Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 334: The Acquisition

Chapter 334: The Acquisition

Carter Group’s brand, Mrs. Carter Cooking Oil, was exposed for using recycled waste oil in its production. This scandal expanded as more of their food products were revealed to pose serious health risks.

For Carter Group, this was a catastrophic blow. Just two minutes after the scandal broke, the company’s stock plummeted, wiping out $500 million in value in those few minutes.

Outraged and alarmed, Carter Group’s shareholders immediately convened an emergency meeting, instructing a thorough investigation and ordering that key figures be held accountable.

The next day, Carter Group held a press conference to issue a public apology to consumers nationwide.

Despite Frank’s tearful apologies, the damage was done. Supermarkets pulled all of Carter Group’s food products from their shelves.

Carter Group, already in poor financial health, now faced a crisis it would not recover from.

Sean, overwhelmed with anger and stress, fell gravely ill. Meanwhile, more scandals surrounding the Carter family emerged in the public eye.

It was revealed that Sean had manipulated the lives of his own children, swapping his legitimate child with his mistress’s and sending his rightful heir to live with a poor family. Additionally, Sean had collaborated with Mason to frame his granddaughter. The onslaught of these sordid revelations turned Carter Group into a pariah in the business world.

Even so, Ella and Charles did not withdraw their lawsuit, awaiting their day in court.

A month passed, and Carter Group had become a hollow shell. Eric moved forward with plans to acquire the company.

Ella retained a 15% share in the company, but under the acquisition terms, she would not be able to access it until she turned 25.

In a single night, Carter Group—a once-glorious empire—fell into ruin due to two damning scandals, leaving the Carter family mired in debt.

Not only did Carter Group suffer, but so did the Carters’ private investments, with many projects collapsing under financial strain. Leah’s hatred for Ella deepened, blaming her cold-heartedness for the family’s downfall.

Had she pleaded with Eric for mercy, perhaps Carter Group would have been spared from bankruptcy.

Yet, despite her bitterness, Leah’s resentment lacked the power to exact revenge on Ella.

And Ella?

Though Nelson Group had acquired Carter Group and prepared to rebrand it as LR, Ella felt mixed emotions. After all, Grandma Carter had built the company from the ground up. Yet she took solace in seeing justice served.

That evening, Eric and Ella went to dine at Sapphire Shores Tavern.

Tonight marked a family reunion. Brian, who had spent his days flying internationally, had finally returned, and Amelia and Richard, back from their travels, had also arrived. Everyone agreed to meet at Sapphire Shores Tavern.

As Eric and Ella entered the tavern, Eric paused when passing an open private dining room.

Ella looked inside and saw a man seated formally at the table, dressed in a crisp white shirt. His sharp, hawk-like eyes met hers directly.

"Well, Director Taylor, I didn’t expect to run into you here!" Eric greeted him casually from the doorway.

This was Warren Taylor, the police commissioner who had helped Eric bring Donald to justice.

Warren’s eyes were sharp and discerning, though his rugged, masculine appearance made him undeniably handsome.

Though a bit older, Warren was still popular with many women.

"Mr. Nelson, no need to be so formal. Care to join me?"

Warren’s normally stern face softened into a friendly smile.

"No need. Director Taylor, you must be waiting for someone, right?"

"Just meeting a friend," Warren replied with a light smile.

Eric nodded. "Well then, Director Taylor..."

"Eric, stop calling me Director Taylor—you’re making me feel old!" Warren chuckled.

At that moment, a woman appeared, gliding gracefully into view. She wore a white dress, her long hair flowing over her shoulders, giving her a calm and serene look.

Ella turned to glance back, raising an eyebrow as she watched the woman enter Warren’s private room.

"Do you know each other?" the woman asked with a warm smile, turning her attention to Ella. "Ella, it’s been a while! Why don’t you join us?"

Ella shook her head. "Thank you for the invitation, Miss Carter, but we’re meeting friends."

The woman was Leah.

Eric felt a twinge of discomfort, surprised to see Warren with Leah.

Since Carter Group’s downfall, Leah had noticeably lost weight, her large eyes now more pronounced and watery-looking.

"Our friends have arrived. Director Taylor, Miss Carter, enjoy your meal," Eric said politely, leading Ella away.

Leah felt a pang of resentment. Running into Ella here brought all her buried anger and frustration rushing to the surface. However, tonight was her first date with Warren, and she had to leave a good impression.

"Miss Davis is your cousin, isn’t she?" Warren’s sharp gaze stayed fixed on Leah, noting the flicker of resentment in her eyes.

As police commissioner, Warren could read people’s emotions with ease. He had little interest in a woman like Leah, only meeting her tonight to satisfy his family’s wishes.

"Yes," Leah admitted with a strained laugh, "but...for many reasons, we haven’t acknowledged each other."

Given the widely publicized scandal between Carter Group and Ella, it was no secret. Warren, as police commissioner, was well aware—and besides, he and Eric were friends.

"What are your hobbies, Miss Carter?" Warren asked, his tone calm.

Leah felt a hint of nervousness; she liked this man. He had status, wealth, and looked remarkably youthful for his 35 years.

"Well...after work, I usually clean up around the house, listen to music, or dance a bit. I rarely go out to bars," Leah explained hastily.

This part was true. Ever since her financial situation had worsened, Leah hadn’t been able to afford the nightlife she once enjoyed.

Warren nodded politely but offered no further response.

Their meal continued with minimal conversation. Warren received a phone call midway, and though he returned, his mood was noticeably more subdued.

Leah sensed that something was amiss.

Had he heard something?

By the time they said their goodbyes, which were brief and detached, Leah knew that Warren wasn’t interested.

Back home, Leah’s mood was bleak. As she lay on her bed, she received a call from Bella.

"I saw you at Sapphire Shores Tavern today. Were you on a date with that man?"

"Mm-hmm," Leah replied wearily.

"Did it go well?" Bella, still one of the few people who kept in touch after the Carter Group scandal, sounded concerned.

After Carter Group was acquired, Eric had methodically removed most former shareholders, leaving Leah isolated. Most of her so-called friends kept their distance, except for Bella.

"No, he didn’t seem to like me," Leah said, disheartened.

"Oh, do you know why?" Bella asked with a chuckle.

"No idea," Leah sighed.

"Well, I do. I was having dinner with Mason, and I happened to overhear Ella on the phone, talking about you. She was advising someone not to get involved with you," Bella said with a cold laugh.