Chapter 181 Winning and Losing Are the Most Important
Josh frowned, completely stunned. "What happened?" he asked.
Hannah spilled the beans. "I just spread some rumors about Natalie and Yves online. I didn't expect they'd call the cops! Dad, you have to help me; I'm a celebrity. I can't get arrested."
Who would've thought Natalie would be so ruthless? And that Yves was her brother? Now, she's in big trouble!
Josh panicked, not knowing what to do, and turned to Gabriel for help. But Brad stopped him.
Brad extended his hand, polite but distant. "Mr. Martin, Mr. Kensington has a video conference and can't be disturbed. Sorry."
Brad's firm stance left no room for negotiation. Josh left, feeling helpless, and called Peter to meet at Clark Group. He couldn't hide his collusion with Peter anymore.
He figured if he backed off and gave up the project, Natalie might let Hannah off the hook. But who would've thought Natalie wouldn't even see him?
Josh was furious, pacing back and forth at the entrance of Clark Group, refusing to leave.
Peter, confused, asked, "Mr. Martin, are we just going to give up? That's an extra 30% profit."
"Shut up!" Josh snapped.
They waited until it was dark, and Natalie got off work, coming out with Aaron. Before she could get in the car, Josh ran over in a panic.
"Ms. Clark!" Josh called out.
Hearing the call, Natalie turned her head. She hadn't seen Josh before, but she recognized Peter behind him.
"Mr. Parker, I assume this is Mr. Martin from NovaTech Group?" Natalie said.
Josh paused, not expecting Natalie to guess correctly at a glance. Suddenly, he didn't feel so confident about this negotiation.
"Ms. Clark, Hannah is my daughter. I hope you can let her go. She's a celebrity, and she can't get arrested," Josh pleaded.
Natalie smiled and raised an eyebrow. "If Mr. Martin can't teach your daughter properly, then the police will have to. As a public figure, she should be more cautious and set an example. I believe Ms. Martin will remember this lesson."
This painful lesson would stay with Hannah for a lifetime. And it would ruin her career as a celebrity! But what did that have to do with her? Hannah brought this upon herself.
"Wait, Ms. Clark, I only have one daughter. How about this: I won't interfere with the Azure Cove project anymore, and I'll return the developer. We'll go with the price you agreed on. Will that satisfy you, Ms. Clark?" Josh remarked.
Natalie sneered. She hadn't even gone to him to settle the beef, and Josh had the nerve to bring it up himself? He and Hannah really were father and daughter! Like father, like daughter!
Peter stood behind, sweating profusely. He was already in the wrong for colluding with Josh. Now, he was coming back empty-handed, utterly humiliated.
Natalie glanced at them, curling her lips. "From what Mr. Martin is saying, should I be grateful that you're letting Clark Group's project go?"
She was really curious. How could he be so shameless at his age?
Josh coughed and righteously explained, "Ms. Clark, you're still young. The business world is cruel. Winning is everything."
Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Yes, winning is everything."
She gave a faint, cruel smile and replied, "So, Mr. Martin, you need to accept this reality. I will not only hold Hannah accountable, but I will also hold you accountable."
Josh looked up sharply. "What do you mean?"
Natalie joked, "Does Mr. Martin really think that without Peter, the Azure Cove project can't go on?"
She raised her eyelids, mocking his naivety. "Peter's competitors have been eyeing his position for years. When I asked for help, they agreed without hesitation and even lowered the price by 10%. What a perfect collaboration."
Josh and Peter's faces changed dramatically, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief. They couldn't believe it! Natalie had pulled the rug out from under them. No wonder she had been so confident in refusing to meet with them from the start! She already had a plan in place.
Natalie's smile was cold. "Mr. Martin, the business world is cruel. Winning is everything."
She used his own words against him. Josh's face turned extremely ugly. He had been played by a young girl just starting out.
After speaking, Natalie turned decisively, and Aaron respectfully opened the car door for her.
Peter reacted and immediately stepped forward to beg. "Ms. Clark, please let me go this time. Don't give them a chance. I'll lower the price by 20%... no, 30%!"
If Natalie agreed, he would even work for free. That's right, his subordinates, whom he had been suppressing, were already restless. If they rose, what chance would he have? He would have wasted most of his life!
But Natalie, already in the car, ignored him completely. Did he not think about the consequences when he tried to screw her over? A bunch of idiots!
