Chapter 143

“You’re making too much of this. Why bring me in for such a minor player?” Bane remarked.

Michael scoffed. “Bane, you’re oversimplifying. To inherit Rhodes Corporation, I need to eliminate Lauren. Your help would have made my ascent smooth, but Andrew’s arrival ruined everything. This rage is consuming me; I can’t even enjoy myself.”

Bane nodded. “Fair enough. He’s piqued my curiosity as well. Neutralizing my poison demonstrates more skill than that old fool Cedric—I’d like to meet him.”

Michael smiled coldly. “With Lauren protecting him, I couldn’t touch him directly. But now that Tony’s involved, that punk is as good as dead.”

Later that evening, Christina prepared to leave the South City project office.

“Christie, please buy me a Porsche! I’m begging you,” Leroy pleaded, trailing behind her. Christina shook her head. “Leroy, you’re my brother, but you’re also a man. If you want a luxury car, earn it. I’ve given you a great opportunity at Stevens Corporation. Work hard, and a Porsche is attainable.”

Leroy whined, “But how long will that take? Buy it for me now! Besides, as your brother, shouldn’t I drive something nice to maintain your image as Stevens Corporation’s CEO?”

“Yes, Christie,” Irene chimed in. “What’s a couple hundred thousand dollars to buy your only brother a car? If you don’t spoil him, who will?”

Christina turned to Leroy, exasperated. “Why this sudden obsession? Don’t you already have one?”

Leroy complained, “That old BMW is garbage! I can’t even pick up decent women—just low-end types who work at nail salons.”

“So, you want a Porsche to show off and pick up women?” Christina asked, smirking.

“No!” Leroy fumed. “I can’t stand Andrew driving a better car than me when he’s nothing but a gold digger!”

“Exactly,” Irene added. “That loser left you, Christie, and he’s thriving. We can’t let him outshine us. If he drives a Porsche, Leroy needs something even more expensive.”

“So, this is all about competing with Andrew?” Christina laughed bitterly. “Do you know he’s now the deputy chief at Jayrodale General Hospital? He’s in a leadership position. Can you even compete with that, Leroy?”

Irene and Leroy were dumbfounded.

“Deputy chief? No way! You must be mistaken, Christie,” Leroy said adamantly.

Irene scoffed. “Him? In leadership? I’ll never believe it.”

Before Christina could respond, a group of men burst into the office. Their leader, a muscular man with an intimidating presence, fixed his cold gaze on them.

“Which one of you is Christina Stevens?”

Christina stepped forward. “I am. What can I help you with?”

“Take her,” he commanded.