Chapter 66 The Fish Took the Balt
Chapter 66 The Fish Took the Bait
It wasn’t long before Whitney and Blanca strolled over.
As expected, Whitney and Blanca approached with graceful steps.
They were nothing like their usual aggressive demeanor.
Now, they appeared cultured and gracious, their faces soft with gentle smiles.
Whitney must have filled Blanca in on what had just happened.
Whitney gave Tristan a playful wink, his expression full of sly charm
Whitney said, “Mr. Pratt, we had some misunderstandings before. But Blanca and I watched you grow up. We’ve always treated you like our own child.”
They made themselves completely at home, acting like they were part of the family.
They sat themselves right down next to Tristan, as if they belonged there.
Brianna glanced at Tristan, confused.
She thought, ‘The way they’re acting… it’s not like they’re here to ask for a favor. If anything, it feels like they’ve got Tristan right where they want him. Almost as if they’ve caught him in a trap’
Tristan swallowed his disgust, keeping it hidden.
He slickly tried to cozy up, acting like they were all old friends.
Tristan said, “Yeah. You and my dad were business partners for years. So, you could say our families go way back.”
Blanca wore a smug, self-satisfied grin, like she’d finally gotten her way.
She and Whitney exchanged a knowing look, their eyes full of triumph.
Whitney said, “Yeah, even if you don’t care about us, you should at least respect the family ties. We’ll let bygones be bygones.”
Tristan hurried to pour them some water, trying to play the good host.
He said, “Thank you! Whitney was just talking about that plot in the new district…”
Blanca cut in right away.
She said, “You know, Unity Group’s really been on the rise these past couple of years.”
As she spoke, Blanca gave Brianna a meaningful glance.
Blanca continued, “Unity Group is really interested in that land in the new district.”
Tristan pretended to be conflicted.
He said, “A lot of folks are after that land. Pratt Group’s eager to get it to. If you’re interested, let’s keep it fair and square.”
Blanca looked annoyed, her smile fading.
Her expression turned serious.
She said, “Tristan, don’t treat us like strangers.”
Brianna frowned, puzzled.
‘Where does that old fox get off saying such nonsense?’ she thought.
Unity Group didn’t even have the muscle to compete with Pratt Group.
And Tristan never even bothered with them most of the time.
‘Why’s she acting all high and mighty?’ Brianna wondered.
Tristan’s bravado faded.
He paused, looking conflicted.
He said, “Fine, just say it already. Just tell me what you want from me.”
Blanca didn’t hold back, making a shameless demand.
She said, “We want Pratt Group to back off and let us have the land.”
Tristan snorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Blanca, we’re talking about 43,000 acres here. That’s a massive chunk of land! You seriously think you can hog it all for yourself?”
Chapter 66 The Fish Took the Batt
Blanca was brimming with confidence.
She smirked, “Didn’t just tell you? Unity Group’s been doing really well these past few years. I’m ready to take things to the
next level. That land in the new district? I’m getting it, no matter what. Nobody’s stopping me!”
Blanca kept saying “I” like Unity Group was hers and hers alone, acting as if she ran the whole show.
It was as if the company belonged to her and nobody else.
Watching her strut around so full of herself, Brianna felt a heavy weight press down on her chest.
It was like a boulder was lodged right there, making it hard to breathe.
Tristan’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.
He shot her a pointed reminder, “Blanca, that’s a huge chunk. Over a hundred neighborhoods could fit on it!” Blanca broke into a wide, almost smug smile.
She said, “So, Mr. Pratt, we’re really hoping you’ll make things easy for us.”
Tristan’s smile faded.
“How am I supposed to help?” Tristan said.
Blanca acted all mysterious, as if she was hiding some big secret.
But her eyes were so clear that it was obvious she had no clue what she was doing.
“Just think about it,” she said.
Tristan could tell at a glance what was going on.
Even she had no clue what kind of help she actually wanted from him.
It was just dumb luck that Whitney happened to catch that scene and thought he could use it.
Now she was showing her scheming, opportunistic side.
She figured she could strong-arm Tristan into helping her get what she wanted.
She hadn’t even bothered to come up with a plan.
And she couldn’t wait to start making threats.
Tristan gave a slight, mocking smile.
‘What an idiot,’ he thought. ‘Getting rid of them would be a piece of cake. Wouldn’t even have to break a sweat.’ Tristan said, “Alright, why don’t you guys take another look at it. I can promise Pratt Group won’t compete with you for the land. But as for the other companies, that’s out of my hands.”
Blanca and Whitney’s faces lit up with delight.
As long as Tristan agreed to have Pratt Group withdraw, their odds of winning just shot up.
They’d been worried Tristan might play dirty with Unity Group because of Brianna’s involvement.
They feared he’d get nasty with Unity Group out of spite.
But then, by sheer luck, they stumbled upon something that gave them leverage.
It was like the heavens were on their side.
Whitney could barely keep the smug grin off his face.
He straightened up, putting on an air of paternal authority.
Pretending to be all magnanimous, he said, “Tristan, Uncle really appreciates this.”
Tristan put on a pained expression, as if agreeing was the last thing he wanted to do.
His brows knitted in obvious reluctance.
“Alright, alright,” he muttered, forcing a smile.
Blanca was worried he might back out.
She hurried to confirm, “So I’ll finish the assessment and get back to you, alright? I might have to trouble you with a few more things later.”
Tristan was still frowning, clearly reluctant.
He nodded. “Alright, just call me if you need anything.”
Brianna shook her head in disdain.
Chapter 66 The Fish Took the Balt
‘I never thought Whitney could be this clueless, she thought.
Just then, a crisp, clear voice rang out. “Mom? Why are you here too?”
Brianna turned around.
She saw Darcy holding Kendra’s hand.
They were walking over to them
Brianna’s heart tightened with concern
She was afraid the kids might get hurt.
She asked, her voice full of worry. “Where’s Dad?”
“Dad’s busy,” Kendra replied. “He dropped me off so I could go camping with Darcy and Grandpa and Grandma.”
Darcy flashed a cheeky grin and waved at them.
“Hey, Brianna, Tristan! Are you guys out here to play?” she chirped.
Both of them just ignored her.
Kendra’s gaze toward Brianna was full of mixed emotions.
They hadn’t seen each other for more than half a month.
She really missed her mom.
But there was a trace of guardedness in her eyes.
She was worried Brianna might lash out at her again.
When Brianna caught the wary look in Kendra’s eyes, a pang of hurt shot through her chest.
Her eyes lost their light.
“Oh, does Dad know where you are?” Brianna asked.
As a mom, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
“Yeah, he knows,” Kendra replied.
Kendra watched her mom’s distant expression, feeling a pang of hurt in her chest.
Kendra couldn’t remember the last time her mom played with her.
Her father always said Brianna was too busy.
But now, Brianna was here, camping, just like that.
She didn’t even think to include Kendra in the trip.
Brianna never bothered to ask if Kendra wanted to join them.
She knew perfectly well how much Kendra wanted to go camping.
Tristan joked around with the kid, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey Kendra, wanna come hang out with us? Patsy’s here too.
They’re off playing Counter-Strike. Want me to take you over to find them?”
Kendra noticed her mom wasn’t interested in spending time with her.
Kendra’s sense of hurt deepened.
She pouted, refusing to go, her lips pressed into a stubborn line.
“No! I want to play with Darcy!” Kendra pouted.
Tristan was about to say something.
Brianna interrupted him decisively. “Sure, go on.”
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