Chapter 220 The Universally Known Cuckold

Chapter 220: Chapter 220: The Universally Known Cuckold

The launch of the tumor surgery robot required robust support from multiple branches, including various parts suppliers. Especially since Sophie Winslow’s machine broke the mold of traditional medical robots, its requirements for components were naturally far more stringent.

As for their upstream partners, Sophie was pleasantly surprised to discover that Longview was perfectly capable of meeting all the machine’s requirements. Longview had deep roots in the industry and had developed rapidly under the powerful backing of Sterling Corp. Thus, their product lines were extensive, ranging from fully assembled machines to individual components, catering to both domestic and export markets.

Having Longview as Helios’s upstream supplier was currently the best possible scenario. It resolved the vast majority of Helios’s difficulties regarding parts. Now that Longview was under her name, she could perfectly control unit prices, giving Helios a greater advantage by reducing manufacturing costs and integration difficulties.

With Sophie acting as the bridge, Longview and Helios signed a contract. Currently, they still needed to negotiate with other parts manufacturers for the fully assembled machine. Sophie and Peter Preston had an impromptu meeting with an industry leader from Seabourne.

This Mr. Fletcher was exceptionally satisfied with their machine and offered a highly reasonable price. Sophie shook his hand in gratitude. "I look forward to a pleasant partnership moving forward."

"Since we’re all here, why don’t we grab a bite together? I’ve booked a private room upstairs," Mr. Fletcher offered politely and enthusiastically.

Peter immediately agreed, "No problem. Since you’ve made the trip down to Rydan, it’s only right that we play host."

Mr. Fletcher waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t be so polite. We have a long road ahead of us."

Sophie was in a good mood. Securing another partner meant the future development of the equipment would go much more smoothly. They headed upstairs. As they passed one of the private rooms, a waiter happened to be going in and out. With a casual turn of her head, Sophie’s gaze instantly caught the man sitting elegantly in the center seat, leaning against the back of his chair.

He wore the faint, polite smile of a socialite, yet his eyes revealed nothing. Stella Sutton was beside him, whispering something intimately into his ear, and he leaned in slightly to listen.

Perhaps her gaze was piercing. In the brief pause while listening to Stella, Julian Sterling raised his eyelashes, his eyes landing directly on her the moment she passed the crack in the door.

Sophie frowned and immediately quickened her pace.

By chance, Mr. Fletcher had also noticed the situation inside the room. Before entering their own room, he murmured to them, "Things are quite lively over there. A lot of big changes."

Peter glanced at Sophie. After walking in and taking a seat, he asked, "What do you mean?"

Mr. Fletcher was clearly a man of vast connections. He said, "I just arrived in Rydan, and early this morning, I received some news from a friend. You know a parts company called Acuity, right?"

Sophie nodded. Peter smiled and said, "Of course. They’re top three in Rydan and hold a solid position nationwide. They have their own patented technology and are also Helios’s most important partner."

For some components of their assembled machines, Acuity was the only one that could meet the technical requirements. Like Longview, they were their upstream supplier.

Mr. Fletcher clicked his tongue. "Then do you know about the massive shareholder shake-up at Acuity?"

Sophie’s brow twitched inexplicably. She had a bad premonition. The next second, she heard Mr. Fletcher gossip, "Acuity has a new shareholder. It caused quite a stir in our parts circle a few days ago. She took a heavy position in Acuity, buying up circulating shares at high prices. Throwing in real, cold hard cash, straight into Acuity’s major shareholder ranks."

Sophie dug her nails into her fingertips. "And that shareholder is..."

Mr. Fletcher patted the table. "Did you see Mr. Sterling of Sterling Corp in that private room we just passed? He’s the mastermind behind it. The lady sitting next to him is Acuity’s new shareholder. She bought up a massive amount of shares and now holds a very high position in Acuity."

Hearing the answer she had already guessed, Sophie still felt a heavy blow to her chest. Her ears buzzed. She couldn’t tell if she was furious or if she just found it absurd.

She quickly exchanged a glance with Peter, and the two almost instantly shared the same thought. Helios had refused to let Stella Sutton buy shares or participate in the dividends of the tumor surgery robot. In turn, Stella had taken a heavy position in Helios’s upstream supplier, forcibly tying herself to their project. This way, Stella could also be considered a key partner of this project and would still be able to thoroughly reap the dividends...

"They must be having an internal Acuity dinner right now," Mr. Fletcher said. Suddenly remembering something, he looked at Sophie. "So, that means Mr. Sterling and Miss Sutton are also Helios’s upstream partners? That’s great. Acuity is very capable, and Mr. Sterling has powerful backing. Helios is guaranteed to make a profit."

Sophie, however, pursed her lips and stayed silent. It felt like she had been pointlessly sickened. It was her project, yet Julian forcefully shoved Stella into the game, leaving her no room to refuse. No wonder Julian hadn’t pushed hard to invest in Helios back then. He had plenty of other methods...

Letting the mistress reap the dividends and piggyback on the project for free, allowing her to take a slice of the pie... Sophie still found it incredibly repulsive. She took a deep breath.

Peter’s face also darkened slightly, but he didn’t show it, simply pouring a glass of water and sliding it over to Sophie. Things had already come to this. There was nothing they could do.

"Mr. Sterling is truly devoted to that Miss Sutton. This isn’t something an ordinary man can do. He’s got great vision and genuinely cares for her," Mr. Fletcher sighed with emotion.

Sophie took a sip of water, suppressing the astringent tightness in her throat. "Indeed."

"But," Mr. Fletcher added mysteriously, "do you guys know the gossip about the Sterling Family? I’m from Seabourne, so there are a lot of things I’m not clear on, but rumor has it that Mr. Sterling has an official wife at home. I wonder if she knows her husband is bestowing such great honor on another woman outside? That’s why I say, women shouldn’t be too shut-in at home. They wouldn’t even know when their home is being stolen from under them. It’s just too pitiful."

Peter opened his mouth, then stopped himself. He looked at Sophie with a complicated expression.

Sophie’s expression, however, didn’t fluctuate much. She even smiled and chimed in, "Yeah. Being publicly cheated on like that is indeed pretty tragic."

She was mocking herself. Mr. Fletcher didn’t catch the nuance and smilingly continued the conversation.

The meal tasted like ashes. Both Sophie and Peter were rather unsettled. Now that Stella had turned the tables and become their upstream supplier, it wasn’t a favorable situation for them. They would be leeched off by Stella and manipulated by her at the same time. She felt like a massive sucker, destined to become Stella’s nourishment. Sophie couldn’t possibly view this with a calm state of mind.

When the meal ended, Sophie went to the restroom. Gripping the edges of the sink, she forced herself to calm down.

Julian’s methods were far too ruthless. When Helios rejected Stella, he simply switched to a method that Helios couldn’t reject or interfere with—a fatal strike. It left them completely defenseless.

But to just let Stella enter the game like this and leech off her hard work... she was still furious. Once the project stabilized in the future, Stella would start reaping the spoils without lifting a finger.

Sophie’s mind was racing. Drifting off into thought, she suddenly heard the clicking of high heels nearby. Only then did she notice Stella walking over. The woman was glowing with health and vigor, completely devoid of the bleak gloom she had shown a few days ago when her attempt to hijack the project failed.

"I’m afraid we’ll be seeing each other quite often from now on," Stella said leisurely as she washed her hands.

Sophie looked over indifferently.

Stella curled her lips into a smile. "I know you really wanted to interfere with Mr. Preston and make him reject my investment. But Sophie, don’t be so possessive over other people’s companies and projects. Not everyone is a fish in your little pond, dancing to your tune. Even if you strip down your defenses and serve yourself up on a silver platter, you still wouldn’t be able to win over everyone in the circle. You can’t block my path."

As far as she was concerned, Sophie was just engaging in futile efforts. Previously, she had acted high and mighty relying on Mr. Hawthorne’s confession. But now, Mr. Hawthorne surely knew about Sophie’s background, right? Naturally, Mr. Hawthorne wasn’t associating with Sophie anymore.

Sophie met her with cold eyes. The moment Stella turned around, she blocked her path and was just about to speak.

Then Stella raised an eyebrow and said, "Excuse me? Julian is still waiting for me outside."