Chapter 572 Charles Investigates James
Charles undertook a thorough investigation into James, uncovering details from his birthdate to his educational journey, from kindergarten through college, and even his graduation certificate.
Impressively, his resume revealed his graduation from a prestigious university and the attainment of a master's degree in business administration.
Previously, he served as the director of operations at a Fortune 500 company, poised for promotion to executive president of a regional branch before his abrupt resignation. Since that departure, he had been a homebody, seldom venturing out.
People familiar with him suggested that his relentless career focus might have led to the neglect of his well-being, triggering health issues. These, however, remained speculations, with the true causes shrouded in mystery.
Alan recently sought him out, requesting his assistance for Patricia, prompting his reemergence.
In search of photographs, Charles found that only images from James' enrollment and employment registration were accessible, with no personal or full-body shots available.
Yet, the available photos and data unequivocally indicated that James was not his father.
If indeed he was, why had he not returned?
Furthermore, the painstakingly organized information about James argued against the likelihood of forgery.
Pondering whether it was merely a case of mistaken identity, Charles, engulfed in disillusionment, closed his laptop. Unbidden, memories of his long-absent father surfaced, bringing unanticipated tears to his eyes.
Despite always maintaining a facade of strength and pragmatism, he wept, tears cascading down his cheeks, betraying his longing for his father.
He wondered, did his father not yearn for them as well?
To shield his mother and younger siblings, he had always feigned resilience, suppressing his emotions. Now, with Randy and Fannie ensconced in sleep's embrace amid the night's tranquility, he gave himself permission to unburden his heart, embracing his grief.
Yet, cautious of disturbing their rest, he muffled his sobs with a clenched fist, biting down on his hand to stifle the sound, his tears soaking his hand in mere moments.
In the stillness of the night, the faint echo of his muffled weeping resonated through the room, a poignant testament to his sorrow.
...
The next day.
Perhaps fatigued from the exertions of the previous day, Patricia fell into a deep sleep, extending well beyond her usual waking time. With her hair tousled and her feet tucked into comfortable slippers, she ambled out of her bedroom, idly scratching her head, unperturbed by her unkempt appearance.
Her room opened directly onto the dining area, where James was busy setting up breakfast. He looked up in surprise.
Patricia caught his eye as she yawned lazily, her voice hoarse from just waking up. "You're up. Did you sleep well?"
"It was okay," James responded nonchalantly, diverting his attention as he resumed his task at the table.
Without further questioning, Patricia retreated to the bathroom to freshen up. Emerging refreshed, she found breakfast ready and James seated at the table waiting for her.
"I've already eaten, so go ahead and eat. I've got a meeting with Maximilian Reed at ten, and he's very interested in our new system."
Hearing this, Patricia checked the time on her phone. The sight of the time instantly shook off any lingering drowsiness, fully waking her up.
"Nine-thirty already! Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"
Ignoring her appearance, Patricia sat down and began eating.
James gave her a silent glance. "I knocked three times."
Patricia didn't respond.
"You must've been wiped out yesterday, but it looks like you got some good sleep. I was about to wake you up myself if you hadn't gotten up by nine-thirty," James added.
With a sheepish laugh, Patricia kept her head down and concentrated on her breakfast.
After breakfast, they didn't bother to clear the table and hurried off to meet Maximilian.
Maximilian was impressed after testing the new system. "This system's a lot smoother and more efficient! But since it's not yet tested, I'm hesitant to just start using it. I'm definitely interested, however."
Patricia responded, "A new system needs to be tested for about six months to a year. If you have reservations, we can conduct the testing first and then talk partnership once it's all clear."
"If someone's interested in buying during the testing phase, would you sell?" Maximilian inquired.
"If the price is right, why not?" Patricia answered with a smile.
Maximilian looked confused.
Patricia clarified, "We're all in this for business. You look out for your company's best interest, just like I look out for ours. Moreover, if you back out after we've tested, all the time and moneyinvested would be wasted. You understand, right?
Patricia's words resonated, underscoring a universal truth in business: everyone operates based on their self-interest.
Maximilian, wearing a thoughtful look, took his time to respond. Patricia, understanding the weight of the moment, patiently waited for his decision.
Breaking the silence, Maximilian said, "Let's draw up a preliminary agreement, and I'll make a down payment. If the testing goes well, we'll formalize the deal and settle the balance. But, if the system fails, I'd expect not only a refund of the down payment but also compensation for our losses."
This was a departure for Maximilian, who traditionally never paid upfront without securing the product first. But the allure of the new system was too strong, and he was determined to secure exclusivity.
James glanced at Patricia, concerned she might fall for what seemed like a classic business pitfall. To the inexperienced, Maximilian's offer might appear mutually beneficial, but it was skewed in his favor.
Patricia responded with a light laugh. "That's a bit much, don't you think? If there's a breach of contract, sure, a refund and compensation for any losses make sense. But you're talking about the product not meeting expectations. Agreeing to a deal before a product launch is already a gamble. And in any gamble, there are winners and losers. You can't expect to hedge all your bets at our expense, can you, Mr. Reed?"
She paused before adding, "Besides, advancing a payment now is more in your interest than mine. This contract doesn't really benefit us. The Langley Group might not be the top globally, but we're not desperate for cash."
Maximilian was taken aback by her astute analysis, which betrayed a keen business acumen he hadn't anticipated. Many would have jumped at his initial offer without considering the implications, but Patricia saw right through it.
Impressed, Maximilian couldn't help but respect her. "So, Mrs. Sullivan, what's your counteroffer?"
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