Vernon mocked, “You’ve become the gold standard for sugar babies—being this obedient of a dog is truly admirable.” He posed his comment and asked flatly, “Where to?”

Instead of answering, Vernon stared intently and said, “Toshua, let’s talk.”

I glanced at him with mild surprise. “Talk? What could we possibly have to discuss?”

Vernon smiled knowingly, as if he had me all figured out. He whispered, “Simple. How much will it take for you to stop making things difficult for me?”

Without waiting for my response, he held out a card. I frowned at the offered card but did not take it. I was unsure what Vernon was trying to do, but his attitude suggested he had the wrong idea about something.

I asked, “What’s this supposed to mean?”

“There’s 200,000 in this card—take it as a down payment,” he explained. “If you put in a good word for me with Gerald, there will be more where that came from. But if you refuse…”

He grinned and continued, “I have a hundred different ways to make Banquelle torture you even more.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his words, pointing to myself in disbelief. “You want me to put in a good word for you? Vernon, aren’t you overestimating my influence?”

My response clearly wasn’t what he expected, and his patience started to wear thin. He shot back, “Aren’t you the Smiths’ heir? Surely, he would listen to you.”

I smirked. “Funny—you’re the one who told me I wasn’t even a real Smith, and now you’re expecting me to have that kind of influence?”

Vernon was left speechless, only able to glare at me hatefully. “Well, you must have some influence! Why else would Gerald reject my partnership with Racquelle based on your word alone?”

I shook my head. “Everyone in the business world, except the brainless Racquelle, can see right through your schemes. Did you really think everyone else was that stupid?”

My words seemed to hit a nerve, and Vernon couldn’t find the words to retort. Hence, he just glared at me, clearly seething.

“Whatever! You’re my only hope now,” he said seriously after a moment of silence. “If not that, then convince Guald to let me marry Racquelle!”

Once again, I found his words laughable. “Sorry, but I can’t help you with that either.”

“What?” Vernon was clearly unsatisfied with my answer. He pressed on, “So, you really…”

“What did you just say?” I stared at him in shock, barely able to process his words.

“You really do want to marry Racquelle?” Vernon gave a cold laugh and crossed his arms. “Didn’t Racquelle already tell you it’s impossible for you to be her fiancé? Besides, don’t you find it embarrassing if you go from being the adopted son to son-in-law?”