If he really does think I did well, what was he thinking about for so long?
Jonathan’s brows furrowed as he contemplated the matter for a few seconds. Then, he ventured a guess. “Is it because of Dr. Jarvis?”
The only person Jonathan could think of who could make Lucian change his mind was Roxanne.
However, Lucian continued talking as though he had not heard Jonathan’s question. “It’s just how the business world works. Since Herbscape Group was the one who committed a breach of contract first, they deserve to be taught a lesson.”
Lucian’s gaze darkened after he said that.
His words were not merely meant to refer to Herbscape Group but also to persuade himself. Since Roxanne doesn’t know how to keep her distance from other men, I must be the one to give her a wake-up call!
Although Lucian did not say anything, Jonathan still managed to guess what the former was thinking. He also knew Lucian did not want to talk about it. Hence, he followed the latter’s lead and changed the subject. “If that’s the case, great! And here I was thinking you wouldn’t be able to accept my way of doing things.”
Lucian smiled faintly, appearing unconcerned. “It’s just a bit of fun. Like I said before, as long as Herbscape Group falls, I don’t care what it takes.”
Besides, it’s not like I’ve never used worse methods.
After hearing Lucian’s response, Jonathan finally felt at ease.
Meanwhile, at the Damaris residence, Jack was leaving the study after his conversation with Hector. On his way back to his room, the butler suddenly approached him with his phone. “Mr. Damaris, a call for you.”
Half an hour earlier, Jack’s phone had been ringing off the hook. However, the butler dared not answer the phone on his behalf while Jack was still discussing matters with his grandfather in the study. He ended up waiting at the stairwell until Jack left the study.
Jack acknowledged the butler’s message with a nod and furrowed his brows slightly when he saw the caller ID. It was a call from Dean Lacroix, the CEO of Herbscape Group.
Why is he calling me at such a late hour? The butler explained helpfully, “He’s been calling you non-stop for half an hour.”
Jack’s heart sank. He answered the call with a frown. Before he could utter a word, Dean’s panicked voice drifted through the receiver.
“Mr. Damaris, thank goodness you’ve answered your phone! Herbscape Group is in trouble! Please help us! You’re the only person I can think of right now!”
If Dean had known the Damaris residence’s address, he would have knocked down their door in the middle of the night after failing to contact Jack for half an hour.
Puzzlement flitted across Jack’s gaze as he asked, “What happened?”
He had been talking to Hector in the study the whole time and was blissfully unaware of the disaster that had unfolded on the internet.
Dean was in disbelief at Jack’s complete ignorance of the matter.
Nonetheless, he did not have the luxury to explain everything to Jack.
“Someone published Herbscape Group’s past scandals on the internet, and it’s going viral. I’ve received word from both the State Taxation Administration and International Trade Administration. They’re sending men over to investigate my company!”
He then made a plea for help. “Someone must be attacking our company, but I can’t think of a potential culprit. The best thing I can do right now is ask you for help!”
Jack’s frown deepened when he heard of the State Taxation Administration’s and International Trade Administration’s involvement.
He had chosen to collaborate with Herbscape Group because of their scale of operation in Horington.
As for the company’s background, he had arranged for rather extensive investigations and concluded that their scandalous past was well-buried. He would not have worked with them otherwise.
To his surprise, Herbscape Group was now embroiled in a massive scandal.
Dean’s anxiety ballooned at Jack’s prolonged silence. He was covered in a cold sweat as he pleaded, “Mr. Damaris, I’m only doing this for both our benefits. We’re still collaborators, and Herbscape Group is responsible for supplying medicinal herbs for the Damaris family’s new project. If something happens to us, your project will surely be in hot soup. We’re in the same boat here!”
He was clearly worried out of his mind, considering the veiled threat in his plea.
Jack narrowed his gaze in displeasure and replied coldly, “Got it. I’ll think of what to do after forming a better understanding of the situation.”
Then, he hung up without giving Dean a chance to respond.
Dean realized belatedly he had said something wrong when he heard the call-end tone. Regret tinged his features.
If I’ve offended Jack earlier and ruined our chances of getting his help, I’ll need to crawl back to Farwell Group for help.
Dean regretted his decision to break off his contract with Farwell Group more than ever.
Despite Farwell Group’s excellent terms, he had backed out of the contract at the last minute.
If he went back to them for help now, he would have no grounds to renegotiate a decent deal.
In fact, with Herbscape Group’s tainted reputation, Farwell Group could very well refuse to acquire them.
After ending his call with Dean, Jack googled Herbscape Group and was swamped with news headlines about the company. Jack read every article carefully, realizing that every post was published that day.
The person behind the exposé clearly did not wish to give Herbscape Group any room to breathe. Jack raised his brows in surprise as he read the news online.
He had to admit that the person who uncovered Herbscape Group’s scandalous past was a brilliant mastermind. Only a skilled hacker could dig out the company’s well-hidden scandals.
The discovery significantly narrowed his circle of suspects. There were few people in Horington who were this talented and had a history with Herbscape Group.
Jack could only think of one person—Lucian. Still, Damaris Group and Herbscape Group had formalized their collaboration a long time ago. It seemed a little late to be exacting revenge now. What is he playing at?
Jack narrowed his eyes in thought. Just then, Dean called him again. He was evidently anxious over Jack’s decision. Jack snapped out of his thoughts and nonchalantly picked up the call.
Once the line connected, Dean asked hastily, “Mr. Damaris! What do you think? Herbscape Group can’t afford to wait any longer!”
Dean had mulled over his options and decided to crawl back to Farwell Group for mercy if Jack refused to lend a helping hand. He would throw all his pride out the window and beg Farwell Group if necessary.
Jack sounded calmer than ever as he replied, “Don’t worry about it. Damaris Group has chosen to collaborate with Herbscape Group, and we won’t leave you to fend for yourselves in times of trouble.”
Despite his reassurance, Dean’s concern was palpable as he asked, “Really?”
“How can I help?” asked Jack in return.
After humming and hawing for a while, Dean replied, “Well, I hope Damaris Group can lend us some funds to stabilize Herbscape Group’s share price as soon as possible.”
If their share price continued its free fall, Herbscape Group would have to declare bankruptcy the next day, even without the State Taxation Administration’s and International Trade Administration’s investigation.
Jack frowned and asked, “How much are you asking?”
Dean cautiously reported a number, “One point two billion…”
Then, he waited for Jack’s response with his heart in his throat.
That was a massive sum even for Damaris Group, especially because it was going to a company they had just collaborated with.
Dean would not be surprised at all if Jack refused his request.
There would only be two possible outcomes then—bankruptcy, or a plea to Farwell Group to acquire them at a dirt-cheap offer.
Neither was an option he preferred.
Jack’s expression darkened slightly when he heard Dean’s request.
He mulled over the sum. One point two billion was a fortune, but Damaris Group could still afford it.
However, that did not mean it was worth it for a company like Herbscape Group.
Under normal circumstances, Jack would have terminated the contract with Herbscape Group without further thought. They could pay up the penalty, which would cost far less than what Dean was asking for right now.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.