Chapter 32

“Amelia, you’re defaming me. I was injured shielding you from harm,” Walter leaped to his feet as if he’d been struck in a tender spot, momentarily forgetting the pain in his back.

“I can accept your lack of gratitude for saving you, but you actually spew such nonsense? Why are you so ungrateful?”

Amelia scoffed and switched on her phone.

Angela’s contrite voice sounded. “Ms. Edwards, it was Mr. Edwards who arranged everything. He took pity on me after I lost my husband and paid me 300 thousand dollars to pour sulfuric acid.

“But he instructed me to pour it on his back, not on you.

“Mr. Edwards said that the acid wouldn’t be thrown on you. As long as he doesn’t press charges, nothing will happen to me.

“Ms. Edwards, I’ve told you everything I know. Please, have mercy on me, let me go.”

Walter’s expression drastically changed. ‘Damn it, Angela has betrayed me.’

“You’re quite the master at orchestration, playing the victim that hurt yourself,” Amelia said, putting away her phone. “Stop with the moral blackmail. I won’t be paying off Edwards Group’s debts for you.”

Walter hadn’t anticipated the swift revelation of his scheme. His expression turned ashen dramatically.

He had endured the agony of sulfuric acid burning his skin, the torment of the pain, and in the end, he was left with nothing. He couldn’t accept this reality.

Walter’s eyes welled up with hatred. “You ungrateful girl, you’re just unwilling to show appreciation and deliberately bribed Angela to slander me.”

“You know whether it’s slander or not. If you can’t accept it, sue me,” Amelia sneered.

“You…”

Walter couldn’t sue Amelia. It had taken immense effort to silence Dr. Green, to let the misdiagnosis slide. If old scores were raked up again, the Edwards family would be over.

“Actually, you’re doing this for money. I can pay to resolve the Edwards Group crisis, but…” Amelia changed the subject, “I want 70% of the Edwards Group shares.”

“You’re daydreaming,” said Walter. He had just been elated, but now he was so enraged.

“Wretched girl, you’re thinking about our family’s assets while I’m still alive.”

“Alright, I won’t dream. You can take your time dealing with the debt collectors,” Amelia picked up her bag and intended to leave.

As soon as the ward door opened, a horde of debt collectors swarmed in.

“Mr. Edwards, when will our company’s final payment be settled?”

“Walter, return my hard–earned money.”

“Last time, I agreed to give you a half–month to raise the money, but it’s already been a month. Pay me back.”

Those debt collectors kept shouting.

Faced with the throng of debt collectors, Walter panicked. “It’s no use coming to me. Go find Amelia. She’s my daughter. She can give you money.”

“Mr. Edwards, don’t deceive us. Ms. Edwards is the daughter–in–law of the Kingsley family; if we make trouble for her, we’ll offend the Kingsley…”

Amelia, with a pleased smirk, sat outside the ward playing with her mobile phone.

Edwards Group was internally collapsed and couldn’t afford 100 million dollars. Cynthia and Sandra would never sell their assets to pay Walter.

Walter wanted to resolve today’s crisis, but he could only turn to Amelia.

Sure enough, after a while, Walter forced himself to approach Amelia. “Amy, I beg you. Pay the debt. You have equity in the company and you have a share of the debt.”

“Have I ever had my share? If you want money, you can just sell the equity to the Kingsley Group,” Amelia shrugged.

Walter couldn’t accept it. He had single–handedly run Edwards Group. If he gave up the debt for equity, wouldn’t he have toiled in vain all his life?

“Could I possibly borrow from you? I’ll give you an IOU,” Walter gritted his teeth, stooping to plead with Amelia.

“I have no funds. The decision to trade equity for cash was made by Kingsley Group, and I’m merely the one carrying it out,” Amelia replied, displaying her bank balance to everyone present.

In addition to the few thousand dollars she usually saved, she only had the compensation for a misdiagnosis. The total was less than 150 thousand dollars.

It was a mere drop in the ocean, utterly insufficient for their needs.

When Walter saw that her account truly held no funds, his spirits plummeted. “Then speak with Gloria, ask her for a small sum…”

“Is this a small sum?” Amelia smiled wryly, “Dad, you’re asking for 100 million dollars, not 10,000 dollars. How could I dare to ask her for such a substantial sum?”

Walter finally revealed his true intentions. “Then mortgage Stonefield’s land. I’ll return the money to you once I’ve settled the matter.”

“Gloria has the property ownership certificate and I can’t mortgage it,” Amelia responded.

Walter was so enraged. “Amelia, do you still consider me your father?”

“In any case, if you agree to the equity–for–cash deal, it can be done, but I won’t force you if you don’t.”

“I think you’re trying to take my life. If you press me any further, I’ll jump off the building,” Walter threatened, rushing to the windowsill in a dramatic display.

Amelia didn’t even glance at him; instead, she waved to the debt collectors, “Everyone, keep an eye on him. If he dies, no one will pay you back.”

Walter suddenly realized these debt collectors had been brought in by Amelia. She was forcing him to relinquish his stake in Edwards Group.

“You’re ungrateful. I’ll end you today,” Walter’s eyes blazed with fury as he lunged towards Amelia.

The debt collectors, not wanting to see her harmed, quickly restrained Walter.

“Mr. Edwards, the debt you owe is your own business. It has nothing to do with Ms. Edwards. You’d better settle it yourself.”

“Don’t think being hospitalized can delay…”

“We’re all staying here until the money is paid back.”

The debt collectors all chatted among themselves, and the commotion was so loud that the hospital became noisy.

A large number of security guards came to restore order, and some curious onlookers recorded videos and started live streams.

Word soon spread throughout Norava that Walter had defaulted on his debts and that Edwards Group was on the verge of collapse.

Walter, who always prized his reputation, felt as if he was being grilled over an open flame. He was so humiliated that he wanted to strangle Amelia.

At that moment, Aaron arrived.

“On behalf of the Kingsley Group, I am now here to accept the IOUs you hold.”

“What?”

The debt collectors were bewildered.

The surprise was so sudden that Walter couldn’t believe it. He quickly pulled Aaron aside and asked, “Are you really willing to pay my debts?”

Aaron smiled but remained silent.

Walter thought, ‘My in–laws are afraid that the Edwards family may embarrass them, so they’re covering my debt!

‘Though it’s embarrassing, it’s good to resolve the crisis of Edwards Group. Amelia couldn’t bear to see me die. Once this is settled, I’ll go to her and demand Stonefield’s land.’

“Did you hear that? My in–laws have my back,” Walter boasted, hands on his hips, regaining his dominance in an instant.

When the debt collectors saw that there was money to be had, they asked Aaron to exchange the contracts, IOUs, and other documents for cash.

It took Aaron two hours to clear 100 million dollars in debt.

Walter heaved a sigh of relief once the debt collectors had left.

The feeling of being debt–free made him grin from ear to ear. “Mr. Hall, thank Mr. Kingsley for me. Once I’m discharged from the hospital, I will definitely come and thank you personally.”

“No need.”

Aaron waved his hand, packed up the IOUs, and handed them to the bodyguard.

Then he officially announced, “From now on, Kingsley Group is the largest creditor of Edwards Group. If the money is not paid within three days, Kingsley Group will sue in court.”

Speechless, Walter was dumbfounded.