Chapter 3048


    Er thought to himself, ''Patricia doesn''t like it when I show too much concern, Maintaining some


    distance is wiser.''


    He cast a final nce back, carrying the weight of his concern for Patricia. Despite his worries, Er


    recognized the importance of not overstaying his presence. He resolved to find excuses to visit her


    more frequently in the days ahead.


    Later that day, following lunch, Nicole, Lulu, and Patricia had just made their way back to the office.


    The sudden ring of Lulu''s phone broke the silence. She recognized the caller ID immediately and


    picked up, asking, "What''s the status?


    "Really? Okay, got it."


    After ending the call, Lulu turned to Nicole with a grave expression and confirmed, "Just as you


    suspected."


    Nicole, with a somber look, suggested, "Let''s discuss this in my office," and led the way.


    Lulu and Patricia followed her in. Lulu reported immediately, "There''s indeed something fishy about that


    project. The person behind it is Everett." "Everett again?" Patricia''s face turned pale as she wondered,


    ''Why is he targeting Er again?'' "What''s he trying to do?" Nicole pressed Lulu for answers.


    Lulu, visibly frustrated, revealed, "Our investigation shows that thepany behind the proposal is just


    a shellpany, with Everett orchestrating the whole scheme. He''s likely aiming to take down


    BayCorp." "But what does he gain from BayCorp''s downfall?" Patricia was confused.'' Could Everett be


    nning to take over BayCorp himself? That seems farfetched.''


    Nicole, with a hint of disdain, spected, ’He''s probably targeting the Riddle Corporation. BayCorp is


    just the first step."


    She knew Everett had been out of the loop in San Joto for too long, underestimating Er''s progress.


    ''Had it been Erfrom before, Everett might have stood a chance. Unfortunately for him, times have


    changed.'' "So, you''re suggesting that if Everett manages to seed now, he might go after DillCorp,


    NandoCorp, and eventually target US?" Patricia''s concern deepened.


    "His ambitions are clearly grand, but it''s questionable if he actually has the means to achieve them,"


    Lulu remarked, her voiceced with scorn.


    Nicole''s gaze sharpened as she began to formte a n.


    "You have a n?" Patricia, picking up on Nicole''s thoughtful expression, feltpelled to inquire.


    "Lulu, go and..." Nicole started, her mind racing with strategies to counter Everett''s moves.


    "Ms. Riddle, is this really okay?" Patricia voiced her worries, concerned that if Everett caught wind of


    their actions, their chances of seeding could dwindle.


    Nicole shrugged, her gaze lifting to meet Patricia''s, "The next move is up to you.’ "Me?" Patricia was


    taken aback.


    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "Yes, you. I need you to go to El I ar, fill him in on our strategy, and seek his coboration," Nicole


    directed with clear intent.


    "But..." Patricia hesitated, troubled by the thought of going to Er.


    Nicole, noting Patricia''s hesitation, offered an alternative, "Or you can switch tasks with Lulu if that


    makes you morefortable."


    Ultimately, it boiled down to just two tasks that required coordination between them.


    With a resigned sigh, Patricia conceded, "I''ll go now."


    She knew deep down that if she proposed swapping tasks with Lulu, Lulu would likely decline. It was


    merely a professional visit; she reassured herself that she could handle it.


    Once Patricia and Lulu had departed, Nicole''s expression turned serious. She picked up her phone,


    dialed Preston''s number, and warned, "Everett has begun to act; you need to be cautious as well."