Harold grunted in response. “If you wish to attain great success, you must be willing to let go of the trivial matters. Don’t worry. I’ll definitely compensate you handsomely for your sufferings as you serve her.”
Winnie deliberately dawdled for some time before returning.
She took two sips of her juice before asking Harold, “So, have you made up your mind, Mr. Horton? Will you accept my suggestion?”
Harold smiled in silence. Then he took the initiative to stand up and refill her glass.
He poured the juice into her glass until the content overflowed and stained her clothes.
It was obvious that he did that on purpose. Yet, he pretended to have done that accidentally and offered an insincere apology.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Ms. Vivian. I accidentally overfilled your glass. I have no doubt this juice tastes good, and everyone is fond of delicious drinks. But one shouldn’t be too greedy. Otherwise, not only will they fail to get a taste of the juice, but the juice may even dirty their outfit.”
He took another clean glass and poured the juice into it until it was a third full.
As he handed Winnie the fresh glass of juice, he said, “Just like this. This amount is just nice. I’m willing to split one third of the profit with you, and that’s the limit.”
“Is one third your limit, Mr. Horton? Can’t you let me earn a little more?” Winnie asked him without showing any inclination to receive the glass.
Harold curled his lips into a smile and forcefully placed the glass in front of her.
“That’s right. One third is the maximum. I cannot make any more compromises. If you’re unsatisfied with my offer, you may walk away now, Ms. Vivian. However, once you leave my sight, I cannot guarantee you’ll be unharmed.”
Winnie sneered. “Looks like I have no choice but to agree.”
Harold chuckled. “It’s fine if you want to put it that way, Ms. Vivian.” He pondered briefly before adding, “Actually, one third should be sufficient for you, so why should we turn this situation into an unpleasant one?”
“Really?” Winnie arched her brows at him. “In that case, I’d like to ask how many factories you have and how expansive your business is, Mr. Horton. You haven’t even informed me of these details, so how do you expect me to gauge if one third of the profit will be enough for me?”
Harold grimaced slightly. “Aren’t you being a little too curious, Ms. Vivian?”
Harold was not the only one who knew how to rearrange his facial expression as Winnie managed to wear an even more discontented countenance than him.
“Mr. Horton, how many times do you want me to emphasize this to you? We are in the process of discussing a mutually beneficial collaboration, and I am not your subordinate. I’ll feel insecure if you don’t divulge these pieces of information to me, and if I don’t have a sense of security, this cooperation cannot proceed.”
With that, she pushed her chair back and got to her feet. “It seems that we’ll never reach a conclusion today. I’m tired, and I want to go back to rest now. You can come and find me for further discussion after you make your decision, Mr. Horton.”
Harold suppressed his anger. The last person who had dared to behave so arrogantly in front of him was already in his afterlife.
Nonetheless, he contained his temper as he said, “Okay. Let’s go back, then.”
Winnie made a low inarticulate sound in agreement without sparing Harold a glance.
However, after taking two steps toward the door, she suddenly turned her head around to look at Christopher in displeasure. “What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and get moving.”
Christopher remained silent. He clenched his fists as his facial expression stiffened and darkened.
Harold immediately shot Christopher a look when he noticed the latter staying still.
Only then did Christopher follow her.
However, Winnie suddenly changed her mind right after they got into the car. “Let’s not go back. Drive me to Lightspring. I want to find a place to relax.”
Of course, the driver would not listen to her order. Just as he was about to retort, she added, “You can seek permission from Mr. Horton. I don’t mind if he wants a few more people to escort me. After all, my safety should be prioritized.”
I must have the worst luck for being assigned to be her chauffeur. If I do as she suggests and infuriate Mr. Horton with my question, I won’t be able to leave here alive.
Then, the driver suddenly thought of a brilliant solution. He turned to enquire Christopher’s opinion. “Chris, what do you think about this…”
Christopher knitted his brows. “Stop the car. I’ll go down and ask Mr. Horton.”
The driver brought the car to a halt, and Christopher immediately got out of the vehicle to find Harold.
Harold’s face turned somber after he listened to Christopher’s account.
“That woman is beyond greedy. She must be planning to meet up with the other two because she didn’t get her way here. Allow her to go, but make sure to keep an eye on her. I’ll give her the opportunity to leave, but I’ll make her see the fact that no matter what she does, there’s no way for her to escape my control. Bring a few more men with you and let her experience the feelings of making futile attempts to strike up a deal with the other two. I’d like to see if she’s truly so ungrateful.”
Christopher nodded. “Okay, Hal. I understand.”
A few moments later, he returned to the car, and after glancing at Winnie, he said to the driver, “We’ll follow Ms. Vivian’s instruction and send her wherever she wants to go.”
She took a quick look at Christopher before uttering, “Looks like Mr. Horton is a considerate person, after all. I told you my body was aching and requested you to give me a massage, yet you refused me. Since you’re unwilling to fulfill my wish, let’s find a place with a professional masseur to service me.”
Instead of replying to her, Christopher said to the driver, “Let’s go to the usual place on Lightspring Street.”
“All right!” the driver responded and immediately stepped on the accelerator.
Winnie did not say anything after that but gently tapped the ring on her left ring finger.
She knew Xavier was constantly monitoring her every move. Now that she had confirmed Riley’s location, they had to devise a plan to rescue him.
The three taps on the ring were a signal to let Xavier know that they should meet up.
Christopher has just said the address—Lightspring Street. I believe Xavier will be able to locate the massage place.
Meanwhile, Xavier had received the message from Winnie.
After doing some research, he quickly zoned in on a spa located on Lightspring Street and led some men to hurry over to that place.
Approximately an hour later, Winnie and the others arrived at the spa on Lightspring Street as well.
Aside from Winnie, Christopher, and their driver, another two men also tagged along.
The five of them entered the spa flamboyantly.
The receptionist was very friendly and seemed to be well-acquainted with Christopher and the others, especially with the driver.
The driver took the initiative and said, “Christopher, Ms. Vivian, there are a few masseur here with extraordinary skills. Why don’t we just pick them?”
Winnie glanced at the driver and sneered. “I’m already escorted by four of you even when I’m out. Do I need to be assigned with your masseur as well when I want to relax at a spa?”
The driver replied, “That’s not what I meant, Ms. Vivian.”
Christopher furrowed his brows. “Aren’t you being too paranoid, Ms. Vivian?”
Winnie rolled her eyes at Christopher. “I am paranoid. Do you have a problem with that?”
With that, she walked toward the front desk and said to the staff, “Prepare a quiet room and pick a random masseur for me. Whoever is available as long as they are not the ones who usually serve him. Do I make myself clear?”
The receptionist chirped, “All right, Miss. My colleague will show you to the room.”
“Great!” Winnie wore a pompous look and strode ahead, leaving Christopher and the others behind.
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