Daniel said sternly, “I can give you the shares, but you must take the Cole name and be entered into the Cole family’s register.”


    Ondo pushed back his chair to leave when Daniel called out hoarsely, “I’ll sign.”


    ‘At least, he’s still a Cole, Daniel consoled himself.


    ? ? ????? ??


    The moment Daniel signed the contract, he seemed to age years in an instant.


    Liam lowered his head, his voice trembling. “Grandpa, I’m sorry. I’m just so useless.”


    ‘He’s utterly useless, Daniel wondered. He drew a deep, steadying breath. “Put a tail on Azalea.”


    Liam nodded. “Got it, Grandpa.”


    Daniel demanded sharply, “Do you know that nurse who was just here?”


    “Grandpa, which nurse are you talking about?” Liam asked, looking confused.


    Daniel scoffed, “The one who came in here with that sickly sweet voice, pretending to care for me.”


    “Grandpa, there’s nothing between us. We just run into each other a lot at the hospital, and that’s all,” said Liam.


    Daniel barked, “Then keep your distance.”


    “Yes, Grandpa,” Liam replied.


    Daniel’s gaze sharpened as he said, “Are you still in touch with Aria?”


    “Grandpa, it’s over between us,” Liam replied.


    Daniel snapped, “Worthless boy. If you couldn’t secure Aria, then find another suitable woman. Are you just going to stand by and watch the Cole Group fall into Ondo’s hands?”


    Liam didn’t want this, but he had no choice. With resignation, he said, “Grandpa, my shares are still there, and the dividends will keeping. I’ll help cover the family’s expenses.”


    “You fool,” Daniel spat, his voiceced with contempt. “He just took my shares-do you really think yours will be safe?”


    Greed was human nature. Liam was no match for Ondo. However, Daniel never expected this day toe so soon.


    Upon learning the Cole Group had been renamed, Daniel cked out instantly.


    When Daniel woke up the next day, he grabbed Liam’s arm tightly, his voice shaking with fury. “How dare he rename the Cole Group?”


    Liam’s voice was heavy with resignation. “Grandpa, Ondo has acquired a majority stake now.”


    Daniel mmed his fist on the table. “Where did he get so many shares? Investigate-immediately.”


    Daniel, no longer trusting Liam, immediately picked up the phone and called one of thepany’s veteran board


    members.


    The person replied, “During this crisis, Mr. Gagher took advantage of the situation to snap up numerous scattered shares.


    “And over the past year or so, your grandson Liam actually sold off 2% of his shares, which Mr. Gagher conveniently scooped up as well.”


    “Daniel,” he sighed, “you can’t me us. The Cole Group is effectively done for with Liam’s generation. If Ondo doesn’t prop it up, we’re all going down.


    “me yourselves for driving away Aria-the most capable leader the Cole Group ever had.”


    The old board member said no more, but Daniel understood everything.


    Daniel pped Laim hard across the face and roared, “Selling shares? How could you sell the Cole Group’s shares?”


    Cole felt a pang of resentment. “Grandpa,” he protested weakly, “I only invested in a hospital project with that money.”


    The doctor warned that if he suffered another rage-induced stroke, Daniel might slip into a permanenta.


    Daniel suppressed his fury with great difficulty, his voice trembling with barely-contained rage. “Go. Have Azalea arrested-


    now.”


    Now, the only card Daniel had left was to control Azalea and use her as leverage against Ondo.


    The Cole Group scandal has gone viral.


    [Rumor has it Azalea cleaned out all the Cole family’s valuables and skipped the country?]


    [Well, Daniel did acknowledge Azalea as his son’s mistress. Can’t me her for taking what’s rightfully hers now, can you?]


    [Word is, Liam barely has any shares left now, and he still has to support that whole big family of his.]


    [Word is, Elena got so furious shended in the hospital too.]


    [The Cole Group was only propped up by Aria in the first ce. The moment she left, it all went downhill. Now it’s been snatched away by a bastard-what goes aroundes around. They totally had iting.]


    Amanda sent Aria a flood of screenshots of all the gossip circting online.


    Amanda: [The Cole family is finally toast. So damn satisfying.]


    Aria chuckled: [Damn right it is.]


    Liam was dead weight, and Daniel refused to let go of power. Even without Ondo, the Cole Group wouldn’t havested much longer.


    Like grandfather, like grandson-both utterly useless, yet brimming with misced confidence.


    A new message popped up: [Olivia has arrived in Huthailia.]


    Aria: [Part of Russell’s n?]


    [Yes.]