Chapter 11 The Company

"Ranting nonsense!"

Jennifer walked up to Li Mochen and looked down at him coldly: "I'll let it slide this time because you're ignorant. But if you dare be so insolent again, I'll tear your mouth apart! Even if you are my own brother. As for Uncle Christian, I'll persuade him to wait another three months. If you change your mind, you can come to my estate to find me. Andrei, remember this is your last chance! Of course, you can refuse, but you must be prepared to stay in the gutter for the rest of your life."

Her small, delicate chin lifted slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled into a cold, utterly devoid-of-warmth arc: "Look at how pathetic you are, my dear brother! Dressed in cheap clothes, living in an apartment with air so foul it makes you want to vomit, eating the food of the lower classes, surrounded by thugs, thieves, and prostitutes. Every day you have to grovel and beg just to earn a meal. Now imagine your future wife and children living with you in a place like this, won't it be wonderful? So think carefully about the consequences, Andrei Wiltenstein! And you must be prepared: no one can refuse Christian without paying a price."

Li Mochen remained calm, meeting Jennifer's gaze with a steady look: "Don't worry, I'm not as vain or as materialistic as you."

"That's only because you haven't experienced—"

Jennifer saw no trace of impurity in Li Mochen's eyes, which stirred a nameless irritation in her chest, nearly causing her to lose control.

But she finally suppressed it and turned to leave: "Give me your answer in three months. If you insist on persisting, I don't care. Oliver, treat his wounds!"

The butler behind her immediately bowed slightly to Jennifer's back. Only after Jennifer disappeared beyond the door did he emotionlessly take an oak-leaf-shaped badge from his pocket. With a snap of his fingers, a green light enveloped Li Mochen's injuries.

"Please reconsider, Master Andrei."

The butler named Oliver smiled and bowed to Li Mochen with a hand over his chest: "Miss Jennifer does value you as her brother. Her situation in the family hasn't been good lately, and she went to great lengths to secure this opportunity for you. She urgently needs someone to help her now—"

His words stopped abruptly as Li Mochen coldly pointed to the door. Oliver understood his gesture and could only retreat outside with a bitter smile.

...

When Oliver returned to the stretch limousine, he found Jennifer staring out the window with a pale face and red-rimmed eyes. Seeing her expression, he knew her mood must be extremely bad and sighed softly: "Master Andrei is young and hot-headed. Miss, you don't need to take his words to heart."

"Am I so fragile that I need your comfort?"

Jennifer gave a cold laugh: "What he said is true; there's no need to deny it. But that little brat's character is indeed giving me a headache."

Oliver's breath caught, then he mused: "I think the timing is too early. Maybe a few years later, things would be different. Master Andrei is still full of edges now."

"Of course I know, but Uncle Christian can't wait, and others won't give us enough time. Grandfather's retirement to the family council is only a few years away. Among his children, he has a special affection only for my mother."

Jennifer tapped her brow with her finger: "Edges, huh? Then find a way to grind them down! Notify the court to delay the property auction. Tell that Mr. Cai that if he wants to keep his restaurant running at market price, he should fire my brother as soon as possible. Also, the Social Services Bureau—find a reason to temporarily cut off Andrei's welfare benefits."

Oliver raised an eyebrow: "Welfare benefits? That won't be easy. I'll do my best."

According to federal regulations, after Li Mochen became an orphan, if he didn't want to be adopted by another family, he could receive 450 gold shields weekly from the city's Social Services Bureau as living expenses until he turned eighteen.

With the power of the Wiltenstein family, canceling this subsidy would be easy. But this young lady was destined for politics. A small oversight now could become a weapon for future political enemies.

"I didn't say cut it off completely. Just temporarily, temporarily, understand? Can't you stall for time?"

Jennifer's tone rose slightly: "And the school—he transferred to Linden Academy for a full scholarship. Notify the people at Linden Academy too: no money should reach his hands in the next few months. Also, investigate his friends and see if we can make something of it."

"Understood! But—"

Oliver hesitated, with a hint of admonition: "Might this backfire? Master Andrei's character won't easily yield. In this situation, even if he agrees, he'll harbor hatred for you, miss."

"If he has the backbone to hold out, I'll admire him. But if he yields, what can his hatred do? As long as we achieve our goal, can he take a piece out of me?"

Jennifer waved her hand dismissively: "After all, what capital does he have to maintain his pride? At his age, wasn't I naive enough to think I was fearless? Andrei is old enough; it's necessary for him to face reality—"

Just as she said this, a ringtone sounded in the car. Oliver quickly picked up the brick-like wireless phone and looked at it, then said speculatively: "It's from the Cajeron Law Firm, probably about the inheritance of your parents' company."

"The company?" Jennifer Wiltenstein raised an eyebrow in surprise: "It hasn't gone bankrupt yet?"

"It can hold on for a while longer. Your father's old subordinates are loyal enough. Although it's insolvent, there's still a property worth 2.4 million gold dollars, and the related bank loans haven't matured. Your father was cautious; when they borrowed, they didn't include an early repayment clause in the contract."

Oliver spread his hands: "I expect they can last about another six months. But in terms of profit prospects, the company has little value left. Your father was the soul of this company."

"Then tell them directly: I renounce my inheritance rights to the company."

Jennifer's expression was impatient and disgusted, as if she had swallowed a fly: "And he is not my father. I don't want to hear such words from your mouth again."