Chapter 410

“Amanda, when I saved you back then, I didn’t think too much about it. I just wanted to protect Everett’s

mother because I knew he would be heartbroken if something happened to you.”

“That’s why I’ve always believed you’re the one who truly understands the big picture and loves my son

the most! I don’t acknowledge all those other girls, like Dorothy! When I was kidnapped, if those thugs

had really taken those

compromising photos and used them to blackmail the Lopez Corporation, our family would have been

like lambs to the slaughter! My husband and I…”

“Please, Amanda, stop!” Heather interrupted quickly. “There’s no need to dredge up the past! I have

never regretted saving you, even if it meant that Everett and I wouldn’t end up together.”

The more Heather spoke, the more guilt seeped into Amanda’s heart.

Those thugs were after one thing, that was to humiliate Amanda, to take those lewd photos to threaten

the Lopez Corporation! If they had succeeded, Amanda couldn’t bear to think how she and her

husband would have faced each other, let alone how the Lopez family would have been manipulated

by others!

It was Heather who had barged in recklessly offering herself in exchange for Amanda, claiming to be

Everett’s fiancée.

The kidnappers thought that pictures of Everett’s fiancée might be even more damaging, so they

agreed to the trade.

To this day, Amanda vividly remembered how Heather looked when she was rescued battered and

bruised, her clothes torn to shreds, blood staining her legs…

She couldn’t imagine the inhumane torture Heather had endured during those hours. Without her,

Amanda would have had to bear that agony herself.

So even though those scandalous photos were intercepted before they could do any damage, and the

whole incident was completely hushed up by the Lopez family, Amanda still insisted on Heather as her

daughter–in–law, because it was a debt the Lopez family owed her!

“He’ll marry you, I’m sure of it. Trust me, Heather. I’ll clear every obstacle from your path, including

Dorothy.”

“Okay.”

In the boardroom of the Lopez Corporation.

Leaders from every department, along with the high–profile shareholders, were gathered for a crucial

meeting.

The domestic market had peaked, and the choice lay between expanding overseas or scooping up

even the smaller investment opportunities within the country.

Everett was in favor of expansion abroad, believing in leaving some breathing room for domestic

investment firms rather than dominating to the point of suffocating the competition.

But some shareholders felt that it was foolish to pass up guaranteed profits.

“Mr. Lopez,” one of them spoke up. “You talked about setting up new branches domestically, but I’ve

heard you’ve just acquired a local investment firm, East Star Enterprises. What’s the rationale behind

that?”

Everett had anticipated the question and came prepared with an answer.

*I acquired East Star because it has a talent I’ve been unable to recruit through headhunters. The only

way to bring them on board was to merge the company with the Lopez Corporation.”

“Talent?” The shareholders exchanged glances.

The notion of buying a whole company for one person seemed rather extravagant.

“The acquisition was funded through my personal accounts, so I didn’t feel the need to consult you all

in advance. This doesn’t conflict with our strategy for international expansion.”

When Everett said it was his own money, no one dared to argue.

“Mr. Lupez, may I inquire about who this talent is? What expertise does that person have?” one

shareholder asked, curiosity piqued. Anyone who could capture the attention of the Lopez

Corporation’s CEO must be extraordinary.

“It’s an assistant. You don’t need to concern yourselves with the details. I brought her in simply

because I’m accustomed to working with her.“