Chapter 61
Sophia rejected Benson on the spot, and I didn’t even have to say a single word.
1
Just a moment ago, Benson had tried to corner me into making the call. But now that Lilian had stepped in and claimed ownership over the company with one sentence, the decision no longer fell to me.
As she said, the small sum of money that was being offered was nothing for the Hartwells, and that spared me from any debt of favor.
Benson’s expression turned into something ugly, but there was nothing left for him to say. Well then, forget it. There’s something else I have to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
With that, he had no choice but to leave. His expression was dark as he tugged on Camille’s
arm.
“But Dad, that muttface isn’t coming with me yet. I-”
་་
“Shut up! We’ll talk about this at home!” Benson cut her off with a growl, so she had no choice but to follow begrudgingly.
Before leaving, she shot a vicious glare at me and Sophia. “Just you wait!”
Once they were gone, the mood finally lifted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending the grand opening of my daughter and Max’s company. I truly appreciate it.”
Smiling warmly, Lilian raised her wine glass for a toast and clinked glasses with the guests. Then, she eyed me and Sophia.
After we followed her to a quiet corner, Lilian turned to me.
Sophia worriedly said, “Mom, we didn’t expect Benson to pull a stunt like that today. Please don’t blame Max.”
Lilian laughed out loud and shot Sophia a playful glare. “Who said anything about blaming Max? You’re the one who’s been acting like a protective hen this whole time.
“Anyone watching would think you’re married to him and he’s your husband.”
Sophia’s face flushed a deep red, and I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed too. Our eyes met for a second, and both our faces turned redder.
Lilian said, “Alright then, Max. Don’t take what happened today to heart. I can’t be bothered with whatever Benson has planned, but I’ll just say one thing. My daughter trusts you, and so do I, so you’d better make this company something worth talking about. Got it?”
I nodded right away. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Hartwell I won’t let y
you down.“!
Chapter 61
2/2
Lilian chuckled. “Are you still calling me Mrs. Hartwell? You’re going to break my daughter’s heart with that formality.”
I blinked awkwardly and felt even more embarrassed now.
“What are you saying, Mom?” Sophia asked, blushing intensely.
“Am I wrong? Max is your business partner and classmate. Mrs. Hartwell sounds so formal. I just want him to call me by my name. What’s the big deal?”
Then, she looked at Sophia, her grin mischievous
“Or do you think using his first name isn’t intimate enough, and you’d prefer he just calls me Mom’?”
“Mom! S–Stop saying stuff like that!” Sophia was so flustered that she couldn’t even look me in the eye. I’d never seen her like this.
“Alright. I’ll stop. Go ahead and do whatever you need to. I’m leaving now.
“Oh, and come have dinner at our place sometime. Have Sophia bring you over.” Before leaving, Lilian couldn’t resist getting in one last playful jab and completely embarrassed Sophia.
“D–Don’t listen to my mom’s nonsense,” she murmured, blushing.
“What nonsense? Am I not allowed to call her by her name or go over for dinner?” I couldn’t help teasing her, which earned me a fierce glare.
“Fine! Call her whatever you want, and eat however you want!”
The grand opening came to an end. Despite Camille’s drama, Lilian’s intervention smoothed everything over.
With that, our company officially opened for business.
In just the first month, we secured several major contracts. Some were thanks to the Hartwells influence, but many also came because of me.
In Brinestone’s logistics industry, my name was trusted by many.
Meanwhile, over at the Laytons, Camille had taken control, and without my support, things began to decline.
