Love's Change of Heart

Chapter 715 Because I’m Not the Investor

Meanwhile, Joseph's expression turned sour upon hearing the news. He had hoped that Complex Group would suffer significant damage and be unable to interfere with Crossley Group. However, he was taken aback by their swift recovery. As for Southwest Group…

Frowning, he asked John, "Do you have more specific information?"

"I do have some information, but I can't guarantee its authenticity."

"Just tell me about it."

"Southwest Group is a company established three years ago in Arcburg. All their core members are Navarians. As for the mysterious investor…" John paused before continuing, "I only know that three years ago, Aidan visited Arcburg for business. Whether he has any connection with this company, I'm not sure."

Kevin interjected, "In the past, the investor's identity behind this company would've been a mystery. But judging from today's events, it's most likely Aidan."

John nonchalantly crossed his legs and countered, "Don't be so definitive about everything. What if Aidan just has a good relationship with them?"

Joseph removed his gold-rimmed glasses. "Well, I do have a way to verify this."

"Oh?"

As discussions about the surge in Crossley Group's stock price gained momentum online, there were also individuals raising questions about the identity of the investor backing Southwest Group.

Soon, someone made a connection between Aidan's visit to Arcburg three years ago and speculated that he was highly likely to be the investor behind it. Otherwise, he would not have intervened to help Crossley Group at this critical moment.

After this argument emerged, discussions shifted toward the possibility of him having invested in Southwest Group three years ago under the name of Pearson Group's president. Some speculated that the corporation might belong to Pearson Group rather than being solely owned by him.

At the same time, there was a widespread perception that when Aidan departed from Pearson Group, his eloquent speeches masked the fact that he had not publicly disclosed all of his assets or returned them to the company.

Many believed it to be a mere facade, suggesting that he still cherished the prestige and glory bestowed upon him by Pearson Group. Almost simultaneously, this post gained widespread circulation within the country. Many people engaged in heated discussions regarding the questions raised.

While ongoing debate and speculation persisted regarding whether Aidan was the mysterious investor behind Southwest Group, another discussion emerged regarding the ownership of the corporation. They questioned whether it should belong to Pearson Group or Aidan personally.

Those who believed that Southwest Group should belong to Pearson Group argued that Aidan's investment was made during his tenure as the president with the company's funds. They emphasized that without Pearson Group, Aidan and Southwest Group would not have achieved their current success.

Since he had already decided to pass the leadership of Pearson Group to Justin, it was believed that the assets that rightfully belonged to the corporation should be fully returned.

Another group believed that Southwest Group was an independent entity with no connection to Pearson Group. In terms of international recognition, Southwest Group's reputation in recent years was undoubtedly on par with that of Pearson Group. Aidan's astute judgment and initial investment played a crucial role in the current success of Southwest Group. In other words, Justin had no reason to reap the benefits without contribution.

With different viewpoints, different factions ignited a massive uproar in online discussions. Throughout the entire debate, neither the Crossley, Pearson, nor Southwest Groups issued any public responses to these matters.

In the evening, Aidan arrived to pick up Leanna and discovered her sitting in the office, lost in thought, as she gazed out at the starry sky through the window. He sat beside her and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

She snapped out of her thoughts. "It's nothing. Have you resolved everything on your end?"

"It's almost done. The current crisis for Crossley Group has been resolved."

"I've seen many people online debating whether Southwest Group should belong to the Pearson Group. What are your—"

"It's none of their concern." He stated calmly, "Only Justin has the right to question this matter."

She paused for a moment before smiling. He hasn't changed at all. After pondering for a moment, she inquired, "If Justin were to approach you and request the return of Southwest Group, would you comply?"

He responded bluntly, "No, I wouldn't." Before she could speak, he continued, "Because I'm not the investor."

She was taken aback by his response. "It's invested in your name." She was both surprised and puzzled by this revelation.

Aidan explained calmly, "When I married you, I should've given you a bridal gift. But at that time, I didn't want to give it to you. And when I invested in Southwest Group, I didn't want to use Pearson Group's name. So, I utilized the bridal gift that should've been given to you and naturally registered it in your name."

Dumbfounded, Leanna fell into a prolonged silence before asking, "Have you always been this peculiar since you were born?"

She did not anticipate that during those three years when Aidan appeared to dislike her, he had secretly done so many things for her. Each time he returned from a business trip, he would bring her gifts. When he learned about the Starry Sky Nature Reserve during his business trip to Arcburg, he went out of his way to visit it, despite the considerable distance.