Coolest Girl in Town (Elise and Alexander) novel Chapter 971

Right as Stenson entered, he walked up to a guest and gave him a couple of solid pats, upsetting the guest.

However, Stenson made nothing of it and even downed the entire glass of the guest's liquor. After putting the glass down, Stenson wiped the wine stuck on his beard like a barbarian.

For a moment, awkwardness filled the atmosphere.

None welcomed him.

Of course, Stenson wasn't oblivious to it. He just didn't care. His gaze was filled with nothing but ridicule and contempt, for he believed the bunch of Cittadelians posed no threat to him.

After sweeping his gaze across the room, he eventually landed his eyes on Alexander.

"You must be Mr. Alexander Griffith, the founder of Cittadel's Smith Co. You sure are a fine man. I like you. What do you say we be friends?"

Alexander naturally had no plans to interact with the Hellen Family when Stenson wasn't on the guest list.

Stenson, on the other hand, wanted to see if Alexander would show him due respect when he approached Alexander without being solicited.

Better to make another friend than a foe. Alexander raised his glass in the air, not wanting to stir up problems. "I had actually planned on personally visiting you later, Mr. Stenson. Since it's fated that we meet today, here's a glass for you. I look forward to being under your care, Mr. Stenson."

As ever-changing as the rules were in a business social engagement, the core principles remained—those who drank more were ultimately less superior.

Back when he was younger, Alexander would never have given a damn about scoundrels like Stenson. But he has a family now, and he has to think about the consequences of his every action. So, he had to learn to be tactful.

However, Stenson's voice came just as the liquor glass touched his lips. "Funny you say that. I happen to have a good chance for you. I have a batch of top-quality flour with me. Word is that Smith Co. has subsidiaries all across Cittadel. The way I see it, it's the perfect company to distribute my goods."

Of course, it wasn't any ordinary old flour but a lingo of the underworld. Something shady like that was naturally given a nickname.

Smith Co., too, had a few dealings that exploited legal loopholes. However, they stood by one principle—no prostitution and pornography, gambling, and narcotics.

After recovering from his split-second stump, Alexander put the glass down on the table. It wasn't a toast he could afford to give away anymore.

Meanwhile, Stenson analyzed in length, seeing Alexander unresponsive. "Think about it. Cittadel is a large market, and if one-third of the people can buy my goods, I'll be able to bag a good profit. Tell me that doesn't sound tempting to you."

At that, Alexander raised his head and pulled a typical ungenuine smile. "Of course, it's tempting. Given that I can live to spend the money, that is. If even a family as impressive as the Hellens can't expand their business toward Cittadel, how can I, a defenseless businessman, do anything? You should seek someone more capable than I, Mr. Stenson."

"So, you're going to defy me, Mr. Griffith?" Stenson stood up grimly with his arms akimbo at once.

"That would be an exaggeration, Mr. Stenson," said Alexander, unruffled. "I just want to do honest business and live a few more days."

"If I insist on the collaboration?" Stenson threatened.

"Nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable." Alexander tucked his smile away and brought out his domineering side.