Chapter 715 Because I’m Not the Investor
Meanwhile, Joseph's expression turned sour upon hearing the news. He had hoped that Complex
Group would suffer significant damage and be unable to interfere with Crossley Group. However, he
was taken aback by their swift recovery. As for Southwest Group…
Frowning, he asked John, "Do you have more specific information?"
"I do have some information, but I can't guarantee its authenticity."
"Just tell me about it."
"Southwest Group is a company established three years ago in Arcburg. All their core members are
Navarians. As for the mysterious investor…" John paused before continuing, "I only know that three
years ago, Aidan visited Arcburg for business. Whether he has any connection with this company, I'm
not sure."
Kevin interjected, "In the past, the investor's identity behind this company would've been a mystery. But
judging from today's events, it's most likely Aidan."
John nonchalantly crossed his legs and countered, "Don't be so definitive about everything. What if
Aidan just has a good relationship with them?"
Joseph removed his gold-rimmed glasses. "Well, I do have a way to verify this."
"Oh?"
As discussions about the surge in Crossley Group's stock price gained momentum online, there were
also individuals raising questions about the identity of the investor backing Southwest Group.
Soon, someone made a connection between Aidan's visit to Arcburg three years ago and speculated
that he was highly likely to be the investor behind it. Otherwise, he would not have intervened to help
Crossley Group at this critical moment.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter this argument emerged, discussions shifted toward the possibility of him having invested in
Southwest Group three years ago under the name of Pearson Group's president. Some speculated
that the corporation might belong to Pearson Group rather than being solely owned by him.
At the same time, there was a widespread perception that when Aidan departed from Pearson Group,
his eloquent speeches masked the fact that he had not publicly disclosed all of his assets or returned
them to the company.
Many believed it to be a mere facade, suggesting that he still cherished the prestige and glory
bestowed upon him by Pearson Group. Almost simultaneously, this post gained widespread circulation
within the country. Many people engaged in heated discussions regarding the questions raised.
While ongoing debate and speculation persisted regarding whether Aidan was the mysterious investor
behind Southwest Group, another discussion emerged regarding the ownership of the corporation.
They questioned whether it should belong to Pearson Group or Aidan personally.
Those who believed that Southwest Group should belong to Pearson Group argued that Aidan's
investment was made during his tenure as the president with the company's funds. They emphasized
that without Pearson Group, Aidan and Southwest Group would not have achieved their current
success.
Since he had already decided to pass the leadership of Pearson Group to Justin, it was believed that
the assets that rightfully belonged to the corporation should be fully returned.
Another group believed that Southwest Group was an independent entity with no connection to
Pearson Group. In terms of international recognition, Southwest Group's reputation in recent years was
undoubtedly on par with that of Pearson Group. Aidan's astute judgment and initial investment played a
crucial role in the current success of Southwest Group. In other words, Justin had no reason to reap
the benefits without contribution.
With different viewpoints, different factions ignited a massive uproar in online discussions. Throughout
the entire debate, neither the Crossley, Pearson, nor Southwest Groups issued any public responses to
these matters.
In the evening, Aidan arrived to pick up Leanna and discovered her sitting in the office, lost in thought,
as she gazed out at the starry sky through the window. He sat beside her and asked softly, "What's
wrong?"
She snapped out of her thoughts. "It's nothing. Have you resolved everything on your end?"
"It's almost done. The current crisis for Crossley Group has been resolved."
"I've seen many people online debating whether Southwest Group should belong to the Pearson
Group. What are your—"
"It's none of their concern." He stated calmly, "Only Justin has the right to question this matter."
She paused for a moment before smiling. He hasn't changed at all. After pondering for a moment, she
inquired, "If Justin were to approach you and request the return of Southwest Group, would you
comply?"
He responded bluntly, "No, I wouldn't." Before she could speak, he continued, "Because I'm not the
investor."
She was taken aback by his response. "It's invested in your name." She was both surprised and
puzzled by this revelation.
Aidan explained calmly, "When I married you, I should've given you a bridal gift. But at that time, I didn't
want to give it to you. And when I invested in Southwest Group, I didn't want to use Pearson Group's
name. So, I utilized the bridal gift that should've been given to you and naturally registered it in your
name."
Dumbfounded, Leanna fell into a prolonged silence before asking, "Have you always been this peculiar
since you were born?"
She did not anticipate that during those three years when Aidan appeared to dislike her, he had
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmsecretly done so many things for her. Each time he returned from a business trip, he would bring her
gifts. When he learned about the Starry Sky Nature Reserve during his business trip to Arcburg, he
went out of his way to visit it, despite the considerable distance.
Not only that, he had even considered giving her a bridal gift. However, due to his aversion toward her
back then, he hesitated to present it directly. Instead, he invested it in a company under her name. At
this thought, Leanna was momentarily at a loss for words.
Aidan leaned closer and gazed at her as he slowly uttered, "Do you honestly believe that if I didn't want
to marry you, Gordon could have any power over me?"
At that time, she had no concept of these things. However, given how he consistently provoked Gordon
to the brink of fury, it was evident that even if he had steadfastly refused to marry her under any
circumstances, Gordon would have had no choice but to accept it.
Leanna smiled. "So, when you're unhappy, you come to torment me?"
Frowning, Aidan leaned closer to her by pulling her chair toward him. His voice lowered and carried a
hint of ambiguity. "Are you sure that's torment? I recall you rather enjoyed it."
She was left speechless. He really can't engage in a serious conversation, can he?
Extending her foot, she intended to kick his chair away. However, he maintained his grip on her chair
armrest, causing her to tumble forward. She crashed into the door, making a thud sound.
The sound seemed eerily strange in the otherwise empty office with just the two of them.
Leanna raised her head fiercely and met Aidan's gaze, which bore a hint of a smile. He was doing it on
purpose!
She slapped the back of his hand. "Let go!"
He raised both hands, lifting his eyebrows slightly to indicate that he had nothing to do with it. Just as
she stood up, the door cracked open from the outside.
"Are you okay, Lean—" the person outside said, but their last word was muffled.
Zoe dragged Charlotte outside, whispering, "Children should stay out of adult matters."