Chapter 12: Double Game
835words
On the phone screen, Sophia Parker's message made me raise an eyebrow. Since the dinner event, she had been avoiding me, and now she suddenly reached out - she must have an ulterior motive.
"What do you think she wants?" Alexander Morgan looked at my phone screen, wariness flashing in his eyes.
"She's fishing for information," I sneered. "Claire Johnson must have sent her to gather intelligence."
We were formulating a counterattack plan in the safe house. Claire Johnson was also present and nodded: "Victor Thompson has been under a lot of pressure lately. He needs inside intelligence."
After pondering for a moment, I suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Why don't we beat her at her own game?"
"What do you have in mind?" Alexander Morgan asked.
"Set a trap." A glint flashed in my eyes. "Let Sophia Parker think she's succeeded, when in fact we're the ones using her."
I replied to Sophia Parker, asking to meet her at a café. Before leaving, Alexander Morgan took out an elegant earring: "This has a miniature recording device inside, just in case."
He put it on me himself, his fingertips lightly touching my earlobe, making my heart race. I forced myself to focus on the task: "Remember, no matter what I say, it's all part of the plan."
In the coffee shop, Sophia Parker looked concerned: "Emily Wilson, are you okay? I heard you were attacked, I was so worried!"
"I'm fine." I feigned exhaustion, "Thanks to Alexander Morgan."
"Are you two... close?" she asked tentatively, a calculating look flashing in her eyes.
I sighed, deliberately showing my discontent: "On the surface, yes. But honestly, he's too controlling, wants to manage everything, making me feel suffocated."
Sophia Parker's eyes lit up: "Really? I thought you two..."
"It's just a working relationship." I interrupted her, "Actually, I recently found an investment opportunity, but Alexander Morgan isn't interested."
"What investment?" Sophia Parker took the bait immediately.
"A rare earth mining project in South America." I lowered my voice, "Initial valuation is at least 2 billion, but because of the remote location, big companies aren't willing to take the risk."
"Such a good opportunity?" Sophia Parker asked in surprise.
"Yes, I've already done detailed research." I took out a document from my bag, "Look, this is the geological report and market analysis."
Sophia Parker eagerly flipped through it, the greed in her eyes becoming increasingly obvious. I knew she would definitely pass this information to Victor Thompson.
"Emily Wilson, you're really amazing." She exclaimed admiringly, "Could you... let me take a look at this report?"
"Of course." I readily agreed, "But please keep it confidential, this is my personal research."
Leaving the café, I returned directly to the safe house. Alexander Morgan and Claire Johnson had already heard the entire conversation through the earrings.
"South American rare earth minerals?" Alexander raised his eyebrows, "Where did you come up with that?"
"That mine does indeed exist." I smiled, "However, I modified the geological report. In reality, the rare earth content there is negligible, with extraction costs far exceeding potential returns."
"You mean, if Victor Thompson invests..." Claire Johnson suddenly understood.
"He will suffer heavy losses." I nodded, "Besides, this type of project requires enormous initial investment. Once started, it's very difficult to withdraw."
"But he won't be fooled so easily." Alexander Morgan analyzed, "He will certainly send people to investigate."
"This is where we need Claire Johnson's help." I turned to her, "Can you get in touch with geological experts in South America?"
Claire Johnson revealed a sly smile: "My father has a network of connections there, I can arrange it."
"Perfect." I nodded with satisfaction, "Have them cooperate with our plan, provide 'confirmation' information to Victor Thompson's investigators."
Alexander Morgan looked at me in amazement: "You're more ruthless than I imagined."
"Being merciful to enemies is being cruel to yourself." I looked straight into his eyes, "This time, I want them to taste true defeat."
Over the next week, we closely monitored Victor Thompson's movements. Sure enough, he sent people to South America for investigation, and Claire Johnson's network played its role perfectly. The investigators brought back "encouraging" reports, and Victor Thompson immediately decided to invest.
"He has invested 500 million as initial funding," Claire Johnson brought the latest news, "Almost half of his personal assets."
"Too greedy." I sneered, "This is exactly his fatal weakness."
Alexander Morgan looked at us, admiration flashing in his eyes: "You two are natural business strategists."
Claire Johnson smiled modestly: "Compared to Emily Wilson, I'm still far behind. She's the real chess player."
The three of us exchanged smiles, a tacit understanding forming between us. This was no longer simply about revenge, but a carefully planned business campaign. And I had transformed from a pawn manipulated by fate into a chess player controlling the entire game.
"Next step," I said confidently, "is to wait and see the show that Victor Thompson and Sophia Parker put on."
