Chapter 277
Gianna shook her head, "No need. This surgery's super risky. If it bombs, your rep's gonna take a hit 'cause of me."
Garrett grinned, "Reputation? You think I give a damn about that?"
Gianna shot back, "Even if you don't care, I can't roll the dice like that. It's my call, and no matter what happens, I gotta deal with it myself."
Seeing she wasn't budging, Garrett just nodded, "Alright, got it."
After their chat, they split. Gianna headed back to the villa, diving into the medical stuff she downloaded, hoping to up the surgery's success rate.
Word about the Getty family messing with the Clinton Group spread fast and hit Natalie's ears.
Once she got the scoop, Natalie rang up Felix.
"Felix, what's the deal with you and the Getty Group from Thundertop? Weren't you planning to team up with them?" Natalie asked.
Felix had just landed and could hear the edge in Natalie's voice. He frowned.
Natalie never poked her nose into business stuff before. Why the sudden interest?
"Yeah, but that was before. I ditched the deal with the Getty Group," Felix explained.
Natalie got serious, "Don't team up with any company from Thundertop ever again!"
Felix was puzzled, "Why?"
"Don't ask why, just trust me. Stay away from any family from Thundertop!" Natalie insisted.
After a pause, Felix said quietly, "Grandma, I just signed a deal with the Garcia Group."
"What?" Natalie snapped, "Cancel it right now! I'm coming to the office!"
Before Felix could respond, she hung up.
He didn't bother calling back, just pocketed his phone, his face darkening.
Natalie's reaction was weird. Why was she so against the Clinton Group working with Thundertop companies?
As soon as he got to his office, Felix saw a bunch of shareholders hanging around outside. He scowled, "Why aren't you working? What's going on?"
One shareholder spoke up, "Mr. Clinton, you're finally back! Do you know the Getty Group's gunning for us? Why the sudden change?"
Felix shot the shareholder a cold look, "The Clinton Group already cut ties with the Getty Group. Yesterday, I went to Thundertop and signed a deal with the Garcia Group. From now on, they're our partners, not the Getty Group. Any other questions?"
The shareholders were stunned. They didn't expect Felix to quietly sign a deal with the Garcia Group after being MIA for a day.
The Garcia family was also one of the big players in Thundertop, just as powerful as the Getty Group.
Another shareholder chimed in, "Mr. Clinton, the Getty Group's already snagged a bunch of our deals in the past two days!"
Felix's face stayed stone-cold, "Don't sweat it. Just focus on our work."
Under Felix's stern gaze, no one dared to argue and they left one by one.
Over the years, Felix had steered the Clinton Group through various storms, always coming out on top. This time wouldn't be any different.
James followed Felix into the office and, seeing how worn out he looked, quickly suggested, "Mr. Clinton, you haven't slept much these past couple of days. How about a quick nap in the lounge?"
Felix rubbed his forehead, picked up a contract, and said while reading, "No need. Just get me a coffee, and when Mrs. Natalie Clinton gets here, bring her in."
James was surprised. In all his years with Felix, Natalie had never come to the Clinton Group.
He quickly hid his curiosity and replied, "Yes, sir!"
Soon, Natalie showed up.
Seeing her serious face, Felix had James pour her a glass of water and then asked him to leave, leaving just the two of them in the office.
Felix said, "Grandma, take a seat."
Natalie took a deep breath, plopped down on the sofa, and locked eyes with Felix. "Terminate the contract with the Garcia Group within three days," she demanded.
Felix shot back, "Grandma, business ain't a game. The Getty Group's gunning for us. If we piss off the Garcia Group now, we're toast."
Natalie's eyes flared with anger, "Are you ignoring me now?"
Felix sighed, "It's not that, but if you want me to ditch the Garcia Group, you gotta give me a solid reason."
Natalie's grip on her cane tightened, sorrow flickering in her eyes. She gritted her teeth, "No reason. Just no deals with Thundertop companies, period!"
Felix looked down, then slowly said, "Grandma, is this about the key?"
He'd had people dig into the NightShadow Mercenary Organization. They found out that after NightShadow took Thomas to Thundertop, they vanished. NightShadow was after the key, and they disappeared in Thundertop. Now, he suspected Natalie's insistence was tied to that key. He still didn't know what it was or what it did.
Natalie's face went pale, "Felix, don't ask. There's no good in dealing with Thundertop folks. Just trust me, okay?"
Felix shook his head, "Grandma, I can't agree. Thomas and the people who killed Jesse and Maria are hiding in Thundertop. They've already targeted us. We can't hide forever."
Natalie said firmly, "We'll hide as long as we can!"
Felix countered, "Grandma, they didn't get the key. They'll come after us again. Don't you want to avenge Jesse and Maria?"
Natalie's eyes reddened. She stared at Felix, "Those people are out of our league, Felix. I just want our family to live peacefully in Dawnridge. That's enough for me!"
Felix replied, "Grandma, you don't get it. If we don't deal with the key, we'll never have peace."
After a long silence, Natalie said tiredly, "If I can't change your mind, I won't try anymore. Don't call me Grandma from now on."
With that, Natalie stood up to leave.
Felix asked, "What exactly is the key? What's it for? Why do the Thundertop people want it?"
Natalie's body stiffened, then she said quietly, "Don't ask. I don't want to talk about it."
"Grandma!"
Felix quickly stepped in front of her, looking her in the eye. "Constantly retreating will only ruin the Clinton family. Tell me the truth. At least give me a chance to decide."
Natalie looked up at him, her nose twitching at the determination in his eyes.
She almost forgot Felix had grown up and could handle responsibilities.
"Alright, I'll tell you everything." After a deep breath, Natalie turned back to the sofa.
An hour later, she left Felix's office.
No one knew what they talked about, but after she left, Felix immediately called James in and said coldly, "Start deploying our people in Thundertop, as many as possible."
James was full of questions but didn't ask. He nodded, "Alright, I'll get on it right away!"
After James left, Felix rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of it all.
After hearing what Natalie had to say, he had no plans to back down. He was ready to fight with everything he had. Even if he lost it all, he wouldn't regret it!
The phone on his desk suddenly rang.
Seeing it was Gianna, his expression softened.
"Gianna, what's up?" Felix asked.
Gianna said, "Felix, I saw the Getty Group's targeting the Clinton Group. Is it because of what I did to Daniel? Is he retaliating against us?"
