Brian's tone was casual, "Well, I got it from you after all. Years ago, you had canceled the 'crystal' project just for Shirley, didn't you?" Harrow slightly furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't know much about what had happened in the Long family in the past.
But Tony knew almost everything. That was why he held his breath when he felt the atmosphere in the room get heavier. It seemed like there was an invisible hand grabbing his neck, making it hard for him to breathe.
Years back, when Mr. Long was still in charge of the Dragon Island, there was a big oil project on Sun Island which was worth about a billion. The entire money of the Dragon Empire Group was invested in this project. If the project was canceled, there would have been unspeakable damage, not only to the Dragon Empire Group, but also to the economy of the Dragon Island. This would have also affected the power of the Long family on the island. But Mr. Long still canceled the 'crystal' project for his wife despite everyone's objection.
Richie stared at his cold and arrogant son for a moment, then the corners of his lips lifted into a smirk. He said in a cold tone, "I had a back-up plan that would have definitely worked. How about you?"
Brian also had a smirk on his face after hearing his father's words. His sharp face showed confidence that couldn't be ignored. He opened his mouth and slowly asked his father, "How are you so sure that I don't have a back-up plan too?"
"Your back-up plan? You mean throwing Justin in jail, thus making the conservative faction and the reformist faction stop their fight due to societal pressure?" Richie's tone was extremely cold, as if the person he was talking to was not his own son at all. His words were laced with mockery. It sounded like he found it very funny that his son would have such a ridiculous back-up plan. With his sharp gaze on Brian's face, he continued, "Is that really your so-called back-up plan? Is that really your trump card? If so, I don't know what to say."
Brian squinted his eyes at his father and his jaw tightened a bit. He replied in an indifferent tone, "I will handle the consequences. This is my choice and my decision. You don't need to worry about it!"
"I believe in your ability. I truly do," Richie said in a firm tone, "But I cannot let you risk the status of the Dragon Island. Even if there's only a one in a million chance that you might fail, I just can't allow it."
After those harsh words, Richie withdrew his gaze from his son, and turned around, ready to leave. A few steps away from the door, he stopped. He slightly turned his head back to look at Brian, then said to him, "Brian, sometimes you have to think twice before you act, even if you have the capability to deal with the consequences. If you really choose to go through such self-inflicted harm, then it means that you have already lost."
Richie saw the slight change in expression on Brian's face, but he didn't say anything more. He turned around to continue walking. And when he was at the door, he said, "Go and pay Sheridan a visit." After that, the door closed with a loud bang.
Richie quickly left the place. He had visited Brian only because he wanted to know what Brian's attitude was and what he was thinking. Apparently, Brian didn't possess any crisis awareness because his life had always been so easy until now. But that would change soon. He wouldn't deny that his son was doing good and had great abilities. Hell, he even believed that Brian could single-handedly take care of this situation. But...
Richie got into the car and stared into the distance. He mumbled to himself, 'Brian is very sharp, almost too sharp. If he continues acting like this, I'm afraid that he will end up hurting others and himself one day.'
Brian had to become more sophisticated and smooth in his actions. Only then could Richie completely handover the business to him and leave with Shirley.
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