Chapter 238: Finally Giving In
As Sutherland Group was suffering significant losses, Goodridge Group was also teetering on the brink of disaster. For a moment, Casimir felt overwhelmed. However, he was determined to shoulder it all on his own. Throughout the twenty-four hours of each day, he practically lived in his office, striving to find every possible solution to resolve the current crisis. He was confident in his abilities, and more importantly, he was resolute in his decision to break off the engagement. All he wanted was for Raylee to be his. Therefore, he had to fight this battle himself, and he absolutely had to win.
However, he had overestimated Alaric’s cunning nature; he was as sly as a wily old fox. Not only did he leverage their joint projects to pressure Casimir, but he also used his years of connections to instigate other companies to cut ties with Sutherland Group. Some illegitimate sons eyeing Casimir’s position, along with old ministers harboring wolfish ambitions, took advantage of the situation to stir up trouble. It would be tough for anyone to fight against multiple opponents at once. And so, they remained at an impasse for half a month before Casimir could no longer take it.
At home, he had to face the reprimands of his elders. At work, he had to deal with the inquiries and demands of the company’s shareholders. Under immense pressure, he ultimately found himself unable to carry on and chose to surrender. He arrived at the Goodridge residence, carrying a gift, hoping to mend their relationship.
“Mr. Goodridge, these are some health supplements that I had someone purchase from abroad for you. I hope you will accept them,” Casimir said.
The continuous corporate battles over the past few days had left him visibly exhausted, making him seem as though he had aged several years in an instant. Alaric was seated at the coffee table, sipping coffee while casting a disdainful sidelong glance at him. His pompous demeanor was akin to that of an emperor.
“Hmph! You brat! Trying to challenge me? You’re still too inexperienced! Finally met your match, haven’t you? Feeling scared now? Realized your own limitations, have you? Let’s see if you’ll dare to overstep your boundaries with me in the future!”
Harriet and Waverly stood at the staircase, witnessing this scene. Upon seeing Casimir in a state of utter exhaustion, yet still being belittled by her father, Harriet felt an overwhelming surge of heartache. She yearned to rush over and shield him. However, Harriet firmly held her back.
“Wavy, your father is in the midst of negotiations with him. The outcome of their discussion is tied to your marriage arrangement. You shouldn’t interfere.”
“Why does Dad have to humiliate Casimir after he had beaten him to the point of helplessness?” Waverly exclaimed in agony.
Harriet replied, “That’s what happens to the defeated. Wasn’t he the one who kept insisting on breaking off the engagement with you? If he didn’t have the ability to do so, then he should just admit defeat! You’ve always been too indulgent and accommodating toward him in the past. That’s why he never took you seriously. Men can be such fools sometimes. There are moments when not being too kind can actually make them respect you more.”
“You’re right, Mom. I’ll definitely be more mindful of that in the future,” Waverly nodded, her face showing a humble eagerness to learn.
She wasn’t ignorant of such theories. If it had been any ordinary man, she would have had him wrapped around her finger long ago. Countless men had once fallen at her feet. With a mere beckoning of her hand, they would fawn over her like obedient puppies. Yet, when faced with an outstanding man of high caliber like Casimir, she was utterly at a loss. She had tried to give him the silent treatment before, but Casimir simply turned a blind eye toward her, acting as if she wasn’t even there. After all, he had always been cold toward her. Regardless, the more Casimir behaved in this manner, the fonder she grew of him. It stirred in her an intense desire to claim him as her own. She simply refused to believe in this absurdity. If Alaric managed to successfully marry her into the Sutherland family this time, she was determined to use every trick in the book to win over this man.
Over here, after enduring a round of ridicule, Casimir unwillingly said, “Mr. Goodridge, I admit I can’t outmatch you, but your self-destructive actions have also harmed the interests of the Goodridge family. If I had continued to resist, it’s hard to say who would have the last laugh.”
Alaric slammed his hand down on the table. “Hmph! Still playing tough even now! If you could’ve handled it, you wouldn’t have come knocking on my door today, begging for peace! A loser is always a loser, no matter what your reasons are, you’re still a loser!”
“Mr. Goodridge, you’re escalating the conflict between two corporations over a single marriage proposal. Is it really worth it? Cut me some slack now, and things can remain peaceful between us when we see each other again in the future. Aren’t you afraid that you might just doom the Goodridge family if you destroy our relationship now?” Casimir protested.
Alaric stared at him coldly. “Why wouldn’t it be worth it? This is exactly what I’m fighting for! You shouldn’t blame me. After all, it was you who left me with no choice! You repeatedly drove my daughter to the brink of jumping off a building. In the future, you could just as well send me and Goodridge Group to our graves! People are inherently selfish. Everything I’ve done was merely to guard against potential calamities!”
“Mr. Goodridge, let’s stop this back-and-forth battle between us. Right now, people outside are laughing at our predicament, and some businesses are even taking advantage of our vulnerability: I’m sure you understand the concept of a third party benefiting from a dispute better than I do. I’m just afraid that after all our struggles, we might just end up profiting someone else,” Casimir said, his expression serious.
“What’s there to fear? I can handle that. It’s just you who can’t take it right now!” Alaric scoffed.
“Mr. Goodridge, please tell me what will it take for you to back off,” Casimir asked, adopting a humble approach.