Leo initially thought that when he said these words, Sophia’s expression should have been one of happiness and anticipation.
But the result was that there was no change in her expression.
“No need to try, it’s a lost cause,” Sophia replied in a nonchalant tone.
“Without trying, how would you know it’s a lost cause?”
“You wouldn’t understand.” After saying these words, Sophia leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and seemed unwilling to speak further.
Back at the Henley Mansion, upon entering the living room, Jessica was sitting on the sofa watching television.
Seeing Leo and Sophia return, Jessica first said to Leo, “Leo, from now on, if you won’t be coming home to cook for us, let me know in advance.”
“Mom, got it.” Leo responded.
It was quite apparent that since Leo had proven he was indeed working at Wilde Jewelry Company, Jessica’s attitude toward him had noticeably improved.
At least she wouldn’t be yelling at him anymore.
As for Tina, there was hardly any change; that girl probably looked down on Leo from the core of her being.
Leo didn’t mind this though, as that little girl was bound to get married sooner or later, and he wouldn’t be living with her forever anyway.
Jessica walked over from the sofa and took Sophia’s hand. “Darling, come on, let Mom tell you something.”
After mother and daughter were seated on the sofa, Jessica placed a newspaper in front of Sophia and said, “Maple Springs Cosmetic Products Manufacturing Factory has been fully acquired by Azure Financial and renamed Herbal Magic Cosmetics Company. They’re currently seeking exclusive distributors. With Azure Financial’s resources, this Herbal Magic Cosmetics Company is likely to become the largest and best cosmetics manufacturer. How about you give it a shot tomorrow?”
“Mom, I’ve seen this news. They’re only taking on one distributor, and Breeze Cosmetics will definitely go for it. We don’t stand a chance,” Sophia cut straight to the point.
Jessica quickly realized her daughter was right.
She was well aware of the matters concerning the Henley family.
Sophia’s grandfather had started from scratch in Langstel. It had been decades of hard work before he finally secured three small pieces of the big pie in the distribution sector.
These three pieces were in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials.
Before he passed away, he divided these businesses among his son and grandchildren, establishing four companies for them. These four companies were under the umbrella of the Henley Group, with Teresa as the chairwoman.
The first company was Sophia Cosmetics Limited, with Sophia as the general manager responsible for its operations.
The second company was Universal Pharmaceuticals, managed by the fourth son, Sean, who was in charge of operations.
The third company was Breeze Cosmetics, managed by Sean’s son, Bruno.
The fourth company was Mighty Construction Materials Limited, managed by Stanley, overseeing comprehensive operations.
The Henleys had a family fund, and every year, the four companies would contribute a portion of their profits to the fund to sustain the family’s operations and for unforeseen needs.
Teresa, the matriarch, was in charge of the family fund.
While Sophia Cosmetics and Breeze Cosmetics were technically subsidiaries of the Henley Group, they were actually in competition with each other. Moreover, the majority of their domestic cosmetic supplies came from the same factory.
Due to Teresa’s favoritism and bias toward her grandson Bruno and his Breeze Cosmetics, she hardly provided any support to Sophia’s company. If not for this, Sophia wouldn’t have had to ask for help with the 80 million funding gap.
Regardless of how Sophia Cosmetics was performing, Teresa’s only requirement was that the yearly share of profits handed over should not be reduced; otherwise, she would strip Sophia of her role as the general manager and replace her with someone else from the family or a professional manager.
The closure of the cosmetics factory had a significant impact on both Sophia Cosmetics and Breeze Cosmetics. The emergence of Herbal Magic Cosmetics Company was just in time to fill the gap in domestic cosmetics production, making it a certainty that Breeze Cosmetics would negotiate for the distributorship.
With Teresa’s support behind Breeze and the fact that Herbal Magic Cosmetics Company was only taking one distributor, Sophia knew that even if she were to go, it would be in vain.
Jessica could only sigh in resignation, “Darling, don’t be disheartened. If all else fails, we can collaborate with the cosmetics factory in Jiangnan Province. Though costs might increase a bit, with Sophia Cosmetics’ good reputation, I’m confident we can outshine Breeze!”
Over on the side, Leo, pretending to sweep the floor, heard the conversation between the mother and daughter and a slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Somewhere in the southern district of the city, in the living room of a villa.
Eden Dunbar, had his right hand wrapped in a bandage and sat on the sofa with a gloomy expression. Joe sat beside Eden Dunbar, her face also looking grim, as her shoulder still ached faintly.
Porter Kathleen stood to the side, his thin face displaying a sinister expression as he reported to Jason, “Jason, we’ve thoroughly investigated Leo’s identity.”
“Tell me about it,” Jason nodded.
“That kid isn’t from any martial sect; he’s just a poor man married into a wealthy family!”
“Really!?” Jason’s expression took on an odd twist.
Porter’s face was filled with anger and resentment, feeling insulted by being bullied by a freeloading son-in-law. “Jason, when Leo was six years old, his parents disappeared, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother. Four years ago, he married into the Henley family for his grandmother’s medical expenses. His background is just that simple.” Porter explained in one go.
Jason pondered for a moment. “With such a simple background, he’s certainly not a martial cultivator. But how does he possess such formidable strength?”
Eden chimed in, “Jason, that guy must have gotten lucky somehow and acquired a martial cultivation technique from somewhere. He must’ve practiced it on his own to reach this level.”
Eden’s speculation wasn’t unfounded. Jason nodded in agreement, though he still had doubts. “Even if he has the talent to practice martial techniques and reach this level, without a master’s guidance, it’s difficult to achieve. Porter, are you sure Leo doesn’t have a master?”
“Jason, rest assured. He absolutely doesn’t. I’ve had people inquire, and those who know Leo, as well as the relatives of the Henley family, all view him as nothing more than a useless waste!” Porter said, through gritted teeth, “Jason, that’s why I suggest we take action against Leo.”
Jason shook his head, however. “Porter, don’t be impulsive. Leo’s consecutive defeats of Rex, Eden, and Isabel prove that his strength is at least in the upper-tier martial warrior realm. Killing him won’t be that simple.”
“Jason, let’s attack him together. I refuse to believe we can’t handle that punk!” Looking at his injured right hand, Eden wanted to tear Leo into pieces right away.