The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 486

Silas hooked a chair with his foot, pulled it out, and sat down. He crossed his legs, his posture exuding a silent, overwhelming dominance.

He stared at the man across from him, his gaze utterly unfathomable.

Two seconds passed.

He finally spoke, his tone casual. "If it could be shut down that easily, why would you bother inviting me here?"

A sharp, blade-like glint flashed through Jonah's eyes.

"You don't believe me?"

"I believe you."

The words were spoken with such dismissive indifference it was almost insulting.

Silas leaned back in his chair, his lazy yet aristocratic aura intensifying. "Northside is Granger territory. Causing a little trouble for me is child's play."

Jonah let out a light chuckle, his eyes burning with intensity. "It isn't my intention to cause trouble for you, but you should know better than anyone that business is war. When millions of dollars are on the line, I can't afford to disappoint the people backing me."

If he couldn't compromise his own profits, he naturally had to compromise someone else's.

Especially since they had a personal score to settle.

A brief silence fell over the private room.

The sheer presence of the two powerful men made the atmosphere suffocatingly tense.

It was a standoff on the edge of a blade.

Silas rubbed his thumb against his fingertips, his voice low. "Did you invite me here today just to offer excuses?"

At that, Jonah laughed out loud.

"I don't believe we're close enough for apologies."

He shifted his posture, interlacing his fingers on the table. "But mutual convenience benefits everyone. If I can lend you a hand, I'm certainly willing to do so."

His intense gaze locked onto the man opposite him, holding a smug certainty of victory.

So what if it was Silas Sterling?

If Jonah wanted something—or someone—he always got it.

Silas's brow twitched slightly. He unhurriedly picked up the glass on the table, took a sip, and spoke in a cool, unbothered tone. "And how exactly do you plan to help?"

"You've been stalling for a while now. I assume you've exhausted every possible avenue?" Jonah pressed.

Silas gave a noncommittal hum. "Seems like it."

"..."

His nonchalant reaction was entirely outside Jonah's expectations.

Jonah's expression darkened, his smile vanishing. "As long as you agree to my terms, I guarantee your project will land perfectly."

Silas finally lifted his eyelids, granting him a direct look.

"Are your terms too hot to spit out?"

Jonah's pupils contracted. "...What?"

"You've been talking in circles and still haven't reached the point. I seriously wonder how you manage your company. Your employees must suffer, wasting their time humoring your tantrums and draining their energy on your games."

"..."

Silas tossed his phone back onto the table.