Chapter 166
""Mr. Hernandez, we're terribly sorry for the oversight at our construction site. Here's your compensation, and for Miss Brooks as well,"" explained the Vice President.
Cassie blinked rapidly, taking in the figures on the checks: three hundred thousand for her, a billion for Joseph. She might not have been injured, but she'd been through an emotional ordeal, not to mention a brush with death. It was frustrating.
And to add insult to injury, Joseph casually tossed the check onto the nightstand, ""Alright, you can go now.""
""If Mr. Hernandez doesn't mind, perhaps we could exchange business cards..."" The Vice President wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to network with a prominent attorney.
""I'm tired, Cassie. Show him out."" Joseph closed his eyes with impatience.
The Vice President, unaccustomed to such rebuffs, left with a frosty expression, feeling slighted.
Cassie awkwardly escorted him to the door. ""I'm so sorry, Mr. Hernandez has been in quite a bit of pain these past few days. And I wanted to inquire about the turnkey homes from Peace Group...""
""That's not my department. Talk to the staff downstairs about that.""
Without another word, the Vice President departed, unconcerned about a minor designer like Cassie.
Cassie felt dejected. She wouldn't put herself through this if not for the extra money it could bring.
She used to view Peace Group favorably, but now her feelings were complicated.
Back in the hospital room, Joseph's eyes snapped open, his brows knitting. ""Have you lost your mind, wanting to deal with Peace Group's housing projects?""
""Landing the Peace Group turnkey home deal could net me a ten-million commission, and the renovations alone might bring in another twenty million,"" Cassie explained, then sighed as she looked at his check. ""Twenty million might not mean much to you, but for the average person, it's more than a lifetime's earnings.""
""Are you short on cash?"" Joseph asked nonchalantly, offering her the hundred-million check from the table. ""Go ahead and spend it.""
Cassie's knees nearly buckled at the thought of so much money, but she couldn't accept it.
Shaking her head, she said, ""That's your money, I can't take it.""
""Cassie,"" Joseph's gaze turned stern, the displeasure evident, ""You're mine, and I'm allowing you to use my money.""
""I want to earn my way, not be a woman who relies on a man,"" she persisted. ""If I wanted the easy route, my looks could land me someone wealthier than you in no time. But that's not who I am. Beauty fades, but real talent doesn't.""
Moved by her own conviction, Cassie believed Joseph saw her as a woman of principle — a rare find indeed.
Yet, when she looked up, Joseph was watching her with a mocking glint in his eye.
""You think you could find a man wealthier than me?""
""What makes you so sure?""
Chagrined, Cassie bristled internally. She might be a top-earning lawyer, but there were always bigger fish — like David, who might well surpass even Joseph in earnings.
""Mr. Hernandez, arrogance isn't a good look.""
Joseph chuckled softly. ""You're already lucky to know me.""
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