Chapter 210

For the next while, Susan continued her deep dive into research and development.

Meanwhile, Ben found the time to keep up with some gossip, which he relayed to Susan in a joking tone.

After listening, Susan couldn’t help but show a bemused expression.

Carl, in a desperate attempt to scrape together twenty million dollars, had sold 10% of his shares at rock–bottom prices, yet he still remained the largest shareholder.

He was now set on making a name for himself within Space Technologies, determined to recoup his losses. Carl had a history of barely keeping a million–dollar company afloat, stumbling along break–

even.

Yet, he fancied himself a business prodigy, believing he had merely lacked the right opportunity to showcase his talents.

Now in charge of the vast Space Technologies, he was eager to prove himself and do something monumental.

After taking the reins, Carl set off three measures–streamlining the workforce, redefining the development plan, and aggressively expanding into new ventures The result of these measures was that, a month in, Space Technologies‘ situation hadn’t improved but had, in fact, worsened significantly.

“Now, Carl believes he’s done nothing wrong, that the losses are due to his staff’s duplicity. But the other shareholders have lost faith in him. According to the information I control, they’re about to convene a board meeting to formally impeach him,” Ben said casually.

Susan wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

Carl had always been incompetent. It wasn’t surprising to see such an outcome.

What surprised her slightly was that Carl had managed to make such a mess of things in just one month.

He was truly a ‘business genius‘ in his own right.

“And Carl’s troubles don’t end there,” Ben raised an eyebrow. “According to the will Timothy had set up in advance, his wealth goes to Yana and the child. But after inheriting the wealth, Yana is required to donate at least ten million dollars to the foundation annually, a commitment that must be maintained for at least five years. Initially, with the value of the shares she held, donating ten million dollars a year would have been effortless for Yana, even if she did nothing. But with Carl’s mismanagement causing Space Technologies to collapse, the annual dividends they’ll receive are unlikely to meet that ten million mark. If they fail to fulfill this donation obligation, they could lose their inheritance rights to the shares.”

If Carl had been willing to delegate comp dividends would have been a breeze.

But his obsession with power led to the company’s downfall.

As the largest shareholder, Carl’s stubbornness and refusal to relinquish control, coupled with the other shareholders‘ desire to unseat him, left Space Technologies in a state of internal chaos.

If the company was not stable, how could it develop?

Susan fell into a contemplative silence.

Ben stroked her hair gently, “What’s the matter? Can’t let go?”

Susan shook her head, “There’s nothing to hold onto. They never considered me family, so I have no reason to cling. But I did pour my heart into Space Technologies. Watching the company fall apart is naturally upsetting.”

Ben couldn’t hide a touch of envy, “That Timothy, he was just lucky to have met you so early.”

Had he met Susan earlier, they could have built the Storm Group together, grown together–just the thought was too beautiful.

“What’s there to be jealous about?” Susan said softly, her gaze tender, “That was my past. But my present and future are with you.”

Ben’s gaze flickered, his voice growing husky, “Susan, don’t tempt me.”

Susan was speechless.

Did she tempt Ben in any way?

Wasn’t it just his mind filled with nonsense?

But seeing Ben’s increasingly dangerous gaze, Susan got a bit flustered and swiftly changed the subject, “Besides the Miller family’s drama, is there any other gossip?”

Knowing full well that Susan was sidestepping, Ben gave her a meaningful look–before casually mentioning. “Nothing much else. Just that Leo’s company has launched a project to develop a dating game.”

“Is that so?” Susan paused briefly, not giving it much thought, “Anyone can develop a game. The market will decide who wins and who loses.”

In reality, with the powerful Al as her ace in the hole, Susan hadn’t considered the possibility of losing.

Ben was aware of this.

So, after sharing this bit of gossip, the couple brushed it aside and moved on.

Two months later.

The Storm Group announced the successful development of a new smartphone.

The Storm Group declared that a launch event would be held the next day, the phone code–named Future One.

The world buzzed with excitement.

Ben had previously stated that the most anticipated smartphone series from Storm Group was the Future Series.

The release of the Future Series would signify that Storm Group had achieved epoch–making progress in a certain field.

Epoch–making!

Such weighty words.

The previous Allure series phones, equipped with the latest system, received unanimous praise.

But that was just the Allure One.

Not the Future One.

The Storm Group, simply by releasing the name of a phone series, without revealing anything else, had set countless minds racing.

What breakthrough did the Future One achieve?

Simultaneously.

Isabella also saw the news.

Her face turned deathly pale.

Future One?” Isabella’s expression twisted slightly, “Future One! How is this possible, how could it be?”

Isabella, what’s wrong? You look terrible,” Leo noticed Isabella’s distress and asked with concern.

sabella shook her head, seemingly in a daze.

Leo didn’t probe further, saying, “If there’s nothing important, can you oversee things at the company?

I’m going out co play cards.”

Saying so, Leo walked out, preoccupied with his own concerns.

He felt his life was now like a fairy tale.

For company matters, he only needed to set the general direction. Isabella would handle the details.

She was a classmate from his school days, quite capable, and to add to that, she harbored deep feelings for him.

So, entrusting the company to Isabella gave him peace of mind.

Moreover, what pleased Leo the most was that Isabella never interfered with his leisure activities.

She even proactively allocated funds for him, insisting he should enjoy himself to the fullest.

Without Penelope overseeing his personal life and with Isabella managing the company, all he needed to do was spend money liberally.

Life couldn’t get any better than this.

After Leo left.

Isabella’s hands trembled as she frantically searched for news about Future One.

This shouldn’t be happening.

This shouldn’t.

Future One wasn’t supposed to be released now!

In her memory of the past life, Future One had officially launched at the end of this year.

And yet, it was still early in the year.

The release of Future One only meant one thing.

The Storm Group’s Al project had been a success!

But how could that be?

She had poached Marc. Without him, how could Susan develop an intelligent Al?

It was impossible, utterly impossible.

Muttering to herself, Isabella hurried to Marc’s lab.