Scott Livinus loosened his tie and sat down at his desk.
Miss Maggie couldn’t hold back any longer and walked over. ” Livinus Scott, it’s been days since I last saw you. Did you miss me?”
Livinus finally turned around, staring at her face for a few moments without speaking.
Feeling the awkwardness, Miss Maggie forced a smile and moved closer. “Livinus, why have you been so distant lately? We’ve shared the most intimate moments together. Are you planning to just forget it? Besides, I gave you my first time. If you abandon me, I’d have no face left.”
Livinus’s hand paused as he wrote. He set down his pen, his eyes dark and intense. “Are you suggesting, Miss Maggie, that I should take responsibility?”
“I’m not forcing you,” Miss Maggie said quickly. “I just feel like we’re meant for each other. If we have such a strong connection, why not give it a chance? If we join forces, my family’s assets could merge into yours. I could help you manage everything, and the resources of my family would be at your disposal!”
Miss Maggie’s father had initially made his fortune in manufacturing before moving into real estate. While their assets couldn’t compare to the Scott Group, they still had some standing. Merging with Scott’s empire would undoubtedly strengthen Scott Group even more, potentially doubling Scott’s wealth.
Though Scott had the capability, incorporating the Maggie family’s assets would save him years of hard work.
Seeing his silence, Miss Maggie seized the moment and said, “Livinus, let me show you my worth. Let’s give it another shot and see if it feels as good as it did that night.”
Livinus’s gaze was fixed on her, his eyes dark, his expression unreadable, though his faint smile carried a hint of coldness.
Miss Maggie shrank back slightly, suddenly feeling afraid.
He was always like this—impossible to decipher, as though he knew everything yet never revealed it, leaving her feeling completely exposed.
“Miss Maggie?” Livinus’s voice was low and steady. “Do you really believe that if I, Scott Livinus, wanted your family’s assets, I’d need to secure them through marriage?”
Miss Maggie was taken aback, his words sending a chill through her. “What do you mean?”
Livinus’s dark eyes held her gaze, saying nothing further.
Tentatively, Miss Maggie leaned in from behind, wrapping her arms around Livinus’s shoulders, and murmured, “Livinus, ever since that night, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
Livinus removed her hands, rising to look down at her with a cold frown.
“Miss Maggie.”
For the first time, Miss Maggie—a daughter from a reputable family—had taken the initiative, only for Livinus to remain utterly unmoved, even displaying clear distaste.
Her eyes reddened.
Livinus’s voice was colder than she’d ever heard. “If a man truly cares about you, he would never allow you to make the first move.”
He called in Joanna, his tone all business:
“Have Bamboo Grove send someone competent to discuss this next time. And warn them—if this happens again, the partnership is over.”
Joanna cast a quick glance at Miss Maggie and replied, “Understood.”
Miss Maggie clenched her fists, humiliated by the rejection. Livinus’s detached, businesslike tone had turned her into a laughingstock.
Unable to hold back, she shouted, “Scott Livinus, don’t go too far! If you don’t agree, I’ll make that night public knowledge! I’ll tell everyone!”
Livinus’s eyes narrowed, the intensity in them chilling. “Is that a threat?”
“No, I just—” Under his gaze, Miss Maggie took a nervous step back.
Livinus’s expression grew colder, his voice harsher than ever:
“Joanna! Escort Miss Maggie out! Notify Bamboo Grove that the partnership is terminated. Scott Group will never work with them again!”
Joanna practically dragged Miss Maggie out. Once outside, Miss Maggie glared at the office door with a venomous look, her eyes filled with rage.
—
Just as Livinus Scott picked up his pen again, he received a call from Aaron.
“Scott.”
“Speak.”
Aaron chuckled, amused. “You Scott family folks are something else, especially that nephew of yours. Just now, he had his lawyer approach me to discuss a divorce.”
“Terms?” Scott knew they had been in the middle of a divorce for some time, and given Scott Richard and Andrea’s nature, he was sure they wouldn’t give Sophia a penny. But as it was a personal matter, Scott hadn’t felt it was his place to interfere and thus wasn’t fully updated on their divorce proceedings.
“Your brother’s family is truly ruthless. Initially, they insisted on giving her nothing. Now they’ve compromised, offering two million in alimony—nothing more.”
Scott frowned. Even if Scott Richard didn’t fear his scandal being exposed, he still needed Sophia for the hemorrhoid ointment formula. Why the sudden change of attitude?
“I’ll say this, Livinus Scott: your family’s legal team is quite a force to be reckoned with.”
Scott scowled. “I hired them to work for the company, not to handle divorce cases.” He paused. “And you—when did your efficiency drop so low? A divorce case, and you haven’t even taken it to court yet?”
Aaron was momentarily stunned, nearly laughing out loud. “Scott Livinus, why are you so eager about your nephew’s divorce? Don’t tell me the real reason you introduced me to Miss Smith was that, all along, you were the one most eager for her to get divorced!”
Livinus was silent for a while before replying coolly, “I told you before, your imagination is wasted on law.”
“So, should I say thanks for the compliment?”
Ending the call, Livinus Scott summoned Felix into the room. “What’s the latest on Scott Richard’s hemorrhoid ointment project?”
“Funny you asked,” Felix replied. “Originally, there was no progress—they kept saying the formula was off. But out of nowhere, they’ve relaunched the project and are pushing for a quick market release. What’s strange is that they suddenly seem to have the formula. I asked R&D, and it didn’t come from them.”
Scott pondered for a moment, then stood up, moving to the large window. His tall frame cast an imposing presence across the room.
“It’s likely that Sophia gave it to them.”
Reflecting on Sophia’s recent actions, he was almost certain of it. However, Sophia wasn’t naive—if Scott Richard had obtained the formula in any underhanded way, it likely wasn’t the genuine one.
“Sophia? Why would she give the formula voluntarily? Unless…”
