Chapter 3: Dangerous Probing
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"Neither." I looked straight into his eyes, "I'm just someone who knows the future, and I choose to stand by your side."
He sneered: "Why should I believe you?"
"Because," I took out a document from my bag, "this is Thompson Enterprises' detailed plan for the next three months, including how they're plotting that assassination attempt against you."
Alexander Morgan took the document, quickly reviewed it, and the doubt in his eyes gradually gave way to shock. When he looked up at me, his gaze was completely different.
"If what you're saying is true," he began slowly, "then what do you want?"
"Cooperation." I extended my hand, "I help you avoid the crisis, you help me get revenge."
His hand paused for a second in mid-air, then grasped mine. In that moment, I felt the gears of fate beginning to turn.
What I didn't know was that the moment Alexander Morgan took my hand, his other hand had already pressed a hidden button under the table.
After leaving Alexander Morgan's office, I felt like I was walking on a tightrope. I knew he wouldn't easily trust me, but this was a necessary risk.
Back at my desk, I found an internal email on my computer screen: "Tonight at seven, Blue Harbor Restaurant, bring all your 'foresight.' —Morgan"
The corners of my mouth turned up slightly. This was exactly the reaction I had been hoping for.
At six fifty in the evening, I arrived at Blue Harbor Restaurant right on time. This was a Michelin three-star restaurant located on the top floor of the tallest building in Jiang City, a place I couldn't even enter in my previous life.
"Miss Lin, Mr. Morgan is waiting for you." The waiter respectfully guided me into a private dining room.
As I pushed open the door, Alexander Morgan was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, with his back to me, the sparkling night view of the entire Jiang City spread out beyond the glass. When he turned around, the moonlight traced the perfect contours of his profile.
"On time." He glanced at his watch, gesturing for me to sit down.
"I know you don't believe me," I got straight to the point, "so I brought more evidence."
I took out a USB drive from my bag: "Here are Thompson Enterprises' internal documents, detailing how they plan to make a move against you at the charity gala three months from now. They've already bought off your personal bodyguard Jason Miller."
Alexander Morgan's eyes flickered for a moment, and I knew I had struck a chord. Jason Miller was indeed one of his most trusted bodyguards.
"How do you have this information?" His voice was frighteningly calm.
I took a deep breath and decided to take a gamble: "Because in another timeline, I witnessed all of this firsthand. I was once Victor Thompson's fiancée, and on our wedding day, I discovered he had betrayed me with my best friend. I left in anger, got into a car accident, and then... was reborn five years in the past."
Even I found these words absurd as I spoke them. But it was the only explanation.
Alexander Morgan stared at me for a full minute, then suddenly smiled: "An interesting story. If you're a spy sent by the Chen family, this excuse is bizarre enough."
"I know this sounds crazy," I said calmly, "but you can verify every piece of information I've given you. If everything I say is true, then you'll know I'm on your side."
He picked up his wine glass, gently swirling the deep red liquid: "Why choose me? In your 'previous life,' did we know each other?"
"No," I shook my head, "in my past life, we only met once. But I know that only you have the ability to help me deal with Victor Thompson and Sophia Parker."
"So this is a transaction?" he raised an eyebrow.
"You could say that." I looked straight into his eyes, "I help you avoid dangers and provide business intelligence, and you help me get revenge."
Alexander Morgan put down his glass and leaned forward: "If you really can 'predict the future,' then tell me, what changes will happen in the stock market next week?"
I smiled: "China National Petroleum Corporation will drop 15% due to a sudden crisis in the Middle East, while the tech sector will rise across the board due to new policies. Especially that AI company you've been watching - its stock price will double on Wednesday."
His gaze sharpened: "You've been investigating me."
"No," I shook my head, "I just know the future. Just like I know that tonight you've actually arranged people to monitor me, including that seemingly ordinary waiter, who is actually your security personnel."
Alexander Morgan's expression finally showed a crack. He pressed a button under the table, the door opened, and the server from earlier walked in.
"Is she right?" Alexander asked.
The server nodded: "Yes, Mr. Morgan. We have indeed been monitoring her, but she has been acting as if she knew this since entering the restaurant."
Alexander waved the server away, then looked at me again: "Fine, Miss Lin, I'll believe half of what you said for now. If the stock market next week is as you predicted, we can discuss cooperation further."
I stood up, preparing to leave: "Remember, Jason Miller has already been bought off. If you want to test what I'm saying, you can start your investigation with him."
When I reached the door, I suddenly turned back: "By the way, tomorrow morning at nine seventeen, you'll receive a phone call from Hong Kong. It's about the merger opportunity you've been waiting for."
Alexander Morgan's gaze became complicated. I knew that I had successfully planted a seed in his mind.
