?


    Initially, Pedro believed that offering such a significant equity share would tempt Damon. To his surprise, Damon rejected the offer without hesitation. "Mr. Wilkie, you should look for someone else. With the terms you''re offering, I''m sure plenty of people would jump at the chance," Damon said, his tone firm.


    Pedro was stunned, his brows knitting together in confusion. Why would Damon refuse such an advantageous offer?


    He tried again. "Mr. Sumner, you''re the only person I trust in Saintornia."


    "But I don''t have the energy to take on anotherpany, and I won''t risk putting Prospectus Technology in the same position as the Wilkie Group right now," Damon exined, his voice calm but resolute.


    Pedro gritted his teeth, clearly wrestling with his decision.


    Finally, he countered, "Alright then, how about this? If you''re willing to help the Wilkie Group, I''ll transfer 60% of my shares to you. That would make you thergest shareholder. What do you say?"


    To Pedro''s dismay, Damon refused again. "Even if you offered me everyst share of yourpany, my answer wouldn''t change. Please, seek help elsewhere."


    With that, Damon rose from his seat and turned to leave.


    "Is this because of what happened with N at my birthday party''?" Pedro asked hastily. "If that''s the issue, I''m willing to personally apologize to her. I''ll even have Jane apologize if that''s what it takes to satisfy Ms. Kinsey."


    Damon paused and nced back, his gaze meeting Pedro''s. The older man looked ready to set aside all pride for the sake of hispany. "Mr. Wilkie, that incident is long behind us. My refusal to help the Wilkie Group is simply because I want to protect Prospectus Technology.


    "It''s apany I''ve poured years of effort into, and I won''t put it in jeopardy for anyone. Thousands of employees depend on it. Please, leave now," Damon replied firmly.


    Without another word, he walked out of the meeting room, never looking back.


    Despair flickered across Pedro''s face. Was the Wilkie Group truly doomed to bankruptcy?


    In that instant, it was as if he had aged several years. His back bent slightly under the weight of the realization.


    When Pedro returned home, his mood darkened further at the sight of Jane kneeling by the door. Anger red instantly.


    If she hadn''t incessantly praised Starlite''s project-calling it a golden opportunity and emphasizing its government coboration-he wouldn''t have trusted her so much.


    He wouldn''t have approved such heavy investments that had now brought the Wilkie Group to the brink of copse.


    Pretending not to see Jane, Pedro walked past her.


    Unexpectedly, she rushed forward and grabbed his legs.


    "Grandpa... I''m sorry! This is all my fault! I didn''t know it would turn out like this..." Jane cried, her tears streaming freely.


    Remorse etched itself across her


    face as she sobbed. Her n to use


    the Starlite project to solidify her


    standing in the Wilkie Group ha


    backfired spectacrly, leaving thepany teetering on the edge of ruin.


    UMS


    Now, panic consumed her.


    If the Wilkie Group went bankrupt, she would lose everything.


    If thepany survived, though, Pedro would never allow her to remain as general manager. Both oues were disastrous.


    Pedro looked down at her with icy disdain. "Get out of my sight. I have no granddaughter like you."


    Jane shook her head frantically,


    et


    tears falling in rivers. "Grandpa, I truly understand my mistake. I shouldn''t have been so confident The Wilkie Group will ovee this crisis. I''ll ask my friends for help!"


    Pedro sneered. "If they truly wanted to help, they would''ve reached out already. Begging them won''t change a thing. Now move. I''ve wasted enough words on you."


    Desperate to redeem herself, Jane clung tighter to his legs. "Grandpa, there''s still Gabriel... His gamingpany has been making money. If we sell it, the funds might cover the Wilkie Group''s losses!"