Chapter 161 - 160: Why Did You Push Her?

Chapter 161: Chapter 160: Why Did You Push Her?

Luna Lynn met her gaze and spoke candidly.

"They say you shouldn’t air your dirty laundry in public. But as a daughter who was lost for over twenty years, what affection could the Lynch Family and I possibly have for each other?"

"I know it’s abrupt of me to tell you this, but the Lynch Family is currently facing financial problems..."

Luna Lynn paused, a faint chill in her smile. "It’s a trap. I’m not falling into it, and I hope you won’t either, President Whitman."

Caroline Whitman raised an eyebrow. "And why should I take your word for it? We’ve never even spoken before today. We’re certainly not close enough for you to be telling me all this."

’Is this what they call a desperate remedy?’

Luna Lynn had anticipated this response. Her expression remained unchanged, her tone still composed.

"It’s simply for my own sake. I don’t want to see the Lynch Family succeed, so naturally, I’m willing to tell you this."

"You might find my reasoning a bit flimsy, but I’m also aware that whether the Whitman Group continues to partner with the Lynch Family isn’t something that can be decided by my word alone.

You’re welcome to have the Whitman Group investigate the Lynch Family’s financial pipeline. If you need proof, I can provide that as well."

At this, she paused briefly, looking up at Caroline Whitman as her tone took a slight turn.

"Of course, if the Whitman Group is concerned about losing a business deal... perhaps I could recommend an alternative."

After all that beating around the bush, Caroline Whitman finally heard the real point.

’So that’s what this was all about. All that preamble wasn’t the point—this is.’

’Isn’t this just a roundabout way of poaching the Lynch Family’s business?’

She smiled. "I’m all ears."

"AetherTech," Luna Lynn said calmly. "I assume you’ve heard the name, President Whitman. And yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking—Vincent Fuller’s startup.

He has resources in the overseas market and is also heavily involved domestically."

Caroline Whitman was actually surprised. She hadn’t expected Luna Lynn to recommend Vincent Fuller so directly.

’In the original novel’s plot, one of them was supposed to get pregnant and run away, leading to a ’he flees, she pursues’ storyline later on.’

’It seems this plotline is already diverging from what I remember.’

’Then again, my own storyline has changed, so it makes sense that others would too.’

’If that’s the case, does this mean Vincent Fuller and Luna Lynn have lost their protagonist plot armor?’

She pushed the thought aside for the moment.

"Does President Fuller know you’re here drumming up business for him?" Caroline Whitman asked, intrigued.

"No." Luna Lynn’s expression didn’t falter as she lifted her champagne flute for a sip.

"Are you going to tell him when you get back?"

"That depends," Luna Lynn’s tone remained even. "If President Whitman refuses, there’s no need to bring it up."

Caroline Whitman glanced over in Adrian Grant’s direction. He was currently in conversation with someone.

"Why not approach Adrian Grant? I’d think a partnership with the Grant Group would carry more weight than one with the Whitman Group."

Luna Lynn smiled, not shying away from the question. "I’d love to, but I can’t get in touch with President Grant."

Caroline Whitman lifted her chin slightly, gesturing toward Adrian Grant. "There’s your chance right there."

Luna Lynn: "..."

’I’m not an idiot.’

’Approaching Adrian Grant right in front of Vincent Fuller? With his temper, he’d probably start another fight with me when we got home.’

"I’ll consider what you’ve told me. As for you acting as a go-between for Vincent Fuller, I imagine if he were truly interested, he wouldn’t need a liaison. He’d approach the Whitman Group himself.

If there’s nothing else, Miss Lynch, please excuse me."

With that, Caroline Whitman felt she had said enough and prepared to end the conversation.

But unexpectedly, just as she finished speaking, a passing waiter with a drink cart stumbled. The glasses on his tray went flying with a loud CLATTER.

With a dull THUD, the man, cart, and all, collided with Luna Lynn.

Luna Lynn had been leaning against the railing, right next to the spiral staircase leading to the floor below.

The force of the collision was considerable, knocking her off balance and sending her tumbling directly toward the staircase.

’Shit!’

’You’ve got to be kidding me!’

Before Caroline Whitman’s mind could even process it, her hand had already shot out, grabbing Luna Lynn’s wrist and yanking her back with all her might.

The two of them staggered for several steps before managing to steady themselves.

Luna Lynn’s high heel caught the edge of a step, and for a moment, it looked like she would drag Caroline Whitman down with her.

’I knew being around the female lead could trigger an accident, but I didn’t think the odds were this high!’

’I was standing right beside her. If she had actually fallen, according to the ’law of cannon fodder,’ I would’ve definitely been dragged into it.’

Just as they regained their footing, Vincent Fuller was already striding through the crowd toward them.

He moved with incredible speed. One moment he was on the other side of the hall talking to someone; the next, his expression had darkened at the sound of the commotion.

Reaching them, he dispensed with all pleasantries, grabbing Luna Lynn by the shoulders. His eyes swept over her, and only after confirming she was unhurt did the tense line of his jaw relax fractionally.

"President Whitman," he asked grimly, his gaze shifting to Caroline Whitman, "why did you push her?"

Caroline Whitman, who had just been flexing her wrist, froze at his words.

She looked up at Vincent Fuller, her expression shifting from confusion to disbelief in a single second.

"Huh?"

Just then, Adrian Grant walked over.

His pace was as unhurried as ever, but as he reached Caroline Whitman’s side, his gaze lingered on her for a moment. After confirming she was fine, he asked coolly, "What’s going on?"

"The waiter slipped and ran into Miss Lynch. I just pulled her back," Caroline Whitman explained succinctly, flexing the wrist she had used in the process.

Adrian Grant glanced down at her wrist. Without a word, he took her hand, turned it over to inspect it, and then gently massaged her wrist joint with his thumb.

Caroline Whitman felt a little uncomfortable with his blatant display of concern, as if no one else was around. She tried to pull her hand back, but couldn’t.

Just then, Luna Lynn patted Vincent Fuller’s arm and said in a low voice, "You’ve misunderstood. Miss Whitman pulled me back just in time."

Lily Young finally saw her opening.

"Hey, I can vouch for her! It definitely wasn’t President Whitman who pushed her. I happened to be recording a video just now and caught the whole thing."

"Here."

With that, she took out her phone, played the clip she’d just taken, and showed it to Vincent Fuller. The video clearly showed how the waiter had stumbled and how Caroline Whitman had grabbed Luna Lynn.

Vincent Fuller: "..."

Silence stretched between the four of them for a full three seconds.

Lily Young took back her phone. "So, how about that? You’ve got an eyewitness and physical evidence now."

’My cousin is a genius,’ she thought.

’To think she predicted something like this might happen. Good thing she told me to record a video beforehand.’

Caroline Whitman silently gave Lily Young an appreciative look.

Vincent Fuller turned to Caroline Whitman. His tone was more subdued, though his brow hadn’t fully relaxed. "My apologies. I misjudged the situation."

Adrian Grant looked up at him. "If you’re sick, you should see a doctor."

"Accusing people without getting a clear look first. Is that how you conduct business as well?"