Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 694

"Well, Archer is the brilliant one here," Hudson laughed, assuming she was praising his operative. "When he was eighteen, he started that firm with just a small nest egg. Within three years, he took it public. Then Lawrence set a trap and stripped him of his controlling shares. The company changed hands and names, but the core talent underneath remained the same." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "We're here to help him take back what belongs to him."

It was finally time to settle the score.

Meanwhile, on the island's single coastal highway, towering palm trees cast dappled shadows over the sleek car. Harvey drove in silence for a moment before giving Archer a rundown of the target.

"Since Lawrence took over, he restructured the company three times," Harvey explained. "First, he purged the executives, replacing half the board with his own puppets. Second, he diluted the original equity. Third, he stripped the core assets, transferring the most lucrative projects to his other shell companies. He essentially hollowed it out."

Archer's expression remained completely impassive. He already knew all of this—it was exactly why he had waited so long to strike.

"The company is essentially a rotting carcass right now," Harvey warned. "Lawrence picked the meat clean. It doesn't generate any real revenue anymore."

Archer let out a dark chuckle. "Don't worry. Once I have the carcass, I'll make sure the meat grows back."

Harvey glanced at him, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "I had my people look into it. Lawrence recently authorized a massive capital transfer in Southeast Asia. On paper, it looks like a standard investment, but the money bounced through three offshore accounts and is headed straight for a private account in the British Virgin Islands."

"He's trying to hide his assets," Archer said, his voice dropping to a lethal calm.

"Exactly. He's bleeding cash. Mr. Lancaster crippled his revenue streams and swallowed half his territory in San Francisco. He's desperate for liquidity."

Archer's lips curved into a predatory smirk. "Which means, if we seize control of the company before that transfer clears, his massive offshore payout becomes a bounced check, doesn't it?"

Harvey's eye widened slightly. "How exactly do you plan to take it back?"

Years ago, Lawrence had stolen the company by exploiting a hidden loophole in the equity proxy agreement—a document Archer himself had signed. Archer freely admitted he had been young and arrogant, blind to the legal trap. But over the years, with nothing but time and vengeance fueling him, he had dissected that contract until he found a fatal flaw. The loophole cut both ways.

"Boss, it's a disaster!"

Lawrence scowled, his face darkening with fury. "Can't you open your mouth without shouting about a disaster? It's the holidays, give me some good news for once."

The subordinate turned a sickly shade of pale, trembling as he struggled to find his voice.

"Spit it out!" Lawrence barked. "What happened?"

"The controlling shares of the company... they were just forcibly bought out!"

"What?!"