Chapter 165 Give Us a Chance
Laura slowly lifted her head and locked eyes with James. She had thought James was just bragging earlier, but with Charles showing up, she realized he was telling the truth.
Nancy stood there, mouth agape, completely stunned. She couldn't believe James actually knew Charles.
But the most shocked person was Donovan. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at James and Ian, his face contorted with anxiety.
He was now regretting everything. If James really knew Charles, it meant Ian's identity must be genuine as well. And if Ian was indeed the General Manager of Golden Peak Investment Company, then the claim that Ian wanted to cancel the collaboration with The Diaz Family was also true.
The realization made Donovan's face turn ashen.
The partnership with Golden Peak Investment Company had been hard-won by Donovan's father, Sam. If Sam found out that Donovan's blunders had jeopardized this crucial investment, Donovan feared that his father would be furious enough to disown him.
As Donovan was figuring out how to fix things, footsteps echoed outside the conference room.
The door swung open, and a middle-aged man with a greasy face rushed in.
Donovan was stunned and said in a terrified voice, "Dad, why are you here?"
The man was Donovan's father, Sam Diaz.
Sam had been at work when he got the news that Golden Peak Investment Company had canceled their investment.
This investment was crucial for the Diaz Family. Without it, all their initial investments would be wasted.
Sam quickly contacted Golden Peak Investment Company to find out why. He learned it was because Donovan had offended Ian, the general manager at Felia Company. So he rushed over.
"You idiot, I'll kill you!" Sam stormed over, raised his hand, and slapped Donovan hard.
Donovan was sent flying and landed on the ground with a thud.
Laura watched in shock, her eyes wide. First, Charles showed up, and now Sam. This could only mean one thing!
James hadn't lied, and Ian was indeed the general manager of Golden Peak Investment Company!
"Dad, why did you hit me?" Donovan cried, covering his red face.
"All you do is cause trouble, and you even dared to offend Mr. Phillips. Are you trying to get us killed?" Sam shouted, slapping Donovan again.
Donovan's face swelled up instantly. He knew he was in big trouble.
To Donovan, James had always seemed like nothing more than a lowly delivery guy—a nobody. But now, he was coming to realize that James was far from the simpleton he had imagined. Clearly, a mere delivery person wouldn't be acquainted with high-profile figures like Charles and Ian.
"Mr. Phillips, I'm so sorry for what happened today. It's my fault for not keeping my son in check," Sam said humbly after slapping Donovan twice.
"It's fine. I won't waste my time on him," Ian replied indifferently.
"Mr. Phillips, about Golden Peak Investment Company's investment in the Diaz Family?" Sam asked, trying to smile.
"Forget about the investment," Ian said with a cold smirk. "It's already a mercy that I'm not holding this against you. As of today, the Diaz Family will no longer have any dealings with Golden Peak Investment Company."
"Mr. Phillips, you…"
Sam's vision went black, and he fainted before he could finish his sentence.
Offending Golden Peak Investment Company wasn't just about losing a deal. Everyone in Lumina City knew how powerful they were. No other business would work with someone who had crossed them. Ian's words were a death sentence for the Diaz Family.
Donovan stared blankly at James, feeling miserable. He never thought one sentence could ruin his family.
Anyone who offended Golden Peak Investment Company in Lumina City was doomed. The shareholders in the room looked at James and Ian, feeling very uneasy.
"Not just the Diaz Family. From today on, none of you here will have any cooperation with Golden Peak Investment Company!" Ian declared.
The shareholders who had been gloating were instantly dumbfounded.
Donovan was the mastermind behind today's fiasco, but the others were complicit too. Ian's actions were driven by a desire to curry favor with James. Ian understood that James was the real power behind the scenes, and Charles was merely his subordinate.
Moreover, these people had not only humiliated James but had also deeply insulted Ian. Ian had harbored a great deal of resentment and saw this as the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge.
Laura stared at Ian with wide, watery eyes, feeling very complicated. She finally understood how terrifying Golden Peak Investment Company was.
The middle-aged man who had mocked James the most hurriedly ran to Ian and knelt down. "Mr. Phillips, please give us another chance! We didn't mean to offend you!"
"Yes, Mr. Phillips, please give us a chance!" Other shareholders also knelt in front of Ian, begging.
They had completely given up their dignity just to get a chance to survive.
Charles had no interest in their pity show. He turned to James and asked softly, "Mr. Smith, should I still invest in Miss Hall's company?"
James slowly turned to look at Laura.
Laura stared back at James, wide-eyed.
Their eyes met.
James' feelings were conflicted. If Laura hadn't driven him away and spoken so harshly, he would have certainly encouraged Charles to invest. But Laura's earlier attitude had left him furious, so now he was unsure about what decision to make.
