"Greasing palms? Really? When I first brought it up, you were all for it. And as for why Gilbert Corporation can''tnd a bid-don''t you get it? Bank loans falling through, broken capital chains, negative asset evaluations... Seriously, which of these makes you think we''re fit for the project?"


    Mandy''s anxiety spiked just thinking about Johnny''s report.


    If Gilbert Corporation hit another hurdle, bankruptcy could be looming any minute.


    Just a couple of years ago, everything seemed to be going great. What on earth went wrong?


    Colton squinted at her. "Have you been snooping around thepany''s books?" Mandy pressed her temple, scoffing, "I didn''t have to snoop. Someone else did."


    Colton frowned.


    "Oh, and by the way, I''ve got some news for you. The only reason Gilbert Corporation''s got the bigwigs'' attention is because of the foster daughter. Without her, you wouldn''t have had the chance to strut around showing off these past few days," Mandy smirked.


    Colton stared at her. "What are you implying?"


    "Our foster daughter''s got skills, what else?" Mandy paused, suddenly filled with regret. "If it weren''t for the Gilbert family''s favoritism towards boys over girls, would I ever have had such a rocky rtionship with her?"


    If she hadn''t been at odds with the foster daughter, everything might be different.


    And the Davis family... Mandy thought about it but ultimately didn''t voice her suspicion that the Davis family might be moreplicated than they seemed.


    After all, speaking out wouldn''t help; the Gilbert family''s current mess was headache enough for Bernardo.


    "The Gilbert family favors boys over girls? And what about you, Mandy? How noble are you? Dumping that child back at the old family home and never checking in, does that make you the good guy?" Colton''s voice carried a hint of derision.


    Mandy didn''t reply, just slumped onto the couch, her expression cloudy.


    Seeing her like this, Colton pieced together some of the disjointed things she''d said upon her return. After a moment, he asked, "You mean the foster daughter and Johnny are close? Thepany''s opportunities are all because of her?"


    Mandy didn''t want to answer any questions, but after a while, she said softly, "Go check it out yourself."


    "But I reckon you won''t find much. Anyway, that''s that. I''m tired. I''m going to my room." Mandy grabbed her purse and listlessly headed upstairs.


    Bernardo watched her, his brow furrowed deeply.


    **


    After leaving Parkside High School, Johnny picked up a call from Owen and returned to his ce to gather all his medical records before heading over to the Shields residence.


    When Johnny handed over the medical history to Linnea, he asked with a puzzled expression, "Ma''am, Owen''s health has improved. Why do you need these?"


    Owen had only told Johnny to give the medical files to his mother, without borating.


    So Johnny was quite curious.


    Despite having heard from her son the night before that his health was better, Linnea remained skeptical. Hearing Johnny mention it, she couldn''t help but ask, "You''re not conspiring with Owen to keep this from me, are you?"


    Johnny chuckled at her words, "Ma''am, you''ve got it all wrong. I wouldn''t dare keep something this serious from you. Owen''s health really has improved a lot."


    Linnea scrutinized him for a moment, then dropped the subject and tucked the medical records into her purse. She picked up the car keys from the side table, ready to step out.


    "You get back to work. I have an errand to run."