Thousands of Brilliant Stars: You Deserve the Best!-Chapter 72: Name Your Price—I’ll Buy Her!

The meeting crisis ended hastily under Lachlan Wyatt’s conclusion, leaving a group of employees looking at Iris Crawford with fear, all saying that President Wyatt was terrifying, but there’s someone even scarier.

Neither threats nor bribes work on her, she doesn’t go out of her way to please anyone, surviving purely on her capability. Doesn’t this type of woman fear falling hard in the future?

People in the company admire Iris, but also fear her a little. No wonder she could parachute into President Wyatt’s side in such an important position. If Iris were to stage a coup, they wouldn’t be surprised!

Iris could totally do it!

Their eyes were fixed on Iris, even imagining what other incredible things she could do. But Iris herself felt no waves from her actions. After dealing with Roxanne Young’s theft, she quietly moved on to her next task, seemingly unaware of the shock her presence brought to the entire office.

In the evening, nearing the end of the workday, a lawyer called Iris, saying that the case against Jordan Jacobs looked like a sure win. The property division during the divorce could be swift and clean. As for public opinion turning against him, that was outside the lawyer’s purview, and Iris would have to handle that herself.

Listening, Iris nodded, "Uncle Jesse, you’re still the best, seasoned!"

Jesse Rivers chuckled helplessly on the phone. He wasn’t young anymore; used to spearhead cases for Damian Blackwood. Now most of the firm’s assignments went to juniors. Coming forward now was indeed giving Iris face, "Well, it’s your brother barging in with a sword to my law office..."

Orion Crawford probably guessed that something unexpected had happened in the kidnapping case years ago, otherwise, Iris wouldn’t harbor such intense hatred. So, he must be frantically trying to uncover the truth now.

"Okay, we can meet in a few days to discuss the details. My divorce certificate should be ready soon," Iris said into the phone, "Thank you, Uncle Jesse, for standing up for women. I won’t be soft-hearted about this divorce."

"It’s not just about women. I’m willing to stand up for the weak," Jesse Rivers said, pinching his brow, he faintly remembered Sherry Thorne. He initially helped Damian Blackwood with the custody case against her, leaving Sherry desperate. Luckily, it didn’t go through in the end. Now, with family conflicts rampant and Iris also a victim, he should stand up.

"I hope the law can serve you justice," Jesse laughed, "Today’s young people are truly more spirited!"

Just like Sherry Thorne back then.

After hanging up, Iris felt two hot stares from behind. She turned to find Leo Langdon biting his pen and staring at her with agitation.

Iris tidied her hair, "What’s the matter?"

"You... You’re married?"

Leo Langdon, as if discovering something shocking, had his mouth wide open, "When?"

"Not only married, but getting divorced too," Iris pointed at herself, "Is it so surprising? I even had a child once."

Leo’s pen dropped to the floor in shock. Smart and upright, he was sweating from the forehead, having never seen such a life experience, "And with President Wyatt, you, you, you..."

This...! A married woman! How gutsy of President Wyatt!

"I have to tell President Wyatt!" Leo pointed at Iris, "Did you hide it from him?"

Iris shrugged, "Go ahead, he knows."

"I don’t believe it; President Wyatt is noble and mighty. How could he be that kind of person?"

So Leo rushed into Lachlan’s office again, the door not fully shut. Just like last time, he lamented passionately, "President Wyatt, are you truly aware of Miss Crawford’s identity? Allowing her into the company could irreversibly damage your image!"

Lachlan was signing a document, almost splattering ink on the contract upon hearing Leo. He looked impatiently at his assistant, "What now?"

"Miss Crawford... She’s in the middle of a divorce case!"

"You knew?" Lachlan spoke nonchalantly.

Leo was surprised, "I knew! I can’t just sit back, she has a family! President, you must maintain your propriety!"

Lachlan chuckled without morality, "Isn’t the thrill greater with someone who’s married?"

Leo braced himself on Lachlan’s desk, "President, think this through!" In his mind, his President was decisive, brilliant, cold, and powerful. Yet now, that image is perilously close to ruin — President, you are a CEO, not a lech!

"It’s pretty clear." Unfazed, Lachlan signed his name slowly and added, "Don’t worry; she’s almost done with the divorce."

"..." Typically honest, Leo couldn’t help but blurt, "You really have mastered the art of being a fool."

With the court case progressing, Jordan Jacobs hasn’t troubled Iris since, likely overwhelmed by legal issues, giving Iris some peace. After work, she considered finding Seraphina Colbert. She couldn’t possibly just follow Jude Hawthorne’s every word. So, she clocked out and said to Lachlan, "I’m not going home with you today."

Lachlan was startled, "Where are you going?"

"I’m going to see Seraphina."

Pressing her fingerprint, she said, "You can go back alone."

You can go back alone.

These words, light as they were, sounded uncomfortable to Lachlan’s ears.

Did she not like him anymore? How could she be so neat and tidy now!

Player!

Lachlan said irritably, "Jude Hawthorne won’t let you see her."

Seraphina Colbert is just someone who sells herself, supported by Jude Hawthorne, she has to listen to his every command. How can she easily come out to meet Iris Crawford?

Iris Crawford frowned. Hearing Lachlan Wyatt’s tone, it seemed like he was well aware of these matters, so she asked, "What’s the relationship between Seraphina Colbert and Jude Hawthorne?"

"Jude Hawthorne is her patron, what do you think?"

Lachlan Wyatt’s features were far more attractive than the average person. Even with a disdainful expression, it carried a noble disdain. Iris Crawford couldn’t imagine how lowly Seraphina Colbert must appear in their eyes for Lachlan Wyatt to speak in such a tone.

Her mind quivered, "It doesn’t matter to me, I get along well with her, I’m going to find her."

"You won’t see her. Seraphina Colbert angered Jude Hawthorne. She probably won’t have a good few days." Lachlan Wyatt stated firmly, "Unless you take me with you."

******

Twenty minutes later, Lachlan Wyatt drove Iris Crawford to the outside of The Hawthorne Dojo. The large, imposing sign had an overwhelming presence. Iris Crawford braced herself to walk inside, but was stopped.

A tall bodyguard dressed in black, "Who is it?"

Lachlan Wyatt clicked his tongue, "Blind?"

Only then did the bodyguard notice Lachlan Wyatt behind, hesitated for a few seconds and then bowed his head, stepping aside, "Good evening, Young Master Wyatt, but our Second Young Master is busy now. You may need to wait a moment."

Lachlan Wyatt sneered, saying nothing, and brushed past the bodyguard straight in, giving no face at all.

Iris Crawford followed behind, saw Lachlan Wyatt skillfully cross the lobby to the training room in the back, and before she could enter, she heard a woman’s screams from inside.

"Jude Hawthorne, you animal!"

It was Seraphina Colbert’s voice!

Iris Crawford didn’t have time to think, she rushed in and pushed the door open, seeing Seraphina Colbert pale, lying on the ground, being choked by Jude Hawthorne. He was holding something, trying to force it down Seraphina Colbert’s throat, while the woman weakly kicked and struggled beneath his hand, "Let me go!"

Seeing someone burst in, Jude Hawthorne’s tiger eyes narrowed slightly. Realizing it was Lachlan Wyatt, his tone was still not pleasant, "Why are you here?"

Iris Crawford rushed up, "What are you doing!"

"What’s it to you?" Jude Hawthorne instinctively wanted to make a move, but remembered that this was Lachlan Wyatt’s person, and forcibly held back, "Seraphina Colbert is my woman, how I treat her has nothing to do with you!"

"She’s already like this, what more do you want!" Iris Crawford, brave and daring, dared to do what no one else would to Jude Hawthorne. So she shoved Jude Hawthorne aside and supported Seraphina Colbert’s upper body from the ground, "Are you okay? Seraphina?"

"Am I dreaming..." Seraphina Colbert weakly smiled, "How come I see you here, Iris Crawford."

Iris Crawford reached out towards Jude Hawthorne, "What is that in your hand!"

Jude Hawthorne sneered, smashing the cup in his hand onto the ground, "Just a sedative."

"Why did you want her to drink that!"

Iris Crawford, unable to stand it anymore, tightened her grip on Seraphina Colbert, "It’s illegal! Do you know that! Jude Hawthorne, are you even a man!"

Probably only a woman brought by Lachlan Wyatt dared to question Jude Hawthorne like this?

Jude Hawthorne’s face was a kind of fierce handsome. When he stared at someone, his eyes were full of undisguised hostility. Facing Iris Crawford’s accusations, Jude Hawthorne said, "I’m sending her to a man’s bed. Is that too much? She’s originally a call girl, she’s familiar with this sort of thing. As a privileged heiress, you’ve seen this before, right? If there’s any crime, it’s hers for not knowing the rules of the trade."

This wasn’t the first time? How many times had Seraphina Colbert endured such coercion?

Iris Crawford took a sharp breath, "Are you keeping Seraphina Colbert just for her to do such dirty work for you?"

Seraphina Colbert’s face was deathly pale, yet Jude Hawthorne didn’t care about her painful appearance, grinning, "Without me, she’d be out on the streets, who knows how destitute she would be. Now, living comfortably, she should be thanking me."

"Shameless!" Iris Crawford said, "You took her in just so she could do your dirty work? Why don’t you ask Seraphina Colbert what she wants?"

"Go ahead and ask." Jude Hawthorne said fearlessly, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lachlan Wyatt, the selfishness and disdain in his eyes were exactly like Lachlan Wyatt’s. Men of their class care about nothing, allowing him to be so brazen.

Maybe Lachlan Wyatt’s true nature is the same... just not as openly blatant as Jude Hawthorne.

Weren’t they using each other?

Iris Crawford held Seraphina Colbert, "How much do you pay to keep Seraphina Colbert?"

Jude Hawthorne was stunned, then snapped back, "You want to redeem her? That’s amusing."

"It’s nothing, I’m not good at anything else, just happen to have plenty of money." Iris Crawford flipped a bank card toward him. It brushed past Jude Hawthorne’s face like a slap, then landed on the ground, laden with her lavish spirit and fearlessness.

Jude Hawthorne was stunned by such action from Iris Crawford.

Even Lachlan Wyatt rarely raised an amused brow. Iris Crawford, you really don’t play by the rules.

The woman, eyes like torches, dazzling and radiant, said, "Must you rely on women to network? That’s quite useless. But since you’re sending her to please some big shot, why not have her please me? The Crawford Family counts as a notable family, right?"

In that instant, squatting and holding Seraphina Colbert, Iris Crawford didn’t seem like a woman. She pulled a wad of cash from her pocket, throwing it into the air. This arrogant action made Lachlan Wyatt’s pupils contract suddenly, in the descending flurry of bills, the woman laughed radiantly and said each word clearly, "Pick it up, Young Master Hawthorne."