Chapter 844 Don't Push Your Luck, William: text © owner.

At that moment, Ashley was filled with thoughts of how infuriating Elias was. She wondered how anyone could be so annoying.

He was relentless, impossible to shake off, like moss clinging to a stone. He was like ivy vines crawling up a wall, wrapping around her until she was both angry and helpless.

It was such a coincidence that Emelie was experiencing similar feelings.

"Weren't you the one who said that you'd come to me if you had questions? Yet, you left me in Mercianna," William said.

He stood under the streetlight, hands in his trouser pockets, looking at her with a gaze lighter than the moonlight.

As soon as Emelie saw him, she ended the call she was making to Ashley and walked down the stairs. "Don't make it sound like I owe you anything, Mr. Middleton."

She glanced at his face, then scanned him up and down. "Have your injuries healed?"

William seemed unbothered. "I woke up to find out that you'd returned to Cedonia, so I followed you back. They were only minor injuries, so I can recover here just as well."

Emelie nodded nonchalantly. "Well, I wish you a speedy recovery."

Then, she moved to walk past him.

William quickly pulled his hands from his pockets and grabbed her arm. "Angel."

Emelie turned her head slightly, her gaze cold as she looked at him. However, he didn't let her go.

He asked, "Didn't you have something you wanted to ask me? Are you not going to ask now?

Emelie thought for a moment, then nodded. "Let's find a place to sit."

They ended up at a lounge bar.

Emelie ordered herself a low-alcohol cocktail and got William a fruit tea. They sat at an outdoor table near the restaurant's entrance.

William noticed the difference in treatment. "Are you looking out for my health?"

Emelie glanced at him and smiled without replying.

William asked, "What's so funny?"

"I'm laughing at how you're trying to read into my every move, analyzing whether I have any feelings for you. You're acting just like I did back in the day." Emelie leaned back in her chair.

It was hard to talk about things that one hadn't moved on from. Mentioning them casually, however, signified one had let go of the past. Currently, Emelie could talk about those bitter, hurtful feelings from back then with ease.

She said, "Back then, I was so excited when you first took me to the Westward Club to meet your friends-Jayden, Elias, and Troy. I thought you introducing me to your friends meant that I was your girlfriend.

"Do you remember that Troy asked if I was your girlfriend when he opened the door and saw me? Well, you said no, and I was upset the whole night."

William's expression darkened, and he said softly, "Alright, enough. Let's stop here."

He exhaled deeply, then he swallowed hard. "Don't torture me like this."

"Then please, Mr. Middleton, stop saying such meaningless things," she said.

Under the night sky, Emelie's expression was even colder than the surrounding darkness." Have you seen the Xanther Group's stock lately? It's almost hit rock bottom."

William responded, "The stock market always fluctuates. Besides, with Beathan's recent troubles, it's normal for people to react strongly. There was a similar uproar when Charles and Bryan were in trouble. According to my experience, it would gradually recover after about a week."

Emelie found his nonchalance absurd. "You make it sound so easy as if money isn't involved here."

She started recounting what had happened in detail. "When Charles got into trouble, Xanther Group lost 50 billion. The so-called recovery only regained a third of that. Later, when Bryan was in trouble, Xanther Group lost another 40 billion, and only a fifth of that was recovered.

"This time, with Beathan's incident, 60 billion has been lost as of today. You claim that a gradual recovery would happen. However, the truth is that, each time something happens, the Xanther Group takes another hit and never fully recovers.

"But you don't seem worried at all."

Just then, the server brought them their drinks.

William stirred his drink with a spoon, watching the liquid swirl together. He replied emotionlessly, "That's just how the world works. Worrying won't change anything."

Emelie narrowed her eyes. "You haven't even tried to save the situation."

She could even cite examples. "Remember when pre-packaged foods were all the rage? You invested in a brand that, with the Cloudex Corporation's support, grew to be one of the top three in the industry.

"However, then it had a food safety scandal, which impacted the Cloudex Corporation as well, causing its stock to take a big hit. But you immediately came up with a solution.

"You recalled the problematic products, offered customers a hundredfold compensation, and held a press conference to publicly fire the responsible parties.

"Not only did you save the brand, but you also enhanced the Cloudex Corporation's reputation. More companies wanted to work with the Cloudex Corporation, and its market standing improved."

"William, I know you're capable and strategic. I refuse to believe that you're unable to turn things around. However, you're letting Xanther Group decline bit by bit.

"The Xanther Group isn't just any company. Its new energy project is tied to the careers of powerful people. If you really run it into the ground, you'll have to bear the consequences." She asked him, enunciating each word. "Businesspeople should always avoid clashing with officials. Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble? Do you want to end up in jail too?"