James, without time to get home for a change of clothes, was summoned to the hospital by Lance.
In the VIP ward, Lance learned of the business'' recent profit loss of $2 billion and trashed the ce in a
fit of rage.
Money was not the main cause of his outburst.
Most importantly, the negative press halted thepany''s new venture in Sentania, and the many
government bodies looking into the Iverson Group''s finances and credentials were a huge blow to the
company.
"Settle down, Dad. Getting angry won''t do you any good."
James looked haggard with his greasy hair and stubble. He barely had his voice. "We can always make
more money, but if we don''t handle this mess right, the effect on our family will..."
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
"We can always make more money? Easy for you to say!"
Standing on a pile of mess, Lance huffed furiously. "It''s not just $3 billion we''re talking about. The
suspension of the project abroad will cost us close to $10 billion. What can you do to recuperate the
loss?"
James froze.
"Don''t panic, Dad."
The voice, though mellow, made James'' heart sink.
Christopher stepped into the ward, his refined face bearing no worries. He kept a smile on his face.
"Don''t worry about the project in Sentania. I have a n to take care of it."
"You do, Chris?" Lance was shocked.
James pulled a nk face, but he snuck a dirty look at Christopher and had some choice words for
him, which James kept to himself.
To James, Christopher was nothing more than a bootlicker.
"I might have been living abroad for the past few years, but I kept myself busy and established some
connections, Dad."
Christopher approached Lance and patted his back. "Don''t forget that I lived in Sentania for 15 years. I
can call a few favors to get the go-ahead for our project. This is a little something I can do for you."
"Really, Chris? Can you get the project in Sentania to go on?" Lance grabbed his arm excitedly.
Christopher stared into Lance''s hopeful eyes and smirked to himself.
His father would hit him and call him a loser growing up. Lance never expected anything out of
Christopher.
Christopher would never forget what the family did to him.
At the age of eight, Christopher was made to kneel in the snow without being given food or water.
Charles and Astrid would ssh cold water at him and stuff ice down his cor. Christopher had a fever
for three whole days while his mother kept by his side in tears.
James, the oldest of them all, did not stop the bullying. In fact, he would stand on the sidelines with a
smile.
His smile was so bright.
Since then, Christopher has vowed to wipe that smile off his face and make them pay.
"This is a project worth tens of billions of dors, Dad. I wouldn''t lie to you." Hiding his true emotions
behind his eyes, Christopher smiled innocently. "That''s my boy!"
Overjoyed, Lance grabbed him by the shoulders. "I was harsh to you, Chris. I haven''t been the best
father to you, and for that, I apologize." "Don''t say that, Dad."
Christopher hugged his father and patted his back. "You''re my father. Of course, I''ll help you. You were
stern with me so that I could be a better man. I understand that. I have never med you for it." Lance
teared up.
"Don''t be so full of yourself, Chris." James narrowed his eyes dangerously at Christopher. "Don''t make
things worse than they already are. If you are thatpetent, why wait until now to prove yourself?"
"Well, you''re the CEO of the Iverson Group. I have always trusted in yourpetence and thought you
would lead the business through the hard times. I didn''t want to go over your head and tell you how to
run the business." Christopher blinked innocently, hitting right where it hurt.
"Hmph! The Iverson Group''s progress wouldn''t have stagnated in thest two years if James was a
good leader. The Salvadors even stole the ce as the richest in the city." Lance scoffed and snapped
an angry look at James.