Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 130: Dalton Family’s Capital Chain Breakdown

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Dalton Family’s Capital Chain Breakdown

So after hanging up, she immediately called Esther and told her about Mrs. Dalton’s call asking about Zara’s whereabouts, reminding her to keep her mouth shut and not to speak recklessly.

Esther agreed right away, "Don’t worry, I’m busy right now, I don’t have time to argue with that old witch."

Not long after hanging up, Esther sent a message on WeChat, "Turns out you were right, just after you told me, Zara’s mom called."

Elara hurriedly asked, "You didn’t say anything, right?"

"No, do you think I’m that unreliable?" Esther replied, "I just scolded her and hung up."

Elara chuckled and sent a thumbs-up emoji.

She thought that was the end of it, but the next day, a colleague from the company called, "Elara, did you offend someone? A woman has been coming to the company looking for you these past two days."

Elara was taken aback, a bit unsure, "I... don’t think so?"

But, if it were true, Cecilia Quincy, Rosalind Jacobs, and Kylie Dalton all saw her as a thorn in their sides. The business with the banner incident still hadn’t been resolved, so who would be causing trouble now?

Vera was also puzzled, "She came yesterday too, an older woman who appears well-maintained. Jean Dunn ran into her downstairs at the company, and she inquired about you with Jean, but Jean was cautious and didn’t reveal anything. When I went downstairs to get lunch today, I saw her again, and she didn’t seem friendly at all. Think carefully, have you unknowingly offended someone?"

Vera was set to be transferred by the end of the year, and now Elara held a position equal to hers, both being junior supervisors. Jean Dunn currently worked in Elara’s team, and the few of them got along well.

Elara asked, "Did you take any photos?"

Vera said, "I’ll ask Jean Dunn."

Soon after hanging up, Vera sent a picture over, and Elara recognized the woman in the photo as Zara’s mother.

She came looking for her at the company?

Elara couldn’t stay put. She was very attentive to her job and did not want her personal matters affecting the company’s affairs. Mrs. Dalton was unreasonable; if she got upset, causing a scene at the company, she might very well get herself dismissed.

With two days of vacation left, Elara couldn’t sit still. She filed a leave cancellation report and returned to the company.

Vera and Jean Dunn seemed worried to see her come back so quickly, glancing at her ankle, "Is everything okay? Shouldn’t you rest a few more days?"

Elara smiled and shook her head, "No worries, I can walk now, and for our kind of work, there’s not much walking involved."

Jean Dunn and Vera nodded. True enough, working in an office all day wasn’t physically demanding.

Elara advised them both, "If you encounter that woman asking for me again, let me know. She’s an acquaintance, there’s some misunderstanding, and I’ll go clarify it."

Vera frowned, "Isn’t she here to make trouble for you? Better not see her."

The woman obviously wasn’t easy to deal with, and Elara’s petite frame and injured ankle could be a disadvantage.

Elara smiled and explained, "It’s alright, she’s my friend’s mom. She couldn’t find my friend, so she’s asking me. She won’t do anything to me."

Though reassured, Vera and Jean Dunn were still uneasy. The two exchanged glances, deciding that if Elara truly went to see the woman, they would go with her.

Hopefully, it would be nothing, but if something did happen, at least she wouldn’t be alone.

Expecting the woman to return the next day, surprisingly, shortly after starting work in the afternoon, the front desk called to say someone was downstairs looking for Elara, and claimed they wouldn’t leave until Elara came down. The receptionist was troubled and asked if Elara could handle it.

Elara hung up and headed downstairs. Vera and Jean Dunn exchanged glances and quietly followed suit.

In the downstairs lobby, Mrs. Dalton stood with her hands on her hips, unleashing a verbal assault indiscriminately. Dressed in a refined high-end dress, her makeup impeccable, and adorned with luxury jewelry, she should have projected the image of a wealthy lady, but she was more like a shrew at the moment.

"What kind of lousy company is this, sheltering a bitch like Elara? Don’t think I don’t know, all her business in this company is because of my son! You’d best hand her over quickly, or I’ll have my son pull all investments. Let’s see how she manages!"

Elara understood that the Dalton family was truly anxious. Otherwise, with Mrs. Dalton’s prideful nature, she would never have caused such a scene in public.

Being the family of her friend, no matter how peculiar, Elara wanted to save them some face, so she stepped forward and said, "Auntie, it’s crowded here, let’s talk outside."

Unexpectedly, her words emboldened Mrs. Dalton, who, on seeing her, pounced like a cat catching a mouse, grabbing her arm and demanded harshly, "Elara, you finally show yourself! I thought you would stay hiding forever! Tell me, where have you hidden my Zara? What’s your intent?!"

This being work hours, the lobby wasn’t crowded, but even so, the commotion attracted a dozen or so onlookers.

Elara couldn’t help but frown, "Auntie, I don’t know where Zara is or what has happened to him, but if he’s in trouble, shouldn’t you call the police first? Yet you’ve not filed a report and are instead pestering me, which means you’re confident he’s fine but just can’t find him. I can reasonably assume he’s left information for you. Since he’s chosen to do so, why can’t you respect his decision?"

In Mrs. Dalton’s eyes, there was quickly a flicker of guilt.

Zara indeed left a letter, saying he was going to pursue his future and asked the family not to look for him.

But with the engagement between The Sommers Family and the Daltons looming, how could they not search for him?

If the engagement didn’t proceed smoothly, not only would it offend The Sommers, but the previously agreed conditions would be lost, a significant blow!

"My son has always listened to me. It’s only by mingling with you people that he’s been led astray! We had paved a perfect path for him, and now you’re sabotaging it, Elara. What do you want? Quickly tell me Zara’s whereabouts, there’s still time for everything!"

Desperation was spilling from Mrs. Dalton’s eyes.

Since she wasn’t afraid of being a public spectacle, Elara cared even less. Confronted by Mrs. Dalton’s questioning, she repeating calmly, "I don’t know where he is. If he’s determined to leave, he wouldn’t have told me, knowing that you’d come to accuse me first if he disappeared. Why wouldn’t he anticipate that?"

Mrs. Dalton looked skeptical, maybe it really had nothing to do with Elara?

But if neither Elara nor Esther knew, where could Zara possibly be?

She glared viciously at Elara, "You really don’t know?"

Elara’s expression was calm, "I don’t know."

She rarely lied, as lying made her uneasy, but this time, for Zara, she believed her own words.

"You..." Mrs. Dalton pressed her lips and said coldly, "Come outside with me."

Elara asked, "Is there anything else?"

Mrs. Dalton didn’t say anything, she just walked out with a sullen face.

Elara hesitated for a moment but still followed her.

Mrs. Dalton took her to a café outside the company.

She ordered two cups of coffee and looked at Elara across the table with a look of disgust but had to suppress her distaste and said, "Do you know the situation the Dalton Family is in now?"

Elara shook her head, "I don’t know."

Mrs. Dalton took a breath but couldn’t swallow her anger, flames of fury flaring up inside. She took a sip of coffee through gritted teeth and continued, "Zara’s dad failed in an investment six months ago, and the Dalton Family is now heavily in debt! The entire Dalton Group is barely sustaining through loans, but the loan for next month can’t be repaid. If the loans are cut off, the entire Dalton Family will be doomed!"

Elara was startled in her heart; Zara had never mentioned this, no wonder Mrs. Dalton now disregarded her image.

As if seeing through Elara’s thoughts, Mrs. Dalton snorted and said displeased, "Zara doesn’t understand the company affairs, he’s naturally playful, so his father and I decided to let him play as he desires since we can support the family. Life is just a few decades, his happiness is the most important. We originally planned to hand over the company to a professional agency after we’re gone, ensuring he lives worry-free for the rest of his life. Who could have thought this would happen?"

She looked at Elara, besides disgust, her eyes showed a trace of a mother’s worry, "I admit, I’ve always disliked Zara getting too close to you guys, because you would lead him astray! He’s been obedient since childhood, never defying us, but when it comes to being friends with you, not only did he not listen, but he also argued with us and even later told us he likes... likes men! If it weren’t for you, how could my Zara become like this?"

"Elara," Mrs. Dalton pursed her lips with a hint of plea, "just see it as helping me, tell me, where did he go? I know he doesn’t like that Sommers girl, and I don’t like her either, but there’s no other way now. If the Dalton Family goes bankrupt, he’ll also bear huge debts. Can you really just watch all this happen? Zara says you’re his best friend, can you bear to see him end up like this?"

The hand Elara had on her thigh unconsciously clenched.

She completely didn’t expect the situation of the Dalton Family. If it’s really like what Mrs. Dalton said, then Zara truly is the last straw for the Dalton Family.

To keep the company running, the Dalton Family adopted the most extreme measure, maintaining the turnover with loans. But the money borrowed this way is definitely not a small amount.

But Zara just mustered the courage to try a different life, if he’s dragged back, his later life...

Elara’s thoughts were all over the place for a moment, but no matter what, this matter must be told to Zara. Even if a decision is made, it should be Zara who personally makes it.

She looked at Mrs. Dalton, still calm in demeanor, "Auntie, I really don’t know where he is, but I promise you, as soon as he contacts me, I’ll relay your message to him."

Mrs. Dalton gazed fixedly at her, as if trying to determine whether she was lying, but she couldn’t tell, so she could only nod, "Alright."

She really had no other options now.

Elara agreeing to this was already a relief to her.

She really had nothing more to say to Elara, so after the conversation, she picked up her bag and left.

At this moment, Vera and Jean emerged from the corner; they were worried something might happen to Elara following Mrs. Dalton, so they had specially followed and each ordered a cup of coffee to watch over.

Fortunately, it was just their imagination, and nothing bad happened to Elara.

Elara saw them and was a bit surprised, "What are you two doing here?"

Vera and Jean exchanged a glance, then smiled and raised their coffees, "Got sleepy at work, so we came to get some coffee for a boost."

Elara smiled.

How could she not see that these two were worried about her and had specially followed?

The workplace is a brutal place, but to make two true friends here, she was very fortunate.

Returning to the company, everyone dove back into their intense work. Just before getting off work, Elara received a call from Lucy Taylor.

"Miss Hale, I’m Zion’s mom, and I’ve returned to the country today. Do you have some time to meet?"

Lucy’s voice was as sweet as Elara remembered. Elara found it hard to dislike this "mother-in-law"; just hearing the voice brought a smile to her face, and she agreed immediately, "Sure, I’ll book a restaurant and tell Zion to come too."

Lucy said, "No Zion, just the two of us."

"Ah?" Elara was a bit taken aback. Didn’t this sweet mother-in-law not like her that much? Why meet her alone and not even see her son?

Seeing her silence, Lucy purposely lowered her voice, "I just want us to connect and bond. No Zion means no Zion. Any objections?"

Listening to this, Elara could already picture the cute and fierce look of the girl on the other end, and her heart melted. What bad intentions could a sweet and slightly fierce girl have? At most she’d point at her nose and scold her for a bit. Forget it, no Zion means no Zion.

"Then I’ll book a—"

"No need!"

Lucy said irritably, "By the time you’ve booked, it’ll be dark! I’ll send you an address; come over immediately!"

"Okay." Elara’s voice carried a hint of unrecognized affection.

Given the urgency, Elara didn’t take the bus and opted for a taxi to the restaurant Lucy specified. She didn’t notice a black car with a covered license plate following from a close but not too close distance.

Soon, they arrived at the restaurant.

Lucy was already there, and she was getting anxious from the wait. As soon as Elara came in, Lucy put on a stern face and deliberately slapped the table to make a scene, "I told you to come quickly, and you make me wait half an hour. Do you even regard me as your mother-in-law?"

But her sweet voice and beautiful looks made her fierceness utterly endearing.

Elara cheerfully said, "Sorry, I thought you didn’t consider me a daughter-in-law by calling me Miss Hale. Isn’t that what you call good friends? So, I specially went to get you—"

She brought out the hand she’d hidden behind her back, "This bouquet is for you~"

It was a few Elsa roses paired with two sunflowers and a few redwood beans.

Elara had put it together at the flower shop on her way, feeling that Lucy’s vibe was like these flowers: delicate, soft, and bright.

Lucy’s gaze lingered on the two sunflowers for a few seconds, feeling a bit pleased. She loved sunflowers the most.

However, she wouldn’t let Elara see her joy, she deliberately hummed and snatched the bouquet with a stern face, "You’re lucky to have a bit of filial piety. Don’t think this will make me forgive your tardiness."

After grabbing it, she carefully placed it in an empty spot nearby.