Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 1117

He immediately contacted Healy Naylor and invited him to lunch.

When Healy arrived, Gia was already there.

She just looked incredibly uncomfortable.

Once Healy sat down, Jason exchanged brief pleasantries before cutting straight to the chase. "I asked you to lunch today because I need a massive favor."

Healy told him to speak plainly.

"It's about Solara Energy. We've been trying to secure a partnership with Winrich. However, my sister Gia had a minor misunderstanding with Ms. Gilmore, and Winrich completely blacklisted us. I was hoping you could step in. Since you and Ms. Gilmore are close, could you possibly put in a good word for us?"

Healy paused with his teacup halfway to his mouth, his gaze drifting over to Gia.

She immediately looked down.

He set the cup back on the table, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "I'm afraid that puts me in a very difficult position."

Jason scrambled to explain. "It was entirely Gia's fault. We're more than willing to have her apologize to Ms. Gilmore in person. She can vent all her anger on Gia until she's completely satisfied. As long as it secures the deal, we'll do whatever it takes."

Hearing her own brother say this, Gia's heart plummeted. Her eyes dimmed, and her fingers gripped the armrest of her chair in a death grip.

No one cared about her pride or dignity.

The Vance family certainly didn't.

Even with Jason practically begging, Healy's frown only deepened. It was a clear refusal.

"I'm sorry. I really can't help you with this."

After thinking it over for a second, he gave Jason a definitive answer.

It wasn't that Healy didn't want to help.

It was because he knew Noreen too well.

She was a big-picture thinker. Unless Gia had crossed a serious line, she would never have issued such a ruthless rejection.

It felt exactly like the burning gazes of everyone in the restaurant, dissecting her utter humiliation piece by piece.

Jason's fury was nowhere near satisfied, his face dark and menacing. "Winrich is hosting their year-end gala tomorrow. Find a way to get us invitations. I need to speak to Noreen Gilmore face-to-face."

"...Okay."

When Gia returned to the Naylor estate, Mrs. Naylor was having afternoon tea with several wealthy socialites from her circle.

The coffee table was covered in exquisite jewelry.

One of the ladies was helping Mrs. Naylor pick out accessories. "This set pairs perfectly with the gown you chose. It's elegant and refined, but not overly flashy. It's flawless for an evening gala."

"You must be attending Winrich's year-end celebration tomorrow, right, Mrs. Naylor?"

Another socialite chimed in, practically green with envy. "My husband would kill to get in, but his company just isn't prestigious enough."

"You really do have incredible foresight, Mrs. Naylor. You spotted Noreen's potential when Winrich was just starting out and locked in that partnership. Now Naylor Automotive Group's market value has tripled in five years. We're all so jealous."