Chapter 7
The room fell silent for a long moment until Colby broke it with a half-smiling remark. “Mrs. Burke, it’s not right to falsely accuse the Innocent.”
“Exactly, we are all legitimate businessmen here!” Adler added earnestly.
“Whether you
ou are legitimate businessmen or not isn’t for me to decide, but I think James might be quite interested.” Sophie spoke calmly, “I’m just a naive girl, but James isn’t. If I share with him what was just discussed, I wonder if he’ll take an interest.”
“You’re quite the schemer!” Adler couldn’t keep his composure.
Sophie looked seriously at Colby. “I won’t beat around the bush. Lend me eight billion dollars, and I will return it with interest in three years.”
Adler’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you joking? Eight billion? Do you even know how much the interest will be in three years? If you can’t pay it back, we lose eight billion. Besides, you’re James’ wife. Who would be bold to take action against you?”
“I understand the interest rates. I can sign a contract with you. If I can’t pay back, I’ll give you the houses and stocks in the Russell family’s name and even work tirelessly for you all my life, at your command.”
Sophie hesitated briefly before adding, “Moreover, myTñarriage with James probably won’t last three years. Even if I’m still his wife in three years, he won’t protect me.”
Upon hearing this, Colby looked up, staring at Sophie for a moment.
Adler’s ears perked up, sensing some juicy gossip. However, he quickly gathered his thoughts, “No, absolutely not! I disagree!”
Before he could finish, a calm, deep voice interrupted, “Okay, I’ll lend it to you.”
“What?!” Adler practically jumped from his seat. “Have you lost your mind too?”
“The funds will be transferred from the finance department to you, and we’ll draft the contract later.”
“Colby, da m n it!” Adler stomped his foot. Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
“Thanks, Colby, Sophie stood. “I’ll await your message. It’s been a pleasure doing business.”
With a mischievous smile, Sophie turned and left the CEO’s office.
After she had gone, Adler gritted his teeth in frustration. “She leaves so easily. That’s eight billion! Did your brain refuse to function normally? She’s James’ wife. Why would you lend money to her?”
Colby slightly curled his lips. “She’s attractive.”
“What the hell! Why should I finance your flirting?”
Colby stood, slapping a bank card against Adler’s chest. “The woman I fancy naturally deserves a grand gesture from me.”
“What? A grand gesture? She’s still James’ wife. What are you even talking about?”
Colby ignored Adler, walking out of the CEO’s office.
“Crazy, all of you are utterly mad!”
13:15
Meanwhile, as Sophie had just stepped through the Burke family’s front door, she saw James sitting in the living room.
Sophie frowned. In her previous life, the number of times James had come home could be counted on one hand. When had he become so homebound?
Assuming he was just home for a quick visit, she turned to head upstairs.
Suddenly, James called out sharply, “Sophie!”
Sophie stopped in her tracks. “What is it?”
Faced with Sophie’s recent coldness, James felt uncomfortable and impatiently said, “The auction house is here to collect the money.”
“I know.”
James took a deep breath. “If you didn’t have the money, you could have told me.”
Sophie’s response was chilly, “Thank you, but I’ve already taken care of