Chapter 176: A Tragic Death
"I'll take a look at the architectural plans for your residence," I said. "Don't hesitate to discuss your desired style and financial constraints. I'll provide you with a half-price reduction on the design fee." Maggie dismissed the offer, pulling out her notebook and beginning to write.
"I'll send the drawings to your mobile phone." Timothy paused before sending them, looking up at Maggie. "Mind if I hit you up on WhatsApp?"
Maggie readily agreed; many clients contacted her through WhatsApp.
"Sure thing."
Once connected, Timothy sent the floor plan, complete with building area, location, and other information.
Maggie didn't immediately examine it, but glanced at his profile picture: a soft, fluffy white dog that looked harmless and lovable. It felt a bit like Timothy.
"I'm not in good health, so I hope to have a garden with a delightful view, filled with flowers, foliage, and streaming water. The design should be sleek and refined, avoiding excessive ornamentation. I'd also like an area for a piano, either a bookshelf or a large studio, and a dedicated space for art. I have quite a liking for toy decorations—maybe a bit excessive—and a dedicated space for my collection."
Maggie meticulously noted Timothy's preferences, gaining a deeper understanding of his background and character. He had been frail and sickly since childhood, resulting in limited social interaction and few playmates. Despite his quiet, childlike nature, he favored classy items but also had a soft spot for robot action figures.
Maggie felt confident she could fulfill his wishes within his budget. To her surprise, his family circumstances seemed better than she'd imagined.
"It's a bit too late today. When can we swing by your place in the next couple of days? I need to double-check some things."
An hour later, Maggie looked at the sky and said, "Sure thing."
With the deposit settled, Timothy said goodbye. Maggie saw him off. As they walked to the elevator, she tentatively asked, "Mr. Yonathan Timothy, how's that friend you mentioned earlier?"
Inexplicably, Maggie felt nervous. She didn't know why.
After entering the elevator, Maggie softly said, "Timothy?"
His complexion looked pale. With a weak grin, he murmured, "She's no longer with us."
Maggie was startled. "Was it because of sickness?" Despite knowing she shouldn't pry, her curiosity overwhelmed her. It's too similarand so weird
Timothy shook his head slightly, sorrow in his eyes. He whispered, "She had a tragic death. I'm not sure if you're interested in knowing the details." Without waiting for a reply, he changed the subject. "Do you mind if I call you Maggie? Calling you Ms. Adam sounds overly formal."
"Absolutely! Just call me Maggie." Maggie nodded, choosing not to delve deeper. Given his trust in her for the house design, there would be many future opportunities.
Grinning, Timothy said, "Alright then, Maggie, we'll catch up again soon."
As the elevator doors closed, Maggie's gaze sharpened. A mysterious, inexplicable feeling persisted. She sensed Timothy guiding her, piquing her curiosity. Could it all be a figment of her imagination? But what happened to his friend? A tragic death? What defines a tragic death? Was her demise categorized as such?
Maggie turned and walked to the window, watching for a moment as Timothy departed by bus, wearing headphones, looking like a university student. Although he possessed youthful energy, he was only a year younger than her. Given her impending graduation from graduate school, it made sense.
Maggie shifted her attention to the red bracelet on her wrist. Despite the passage of time, it remained immaculate, a red thread of resilient nylon intricately woven, the diamonds still gleaming, their cut, while not perfect, still satisfactory.
Maggie couldn't remember misplacing it. Did I lose it during my encounter with Timothy earlier? She examined the clasp, noticing a slight bend, but everything else seemed normal. Was I thinking too much about it?
Instead of going home, Maggie decided to have a drink with Leo and Mia at a private club.
Upon arrival, she found Mia relaxing on a couch, engrossed in her phone. Leo, focused on his laptop, greeted her with news. "Cameron's stocks have plummeted; sales across all stores are down to 20% of previous levels."
Raising an eyebrow, Maggie was shocked. "That's rough."
With a chuckle, Mia, with red-painted nails, quipped sarcastically, "That's the consequence of not playing fair."
Maggie understood. Even with their plan, they needed cooperation from figures like Ronald Cameron. They couldn't force compliance. They had to accept responsibility for their actions. After years of pretense, Ronald had fallen. The harsher his statements, the greater the consequences.
"The Camerons won't last a month before bankruptcy. Considering the significant compensation, their assets will be cut in half."
Leo glanced at Maggie, a touch of warmth in his cold eyes.
Maggie quietly assessed, "The Cameron family's financial situation has been unstable, barely surviving lately. But with Yaoke stepping in, their financial situation is bound to crumble." She speculated that if things worsened, the Camerons might take drastic measures to remain solvent—offloading unprofitable sectors and assets to cover losses.
What a relief!
"I plan to take this chance to procure some of the Cameron family's assets and eventually transfer them to…"
"Take it easy. I'll ask Lucas to dig up some incriminating information about the company to help negotiate a better deal," Maggie said coldly.
The Camerons had a troubled history of scandals and controversies. Ronald had always kept her away from the core business, making it hard to gather evidence. However, she only needed an overview. Lucas was skilled enough to uncover the secrets.