafcastle spread his hands slightly, "I imagine Mr. Cooper’s excellent network is aware of how many eyes are on this project, and all of us are equally matched."