Chapter 1431: Chapter 1431

Veronica frowned in annoyance. “How is the Blanchet family being selfish?”

Bartlett replied sternly, “Your brother has been missing for years without a trace. He never married Ellinor, yet now you want to keep her tied to your family. You expect her to raise the kids and manage the company without allowing her to start a new life. Don’t you think that’s being selfish?”

Caught off guard, Veronica gritted her teeth. “My brother is just temporarily unavailable. He’s not dead!

He will return one day!”

Bartlett smirked coldly. “If he was going to return, he would have by now. He would never leave Ellinor and the kids here without a word, right?”

Veronica couldn’t argue with Bartlett/ so she blocked his way instead.

“Your words mean nothing! This is the Blanchet Corporation, and if I don’t want you in, you’re not getting in!”

Bartlett leaned in closer. “You won’t let me in? Then I might just have to make a move on you.”

Veronica, fearless, retorted. “What? You dare hit me on Blanchet territory?”

Bartlett leaned in until his breath could touch her face. “I won’t hit you. If you won’t let me pursue Ellinor, then I might just pursue you instead. After all, Miss Veronica, you’re becoming more charming. I don’t mind changing targets.”

With that, his hand lifted Véronica’s chin.

Veronica, who had feelings for another man, was caught off–guard by his touch and instinctively backed away.

This gave Bartlett the opportunity to enter the CEO’s office.

By the time Veronica reacted, it was too late, which left her fuming.

Ellinor was busy typing on her keyboard when she heard someone enter. Assuming it was Veronica, she asked, “Back again? What else do you need?”

Bartlett smiled. “Busy, Ellinor?”

After hearing Bartlett’s voice, Ellinor stopped typing and looked up.

“Why are you here?”

Her tone and expression made it clear that she wasn’t thrilled to see him..

Bartlett, used to her cold reception, pulled out the chair opposite her desk and sat down. “Just checking in on you. How did things go with the old shareholders of the Blanchet Corporation? Did they give you a hard time?”

Ellinor’s gaze returned to her computer screen as she replied casually. “They’re manageable. They are nothing I can’t handle.”

Bartlett admired her work ethic. “Ellinor, honestly, are you okay with staying with the Blanchet family and working for them for free?”

Ellinor continued to type. “What do you mean? I’m not working for free. I receive a salary.”

Bartlett chuckled. “Have you ever heard of a CEO who only gets a salary? Ellinor, you’re working harder than a horse but eating less than a cat. Doesn’t that seem foolish?”

Ellinor was unfazed. “Is it necessary to keep an account of everything in one’s own family?”

Hearing her refer to the Blanchet family as her own made Bartlett furrow his brows. “I’m afraid you’re the only one who considers the Blanchet family as your own. They probably don’t see it that way.”

Ellinor glanced at him. “Really? And what do you think their perspective is?”

Bartlett asked, “Do you really want to hear my opinion?”

Ellinor smiled. “You’re already here. Isn’t it because you want to talk? Go ahead; I’m listening.”

Bartlett grinned. “Well, if you insist. I think they’re just using you and don’t really consider you family.”

Ellinor raised an eyebrow. “Oh? How so?”