"Randall, I'm drawing the line here," Patton said, his voice cold. "In the past, I looked the other way when you pulled your stunts."
"But I cannot afford to make an enemy out of Vertex International!" No matter how much Randall groveled, Patton refused to budge.
Randall's desperation quickly curdled into anger.
"Patton, we're family. I'm doing this for Rose."
"If you're going to back me into a corner over this, then there's nothing left to say!"
"Rose, forget about studying abroad. With the way things are, we can't afford it anymore."
Rose looked between the two couples, tears welling up in her eyes. She turned her tear-streaked face toward Mrs. Patton. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Patton. It's my dad's fault."
"He wouldn't have done any of this if he wasn't trying to help me!"
"But I really need to go abroad."
"I want to study design."
"You've seen how much money those top SUNNY designers pull in!"
"If I can launch my own label, I'll be rich."
"And I promise, I'll take care of both of you when I make it big!"
Rose realized this was her moment to manipulate their sympathies.
She wept pitifully. In the past, Mrs. Patton would have immediately rushed to
comfort her. Now, while she felt a twinge of pity, it was completely overshadowed by overwhelming disgust.
Did this girl not realize her father had just torpedoed their entire livelihood?!
If Patton hadn't discovered the fraud in time, Vertex would have completely destroyed the Patton family!
Patton's firm was one of the top three in Apex.
He had won this bid by pulling every string he had, presenting an immaculate
portfolio, and relying on decades of spotless business ethics.
But the West City project was a massive goldmine. Every rival in town was hovering like vultures.
They were waiting for Patton to make a fatal mistake!
Compared to a girl with absolutely no blood ties to them, their empire was infinitely more important!
Mrs. Patton wasn't stupid enough to sacrifice her family's wealth just to play the generous benefactor.
"Rose, I am not trying to stop you from going abroad. You can find another way to fund your tuition."
"But your father just put a target on my husband's back. Our rivals are circling."
"One misstep, and his entire career in Apex is over."
"You're too young to understand how this industry works."
Mrs. Patton made it clear the conversation was over.
This was the ultimate loyalty test.
If Rose couldn't comprehend the gravity of her father's betrayal.
Then there was no point in continuing this charade of a relationship.
"Please... he didn't mean any harm. Can't you just forgive him this once?"
Sensing the permanent freeze in Mrs.
to her father. "Dad, just replace the
Dunes, Rose spun Content be ack
FindNovel.net
"Mr. Patton can't afford a scandal, and neither can we."
"If we pull off this job for Vertex, the money will come eventually."
Rose wasn't an idiot. She knew if her father stubbornly dug his heels in, they would lose their most powerful connection. t FindNovel.net
She could clearly see the sheer resentment radiating from her mentors. Randall hesitated.
His daughter was sharp, and she knew how to play the long game.
The thought of throwing away pure profit made him physically ill, but her warning resonated.
Finally, a tense agreement was struck, Randall would rip out the
Substandard trials and Patton
would leverage his contacts to cover up the delay.
"That's the last time," Patton muttered to his wife as he watched Randall walk away.
Mrs. Patton nodded grimly. "We are done with them."
Out in the lobby, Randall practically choked when he saw the massive bill for the dinner.