Chapter 263

Trudy parked outside the Stewart family's estate and quickly fixed her makeup before stepping out of the car.

At times like this, staying calm and collected was more important than anything else.

She carried a chessboard she had carefully picked out for Norwood and walked toward the gates with a smooth, confident step, but Hector stopped her before she could get any closer.

"Ms. White," Hector said, standing in her way, "this isn't a good time. Mr. Stewart is taking a nap right now."

Trudy's smile faltered for a moment.

A nap? It was already two in the afternoon, and Norwood was rarely still at this hour.

She knew immediately that this was just an excuse.

It was clear he was upset about the White Group's stock dropping so fast, and on top of that, she had been criticized all over the Internet.

Suppressing her irritation, Trudy gave Hector a polite smile and turned back toward her car.

From a distance, inside a sleek black Maybach,Wray watched the scene and clicked his tongue softly. "I didn't realize Eleanor had this much influence. Even Trudy can't compete with her," he muttered.

Still, that presented an opportunity for him.

He had just left the Stewart family's estate himself.

Norwood had been so angry over the White Group's stock tanking that he smashed a costly vase.

In business, profit always came first, and alliances came right after. Once the White family lost their value, Norwood could drop them at any time.

And Wray saw his opening.

Brodie, leaning lazily in the car, noted the ambition in Wray's eyes. "The White Group's stock has hit rock bottom, but the Perry family still counts for something. Consider this an early congrats, Wray.You might just win Trudy's heart."

Wray smoothed his suit and hair, brushed off imaginary dust, and stepped out of the car, standing directly in front of Trudy as she moved to get inside.

He greeted her with a polite smile. "Ms. White, hi.I'm Wray Stewart."

Trudy gave him a brief glance, taking in the man who had replaced Nolan as the head of the Stewart Group.

She kept her composure, giving a polite nod as she tried to pass him.

But Wray wasn't finished. His voice had an edge to it as he spoke again. "I just visited Norwood.He was furious after seeing the news about the White Group's stock crash. And it seems even you were held at the door. Perhaps he's reconsidering the alliance between our families."

When she heard that, Trudy's stepscame to an abrupt stop.

She looked up at Wray in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

Norwood wanted to call off the engagement?

That couldn't be happening.

She couldn't risk being rejected like this.

She and her family would end up being a joke in town.

Wray noticed the flash of disbelief in her eyes and knew he had already scored half the battle.

He took a step closer, adopting a calm, polished smile, trying to appear the perfect gentleman. "I'm just offering a friendly suggestion," he said smoothly."l've recently stepped in as CEO of the Stewart Group. Perhaps it's time to consider another partner.Together, we could make a strong alliance, and surely-"

But before he could finish, Trudy's sharp intuition kicked in. Her expression turned icy, and she cut him off with a sneer.

"Excuse me?" she snapped. "Who do you think you are? A distant relative trying to compare yourself to Nolan? If you so much as step out of line, I'll mnake sure my grandfather handles it."

Wray's eyes narrowed as he watched her car pull away.

Damn it!

That woman!

And the comparison to Nolan... it burned him more than anything.

Why did Nolan have everything handed to him,while he had to fight tooth and nail for even a little recognition?

Clenching his jaw, Wray walked back to his car, his face as cold as ice.

Brodie, noticing the frustration written all over him,let out a mocking whistle. "Looks like she's not an easy one to impress."

That only fueled Wray's anger more.

Always Nolan.

Always the perfect one.

One day, he would even the score.

And as for Trudy, who did she think she was? As CEO of the Stewart Group, he could have any woman he wanted.