Chapter 247

Philip's POV

I stared at the real-time stock price chart on mny computer screen, watching the numbers continue their relentless descent. Since the leak of my argument with Brian, my investment company's stock had plummeted by 70%.

"Damn it," I muttered, rubbing my temples as a dull ache spread through my head. The exhaustion of being nearly sleepless was taking its toll.I had once been among Wall Street's shrewdest investors, now completely undone by a video featuring a five-year-old.

Clients were withdrawing their investments en masse, board members were demanding emergency meetings, and reporters were swarming the lobby awaiting my response. Everything had happened so quickly that I hadn't fully processed the collapse of my empire.

My assistant knocked gently before entering, handing me a prepared crisis management plan and the latest financial reports. Concern was written all over her face.

"Mr. Baker, reporters are waiting in the lobby. The board meets in thirty minutes."

I nodded, gesturing for her to leave. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. Just as the door closed, my phone rang. Allen Stark's name flashed on the screen.

"Allen, this isn't a good time," I answered tersely.

"Don't hang up, Philip!" Allen's voice came through with unusual

excitement, "I found the information you wanted! About Howard Thompson's college sweetheart, the woman he could never forget."

That immediately captured my attention. The company crisis, board meeting,waiting reporters-everything suddenly seemed insignificant.I'd almost forgotten I'd asked Allen to investigate Howard's past, hoping to find something I could leverage. This information couldn't have come at a better time.

"Go on, I'm listening," I replied, my voice calming as I leaned back in my chair, feeling a glimmer of hope.

"This woman came from a single-parent household in Boston," Allen began sharing his findings. "Things got complicated after her father remarried. The stepmother had a daughter who performed poorly in school,while Howard's first love was an exceptional student."

"Continue," I unconsciously drummed my fingers on the desk.

"The school often inadvertently compared the two girls, which embarrassed the stepmother, making her feel her parenting was being questioned. She started spreading rumors at school, claiming the girl's good grades were obtined through improper means."

I could imagine the scene. I recalled Annie mentioning her school days weren't pleasant, though she never elaborated on why.

"This led to people at school looking at her differently,some even bullying her," Allen continued. "But what's most surprising was her reaction-she remained completely unfazed and focused on her studies. She understood education was her only ticket to a better life."

My thoughts drifted to Annie. She too camne from a single-parent home,

raised by her mother after her father died in a car accident. She never mentioned a stepmother, but she had emphasized the importance of education multiple times. This similarity made me uneasy.

"What happened to her?" I asked, gripping my pen tightly.

"The school invited her to give the honors student speech because of her outstanding performance. But under pressure from his new wife, her father demanded the school give the speaking opportunity to the stepsister.

"That's outrageous," I frowned, instinctively feeling angry for the girl.

"Yes. The school eventually caved and changed the speaker. Worse still,on the day of the speech, the stepsister publicly humiliated her.She reported it to the school, but no one helped-everyone just told her to let it go."

I clutched the phone, feeling a wave of discomfort. Annie had also mentioned a school speech once, and though she'd downplayed it, I remembered the momentary darkness that crossed her eyes.

"Finally, she applied for a transfer, and the administration claimed leaving their school would ruin her future," Allen's voice pulled me back to reality."But not only did she continue to excel, she helped other students at her new school improve. Within two years, her new school surpassed her former one in Ivy League acceptance rates."

The story sounded like a legend, but it also sent a chill through me.These details...they were too familiar.

"I also found out she worked as a coluimn illustrator during college," Allen continued. "Those works can still be found in old magazines at the library.Howard attended the same university, and rumor has it he's kept some of

her work all these years."

lllustrator. My heart raced. Annie was an illustrator too, her talent undeniable. This couldn't be coincidence.

"Allen.send me everything you have," I said urgently.

"No problem." he agreed. but then asked, "What do you plan to do with this information?"

I paused. weighing my response: "Howard clearly can't forget his college sweetheart. Annie should know she's just a replacement."

Allen seemed hesitant on the other end but finally said, "I'll compile everything and send it to you."

After hanging up, my thoughts were in turmoil. Could Annie be the first love Howard couldn't forget? No, impossible. If that were the case, they would have recognized each other long ago. Perhaps it was just coincidence, maybe Howard simply preferred this type of woman-intelligent,resilient,artistically gifted.

But if Annie truly was Howard's college sweetheart, and they were now pretending not to know each other... The idea was absurd. I shook my head, trying to dispel it. Regardless, this information could be useful.I could show Annie that Howard was obsessed with his past love, make her realize she was merely a substitute. Perhaps that would destabilize their relationship.

As I contemplated how to use this information, my phone rang again.Sarah Johnson's name appeared on the screen. I hesitated,then answered.

"Sarah?"

"Philip. I need to see you," her voice sounded both determined and urgent.

"I have a plan, but I need your help."

"What plan?" I asked, somewhat wary.

Another plan was forming in my mind too-using Howard's first love information to sabotage his relationship with Annie.

Despite the company crisis. I felt a new determination rising.I,Philip Baker, wasn't defeated yet. I woud find a way to turn everything around and reclaim what was rightfully mine-Annie.