Mommy，We Got a Husband

As soon as Alaric gave the word, Silas slapped lawsuits on those rumor-spreading clowns. The accused were sweating bullets, and a few even spilled the beans about being hired.

[Nexus Innovations sues rumor spreaders! Accused claim they were hired by Far East International. Reports suggest Far East International used dirty tricks in their jewelry company takeover!] [Entrepreneurial showdown: dirty moves and shady tactics exposed!]

[Brace yourselves for major business world drama, a showdown is coming!]

The online chatter was blowing up again, and Ambrose was losing it. He didn't see this coming and was fuming.

"Weren't these supposed to be top-tier hackers? Didn't they say they covered their tracks? How the hell did they get traced?" Ambrose was livid.

"Yeah, we dropped the ball on this one. Alaric was just better prepared. Public opinion's against us now. But those rumor spreaders got no proof, so we can just deny everything," Tommy said, taking his sweet time. Ambrose, all jittery, said, "We gotta fix this fast, or Stuart's gonna flip out."

Ambrose's position was shaky, and he was always on edge. As long as Alaric and Stuart were around, he couldn't chill.

When the phone rang, Ambrose snatched it up, ready to chew someone out. But it was Alaric.

Why the hell was Alaric calling? Ambrose didn't want to pick up, but he couldn't just ignore it.

"Mr. Knight, seeing your call, I almost thought I was seeing things," Ambrose said.

"Trust me, I didn't want to call you either. Even hearing your voice makes me feel sick," Alaric shot back.

Ambrose's face twisted, but he had to play it cool. "Long time no see, Mr. Knight. You sure know how to joke. I bet I know why you're calling. I was just about to call you to clear things up. Where'd you find these rumor spreaders? They're talking nonsense, saying I hired them. How ridiculous! Looks like I need to sue them for defamation."

Alaric, calm as ever, said, "If that's the case, go ahead and sue them. It's your reputation and Far East International's on the line. If someone's spreading lies about you, that's not cool."

Ambrose said, "With your support, I feel a lot better."

Alaric mocked, "Not everyone can pull off that fake innocence act."

Ambrose asked, "So, you don't believe me?"

"Evidence doesn't lie," Alaric said slowly, "I've got proof you hired those guys, and that you threatened Cormac to steal my company's designs. You've got two choices: hand over the jewelry company Far East International acquired to me for free, or I'll take the evidence to the cops and let them nail you."

"Alaric, quit trying to freak me out! I didn't do it. How could you have any evidence?" Ambrose was sweating bullets but tried to keep his cool.

"Believe it or not," Alaric said slowly, "I'll give you one day to think it over. If I don't get that jewelry company from you for free by tomorrow, I'm taking the evidence to the cops."

"Alaric, you better stop..." Ambrose was about to blow a gasket and explain himself, but Alaric had already hung up.

"Was that Alaric?" Tommy asked.

Ambrose nodded. "Yeah, he says he's got evidence."

Tommy, not fully in the loop, asked, "If he hands over this so-called evidence, how bad is it gonna be for you?"

If Alaric really had the goods, Ambrose was looking at serious jail time. And once the cops got him, they'd dig into everything, including the car accident with Orion.

If that came out, it wouldn't just be jail. The real kicker was that Ambrose was flying solo. If he got nailed and went to prison, Stuart wouldn't lift a finger to help.

Stuart would probably throw him under the bus, cut ties, and find a new heir.

"Damn it!" Ambrose slammed his fist on the table. How did it come to this?

Tommy asked, "Mr. Vale, are you sure Alaric's not bluffing?"

Ambrose replied, "I don't think he has anything. I was super careful, but these top-tier hackers getting breached has me spooked."

Ambrose was tempted to roll the dice. If he didn't hand over the jewelry company and Alaric was bluffing, he'd be in the clear and never have to worry again.

But should he really gamble? Did he dare? If he lost, he was toast. He might even lose his life, let alone his position.

After making the call, Alaric flopped onto the bed. Stellan walked in with a medical kit. "You're being a good boy today," Stellan said, surprised to see Alaric so compliant.

"I wasted a whole day yesterday. Gotta make up for it today," Alaric said. "Go ahead."

"Alright." Stellan hung a countdown sign at the head of the bed, showing 143 days left.

Stellan gave Alaric the treatment injection and then tore off a page from the countdown sign, saying, "142 days left. You're getting closer to the finish line. Keep it up." "Okay." Ever since he woke up from his coma, he'd been dealing with nasty aftereffects. He never dared to dream he'd fully recover.

He really hoped these 142 days would fly by!

Stellan asked, worried, "How do you feel?"

After the treatment injection, Alaric soon felt the meds kicking in.

Though the reaction wasn't as bad as that night, it was still pretty rough.

"It's way better than that night. Don't worry about me. It's getting late; you should head to the company. There are doctors and maids here, so I'm good," Alaric said.