The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 87

The hand Barnum used to hold his cup paused.

He gave Annelise a deep look, a fleeting glimmer of approval in his eyes, as if admiring her calm under pressure.

"This is a family decision."

He didn't answer directly, using a broader, more undeniable phrase to pressure her.

"You know how the Lehmans operate. We value rules and dignity. If you sign this, no matter what happens down the road, the Lehman family will make sure you are treated with dignity."

Dignity again.

Coming from the mouths of the Lehman family, the word was saturated with endless irony.

Annelise didn't press the matter further.

She knew any more words would be useless.

She didn't refuse on the spot, nor did she sign it.

Instead, she reached out, took the document, and put on an obedient, contemplative expression.

"Barnum, this is very sudden... I... I'd like to take it back to my room to read over carefully and think about it for a few days."

This response seemed to be exactly what Barnum expected.

To him, this was just the final, futile struggle of a cornered animal.

She would compromise eventually.

After all, how could a powerless woman with no backing fight against the entire Lehman family?

He nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand, dismissing her like a servant.

"Go."

Holding the few thin pages that felt as heavy as a mountain, Annelise stood up and offered a slight bow.

"I'll head back now. You should get some rest soon, Barnum."

She turned and walked out of the suffocating tea room.

Just as she brushed past Felix, who was waiting by the door, her peripheral vision sharply caught a detail.

The ever-expressionless, shadow-like old butler was holding a brown kraft paper folder under his arm.

A minute later, a longer message popped up.

Zachary's tone was serious and professional.

"This agreement contains multiple clauses that violate mandatory legal provisions, along with obvious intent to coerce and defraud. Even if you signed it, I would have absolute certainty in proving it null and void in court."

"However, Ms. Sargent, you need to pay attention to something."

"The Lehmans are in such a rush to acquire your assets that they are resorting to these crude legal tricks. This indicates they are likely facing massive financial pressure."

"You should have your people look into the Lehman Group's financial situation and major investment projects over the past year."

The Lehmans, short on money?

It felt like a bolt of lightning struck Annelise's mind, instantly illuminating a completely new, dark territory she had never considered.

She had always assumed Hackett was forcing her into a divorce simply to make room for Clarissa and the children.

But what if there was a much deeper, financial reason behind it all?

A terrifying, yet entirely logical theory rapidly took shape in her mind.