Chapter 245

Chapter 245:

Gracie kept her mouth shut, her jaw tightening as she swallowed back every retort. Brayden hadn’t misread her—she probably would have turned him down.

Still, anything involving Aiden and Theo forced her to set her irritation aside. From the adjoining lounge, Aiden’s voice drifted out again, smooth and eager.

“As long as you partner with me on the project in the south, I’m prepared to give you a two-percent share of the profits p>

A soft hum followed. Gifford lifted his chin, intrigued. “Two percent… that’s certainly appealing. But from what I’ve heard, you don’t actually control much inside the Stanley Group. How exactly do we trust your word p>

Aiden let out a quiet, self-satisfied breath. “You can. Even if I’ve only just been welcomed back into the family, I’m fully capable of offering that two percent. My father has always had a particular fondness for me p>

Gifford traded a look with Yousef—both men wearing faint, knowing smirks.

Yousef let out a lazy yawn. “So you’ve been hanging around just to ‘accidentally’ run into me? Trying to cozy up to Gifford? Doesn’t that tire you out p>

Aiden released a weary sigh. “What choice do I have? I wasn’t exactly born into a cushy position, so I have to work every angle I can. And frankly, I don’t think I’m any less capable than anyone else in the family p>

A determined glint sharpened his eyes as he declared, “If Gifford backs me this time, I can guarantee bigger profits down the line p>

Under his breath, Yousef let out a dry, unimpressed snort. “You sound sure of yourself. But you do realize Gifford’s close with Brayden, right? Aren’t you worried he’ll hear about this little pitch of yours p>

“Of course I’m worried,” Aiden said, a slow, confident smile lifting one corner of his mouth. “But I also trust the two of you aren’t fools. The returns I can offer are significant, and in our circle, alliances grow out of shared benefits. When the profits are right, relationships can be built from nothing p>

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He leaned in slightly, his voice smooth with calculated ease. “And let’s be honest—both of you are smart enough to know you wouldn’t run to Brayden without being absolutely certain who’ll end up holding the real power p>

He liked to think he had already mapped out the unspoken rules among the wealthy, so nothing about this negotiation rattled him. And with the generous profits he’d laid on the table, he refused to believe these men wouldn’t bite.

Gifford pushed to his feet with unhurried confidence. “Working together isn’t off the table, but I need proof you’re worth my time. Tonight’s race has the development rights of the southern area as its prize. Win it, and I’ll consider your offer p>

Aiden didn’t hesitate. “Deal.” He knew better than anyone that the project couldn’t be won with smooth talk alone. If he didn’t bleed a little, no one would ever believe in his determination. As an illegitimate son shoved to the fringes, resolve was the only leverage he had.

Once all three men drifted out of the lounge, Gracie let her attention slip away from the window, a faint chill darkening her eyes. Her gaze drifted to Brayden at her side, searching his expression.

“Does that project actually matter that much to the company p>

Brayden gave a firm nod. “It does. The Russell family built their empire on real estate, and they still control a handful of prime plots. If the Stanley Group wants to push for real expansion, we need them. Now that the North Hills project is underway, the board’s eyes are all on the south p>

Gracie’s voice carried quiet certainty. “Gifford won’t take Aiden’s offer p>

If he would, she and Brayden wouldn’t be here at all.

With a crooked smile, Brayden let out a low, sardonic laugh. “You never know. Aiden got one thing right—when the profit’s sweet enough, businessmen tend to bite. Even Gifford might decide Aiden’s worth backing p>

A faint crease formed between Gracie’s brows. “Then why are we here? If collaboration is on the table, why tell me about it? Doesn’t that contradict everything p>

The door drifted open once more, and two tall silhouettes strode in from the corridor.

Yousef let out a long, exhausted yawn. “Ambitious as hell, even if he’s still a bastard p>

Gifford shot him a sharp look before facing Brayden. “Watch your mouth. And as for you—consider this me doing you a favor. You both heard every word just now, didn’t you p>

“Clear as day.” Brayden dipped his head, his tone calm. “So tell me—who are you planning to give the project to p>