The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 166

Eleanor stared her down.

"Well? How much are you expecting?"

Jocelyn took her time. She strolled over to a single armchair, casually brushed off some invisible dust, and slowly took a seat.

Watching her act so nonchalant and utterly unbothered made Eleanor's blood boil.

"If you have a number, say it! I am not in the mood to waste my time!"

Jocelyn smiled faintly.

"Coming all the way out here was a pretty big waste of my valuable time, too."

"Jocelyn!"

Eleanor was on the verge of exploding.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"This girl is cunning. I can't let her rattle me!"

Eleanor regained her icy composure.

"Give me a specific number. If I find it reasonable, I will wire the funds directly into your account today. However, before that happens, you will sign a binding agreement with me."

"An NDA?" Jocelyn asked lightly. "To guarantee I never breathe a word about the Lowell family's dirty laundry?"

"As long as you understand."

"Sure. No problem."

"Then name your price," Eleanor demanded.

Jocelyn pretended to think it over carefully.

"The thing is, I'm a pretty greedy person. I love money. So it's a bit hard for me to just toss out a number. I'm worried if I aim too high, you'll accuse me of highway robbery."

Eleanor gritted her teeth, burying her temper. "I won't. I brought you here to make a deal and settle this once and for all."

Jocelyn gave her a deeply meaningful smile.

"Alright then. I won't hold back."

Eleanor let out an impatient scoff. "Go on."

Jocelyn casually held up five fingers.

Eleanor let out a sigh of relief. "Fine. Five million it is. Done."

Jocelyn lowered her hand, leaving only her index finger up, and slowly waved it side to side.

Eleanor's brow furrowed. "Fifty million?"

Jocelyn's lips curved into a smirk.

Eleanor couldn't hold back her outrage any longer.

It would even save her the trouble of playing the villain.

Because once that AI model launched, the profits Momentum AI stood to make would dwarf $500 million by a landslide.

Of course, Eleanor had absolutely no idea what Jocelyn was actually talking about. Unfiltered contempt radiated from the old woman's face.

"Do you think you're some kind of priceless treasure? You think you're worth five hundred million dollars?"

"You've been married into this family for three years and haven't even given us an heir! What gives you the right to demand that kind of money?!"

Jocelyn wasn't angry. She just laughed.

"The Preston family's precious daughter has already provided you with your heir. Why would you need me for that?"

Eleanor's eyes narrowed into slits as she tried to compose herself.

"Jocelyn, I am sitting here trying to have a serious negotiation with you."

Jocelyn leaned sideways, casually inspecting her fingernails.

"I'm being completely serious, too. The second the five hundred million hits my account, I'm gone."

Eleanor realized she was hitting a brick wall.

"It seems we have nothing more to discuss."

"If you don't have the budget, then don't waste my time," Jocelyn said, entirely unbothered. "Even Audrey knows that you have to spend money to make money. I guess you aren't as smart as she is."