Even if word got out about this, others wouldn�t criticize the Murphy family for being cruel, but they would condemn the Hunt family for being outrageous.

�It�s you who wants to cut ties with us, so don�t involve the youngsters. Although I don�t manage the company, I know what your family�s been up to.� Francine was a smart woman, and she was well aware of the schemes and deception in the business world.

The Murphy family had approached the Hunt family with ulterior motives, and now they wanted to fall out with them for the same reason too.

�So what if you know? My family will stop investing in your family, and Hunt Enterprise will suffer because you�ve put all your money into the field of AL� Gloating, Ethan continued, �I don�t care if your son wants to take risks, but don�t drag me into it. I don�t want to suffer any losses with him, so don�t blame me for retreating.�

Francine�s expression changed and she snarled, �Get lost! My family doesn�t need pity from an upstart like you!� After Ethan left, Elijah cautiously approached Francine.

�Are you alright, Madam Francine?�

Francine smoothed down her hair and raised her head elegantly, showing everyone there why she was still the head of the Four Princesses of Beach City.

�I�m fine. I�ve met a lot of men like him, so I�ve become immune to them. I knew that the Murphys had ulterior motives. They chose to invest in Hunt Enterprise because of the marriage, but once they realized that it wouldn�t happen, they backed out. It�s quite normal.� Francine turned to Elijah, frowning as she asked, �Did Stefan ever indicate that the company�s finances are tight?�

For the past two years, Stefan had been expanding Hunt Enterprise and developing new areas through investments, but not many projects had brought him the profit he�d expected. Additionally, with so many competitors popping up, business was tough.

�Yes, many businesses of Hunt Enterprise have been narrowed down, and many competitors have snatched our deals� Currently, Mr. Hunt is focused on Al, but it�s a new area, so funding for research is an issue.�

Elijah had been working for Stefan for a long time, and he knew the current situation of the company better than anyone else.

Stefan�s venture into the field of Al was a big expense and a little out of control, and there was the possibility that it might end badly. However, Stefan never revealed the bad news and prohibited Elijah from telling Francine about it.

�I know he�s had it hard� His love life has been a mess lately, and he also has to manage this huge company alone.� Francine felt sorry for Stefan.

When Tristan was still alive, all Stefan needed to do was focus on his interests, and he didn�t have to bear as many consequences.

�I know Stef-he had no interest in the company and this field, but he�s been bearing the family responsibilities for so many years to bring it to where it is today��

�Yes, I think he�s more of a family man than a workaholic. To him, a great achievement would probably be sitting down with his family for a nice dinner, but unfortunately�� Elijah trailed off, feeling sad for his boss.

�He�s Stefan, and he has no choice.� Closing her eyes, Francine finished Elijah�s sentence.

�It�s strange, but Hunt Enterprise reached its peak when Mr. Hunt was married to Ms. Everheart. That was also when he was most motivated, and solved all the company�s issues smoothly. However, he became a bit depressed after the divorce, and Hunt Enterprise seems to have reached a bottleneck period�� Elijah observed thoughtfully.

Calmly, Francine added, �Yes, one�s wife is the best support and blessing one has. I�m afraid Stef has missed a lot of good things� Well, I hope things will be better this time.�

After Ethan stormed off after arguing with Francine, he went to the ward next door where Seraphina was. JrNovels.com