Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 162

Paula couldn't help but give me a playful wink. "You know the kind of cases Mr. Cook usually takes on, right? They're not small potatoes. So why'd he agree to take yours? Could it be because of Mr. Collins? You just went to the police station to report it, and Mr. Cook immediately agreed to take it on. Isn't that a bit too coincidental?"

I quickly shook my head and explained, "No, it's just a coincidence. You must've seen it online. Mr. Cook is representing a lot of victims hurt by Alan. I'm just one of them. Since he's already handling similar cases, it made sense for him to take mine too."

"Looks like you got lucky! With Mr. Cook on the case, Alan probably won't be getting out anytime soon." Paula was genuinely happy for me.

When she heard I was being slandered, she called me several times out of concern and even got into heated arguments with those who were badmouthing me online.

This restaurant had great food, a unique style, and a peaceful environment perfect for discussing matters and enjoying a meal.

After dinner, Paula drove me home but didn't come in since she had other things to attend to.

The next day, when there was another knock on my door, I felt a bit numb to it.

Tiana stood at the door with a warm smile. "Ms. Turner, breakfast is ready. Come join us."

"Tiana, didn't I tell you not to make breakfast for me?" I wasn't angry, just a bit exasperated.

Tiana looked frustrated and smacked her forehead. "Oh, my memory! I'm getting old and forgetful. I'm so sorry, Ms. Turner."

I grabbed her hand to stop her from hitting her head. She meant well, and I couldn't be mad at her.

I was worried she might hurt herself. "Tiana, have you thought about getting a check-up for your memory issues?"

"I've been busy and forgot. I'll go when I have some free time," Tiana replied.

I thought about it. Even though Tiana was a housekeeper, she was kind and caring, treating both Christopher and me with great dedication. I felt a familial bond with her and considered her like a family member.

"How about I schedule a check-up for you and take you there?" I suggested.

"No need. You're so busy. I have plenty of time, and while I'm forgetful, I can still manage to see a doctor on my own. But thank you for your concern," Tiana said.

Seeing her insist, I didn't push the matter but reminded her, "If you need anything, call me. I'll help you out."

So, once again, I found myself at Christopher's breakfast table. He seemed to be in a good mood. Though his expression remained cool, I could sense it.

The company was about to get busy again.

At the AutoForge Workshop.

Christopher, Vincent, and I were there to inspect the workshop.

This project was a significant one for Summit Innovations Group, so everyone took it very seriously.

Douglas Campbell, the head of AutoForge Workshop, was in charge of the presentation.

Douglas began explaining the car's features and the advantages of the smart car. However, it was clear that the presentation fell short of expectations.

When Christopher got into work mode, his presence was formidable. His feedback left everyone on edge, sweating bullets. "You've repeated the same selling point twice, which shows that this car hasn't met expectations. The required performance hasn't been achieved."

Douglas, feeling the pressure from Christopher's presence, still had confidence in the smart car. He dared to respond, "Mr. Collins, trust me, our research team is top-notch. The car we've developed will undoubtedly be cutting-edge and lead the industry."

He seemed eager to continue praising the car's virtues. But clearly, Douglas didn't know Christopher well enough.

Christopher's expression remained cold, his gaze sharp. "If this is what you call top-notch, then I think your team should be disbanded."

His words were blunt and unforgiving. Douglas finally realized the gravity of the situation. He thought it over and didn't dare to directly contradict Christopher.

Christopher's words might have seemed harsh, but if Douglas compared their work to the current market, he'd see that their research was indeed lacking.

As the head of AutoForge Workshop, which boasted the best research team, Douglas had to take responsibility for the subpar results.

Douglas didn't dare to argue further and admitted his mistake, "Mr. Collins, it's my fault."

Seeing that Douglas acknowledged his mistake, Christopher didn't press further. Instead, he offered some reassurance. "Research can hit bottlenecks and face delays, but one must remain clear-headed and not become complacent."

Douglas understood Christopher's point and felt even more ashamed.

Since we were there, we proceeded with the driver performance test. I was the female participant for this test.

There was a common stereotype that women were bad drivers due to brain structure, so smart cars were seen as particularly beneficial for women.

The test track simulated real road conditions and various obstacles. But it couldn't fully replicate real-world conditions, and I felt a bit uneasy.

Douglas seemed to notice my hesitation or maybe just saw that I was the only woman and suggested, "How about Ms. Turner gives it a try?"

My hand instinctively tightened. I didn't immediately agree. Though I tried to maintain a calm exterior, my hands trembled slightly.

The trauma from the car accident caused by Clara still lingered, making me afraid to drive. So, I didn't move.

Christopher looked at me, and our eyes met. I averted my gaze, my lips moving slightly but unable to speak.

"Vincent!" Christopher's command was swift.

Vincent, ever the quick thinker, immediately understood Christopher's intention and volunteered, "I'm curious about some of the features you mentioned. How about I give it a try?"

With Vincent stepping up, Douglas had no objections.

After the car completed a lap, there weren't any major issues. However, the obstacle course was too simplistic. Even with a 97% accuracy rate, Christopher was still dissatisfied.

Douglas tried to explain, "It rained today, making the outdoor track unsuitable for testing, so we had to move it indoors."

Christopher gave him a piercing look. "Rain is part of the testing conditions. Are you saying this car is only for sunny days? Or will you tell customers not to drive in the rain?"

"Well, I..." Douglas was so intimidated by Christopher's stern words that he broke into a cold sweat.

I noticed Christopher's lips pressed into a thin line, clearly displeased with today's test.