Chapter 95

"We have to try! I will work hard, and so should you!" Samuel declared.

"I understand your worries, but we can't give up," Samuel conceded. "We have to try."

Isabel reassured him. "Dad, don't worry, Chris isn't as scary as people say. If you talk to him properly, I think we can secure the partnership."

But Samuel remained doubtful. "Isabel, you don't understand Chris's temperament; he's unpredictable. Star Electronics is tiny compared to Oceania Group. I'm not even sure he'll notice us."

Isabel fell silent; she only needed to inform Chris. After all, Oceania Group was hers, and she had the final say.

Noticing Isabel's silence, Simon quietly asked, "Isabel, do you have a plan?"

"Why do you ask?" she replied.

With a cheeky grin, Simon said, "Come on! You must have some secret connection we don't know about. You seem so calm; you must have a smart plan. Let me guess—do you know Chris...?"

Isabel didn't respond.

"Don't give me that look," Simon continued. "Our family has been through a lot. Ever since you arrived, you've healed Dad with your excellent medical skills. Plus, you know someone important like Mr. Preston."

"And Roy getting into Dely Studio? I bet you had a hand in that; without your help, Roy's talent would probably remain hidden.

"So it makes sense that you know Chris; you must have connections! I've heard he's quite a handsome guy. Who knows, he might even like you, just like Mr. Preston..."

Isabel lightly smacked his head. She recognized that among her siblings, Jack and Simon possessed sharp minds, especially Simon. But even so, he still didn't grasp everything. She wasn't just a friend to Tyler and Chris; she was their boss.

"Focus on your studies! You're entering your final year next year. If you don't do well, I will make sure you regret it!" Isabel warned.

"Ouch! That hurts! Be gentle, I'm your little brother," Simon whined.

Hannah watched their playful exchange and chuckled. "Simon, be nicer to your sister; don't bully her."

Simon feigned hurt. "Mom, she bullies me! Your favoritism is obvious!"

Hannah sighed and shook her head. Deep down, she felt a sense of favoritism toward Isabel, worried about the tough years Isabel had faced without her. She felt she owed her daughter a great deal.

"Guinevere, why did you make such a promise in front of Grandma! Getting a partnership with Oceania Group isn't something anyone can manage!" William lectured Guinevere.

"Dad, I have a plan; that's why I made that promise. If we can secure the partnership with Oceania Group, Grandma will definitely see us in a new light, maybe even give Star Electronics back to us!"

"Guinevere, what's your plan?" Tony asked, his feelings finally surfacing. Previously, Samuel hadn't even been qualified to join the family dinner, and now he was bringing his wife and children. It was unbearable for Tony. They had once been people he considered beneath him, and now they were his equals, constantly frustrating him.

Guinevere, with a proud smile, said confidently, "Tony, I had a senior at school who I was close to. Last year, she joined Oceania Group, and she holds a good position. If I can reach out to her, success is within our grasp!"

Hearing this, William said, "Guinevere, I trust you with this; you need to secure the Oceania Group partnership before anyone else."

"Dad, I won't let you down," Guinevere replied.

Guinevere felt a surge of confidence, believing she would outperform Isabel. She hoped to enlist David's help, knowing her brother was hardly any smarter than she was. David, with his clever ideas, would surely be more useful. But when she called, it wasn't David who answered, but someone from the hospital. They informed her that David was in the hospital and needed her.

Thinking he was sick, Guinevere rushed to the hospital and was shocked by his gaunt appearance; it was hard to recognize him. He lay still, only able to move his head, which looked oddly stiff.

"Guinevere, you finally came to see me," David said weakly, his eyes dark and sunken.

"David, what happened to you? In just a few days, how did you change so much!" Guinevere exclaimed.

"Ever since we found Soren's body by the river, my eyelids have been twitching non-stop, as if warning me of something. When I got home, I was attacked! Guinevere, you have to help me—make them pay for what they did!"

David looked at her with pain in his eyes, his hopes resting completely on her. "Who did this? Do you know who they are?" Guinevere asked.

"How would I know! I suspected Isabel's involvement."

The police had investigated, but strangely, they couldn't find any trace of the attackers. There were no camera recordings, which seemed incredibly strange. With no evidence or leads, the case was closed.

"Isabel! She's so heartless that she wouldn't even spare you?" Guinevere was shocked.

"Guinevere, please! I've lost everything; you are all I have left. Don't leave me," David pleaded.

David and Guinevere had a complicated relationship. David knew his life was in ruins and clung to Guinevere as his last hope. Seeing him in such a pitiful condition only filled her with rejection.

Guinevere said, "David, we broke up; we are not together anymore."

"What do you mean…! Guinevere, I've always looked after you, cared for you. How can you turn your back on me now!" David didn't understand her rejection. He seemed to believe her concern would always be there, even though now that he needed her most, she had vanished.

Guinevere smiled faintly. "David, so what if I cared for you? Look at you; you're barely alive. You'll stay in bed for the rest of your life. I have a bright future ahead; how could I stay by your side?"

"Guinevere… please don't leave me. I love you! No one loves you more than I do, Guinevere!" David cried.