After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 201

The Lane Group didn’t have the deep pockets that The Adams Group did. Two billion dollars was doable, but it would push them to the edge. One unexpected problem, and their entire cash flow could fall apart.

Jordan didn’t want to gamble like that. He tried to pitch their usual deal, where he’d put in a smaller amount, Ethan would cover the rest, and then they’d split the profits down the middle.

Ethan just sighed inside. Jordan always wanted it this way.

“Jordan, I’m open to working together,” Ethan said, keeping his tone even. “But however much you put in, that’s the share you’ll get.”

He was done covering for Jordan. Honestly, it felt like Jordan just wanted a free ticket.

Jordan frowned. “If we do it that way, I barely get a piece of the pie. It won’t be enough. With a kid on the way, things are only going to get harder.”

“Come on, Jordan. Your family’s been building its legacy for three generations. You’ve got a solid foundation. Supporting a kid isn’t going to be a problem.”

Sure, the Lane family didn’t have quite as much money as the Adamses, but three generations of work meant they were better off than most. Jordan was the only son. The whole Lane fortune would be his someday. He could raise a dozen kids if he felt like it.

There was really no point in pretending to be strapped for cash. If he truly couldn’t afford it, maybe he shouldn’t be starting a family at all.

Of course, Ethan would never say that. It would ruin everything between them. Their friendship went back to childhood. For all the years they’d been close and for Natalie’s sake, Ethan couldn’t let things get ugly.

But business was different, especially when this much money was on the line. Ethan wasn’t willing to take on all the risk anymore.

“We haven’t signed anything yet,” Ethan said, “but The Mason Group is showing a lot more sincerity than you guys are.”

Jordan’s face changed. He got up, poured himself a glass of warm water, and sat back down. He drank half, thinking things over before looking at Ethan again. “Ethan, are you really saying we can’t work together like we used to? We’ve been friends since we were kids. You and Jesse are close, but are you two really as tight as you and I are?”

Ethan held his gaze, his voice calm. “Jordan, business is business. It’s not about friendship. We can’t do things the old way. It’s just too much risk for me.”

He paused, then added, “The Adams Group isn’t just mine. I hope you understand where I’m coming from.”

In business, you couldn’t afford to be careless. One wrong move and it was all over.