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Chapter 76: Can We Talk Now?

Angela was aware of the disadvantage Earl had suffered.

In light of this, she strategically leveraged her connection with Debra to secure the company’s secret key.

Possession of this key permitted instantaneous firewall breaches.

It had never been her intention to tamper with confidential company data, nor to cause the company any harm.

Her self–assurance was palpable.

After all, her hacking skills were honed by an international expert in cyber–security.

Although she had never showcased her prowess, it was undoubtedly superior to Earl’s.

She held firm in her belief that she was far from risking failure.

Clarity still eluded her.

An outcome once considered a certainty now

had her facing a police investigation and potential imprisonment.

With a deep sigh, Debra said,

“We’ll seek a solution.”

Angela wiped away her tears, utterly devoid of solutions.

The humiliation was too great to bear.

“Mom…”

Angela realized this was a predicament she could not expect her

mother to resolve.

Debra spoke slowly,

Ultimately, it’s up to the technical department.”

Angela immediately grasped the implicit meaning.

“Are you suggesting I apologize to Sandra?”

“Securing her forgiveness is essential.”

Regardless of the cost, make Sandra downplay the incident’s severity.

to the authorities.

This way, Angela might escape with a mere verbal reprimand or at most, a brief detention.

Biting her lip, Angela protested, “Mom, if I apologize to Sandra, how -can I possibly maintain my standing within the family?”

Debra asked, “Do you recall Zachary’s granddaughter?”

Angela flinched.

Of course, she remembered.

But that girl had since emigrated, never to return.

Why did her mom broach that girl?

“Not being a part of The Cooper, she was easily sacrificed during a crisis.”

Angela was still perplexed, “But I am your biological daughter!”

She believed herself to be held in high esteem, even likely to inherit a significant portion of the company in the future.

Debra rose and approached the window, a cool breeze lifting her long hair.

“Have you ever considered whether your grandmother would have been so resolute if Zachary’s granddaughter were integral to the

company?

Angela had an epiphany.

In essence, she faced the same vulnerability as Zachary’s granddaughter.

The difference was she had Debra as her mother.

But if her mistakes surpass her mother’s ability to conceal them, she would be sacrificed, too.

Angela conceded, “I’ll apologize to that bitch!”

Debra returned a cold sneer.

“An apology is not enough.”

Angela, utterly astonished, asked, “You can’t possibly mean to cede our shares, do you?”

Angela had heard from Hailey of Sandra’s desires to usurp shares.

“Grandma was always on guard against her. And now we are just giving our shares to her?”

If not for her own foolishness, Sandra would never have found a pretext to claim the shares!

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

Seeing Angela come to this realization, Debra found a small ounce of

solace.

She gently patted Angela’s shoulder.

“You must act nice to her, regardless of how she responds. Understand?”

“Yes,” acknowledged Angela.

Thinking of her predicament, she resigned to swallow her pride.

After Sandra returned to the office, she joined the police in the conference room.

She presented her accounts with clarity and conciseness and the transcript went smoothly.

The police instructed, “Please remain within the company premises as further inquiries may arise. Your cooperation is appreciated.”

Sandra smiled assuredly, “I promise to comply.”

“Next”

Sandra left the conference room to find Debra and Angela at the end

of the hallway.

Debra approached briskly, a semblance of a smile on her face.

“Sandra, may we have a word?”

Sandra gestured behind them.

“I must discuss with my husband first.”

Debra turned, noticing Wesley accompanied by Joey not far off.

Her smile faltered.

“I’ll wait for you.”

Sandra nodded, “Very well, please wait.”

She walked towards Wesley.

Angela’s rage was palpable.

“Mom, is she not becoming insufferably arrogant?”

Debra was also seething with fury.

But what choice did they have?

Angela’s fate was firmly in the hands of Sandra.

Regardless of humiliation or even physical retribution, they had no

recourse.

Sandra smiled slightly,

“Are you concerned I might be oppressed, Mr. Cooper?”

Casting a glance at Debra and Angela, then back at Sandra, Wesley remarked,

“It seems others are more likely to suffer oppression.”

“You show such concern for them.”

“No, I show more concern for you.”

Sandra said, “They want to talk to me now.”

Wesley’s eyes deepened a little when he heard this.

She added, “You ordered Joey to reprimand Angela and I reap benefits today.”

Wesley fixed his gaze upon her, “Given the firewall was your

handiwork, you would’ve sensed her tampering immediately, wouldn’t you?”

If she had reported it earlier, Angela’s transgression would have been minor, meriting no punishment.

Sandra’s silence was strategic. She awaited Angela’s fall into the snare she had laid.

Sandra lifted an eyebrow, “I’m sensing our similarities now.”

Joey, “…” You two old foxes.

Wesley inquired, “What do you want from them?”

You’re well aware that the your company holds no allure for me.”

She said “your company“!

Joey was stirred with sentiment.

Sandra did all these for Wesley?!

Their love is so real.

Driven by her affection for Wesley, she willingly forsook her rights and endured the provocations from Angela.

“Madam, you make me weep.”

Debra, impatient to wait any longer, approached with Angela, “Can we talk now?”