Chapter 244 I Will Risk Everything
"Marcus, what do you mean?" Leopold walked over to the table.
"What are you referring to?"
"Why did you stop the development project?"
Marcus took a sip of tea, ignoring him. "I stopped it because I didn't want to cooperate. Is there a problem?"
"You think you can just stop it like that? Do you know how much money we lose for every day of delay?"
"I know."
"And you still did it?"
Marcus finished his cup and started making a second one, his movements smooth and practiced.
Leopold slammed his hand down on the teapot. "You've been avoiding me for three days, and now you're silent. Are you planning to drag this out forever without giving an answer?"
Marcus finally looked up. "Who said I was avoiding you?"
"Your secretary said you were on a business trip. Wasn't that just an excuse to avoid me?"
"Avoid you? You're overthinking it. I went to Starlight City for an inspection. The trip was planned half a month ago. Why would I need to avoid you?"
"Starlight City?" Leopold sensed something.
Marcus smirked.
Oliver suddenly chimed in, "Marcus, you went to Starlight City? Starlight City is a great place, with food and drinks that suit my taste. By the way, isn't Camilla's hometown in..."
Simon frantically signaled with his eyes, but Oliver pretended not to understand, so Simon had to nudge him.
Oliver finally got the hint and shut up.
Leopold looked at the calm Marcus and said slowly, "Did you go to Starlight City to see her?"
Marcus replied indifferently, "I told you, I went for an inspection."
"But," he added, "I did run into Camilla."
Leopold grabbed him by the collar. "Marcus, didn't I warn you last time?"
Marcus brushed his hand away and calmly smoothed out the wrinkles in his collar. "Warn me? In what capacity? As Camilla's ex-boyfriend? You think too highly of yourself."
Leopold took a deep breath. "Is this why you stopped the cooperation? Marcus, I thought that no matter what happened between us because of Camilla, business was business, and personal matters were personal. I overestimated you. Does Camilla know you're a petty, immature guy? She hates men who can't separate business from personal matters."
Marcus slammed his teacup down on the table, making a dull thud.
He said, "Trying to provoke me won't work. Leopold, I'm curious. Did you come here today to talk about Camilla, or the project? Or are you using Camilla as an excuse to discuss the project? To be honest, not just this project, but all our joint ventures will be split up. From now on, we will draw a clear line and not interfere with each other."
Leopold's pupils contracted. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Is it hard to understand?"
"Why? Just because I'm Camilla's ex-boyfriend? Marcus, are you crazy? You're willing to give up money just to spite me?"
They had over 20 joint projects, some led by Marcus, some by Leopold, and some by third parties in which they both invested.
If they split up, most of these ongoing projects would fail.
The initial investment was substantial, and breaking up halfway would mean losing everything.
"Is this necessary?" Leopold questioned. "If you want to pursue Camilla, go ahead! I never mentioned breaking up the partnership, but you're pushing it too far! Do you really think that by cutting ties with me, Camilla won't care about our past relationship and will agree to be with you?"
"Foolish!" Leopold grabbed the teacup from Marcus's hand and smashed it on the ground.
With a crisp sound, he said, "Marcus, I never knew you could be so impulsive for love."
Oliver and Simon instinctively stepped back to avoid the shards.
They exchanged glances, both shocked by the information Leopold had revealed.
Marcus was actually forcing a split with Leopold in this way!
Although they had fallen out earlier, it was only privately.
But they still invested in projects together and made money together.
In the face of profit, personal relationships were minor.
If it were them, they would never let money get in the way of pursuing a woman.
Especially someone as cunning as Marcus.
This time, Oliver and Simon were also confused.
Marcus glanced at the shards on the ground. "What a pity. A good teacup, and you smashed it in a fit of anger. Was Camilla like this teacup to you?"
Leopold frowned deeply. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Marcus looked at him coldly, "So what if I'm petty? So what if I'm immature? I want to cut ties with you completely. I don't need a grand reason. Just because I want to, because it makes me happy. Is that not enough?"
"You!" Leopold's heaving chest and clenched jaw showed how infuriating Marcus's words were.
Marcus smirked. "What? You can't bear to lose those projects, that money?"
Leopold retorted, "You think you're above money?"
"I love money, but I like Camilla more."
Oliver and Simon got goosebumps.
Marcus continued, "As you said, even if I cut ties with you, Camilla might not accept my pursuit. But so what? I'm doing this because it's my choice. Whether she accepts it is her decision. Of course, I hope both can align, but even if they don't, should I do nothing?"
He added, "Leopold, that's the difference between you and me. You won't risk everything for an uncertain outcome, but I will."
Leopold asked, "Even if you know it's a losing battle?"
"There's no such thing as a guaranteed loss, only people who don't give their all."
"You're crazy!"
Marcus smirked, "Maybe."
But he was willing.
Leopold still persuaded, "Do you really have to do this? Pursuing Camilla and our partnership aren't mutually exclusive."
"Who says they aren't? In my point of view, they are."
Leopold's eyes turned cold. "If you want to go crazy, don't drag me down with you."
"That's why I'm telling you in advance, so you can prepare."
"What you're doing is like throwing money into the ocean."
"Then I'll enjoy the splash."
Leopold fell silent, thinking, 'Crazy! Insane!'
He turned to leave.
Suddenly, Marcus spoke, "This time in Starlight City, I met Camilla's parents."
Leopold paused.
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