His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 392

Chapter 392 A Desperate Plea

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Zoe let out a quiet sigh, giving the older man before her a weary look. “Mr. Sterling, I honestly can’t help you with this.”

“I’ve tried reaching out to Aurelium Group several times, but I couldn’t even get a meeting with Mr. Whitmore. I hear he’s stepped back from daily operations lately, so catching him is tougher than ever. But you–you’ve got the connections. You could actually get through to him.”

Turning away, Zoe replied with clear frustration, “Mr. Sterling, forget the financial loss Aurelium Group suffered because we copied their patented drug–this is about principle. What we did was underhanded. I can’t look my best friend in the eye, and I won’t be part of something like this.”

Griffin’s tone softened into a plea. “If the company goes under, it won’t be good for you either, will it? Just help me set up a sit–down with Mr. Whitmore. I’ll do all the talking.”

Zoe rubbed her temples, genuinely torn.

“You don’t want the company to fail and end up out of a job, do you?”

After a quiet pause, she released a breath. “What’s your plan for the meeting?”

“If Aurelium Group drops the lawsuit and agrees to settle privately,” Griffin said quickly, “I’ll accept whatever terms they want. But the media can’t catch wind that we copied their formula. The backlash would ruin us.”

Zoe felt uneasy, her thoughts tangled.

She’d worked hard to become a team lead. Losing her job wasn’t an option.

“I’ll try to arrange something for you, but I’m not making any promises.”

Griffin’s face lit up with relief. Then he turned, glaring sharply at the leader of Team Two. “Get out of my sight. You’ll answer for this later.”

His finger swung toward the R&D director. “And you–you’re not off the hook either.”

Zoe texted Iris later that day.

“Iris, my company made a generic that infringed on one of Aurelium Group’s drug patents. We’re being sued. My CEO really wants to talk to your dad and see if we can settle privately. Compensation isn’t the issue–he’ll agree to almost anything.”

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Chapter 392 A Desperate Plea

Iris replied soon after, “Let me check his schedule and I’ll set something up for you.”

Zoe was surprised it was that straightforward.

Not long after, a location came through.

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“Tomorrow, noon, at the bistro next to Aurelium Group’s headquarters. Bring your CEO.”

“You’re the best,” Zoe typed back, adding two heart emojis.

*****

The next day, at 11:50 a.m., Zoe walked into the upscale bistro downstairs from Aurelium Group alongside Griffin.

Griffin kept praising her reliable connections, but she didn’t feel good about it.

She wished her friendship with Iris could stay uncomplicated, yet somehow she kept ending up in situations where she needed Iris‘ help.

The restaurant was elegantly decorated, and the private dining room felt spacious and refined.

Just before noon, the door opened.

A server showed Iris and her assistant inside.

Zoe and Griffin rose to greet them. When she saw Brandon, she froze for a second.

He was wearing a well–tailored suit, looking strikingly sharp.

His intense, focused gaze settled directly on Zoe’s face. He entered the room, and only when Griffin stepped forward with a broad smile and an eager handshake did Brandon’s attention shift.

“You must be Mr. Cayden Whitmore’s son! What an impressive young man,” Griffin said warmly, guiding Brandon toward the table. “Please, have a seat.”

As Brandon drew closer, Zoe felt a flutter of nervousness. “Dr. Whitmore…”

She started to greet him, but Griffin shot her a look. “Address him properly.”

Zoe corrected herself quickly. “Mr. Whitmore.”

“Names aren’t a big deal,” Brandon said evenly. “Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine.”

Griffin seated Brandon between himself and Zoe. The assistant took the chair beside Zoe.

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A subtle tension hung in the air. Zoe sat down, reached for her water glass, and took a slow sip to steady herself.

Why did it have to be Brandon?

Had Iris‘ father put him in charge of the company already?

Griffin offered the menu to Brandon. “Order whatever you’d like—it’s on me.”

“No need to stand on ceremony, Mr. Sterling. Please, order what you prefer.”

“You choose–pick things you enjoy,” Griffin insisted warmly.

Brandon accepted the menu, then passed it directly to Zoe. “Ms. Ellison, why don’t you decide?”

“Oh,” Zoe hesitated, glancing from the menu in her hands to Griffin.

Griffin looked briefly puzzled, but years in business had sharpened his instincts. He caught on quickly. “Go ahead, Zoe. Order whatever sounds good.”

“Alright.” Zoe took the menu and scanned it carefully while the server waited nearby.

She selected several dishes, then handed the menu to the assistant beside her, lowering her voice. “What would you like?”

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