Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 217

Christopher chuckled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Just this once? You sure about that?"

He gave me a look, and I got the message. I pulled out the financial reports and receipts from the folder.

Christopher took them and waved the evidence in the air. "So, tell me, what were these expenses for?"

Douglas, standing a bit away from Christopher, might not have seen the details, but he wasn't dumb. Putting two and two together, he seemed to catch on.

A flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly masked it with a chuckle. "Mr. Collins, I admit, there are some expenses on the company's account, but those were all for business entertainment, all for the company's benefit."

"I admit, the results of the recent smart car project weren't great, but that doesn't mean I didn't work hard. Everything I did was for the company, so there's no need to make a big deal out of this, Mr. Collins."

Christopher saw he still wouldn't own up.

He sneered and pulled out the receipts. "Your so-called business entertainment includes buying expensive wine for your family, dining out with friends, all charged to the company, and even taking your relatives to a spa. You think I came here without proof?"

His powerful presence and cold demeanor made Douglas's face change repeatedly.

"Mr. Collins, I admit, I might have spent a bit of the company's money, but I've been with the company for so long. You wouldn't really go to such lengths, would you? Aren't you afraid of demoralizing the employees?"

Douglas seemed to be trying to threaten Christopher.

Christopher remained indifferent, not even bothering to look at Douglas.

This made Douglas suddenly furious. "Mr. Collins, don't forget how I got into the company. The people behind me won't allow you to deal with me suddenly. Why risk offending them?"

Hearing Douglas's threat, I couldn't help but frown in displeasure. After all, Christopher was my friend and my boss.

Moreover, when Douglas mentioned the people behind him, I noticed Christopher's face darken, his fists clenching, veins slightly bulging, as if he was holding back his emotions.

I was someone who tended to protect my own, so I immediately felt unhappy. "Mr. Campbell, you're going too far! You're the one who made a mistake, and now you're threatening Mr. Collins?"

I was actually a bit worried about Christopher.

Thinking back to my conversations with Christopher about his family and his attitude, I suspected that the person Douglas was referring to might be Faye.

After all, she was his mother. Even if he saw her true colors, he was probably still hurt and might even want to compromise.

When I spoke, Christopher's expression softened noticeably.

Douglas looked at Christopher, then at me.

"Everyone says Ms. Turner has Mr. Collins's trust and favor. I only half-believed it, so I treated you a bit better. But now I see why you always ignored me. It turns out Mr. Collins gave you the confidence, Ms. Turner. You're indeed not simple, but so what? Your status..."

"Douglas!" Christopher's deep voice suddenly interrupted Douglas.

I felt no emotional turmoil. As expected, there were misunderstandings about me outside, thinking I seduced Christopher to climb up. I had long developed a thick skin.

Instead, I calmly looked at Douglas. "What I am has nothing to do with you, Mr. Campbell. You should worry about yourself!"

Douglas's face darkened. He looked at Christopher. "Mr. Collins, you know who got me in here. If you want to be with Ms. Turner... I can help you. Just pretend you don't know about this. After all, this amount of money shouldn't matter to you. Why not make things easier for everyone?"

"You think I need someone like you to help me with anything?"

Christopher's words were undeniably powerful. No wonder he was who he was. Faced with threats and bribes, he didn't fall into the trap or lose his composure. His response would surely make Douglas crumble.

Sure enough, Douglas panicked.

"Mr. Collins, what do you want? You don't really want to offend me. The people behind me might get angry!" Douglas couldn't help but shout.

Christopher just looked at Douglas coldly as he ranted.

Douglas's face grew uglier. He pulled out his phone, seemingly to call for backup.

At that moment, Vincent entered with two police officers.

"Christopher, you dare!" Douglas's face changed dramatically because he knew that besides forging various receipts for his family's lavish spending, he also had charges of embezzlement, which could land him in jail.

He gritted his teeth and seemed to want to lunge at Christopher.

Instinctively, I stepped in front of Christopher, worried about any aggressive moves.

The next moment, Christopher grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him. His low, restrained voice filled with anger reached my ear. "I'm not so weak that I need a woman to protect me."

I felt a bit embarrassed. I knew that, but how could I tell him my body had reacted faster than my brain?

Never mind. Douglas was taken away by the police, and the evidence in Christopher's hand was handed over to them.

To ease the awkwardness, I greeted Vincent. "Did Mr. Collins notify you? You arrived just in time."

The matter had just been discussed, and he arrived almost on the dot.

Vincent chuckled. "Mr. Collins notified me in time. Luckily, I made it."

Christopher glanced at me, but thankfully, he didn't say much. I breathed a sigh of relief.

He said, "Let's eat!"

The table was filled with food paid for by the company, and it hadn't been touched. It would be a waste not to eat it.

Plus, it was lunchtime. Vincent and I exchanged a smile and sat down.

I had to admit, Douglas and his family knew how to enjoy themselves. They had ordered all the hotel's signature dishes, which were delicious and expensive. No wonder the bills were always so high.

Christopher, raised as the heir of a prominent family, was indeed impressive. Even though he didn't eat slowly, he never seemed rushed or vulgar. Instead, he was elegant and dignified. Watching him eat, we unconsciously followed his pace.

So, we all finished around the same time.

Afterward, Vincent received a call about an urgent project in Emberfall City that required Christopher's attention. Christopher instructed Vincent to prepare the travel documents, and as for me, Christopher assigned the upcoming tasks, giving me the afternoon off from the office.