Chapter 154 Car Crash
After the trio took a seat on the couch, the housekeeper served them coffee.
Luann leisurely sipped her coffee. She was just about to speak when Joshua suddenly interjected.
"Mr. Logan, you’re finally willing to meet me,” Joshua said with a hint of urgency, “I came to discuss a potential cooperation between our families.”
Joshua quickly fished out a slightly crumpled contract from his pocket and placed it on the table before he began to explain earnestly.
"We have a batch of jewelry material, and some of them need to be shipped by sea. You happen to oversee the ports, making it extremely convenient to help us with international shipping and logistics. I’m aware that several of my employees have already approached you to discuss a partnership.”
Mr. Logan said nonchalantly, “Then you should also be aware that I have no interest in doing business with the Curtis family.”
Joshua protested with a hint of desperation, “A collaboration is a win-win situation for both sides. It’s absolutely crucial for us to have exclusive access to your ports. If you find our offer lacking, we’re prepared to increase it!”
The Curtis Group thrived in the jewelry sector, relying on select materials that could only be shipped by sea. However, all shipping operations were under the tight control of Mr. Logan. The man had been at the helm for nearly two decades, and yet, he had never engaged in any under-the-table dealings with any company.
"It's unnecessary. I'm not short on cash," Mr. Logan replied dismissively.
Although Mr. Logan was not part of the four major families, his sole control over the ports was enough to make people’s eyes turn green in envy.
"Mr. Logan, I implore you to reconsider. the Curtis family genuinely needs this opportunity…”
A frown appeared on Mr. Logan’s face as he looked at the pleading expression on Joshua’s face. He asked coldly, “Is this how you asked for cooperation? Do you think that you can seal the deal by begging and wagging your tongue? If you’re not skilled in negotiation, it’s better for you to go home than to embarrass yourself here. You’ve got some growing up to do.”
Joshua had already said his piece, but it was clear that he had completely failed to convince Mr. Logan. His face turned ashen upon hearing Mr. Logan’s rebuke, and his pride received a massive blow.
The air was rife with tension at this moment.
…
In the Curtis Group’s head office.
The shareholders were all gathered in the conference room at this moment.
Mr. Curtis held his cane and sat in a chair, looking as though he was about to doze off.
Zachary nudged Mr. Curtis and asked, "Hey, how can you sleep at a time like this?"
"It's been three days. Those two kids are bound to return before the end of the day," Mr. Curtis muttered.
"Who do you think will win?” Zachary asked curiously.
Mr. Curtis yawned before he said mysteriously, “No one will win.”
Zachary furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
A thin shareholder, who had given the contract to Luann and Joshua, suddenly stood up and said, “Zachary, it seems like you’re unaware that the contract is related to Rigid Logan."
"What? Rigid Logan? The Rigid Logan who controls the ports?" Zachary exclaimed in shock.
Rigid Logan was the unflattering nickname they had given Mr. Logan. After all, although Mr. Logan had amicable relationships with all the important families, he had always remained unyielding when it came to simplifying operations. This meant that no company managed to strike a deal with him over the years.
Realization finally dawned on Zachary. He massaged his head as he said, “This is intentional, isn’t it? If no one wins, then Luann will win by default.”
Mr. Curtis said calmly, “Everyone has seen what Luaan is capable of… She’s a better fit for the position than Joshua."
Zachary nodded in agreement. “Joshua had it easy in his role as a director for years. He has never really met any obstacles…”
Someone chimed in, “Indeed. With Myron protecting him previously, he really had it easy.”
Mr. Curtis hummed in agreement before he said, “Exactly. I’m hoping that this will be a learning experience for him…”
Everyone nodded in unison. It was a rare moment where everyone collectively agreed on something.
In the end, Mr. Curtis said, “Let’s just quietly wait for the two of them to return.”
...
Joshua clenched his hands, which rested on his lap, tightly. His head was lowered, and his expression was twisted into one of dejection. His white teeth bit his chapped lip, drawing a little blood.
Luann only shook her head helplessly when she saw the state Joshua was in. After a moment, she said bluntly, “Come on. Just sign the contract already. I have other matters to attend to. Don’t waste my time.”
Joshua raised his head and looked at Luann, feeling shocked and incredulous. If their relationship were good, he might have even reached out to check her temperature.
‘Is she crazy? Or has she completely given up?’
Even the housekeeper was shocked. After all, Luann’s blunt words were a stark contrast to her seemingly harmless appearance. However, before she could recover from the shock, she was further shocked. She had expected Mr. Logan to lose his temper, but unexpectedly, a warm smile appeared on his face at this moment.
‘Is that a hint of warmth and affection I see?’
Mr. Logan motioned to Luann and said, “Hand me the contract.”
Luann brought the contract out and casually tossed it over.
Without a word, Mr. Logan only took a cursory look before he signed his name on the contract. Everything happened in under one minute.
Joshua was dumbfounded. He rubbed his tired eyes with grimy hands as he thought to himself, ‘What’s going on? What on earth just happened?’
Luann put the contract away, satisfied with the outcome. Then, she said, “Alright, then I’m off.”
"Take care, little troublemaker," Mr. Logan said cheerfully, watching her leave.
However, Mr. Logan’s expression darkened when he shifted his gaze to Joshua. He pointed at the latter, who reeked since he had not bathed in days, and ordered, “See him out. He’s driving me crazy!”
Without wasting time, the housekeeper quickly threw Joshua out of the house.
Thud!
After landing hard on the ground, Joshua did not make a move to get up. His eyes were vacant. His mind still could not grasp what had just happened. Who could tell him what happened? The contract had eluded him for a few days, but Luann sealed the deal with just a few words?
"Cheater! She must have cheated again!"
Joshua felt a gut-wrenching sense of doom grip him. He clawed at the earth so fiercely that his fingers began to bleed. Then, with brute force, he clenched a pebble he found, causing more blood mixed with dirt to drip down his knuckles.
After a moment, Joshua got into the car, slamming the door shut behind him. His foot smashed the accelerator, sending the car hurtling forward at breakneck speed. He was just approaching the intersection when he saw Luann crossing the street, waving to someone on the other side of the road.
"Luann Weaver..." Joshua growled, “Why? Why must I give up everything I have for you? Why does everyone take your side?”
Flames of fury raged in Joshua’s heart, burning away his last shred of rationality. His heartbeat thundered in his chest as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel, turning his knuckles white. Veins bulged on his neck as he clenched his jaw. His bloodshot eyes shone with anger as his face was twisted into a grotesque expression of fury.
Although the traffic light had turned red, Joshua had no intention of stopping at this moment. Instead, he continued driving, heading straight toward Luann’s delicate figure!
