Supreme Mars novel Chapter 12

Caroline was shocked by Leo's words, her anger quickly shifting to disbelief. "What?!" she cried out at the top of her lungs, "Are you insane?"

Rebecca thought Leo was all talk and no action, so she decided to give him a piece of her mind. "Help us win?" Rebecca laughed darkly. "Do you even know what you're talking about? Do you know how many companies are involved in today's bidding war?" Rebecca snorted. "You should keep your mouth shut if you don't know what you're saying."

From Rebecca's perspective, Leo knew nothing about the business world.

Rebecca was aware of how important today's auction was; it was the premier business event of the year, one that would yield the greatest business value to the participants who knew what they were doing. Not a single party in attendance—from the owners of small factories to the CEOs of mega corporations—would want to miss the opportunity to collaborate with Atlas Beauty. The Ford family didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell.

If the Lawsons' hadn't brought down their family five years ago, they might have stood some chance. But now, even Vesper Corporation, their only listed company, had turned on them. The Ford family wouldn't even have made it into the attendees list if it weren't for the subsidiaries they still owned. The fact that they were here however, was a moot point; it was impossible for them to distinguish themselves from the other corporations in attendance, not when they were this weak in the knees.

However, Leo shook his head and said flatly, "Just because you can't do it doesn't mean that I can't."

Caroline immediately saw red. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she snarled. "Are you implying that we're inept?" Seconds passed in silence as Caroline continued to glare daggers at Leo. A moment later, a smug look spread across her features. "You sound so confident. Like you're certain that you can help us win this."

"Don't get any wrong ideas now," Leo deadpanned, "I'm not doing this for you. I'm only doing this because Dad doesn't want the Ford family to fall into ruin." Leo arched a brow at Caroline. "I couldn't care less about the rest of you."

Leo had made his stance and intentions clear. Caroline's behavior —both in public and behind closed doors—had taught Leo one thing; that people change over time, and that the world is a complex labyrinth of negative influences where even the purest of souls cannot remain untainted by its filth.

To put it bluntly, Leo regarded William as his only remaining connection to the entire Ford family.

And he would do everything in his power to help a family member out.

Rebecca snorted and shot him a look of disdain. "In that case, I'd like to see you try and win this. Don't come running to us when you realize that you've bitten off more than you can chew."

Surprised, Caroline pulled her mother aside. "What? Are you really going to let him handle this? There's still a slim chance to win if we play our cards right. If we leave it to him, we're screwed."

"That's true. But dear, do you really think that we can win this on our own?" Rebecca said with a callous look. "If there's no hope at all, why not take this opportunity to drive him out of our lives for good?"

Caroline was shocked. "So, that's what you're thinking..."

"You bet!" A coldness flickered in Rebecca's eyes. "It happens that I don't know how to chase him away. But since he volunteered, he'll provide us with all the ammunition that we need."

"If he messed up, no matter how protective of Leo that William is, he won't be able to defend him anymore."

Caroline also nodded, then she turned around and said to Leo, "Tell you what; you can take over the bidding. But if you screw this up, don't even think about contacting any of us again. As far as I'm concerned, this is your last chance."

"No problem," Leo remained calm and said lightly, "Though I'm sure Dad would disagree."

"That's none of your concern." Rebecca snorted. "I'd focus on coming up with a plan to win right now, if I were you."

She then pulled her daughter to sit down. Leo stood in a corner at a suitable distance from them.

He took out his phone and calmly sent out a text. A moment later, his phone rang.

He answered the phone and listened quietly.

"I see." He hung up with an indiscernible expression, then waited for the bidding to start.