Chapter 122 Negotiating a Deal
The private room door was pushed open.
Philip wasn't surprised by Douglas's appearance. He even expected Douglas would come.
So, an hour ago, he had sent everyone out of the room, leaving only himself there.
Douglas sat down across from him, silently picking up a bottle of vodka from the table and slowly pouring it into a glass.
His movements were elegant and refined, yet Philip could sense a hint of arrogant wickedness in him.
If Douglas was provoked, Philip knew that he could do anything.
However, Philip remained calm and composed.
After all, he held Douglas's weakness in his hands.
Even if he didn't want to admit it, the fact was that Douglas's feelings for Regina far exceeded his expectations.
If such a scandal were exposed, it would ruin not only Douglas's reputation and the company's stock price but also Regina.
She would ultimately be pushed into the spotlight, enduring the pressure of rumors and gossip.
Douglas wouldn't bear to let that happen.
Realizing this, Philip didn't feel pleased.
"Mr. Sterling, I heard you called my wife a couple of days ago?"
"I had a bit to drink that day, acted on impulse, and called Mrs. Semona. I said some things I shouldn't have. I apologize, Mr. Semona," Philip said, his tone full of veiled threats. "But I'm not sure if, the next time I drink too much, I might bring those things up again and tell someone else."
The sound of pouring stopped abruptly, and Douglas looked up. "You better zip your lips"
A tense, explosive atmosphere spread through the room.
Philip silently stared at Douglas for a long time, the veins on his forehead bulging slightly. "I was just joking, Mr. Sterling. You didn't take it to heart, did you?"
Douglas handed him the glass of vodka. "Since you have my 'scandal,' you should come at me. I should have told you long ago not to hurt her again."
Philip carefully considered Douglas's tone.
However, Douglas's inscrutable demeanor made it impossible for him to guess.
He could only probe, "So, Mr. Semona, what do you mean? Come at you? Are you here to discuss a deal?"
Philip decided not to hide anything. Talking to someone like Douglas, playing too many tricks would only backfire.
"A deal? What do you have to offer me?" Douglas's words clearly indicated he was willing to talk.
But Philip knew well that he had only one bargaining chip, which was he had to completely give up on Regina.
Naturally, he couldn't bring up that night at the Seasons Hotel again.
Philip asked himself if it was worth it.
In just a few seconds, he had made up his mind.
He was about to take the glass from Douglas's hand when Douglas suddenly let go, and the glass shattered on the table, scattering fragments between them.
Philip felt as if he were sinking inch by inch into suffocating darkness. "What do you mean, Mr. Semona?"
"Negotiating terms has its rules. First, tell me what you can offer, and let me hear it clearly. If I'm satisfied, we can talk."
Clearly, Philip held Douglas's weakness, but Douglas remained in control like a superior.
A deal was just 'something for something,' to get what you want most, right?
Philip had already weighed the pros and cons and calculated the benefits.
He wanted too many things from Douglas.
And these things could help him stabilize his position in the Heyday Group.
With William's sudden death, the Heyday Group was in turmoil. In this power struggle, Philip was struggling. But if he could get what he wanted from Douglas, he could easily achieve everything he desired.
These were too tempting.
Besides, Philip knew well that no matter what he did, Regina would never willingly come back to him.
If he wanted to take her back from Douglas, it would be a pipe dream for now.
He had to be in a higher position than Douglas to have the right to 'take'.
So, the urgent task was to become the chairman of the Heyday Group.
"Mr. Semona, since you've put it this way, I'll be frank. I know why you're here today. As long as you give me what I want, I promise I won't have any more contact with Regina."
"Alright."
Douglas's quick agreement made Philip feel like it was an illusion.
He instinctively said, "Okay, what I want is..."
Douglas chuckled, interrupting him, "Mr. Sterling, did you misunderstand something? Do you think you get to decide what you want? Besides, you're using one of my 'scandals' to make a deal with me. According to the principle of fairness, shouldn't I give you one of your scandals in return?"
Philip was stunned.
He realized that Douglas was playing him!
His chest heaved violently, and his previously controlled, calm face cracked under Douglas's words.
"How about we use the truth behind your father's death for this deal? A headline like 'Patricide for Power' should be shocking enough, right?"
Philip tried to remain calm, but his temples throbbed uncontrollably. "My father's sudden accident has long been buried, Mr. Semona. What nonsense are you talking about?"
"He must be turning in his grave, right?" Douglas sneered, reminding him meaningfully. "Otherwise, why didn't you agree to your brother's request for an autopsy?"
Philip gritted his teeth, but he was a tough character. When he spoke, there was no flaw in his words. "An autopsy? An autopsy would mean cutting him open. My father said he wanted to be buried whole, so how could I allow that to happen?"
"If I didn't have some evidence, how could I come to negotiate with you? I'll give you one night to think about it. And one more thing, I have as many of your scandals as I want. I bet you don't dare to gamble with me."
A fight to the death. Would Philip dare?
Douglas calmly damaged Philip's dignity.
In the dead silence, Douglas's phone rang.
Philip saw the caller ID on the screen—Mrs. Semona.
The devilish Douglas sitting in front of him suddenly softened.
Philip watched as he answered the call without any hesitation.
On the other end, Regina's voice came through. "Honey, can you come home for dinner tonight?"
Being so close, Philip vaguely heard the voice.
At that moment, his mind went blank, and he felt as if he were in a different world.
It was a voice he had heard many times over the years, yet it felt completely unfamiliar.
Douglas immediately responded gently, "Sure, I'll come home."
"Well..." Regina cautiously asked, "Where are you now?"
"Peace Club."
Regina clenched her phone tightly and asked in a low voice, "With whom?"
Douglas laughed. "Philip."
At that moment, Philip didn't know what possessed him, but he listened intently, waiting for more.
However, he call ended abruptly, as if he were something Regina couldn't avoid.
