A Life Debt Repaid

Chapter 7

The vast meeting was filled with Starstream Group key executives, and Noel was standing on the podium. She was about to speak as she assumed the post of CEO when she suddenly noticed Cordy standing at the door, and she froze.Simon, who was seated in the middle of the front row, turned around to look when he saw the weird look in Noel’s eyes.He glowered the instant he saw Cordy and sprang to his feet, storming toward Cordy with a look of disgust and contempt as everyone else looked on. “What are you doing here?!”“This is my mother’s company. Is there a problem?” Cordy asked in return.She was calm but no less imposing, and she was certainly not cowed by Simon.“I don’t want to argue right now,” Simon snapped impatiently. “Get out of here right now—I don’t have time to waste on you today. Whatever it is, you can tell me later!”However, Cordy shared the same sentiment and simply walked straight into the conference room.Noel watched as she did so, her eyes flashing dangerously for an instant.Still, an angelic smile appeared on her face the next second. “Hey, sis! Did you come to see my appointment as CEO? I’m so glad!”Cordy actually thought that it was a waste that Noel was not an actress. Simply ignoring her, Cordy whipped out a document in front of everyone and made an announcement.“Greetings, I’m Cordy Sachs. I have come to Starstream to assume ownership over the company as per my later mother’s wishes. I’m grateful to my father for taking care of the company before my return.”The conference room was left in an uproar right after she spoke.What?! Starstream actually belonged to Cordy?! Then what did Simon and Noel amount to in the company?!Cordy appeared unconcerned about their shock. “Starting today, I have full control over Starstream. I hope I have your support.”She then bowed, although it was a gesture to assert her dominance.Noel was left standing awkwardly on the podium, still holding the speech she prepared especially for this occasion.Cordy’s announcement left everyone staring at Noel—this was the first time she was left looking like a fool, and Cordy was the one who did this to her!She was supposed to take over Startstream Group today, only for Cordy to give her a slap across the face!She certainly had never been humiliated like this. She always got anything she wanted even as a child, with Cordy ending up battered and looking like an idiot.Her eyes suddenly welled with innocent tears as she asked gingerly,Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Do you need money… sis?”Cordy was glowering but said nothing, so Noel quickly pressed, “Calm down, sis. I just don’t understand… You never cared about Starstream, so why would you suddenly want to take over? I even heard from Kyle that you fell for a firefighter the other day, and that you might be in trouble?”Noel’s seemingly offhand comment left the executives in an uproar again.So Cordy was so horrific that she caused trouble just to get money for her lover?! Did she not feel embarrassed?!At the same time, Simon’s expression darkened. “I’ll pay you a million dollars right, so get out! Don’t ever show up here—you shouldn’t be here!”Simon’s outburst only solidified the impression that Cordy was short on money, but she laughed despite her rage.On the other hand, Noel was upset to hear that Cordy would be given money. From her perspective, Cordy deserved nothing!Still, considering that she would get the entire company in return, she said, “I can wire you the money today if you need it urgently—I just hope you won’t hook up with that man anymore…” “Hook up? You mean like how you hooked up with my fiance?”Noel’s face turned pale. “Kyle and I never did anything like that…”Her affair with Kyle Jessop certainly must not be exposed, since both their families’ reputation would be tarnished!“That’s enough! Stop trying to distort the facts!” Simon barked. He then whipped out his checkbook to quickly write a check. “Here, it’s 500 grand. I’ll wire you the rest once you sign over the company!”With that, he tore out the check and threw it at Cordy’s feet.Check looked down at it and slowly arched her back to pick it up.Nearby, Noel was sneering, thinking to herself that Cordy was a gold-digger like any other person, and certainly never that noble!However, Cordy merely leveled a cool glare at Simon after she picked up the check. Then, she tore it into pieces as everyone looked on and threw the pieces back at Simon.“Starstream Group’s net profits reach dozens of millions per annum, and its net worth is well over hundreds of millions! And you’re brazenly telling me to give it up for a million?!”Cordy’s sharp words were a slap to Simon’s face, putting him down and leaving him utterly awkward in front of everyone!Noel’s face fell, surprised that Cordy would know such intricate details.“You have one day to settle any outstanding tasks and to pack your things,” Cordy snapped. “Or suffer the consequences!”…Noel’s succession ceremony hence ended with utter disgrace, and she was crying in her office.In fact, she was doing that ever since they left the conference room.“Dad, how is this different from robbery?! We’ve worked so hard to bring Starstream to where it is, and she’s just

going to take it from us?! I can’t take it…”Simon was incensed too, and he snarled through his teeth, “I’m old, but not senile! A kid like her doesn’t hold a candle to me! If she wants Starstream so badly, I’ll teach her why people should be careful about what they wish for!”Noel finally stopped crying at that and smiled evilly.After all, she would take everything from Cordy—her family, her reputation, her love interest, and her money.And Cordy had never won against her, not once!…The CEO’s office on top of Levine Ventures’ headquarters had a perfect view of North City, with its glass wall taking up three sides of the room.The interior was monochrome, but the solemness did not lose in extravagance.Randy Martin was listing the day’s routine before adding, “The board chairman insisted on your presence at the executive meeting in half an hour.”“I see,” John Levine replied.This was his first day working here. He brought in Randy as an assistant from abroad, and he had instructed Randy to learn the company’s operation structure a month ahead of time. “Have you compiled the dossiers on the executives?” he asked Randy just then.“I have,” Randy said, handing him the papers respectfully.While John read through it, Randy stood behind him.After some thinking, he said, “I heard that Ms. Cordy Sachs will take over Starstream Group today.”