?<strong>Chapter 168:</strong>


    The city was enveloped in darkness by the time they returned. Shawn exited the car halfway through the journey, leaving Adrian to take Leah and Joelle back to Hignds Bay.


    Upon reaching her apartment door after stepping out of the elevator, Joelle entered her home without a word and closed the door behind her. Leah and Adrian, taken aback, found themselves speechless. Joelle had changed.


    She used to be the warmth at home, always preparing delightful meals and nurturing Adrian’s everyday life with a weing smile, regardless of how often he returned. Adrian pondered when he had lost the girl who always greeted him with joy.


    As December’s chill set over snowy Illerith, Adrian stood in his office, the coffee his assistant had prepared still sending up steam.


    “Mr. Miller, the clothing line from our coboration with Kenny’s studio is proving to be quite popr.” Adrian’s response was muted. The deal with Kenny had been concluded swiftly. He enjoyed diversifying his interests, particrly into ventures that brought him joy now that he was financially secure.


    Kenny’s operation had demonstrated remarkable efficiency. They had finalized their agreement justst month, and already they had sold two thousand garments, with pre-orders climbing to thirty million in sales. It seemed to be a lucrative arrangement.


    The assistant presented a contract from Kenny. “Mr. Miller, here’s the contract drafted by Kenny.” Adrian nced over it dismissively and then let out a scoff.


    His assistant, puzzled but curious, inquired, “Mr. Miller, is there something amiss?”


    “Nothing,” Adrian replied as he turned to walk towards his desk. “Tell me, would you purchase something you desire if it’sbeled as limited edition?”


    The assistant nodded. “Of course.”


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    “But what if it’s marketed as limited edition to merely drive quick sales, despite being mass-produced? Would you still value it?”


    The assistant seemed unsure of Adrian’s implications. “Mr. Miller, are you suggesting we should reconsider our partnership with Kenny?”


    Adrian sneered, “This deal is turning out to be unprofitable.”


    The assistant was puzzled. After leaving the office, he scrutinized the contract once more. The agreement detailed that Miller Group would handle brand licensing, Kenny’s design team would manage the creation, and apany named InfinityGlobal was responsible for sales.


    This tripartite contract outlined the distribution of profits after costs. Even after several reviews, the assistant saw no apparent issues. Seeking a second opinion, he consulted a colleague in the legal department.


    His colleague identified the problem immediately. “The contract allocates forty percent of the profits to Miller Group. However, the definition of ‘costs’ can be manipted. If InfinityGlobal colludes with Kenny’s studio to inte reported costs, our share could diminish significantly.”


    Enlightened, the assistant remarked, “That exins why Mr. Miller hesitated. But how did he suspect that InfinityGlobal might be colluding with Kenny’s studio?”


    “I’m not sure. But clearly, this contract puts Mr. Miller at a disadvantage, with no control over production and no profit assurances. Should issues arise, Miller Group’s reputation would be the first casualty.”


    The assistant frowned. “Then why engage with them, knowing these risks?”


    “I suspect Mr. Miller might be trying to expose a deeper scheme.”


    Soon after, Miller Group’s phones were inundated with calls. Customers wereining about the quality of the garments and the discrepancy between the promised exclusivity and reality. Thepany’s stock fell three points immediately.


    In response, Miller Group convened an urgent board meeting where debates red, but Adrian, as CEO, remained silent throughout.


    Meanwhile, Joelle, needing to conceal her pregnancy, decided to travel abroad. As her belly was so big that she couldn’t hide it, she was afraid that Adrian, who lived opposite her, would find out. She was talking to Katherine on the phone when she saw the news about Miller Group.


    Joelle was not very sensitive to business, and Katherine didn’t know much about it either, but Joelle was confident in Adrian. “If Adrian struggles with this minor issue, he wouldn’t be the business tycoon we know.”


    But Joelle was still worried as she could see the overwhelming negative news about Miller Group on the Inte. She finally understood the meaning of the saying—when a man is going downhill, everyone gives him a push.


    She checked Reba’s Twitter, noting Reba had been silent for some time, likely too preupied with Adrian to engage in social media.


    Suddenly, a voice interrupted her thoughts. “Joelle.”


    “Huh?” She turned to find Rafael looking at her. “Take your medicine first. Then, I’ll escort you to the institute I mentioned earlier.”


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