"I'll have someone look into it." James didn't think Maria would be so laid-back about this. Maybe this was to get him to drop his defenses before she came in for the kill.
"No need. Just answer the question, please."
"None." The meteoric rise of Fosun Entertainment was largely an enigma. They had cooperated with HL Group on a few projects in the past, but James had never cared overmuch. Until now, anyway.
If it weren't for the record profits they were raking in, he wouldn't even know who they were.
"Okay." That was the final message Maria sent him that day.
After her shower, Maria dressed herself. She was just admiring herself in the mirror when there was a knock on the door. "Room service," called a voice behind the door.
She opened the door, a quizzical look in her eyes. She took a look at the lavish meal and asked the waiter, "What's this?"
"Lunch, ma'am. Compliments of Mr. Xi," he replied. "Oh, thank you!" She walked over to the dresser, grabbed some cash from her purse and tipped him.
"Thanks, ma'am." The waiter bowed and left the room.
After lunch, Maria walked down the hallway to the exit. She wanted to keep as low a profile as possible.
The first thing she did when she came back to H City was heading to Miracle Cafe. Chandler was waiting for her there.
Her coffee shop was always busy. When she walked in, she saw Chandler sitting in an inconspicuous corner sipping his coffee.
Facing her so-called father, Maria sat opposite him and asked, "Mr. Song, does Mrs. Song know you're here?"
Chandler sighed. "No, Maria. She doesn't know. I didn't tell anyone this time."
Hearing his answer, Maria gave him a mocking smile. Her so-called father came to see her, his own daughter, and had to sneak around to do it.
She flipped her long hair and urged him coldly, " 'So what is it this time? And make it quick. I'm busy."
"Nothing special. I just dropped by to see how you're doing. I just found out you own this place, " he said in a tender tone. Affection was reflected in his eyes.
Maria was not impressed at all. "Eh, it's not a bad life. There are worse jobs. Is that all you came to say?"
"Who bankrolled this place?" He didn't believe that Maria could make that kind of money in just six years.
"None of your business. Mr. Song, stop asking stupid questions, will you?" she snapped. Maria really didn't understand why Chandler was even here.
He pretended to be a loving father and showed how much he cared. She was puzzled.
Chandler didn't take offense at her attitude. He took a bank card from his suit pocket, pushed it in front of her, and said earnestly, "Your mom doesn't know about this. I know we cut ties, and I'm sorry. I had no choice. This should make things easier. If you need more, ask me."
If Maria were still seventeen years old, she would definitely cry bitterly, feeling touched.
But she was twenty-seven years old, going on twenty-eight. She had gone through a lot in her young life, experienced enough misadventure that she knew the dark side of human nature. She pushed the card back calmly and asked, "Money? I have plenty. Need my help? I can get you a hundred million easy."
Chandler could never have imagined she'd say something like that. The expression on his face was very complicated. "Maria, why do you have that kind of money?"
Maria sneered. "I've gotten back together with James. Why wouldn't I be rich?"
She made him think James was the source of her mysterious income.
Chandler had no reason to think otherwise.
After all, if her money came from James, it was more convincing than Maria earning a hundred million or more by herself.
"What? Really?" Chandler was shocked. "What about Alina?" He wondered why he hadn't heard.
"What about her? Why should I care?"
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