The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 740

Josiah's gaze instantly snagged on the thick, heavily sealed manila envelope Lennox was carrying.

A sudden, icy sense of dread pooled in his stomach.

"Mr. Langley!"

Hackett's booming, overly eager voice shattered the silence.

The second Callahan appeared, Hackett practically leaped off the sofa, pasting a desperate, fawning smile on his face.

"I can't apologize enough for taking up your valuable time today."

Josiah stood up as well, his demeanor respectful but lacking his father's pathetic sycophancy.

"Mr. Langley."

Callahan gave a curt, almost imperceptible nod in acknowledgment and bypassed them, taking his seat at the head of the room.

Lennox took his place silently behind Callahan's shoulder.

"Mr. Sloan. Josiah. Have a seat."

Callahan's tone was flat, devoid of any social pleasantries as he cut straight to the bone. "Lennox informed me of your situation."

"Regarding Sloan Group's current liquidity crisis, Langley Group is prepared to offer you an injection of capital."

Hackett's eyes lit up with sheer ecstasy, his body automatically leaning forward.

"Yes!"

"Lennox gave us the brief over the phone."

"I cannot express my gratitude enough, Mr. Langley!"

Hackett couldn't help but sigh in profound relief. As he looked at Callahan, a bizarre, sickeningly proud glint entered his eyes—the look of a man appraising his future son-in-law.

He never would have believed that their ultimate salvation would be delivered by the daughter he despised.

"Mr. Langley, you have no idea what a lifesaver you are!"

"You wouldn't believe what I've been going through..."

Remembering how he had spent the last two days begging on his knees and being humiliated by his peers, Hackett desperately wanted to vent to Callahan.

After all, given how clearly smitten Callahan was with Leilani, the billionaire might genuinely become part of the family.

And once they were family, everything would be so much easier.

But before Hackett could launch into his sob story, Callahan raised a single hand.

Hackett's pathetic eagerness was catastrophic for a negotiation.

Josiah scowled, unable to stop himself from cutting his father off.

The man had lost his mind.

Callahan Langley was a ruthless apex predator. Whatever condition he was about to lay on the table was not something they could just blindly agree to.

Handing over a blank check before the terms were even stated was corporate suicide.

Josiah turned his attention back to Callahan, his tone heavy with caution. "Mr. Langley, we fully understand that nothing comes free in business."

"May I ask... what exactly is this condition?"

Interrupted by his own son, a flash of irritation crossed Hackett's face. But a second later, he realized how pathetic he had just sounded and forced a stiff laugh.

"Right, right, Josiah makes a fair point..."

"Forgive me, I'm just a bit overwhelmed."

"Mr. Langley, please, tell us. What do we need to do to secure this capital?"

Callahan watched their panicked scramble, taking in every ounce of their desperation. A cold, infinitely dark smirk slowly curved his lips.