The following morning, the sun rose as usual, and the internet was still buzzing with rumors. Even the younger folks at the office were throwing curious glances my way.
Christine had swung by my place the night before, returning my bag and phone with a hefty dose of self-blame. She had rushed to file a report but hit a wall when she mentioned the Myers family. In essence, without concrete evidence, we could do nothing. She confessed it was her first real taste of the power of influence and the helplessness of the average Joe. She regretted breaking up with Steven, musing that even as a mistress, she wouldn't have been so helpless when I was in trouble. Utterly foolish.
She walked into the office with two steaming cups of coffee, set one before me, and pulled up a chair. Her demeanor was almost identical to the night before.
I was sketching out a custom design for Adah, puzzled. âWhatâs up? Whoâs bothering you now?â
After a moment, she dropped a bombshell. âThe Ferguson Group just declared bankruptcy.â
My pen slipped, drawing an unintended line across the paper. I was stunned. âBankruptcy?â Werenât they celebrating an engagement with the Myers family the day before? How did they crash without warning?
âYeah, their funding just vanished.â Christine nodded, âThe news broke five minutes ago. The Myers family must be reeling. Thereâs already a feeding frenzy over their shares. Bryant is probably going to lose everything.â
I grabbed my phone to find the news she mentioned.
In a short time, the internet was ablaze. The bankruptcy of Ferguson Group signified a seismic shift in RiverCity. It was like the city was getting a new ruler. And Bryant? He was used to being on top. To fall from grace so suddenly...
I frowned, suspecting there was more to the story. âHow did the Ferguson Group suddenly go bankrupt?â
âIt looks like a research project ate up a big chunk of their funds without any returns, plus a series of failed partnerships. Their financial backbone just snapped,â Christine explained.
âStill odd.â My trust in Bryant, on a personal level, was long gone. But I knew his business acumen. It wasnât him to get caught off guard. He was always cautious and always had a contingency plan. Bankruptcy without a murmur didnât fit his style.
âWhatâs there to be surprised about? Heâs getting what he deserves,â Christine mused, propping her chin in her hands as she continued to share the juicy details. âGuess whoâs most likely to buy his shares?â
Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)
ï¤Chapter 323 His Charming Wife ï¤Chapter 10 Dominant Boss: Call Me Hubby, My Dear ï¤Chapter 250 Finn Shows up Amidst Many Obstructions I was curious. âWho?â
âRF Group.â She showed me the scoop sheâd found online. âTurns out heâs been in secret talks with York recently.â
She seemed almost gleefully vindictive, âImagine that. Your ex ended up not so different from us after all.â
RF Group was already a behemoth. Swallowing Ferguson Group would instantly elevate them to the top spot in RiverCity. Their ambition was unmistakable, and their move into the domestic market was bold.
After Christine left, I stared out the window at the towering buildings reaching into the sky. The thought that such a longstanding monument would soon bear a new name was surreal.
My phone suddenly rang, snapping me back to reality. It was Mark. I greeted him with a smile. âHey, Mark.â
âJane...â There was a tremble in his voice, quickly suppressed, âAre you okay? I heard Gregory came to your rescue?â
I confirmed, âYeah, it was him. Iâm fine. But you sound off. Whatâs wrong?â
âOh, just stepped outside. Itâs chilly.â Markâs voice was warm and gentle, âThe Myers family hasnât given you any trouble, have they?â
âNone at all!â I denied it immediately, well aware of the good he had done me and the tight spot he was in.