No Wife, No Life Chapter 198

At that moment, Harper pursed her lips and said, "Let me see it. You go ahead and eat."

Caden picked up his utensils and started eating. "Later, show the proposal to the board. If everyone thinks it's feasible, we'll have a meeting to discuss it."

He took a sip of his soup and then remembered something. He looked over at his assistant. "Have Neal polish the proposal and make a PowerPoint. We'll have a meeting next week, and he will lead it"

Caden was used to giving orders, but then he remembered that Harper was now the president of FusionX Company.

He paused. "Harper, what do you think?"

Harper lowered her eyes slightly and didn't speak.

This opportunity was quite rare for a newcomer. Caden wanted to give Neal a chance. It seemed Neal's goal had been achieved.

If Neal just wanted to advance, there was nothing wrong with that.

But his eagerness to enter the core of power and his attempts to curry favor with Manuel's subordinates suggested more complex intentions.

So what was he really after?

Harper flipped through the proposal with a faint smile, remaining silent.

She didn't immediately voice her doubts. After all, she was only speculating and had no concrete evidence.

Harper said, "Of course, I also want to see what kind of surprises he can bring us. But I'd like to try it out first."

Without further explanation to Caden, Harper got up and went to her desk. She quickly completed the PowerPoint on her computer.

Her skills far surpassed Neal's. In just a few pages, she outlined a beautiful and grand vision. No investor could resist such temptation. After finishing the PowerPoint, Harper planned to discuss it with a few acquaintances first.

The meeting place was the Sapphire Dining Room, and the attendees were some of Caden's familiar contacts, including Peyton and Jacob from HoloSphere Technologies.

She organized this dinner partly to see if she could secure some investments and partly to get Caden out to socialize with friends.

Soon, they met in a private room at the Sapphire Dining Room.

Arthur had always had issues with Harper, so he said nothing after reading the proposal.

However, Charles couldn't hide his excitement. "Is this proposal serious? If it is, I'll definitely invest."

Charles thought, 'Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity.'

Jacob lazily chimed in, "The proposal is real, and so is the trap."

He knew Harper too well. She wouldn't set a trap for no reason; someone must have provoked her.

Everyone's eyes turned to Harper, but no one could read her thoughts.

Harper took a sip of her coffee and smiled faintly. "Do you want to know why this proposal exists?"

Of course, they wanted to know.

Harper nodded, put down her coffee cup, and said, "It's not a big deal."

She briefly explained and introduced Neal's background.

"So, you made this proposal to set up Neal?" Arthur finally spoke.

"Of course." Harper gave him a meaningful smile.

"If he wants to take shortcuts to success, I'll show him that not all shortcuts are worth taking. He'll have to pay a price."

Neal had deliberately bypassed her to meet with Caden, trying to sow discord between them.

Many people speculated that there was a rift between her and Caden. They thought Caden's assets and shares were not given to her willingly, and that he was forced by Harper. If that were true, Neal had granted Caden an opportunity to reclaim his power. Unfortunately, he miscalculated.

Everything Caden gave to Harper was voluntary. He willingly stepped back to support her.

Since Neal liked to stir up trouble and report over her head, she would let him face the consequences.

"So, is this project real? If it is, I'll invest," Charles said, his eyes gleaming as he scrutinized the proposal.

Harper offered a faint smile. "I pledge FusionX Company and HoloSphere Technologies as collateral; the project proposal is genuine."

Before Charles could respond, her phone rang.

She glanced at the number and nodded to the group before stepping out to take the call.

After Harper left, Caden felt the room was stuffy, so he wheeled himself to the balcony for some fresh air.

The night breeze was cool. Looking out at the distant city lights, he felt an emptiness inside. However, he couldn't pinpoint what was missing.

Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned to see Arthur.

Arthur glanced at him and then lit a cigarette. "Have you adjusted?"

Through the smoke, Arthur's face looked half-hidden.

"It's been a while. You need to face reality. Caden, you shouldn't stay in the background." His voice was low.

During this period, he had refrained from contacting Caden, mainly out of concern that Caden might still feel insecure about his current situation, and a sudden approach might distress him.

This was the first time he'd seen Caden since the car accident.

Caden was completely different from before. The once bold and carefree Caden now had a deep sense of melancholy in his eyes. From a powerful president, he had become someone who relied on a wheelchair. No one could easily accept such a drastic change.

"I'm just tired." Caden looked up at the sky, his gaze deepening.

"You actually get tired?"

Arthur didn't believe it. He looked down at Caden. "I hate Harper; you know that. But even I have to admit she's exceptional."

"As far as I know, Mason, the heir to Majestic City's wealthiest family, is at FusionX Company. My sources say he's been keeping an eye on Harper."

"Caden, don't you feel any sense of crisis?"Of course, he did. But he felt he wasn't worthy of her.

"You're overthinking it." Caden's eyes dimmed, not wanting to continue the topic.

Arthur was so frustrated he laughed. "Fine, do whatever you want."

Arthur stubbed out his cigarette and stormed off.

Caden remained still, looking at the distant skyscrapers and bright lights.

Arthur left the room and saw Harper in a corner, on the phone, seemingly arranging work.

Arthur's lips curled into a smirk. He walked over and snatched Harper's phone.

Before Harper could react, he hung up the call.

"Arthur, that's my phone." Harper's voice was calm, not angry.

"Harper, I really hate you," Arthur said bluntly.

Harper nodded. "I can tell."

Her indifferent demeanor only fueled Arthur's anger.

"Harper, don't you think you're too heartless?"

For a moment, Harper didn't understand what he meant.

She looked at him quietly, waiting for him to continue.

"Caden was targeted because of you, and you know it."