Chapter 643
“Mr. Brunner, first come, first served. Stevens Corporation approached you first, and we already had an agreement. How can you go back on your word?” Christina tried to stay calm, though her anger simmered just beneath the surface.
Aspen’s expression hardened as she spoke coldly. “Mr. Brunner, doing business is about trust. Stevens Corporation partnering with you is a win-win deal, but Rhodes Corporation’s Pharmaceutical Division is on its last legs.
“I heard their formulas were leaked, and the Weller family is squeezing them out. There’s no profit there anymore. Are you really going to abandon us for them? Please reconsider!”
Stephen sneered. “A bad move? Aspen, I’ve been through hell and back in the real world while you were still a little girl playing in the dirt. You think you can teach me what’s right and wrong?”
He continued, “Yes, your pharmaceutical project is impressive, but you’ve misunderstood something crucial. No matter how good your project is, can it compete with the influence of Mr. Lloyd, the king of Jayrodale’s underworld?”
Stephen leaned in slightly, his gaze sharp. “Let me be blunt–if Mr. Lloyd asked me to produce a pile of worthless crap, it’d still be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. Making Mr. Lloyd happy means everything. You really think I care about a bit of profit when I have a chance to secure a relationship like this?”
He let out a mocking laugh, exhaling a lazy smoke ring as he leaned back in his chair. “You see, for me, it isn’t about chasing money. It’s about building the right relationships–connections that can make me untouchable.”
Aspen and Christina’s faces darkened with fury and frustration. They could not believe Stephen had become so devoted to Andrew. It was like he saw Andrew as a father figure despite just getting beaten half to death by him moments ago.
How could someone change their mindset so drastically and so fast?
Christina gritted her teeth. “Mr. Brunner, I know Andrew well. Don’t be fooled by his current success. He’s not someone capable of accomplishing great things–he’s too laid-back and weak-willed.”
Aspen chimed in, “You might not know this, but Andrew’s backed by Marvin, the wealthiest man in Jayrodale. Marvin is cunning and ruthless. For all you know, Andrew might just be a pawn in his game. Dylan and Natasha don’t really answer to Andrew–they serve Marvin.”
Stephen chuckled darkly. “Does that matter? Let me ask you both–who holds the most power among the officials in Jayrodale?”
Christina frowned. “Obviously, it’s Mr. Thatcher.”
“Wrong, completely wrong,” Stephen said with a scoff. “The real power lies with the mayor’s secretary–the person who handles everything behind the scenes. By the same logic, even if Andrew is Marvin’s pawn, he’s still someone worth currying favor with.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just doing what anyone in my position would do.” He paused, narrowing his eyes as he continued slowly. “And by the way, it’d be wise not to spread rumors about Mr. Lloyd being a puppet. I’ve met plenty of powerful figures in my time, but Mr. Lloyd is different.”
He added, “His presence is subtle yet oppressive. He doesn’t flaunt his power, but it’s there–calm and unshakable, like a mountain standing tall in a storm. That’s not something you can fake.”
Christina let out a bitter laugh. “Mr. Brunner, you’ve barely known Andrew, but I was his ex. I know him better than you ever will. Trust me when I say, you’re being deceived by appearances.”
Stephen glanced at her coldly. “And that’s exactly why you, Ms. Christina, are stuck running a small corporation. You don’t have what it takes to rise higher.”