Chapter 275

Carol looked at the surprised Isabella and said with a knowing smile, "Just like you guessed, it was me who helped your dad find the loan company. He thought those folks were his own contacts. Your dad can be pretty naive sometimes."

Isabella, noticing Carol's condescending attitude, seemed to grasp something.

Through some undisclosed means, Carol had helped Jasper find lenders when he needed money.

In reality, Carol had leverage over all these people.

Isabella, unable to verify the truth of the information she had, decided to set it aside for now.

Fixing her gaze on Carol, Isabella asked, "I have a few questions for you. Why did you help me? What's the deal with this ring? Is my grandfather hiding any secrets?"

Carol nodded with a graceful smile. "I figured you'd ask me those questions. Please, have a seat. Would you like tea or coffee?"

Isabella, seeing Carol's elegant demeanor, didn't feel rushed and simply sat on the sofa, asking for a cup of coffee.

Carol walked to the coffee machine, poured two cups, and handed one to Isabella.

"Let's chat while we drink." Carol sat across from Isabella.

"First, to answer your first question, why did I help you." Carol raised a finger, her expression growing serious.

"The reason I helped you is simple," Carol said, her voice steady as she sipped her coffee. "It's because of what you said at the meeting before-that this is the Taylor Family's company, not John's. I don't want to support Bianca, only to have the company end up as John's private property."

Isabella raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "I've never heard of you when I was in the family before. I can't believe you're so loyal."

Carol smiled, holding her coffee cup. "Your grandfather is a philanthropist. His charity fund once helped me. Without his help, I would've died in the hospital."

Isabella was momentarily stunned. The family did have a charity fund during its glory days, which was later absorbed by other charitable organizations as the family's fortunes waned.

If Isabella remembered correctly, the influential force taking over the charitable organization should be the Brown Family.

"My family was destitute when I was young," Carol explained briefly. "A serious illness nearly killed me, but your grandfather's charity saved my life, paid for my treatment, and even sent me to school. I joined this company to repay him."

Isabella could only tentatively accept the story, lacking the means to verify it.

Carol held up two fingers and said, "Alright, to answer your second question, what's the deal with this ring?"

Isabella leaned in, her curiosity piqued. This was the answer she was dying to hear.

"This ring is a symbol of authority. Only with this ring can you command people like me," Carol explained, almost making Isabella leap off the couch in surprise.

"Wait, what? Are you saying my grandfather set up a bunch of people like you in secret? Why would he do that?" Isabella pressed, her voice rising.

Carol shook her head, a hint of frustration in her eyes. "I can only tell you that, yes, your grandfather did arrange for many people like me to stay hidden. But we don't know each other. As for why he did this, that brings us to your third question."

Carol held up three fingers and let out a soft sigh. "Honestly, I don't know why your grandfather did it. When I met him, he was dead serious. He gave me the ring and said that whoever reclaimed it after the family's downfall would be the key to the family's revival."

Isabella shot up from the couch, her lips trembling as a wild thought crossed her mind.

"Are you saying my grandfather caused the family's downfall?" Isabella's voice shook with shock.

Carol pursed her lips and nodded. "I don't have hard evidence, but it's not hard to figure out. Your dad might seem clueless in business, but for one of the top four families, the way the Taylor Family fell apart was just too quick. It doesn't add up."

Isabella took a deep breath, leaned back on the couch, and asked seriously, "What else do you know?"

Carol rubbed her forehead, looking unsure. "Honestly, I think your grandpa was trying to dodge some big disaster. Maybe tanking the family was his way of avoiding it."

Isabella squinted, struggling to believe there could be a force strong enough to make a powerful family at its peak take such drastic measures to survive.

Not even the powerful Williams Family could have had that kind of influence.

Carol glanced at Isabella, who was sitting quietly with her head down, and asked with a gentle smile, "Got any other questions?"

Isabella shook her head. "If that's all you know, then I'm good for now. I'll hit you up if I think of anything else later."

Isabella stayed seated, taking deep breaths to calm herself. The information was a lot to take in; she needed time to process everything.

Carol pulled out a business card and handed it to Isabella. "Here's my card with my number. When you're ready, give me a call."

Isabella nodded, took Carol's business card, and just as she was about to leave, Carol stopped her again.

"Hey, just so you know, while those leverage tactics might work on some greedy folks, there are others who won't budge so easy. You might need some cash to sweeten the deal. You got enough funds on your end?" Carol asked, sounding concerned.

Isabella turned back, tilting her head slightly. "Are you saying you have a lot of money? Did my grandfather give you a bunch too?"

A spark lit up in Isabella's eyes; she was desperate for money.

Carol gave a wry smile and shook her head. "No, your grandfather didn't give me any money. What I mean is, if you need some, I can lend you a bit. I've saved up quite a bit over the years. Of course, once you take full control of the company and start making money, you'll have to pay me back. As for whether your grandpa left money with someone else, that's probably true, but I really don't know the details."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Isabella's face. "No, thanks. I've got money too."