Chapter 366 The Forced Marriage
The understatedly luxurious business car glided smoothly along the road.
After some distance, Carter stifled a laugh, but eventually let out a snicker.
"Boss, that Grace girl obviously has a thing for you. She's trying to seduce you. Why don't you play your own brand of charm? If you win her over, wouldn't the partnership with Koch Group be a cinch?"
Martin scoffed disdainfully, his face a picture of scorn, not even deigning to acknowledge the suggestion.
Carter, tapping his nose thoughtfully with his index finger, mused,. "Boss, doesn't Grace seem familiar to you?"
Anticipating a misunderstanding, he quickly added, "I don't mean her looks exactly, but there's something about her vibe..."
That indescribable feeling hung in the air, leaving things unsaid.
Martin remained silent, his gaze drifting over the busy streetscape, his thoughts a million miles away.
The next day.
An, an unexpected guest arrived at Martin's place.
Martin was in the middle of a small meeting with Carter, Alan, and Nathan.
Suddenly, when there was a knock at the door.
They exchanged puzzled glances.
Carter asked Nathan, "Did you invite someone else over?", Nathan?" Carter asked.
Nathan shook his head, tiptoeing to the door to peer through the peephole.
The visitor outside, as if aware of being spied upon, joked,. "I know you're home. It'ms Jeremy, and I'm here to talk aboutdiscuss a partnership."
Nathan turned to look at Martin.
Carter, taken aback, questionedasked, "Why is he here? He made it clear yesterday he wasn't interested in collaborating with us, so what's changed now?"
Alan suggested, "Could there be some ulterior motive?" Alan suggested.
Nathan stood quietly behind the door, awaiting Martin's signal.
Martin glanced over at Alan. "Put everything away."
AWith a swift nod, and Alan began tucking the folders from the coffee table into the bedroom closet.
Outside, Jeremy was angrily jamming the doorbell.
"Martin, open up!. If you don't, I'm gone, and forget about any deals with Koch Group in the future."
Once everything was squared away, Martin gave Nathan the nod to open the door.
It had barely swung open when Jeremy kicked it fiercely.
Nathan dodged just in time to avoid the door flying open.
Jeremy strode in, throwing himself onto the couch with nowithout restraint. "Sorry about that—I didn't pull my kick. HopeI hope I didn't hurt your little helper," he said, his apology lacking any real regret.
"Jeremy's apologized."Guys, guys! Jeremy said sorry. So, even if there was an injury, we can't hold it againstblame him," said, right?" Carter in a tonesaid so soothingsoothingly that it was almost enraging, yet no one could argue against his wordsrefute.
Jeremy's proud features darkened with anger. Just as he seemed ready to explode, he remembered the purpose of his visit and suppressed his wrath with a smile. "I'm here to talk business."
Martin pursed his lips. "Your company's demands are impossible."
Jeremy grinned. "The terms of the contract are up for discussion!. I'm prepared to let the Langley Group hold a sixty percent stake, and we won't interfere in any of the technical development or product launches. You'll have full control."
Martin and Carter exchanged a look.
The offer was tantalizing, a.
And it seemed genuine.
"What's the catch?" Martin asked, expressionless.
Jeremy burst into laughter. "Classic Martin, straight to the point about my conditions."
Martin and Carter just looked at each other, confused. Wasn't it obvious? Anyone with half a brain could have guessed it.
TheyWasn't it obvious?
Anyone with half a brain could have guessed it.
And they had a hunch it wasn't going to wouldn't be an easy pill to swallow.
Because let's face it, there's There's no such thing as a free lunch falling from the sky.
Jeremy never beat around the bush and always spoke his mind. "My sister'sgirl cousin's taken a liking to Martin," heJeremy said unabashedly. "If you marry her, our families would mergewill unite. I wouldn't mind if the Langley Group took an eighty percent share. After all, we'd be one family—no need for division."
As the words left his mouth, Alan, Carter, and Nathan's gazes simultaneously fixed on Martin.
Martin's His brows furrowed, disliking the heavy weight of their stares.
Seeing Martin's silence, Jeremy urged impatiently, "Come on, bro-in-law, why so quiet?"
To Jeremy, his sistercousin was smart, beautiful, gentle, considerate, and empathetic. Being favored by her was an honor beyond measure.
There was no reason for Martin to refuse.
"Brother-in-law?" Martin raised an eyebrow, a wry smile on his face. "Sorry, I'm already married. I have a wife and kids."
Jeremy brushed off the objection. "Married? That can be undone. It's no big deal."
Martin's handsome face turned thunderous.
"Sorry, but I'm not getting a divorce. I love my wife and kids!" he declared.."
"You..." Jeremy started to bristle with rage, but Martin cut in,
"Furthermore, even if I were single with no children, I wouldn't be interested in your sistercousin. I don't trade myself for business deals, nor do I or bow to threats."
This outright rejection had Jeremy unexpectedly seething.
In a furious act Furiously, he kicked the coffee table to vent his anger.
"Lucky you, Martin, my sister'scousin's favor is a blessing you dismiss!. What makes you too good for her?" Jeremy challenged.
Martin had no interest in entangling further with such arrogance.
"Alan, show him out!"," he said dismissively.
Insulted like never before, Jeremy had thought this meeting was a sure bet,.
bBut Martin's refusal left no room for negotiation.
Jeremy stood up abruptly. "You'll regret this, Martin. One day, you'll beg at my feet.," he threatened.
Unfazed, Martin retorted,,. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Seething, Jeremy stormed off, his handsome face flushed with anger.
Alan expressed his concern.said, "Boss, was it wise to offend him like that? Maybe we could have been more tactful."
But Martin was unwaveringdidn't waver.
Carter clapped his colleague on the back, trying to ease his worries. "Relax, man. The Koch Group might be big shots internationally, but your boss isn't exactly small fry either. Unless he's got rocks for brains, he wouldn't dare make a move without thinking it through. And with his current status and power, he's no match for the big kahuna. The only way thisfinal boss. This could only escalate is if Riley steps in, and thatwhich could make for a real showdown. But no one in their right mind would wreck everything over a wedding fiasco. Worst case scenario, this deal falls through."
Alan knew this, of course. Still, he couldn't shake the fear of his boss making enemies.
Still, he couldn't shake the fear of his boss making enemies.
"Drop it, man, you're jinxing it!. Let's get back to business…"
Alan retrieved the documents from the room, and the small meeting resumed.
---
At Hawthorn Hill, Patricia sat on the bed, lost in thought, her gaze hollow and lifeless.
After Hunter ended his call, he casually placed his cellphonecell phone on the nightstand, speakying softly, "I've got to handle something in the study. Stay put, and don't wander off, darling. I'll be back soon."
Patricia didn't respond, still staring into the distance.
With a sigh of resignation, Hunter stood up and left the room, not taking his phone. The door closed.
Whether deliberate or not, he didn't take his phone with him.
The door closed.
Patricia's vacant stare slowly sharpened as her eyes settled on the cellphone —cell phone.
Chapter367
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