Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 1133

Chapter 1133

Carter asked, “What’s wrong? Something on your mind?”

Sharon snapped back to focus. “Nothing. I just thought the Macaron Group’s problems stemmed from a broken capital chain.”

Carter explained patiently, “If it were only a cash flow issue, that would actually be the easiest thing to fix. If the problem were simply liquidity, the Biggs Group could inject funds to help him through the crisis.”

Sharon frowned. “And if the shortfall is massive?”

Carter’s tone remained calm. “How massive?”

“What if it’s fifty billion?”

At that, Carter chuckled. “You think because we struggled to pull together over 36 billion for you last time, that such a gap would be fatal to a company’s operations?”

Sharon nodded lightly. “Isn’t it?”

Carter shook his head. “Yes-and no. You needed that money within three days. We couldn’t liquidate our shares or bonds that quickly. Those assets can’t be dumped in bulk on the market without triggering panic and driving down prices. That’s the difference.”

As he spoke, his gaze softened, noticing how intently she was listening. A faint smile touched his lips.

“Sharon, you’ve only been studying business for a few months. Naturally, you can’t compare to those of us who majored in it and have been immersed in the field for years. You don’t need to be afraid of mistakes. Everyone makes them-I did too.

“When I first joined the Biggs Group, I made plenty of costly errors. But without those lessons, the company wouldn’t be what it is today. Mistakes are the crucible where real insight is forged.

“You’re bright, and your instincts are excellent. The only thing you lack is time. Don’t rush. The more anxious you are, the more likely you’ll err. Whatever you don’t understand, or whenever you need help, I’ll be there.” 2

The path before Sharon was far from easy. She was a latecomer in the business world-unlike John, who had his father and the entire Westin Group behind him. She, on the other hand, was burdened with people who dragged her down instead of lifting her up.

Men could rely on family, connections, or even marriage alliances to gain resources. No one questioned that-it was their birthright.

But when a woman tried to use those same tools, she was labeled dependent, accused of relying on men, as if accepting help made her weak.

No one ever said that when Carter and Julliard helped each other. That was just “brotherhood.”

Every one of those men-Carter, Xavier, the Kalen brothers-had been born with silver spoons. They’d grown up with elite education, inherited networks, and thriving family businesses to fall back on.

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Even when the Kalen family faltered in past years, Shayla had still depended on its resources to invest and rebuild.

But Sharon? Aside from the few original shares her mother had left her, she had nothing-no family backing, no corporate safety net. She was a lone soldier fighting an army.

To reach the same finish line, she’d have to work twice as hard, push twice as far.

What others achieved with fifty percent effort, she’d have to give two hundred.

She hadn’t expected comfort from Carter-least of all now. Once, she had begged for even a fraction of his understanding and received none.

Though she no longer loved him, his quiet words of reassurance still tugged faintly at her heart.

“Thank you, Carter,” she said.

He looked at her wan face, the shadows under her eyes. “You used to tell me not to overwork myself-that health matters more than success. The same applies to you now.”

Sharon gave a small nod. “I know.”

Just then, a knock sounded at the office door.

A tall, strikingly handsome man stepped in, a folder in hand. “Sharon, here’s your schedule for next week. See if there’s anything you’d rather skip.”

It was Thomas.

Catching sight of Carter seated on the sofa, Thomas gave a faint mocking smile. “Julliard’s company is on the verge of collapse, and yet, Carter still finds time to sit here drinking tea?”

His tone was deliberately provocative.

Carter ignored him, turning instead to Sharon. “That’s everything I know about Julliard’s situation. If there’s any new development, I’ll let you know immediately.”

Sharon accepted the folder from Thomas. “Alright. Thank you.”

Carter rose to his feet, his cool, refined features softening with a trace of something unspoken.

“Sharon, I’m looking forward to our future collaboration.”

He didn’t linger, nor did he try to rekindle what was gone. He knew her well enough—she despised entanglement.

He wouldn’t cling. But he wouldn’t give up either. 1

She had endured five long years of marriage; he could endure just as long to win her back.

He had just reached the elevator when Thomas’s voice sounded behind him.

“Carter.”

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Carter turned. “What is it?”

“I’ve been curious about something. Logically, everything Julliard did for Sharon was out of respect for you-his dear friend. Yet, when Jamie made his move, he didn’t go after you first. He went after Julliard. Why is that?”

Carter’s gaze sharpened as it landed on Thomas. After a pause, he said, “Who exactly are you?”

He couldn’t explain it, but instinct screamed that Thomas wasn’t what he appeared to be. No mere assistant could win Sharon’s trust so completely in a matter of months.

Jealousy flickered beneath the surface, but stronger than jealousy was unease.

Because even now, despite all his resources, Carter had been unable to uncover a single trace of Thomas’s past.

If Thomas ever turned against her, Sharon would be in danger. 1

Yet at this point, Carter no longer had the right-or the ability-to remove him from her side.

Thomas smiled faintly. “Me? I’m just someone who wants to protect her.”

Carter’s gaze turned to ice. “Whether it’s protection or something else entirely-remains to be seen.’

Thomas’s lips curved, a whisper of amusement in his voice. “You’re not wrong. I do have ulterior motives where she’s concerned.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you after, then?”

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