Drakeughed, his tone light. "Mr. Wilkie, are you still upset about that? Yes, I had to strong-arm you at first, but it was for the sake of our partnership.


    "And look at the opportunities I''ve brought the Wilkie Group several lucrative deals. If you y your cards right, overtaking Prospectus Technology will just be a matter of time."


    "Let''s hope you''re true to your word, Mr. Mummery," Pedro replied.


    Being stuck between Damon and Drake felt like walking on thin ice.


    Pedro couldn''t shake the thought that the Wilkie Group might go bankrupt at any moment. If he''d known this was how thepany would end up, he would have preferred it go bankrupt earlier. It would be better than living on the edge now.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll have 100,000,000 dors invested in the Wilkie Group soon. If you have any other requests, feel free to let me know anytime," Drake said.


    "Alright. I''m feeling a little under the weather, so I won''t be seeing you out, Mr. Mummery," Pedro said.


    As soon as Drake left, Pedro sank into the couch, exhaustion etched on his face.


    Just as he was about to retreat to his study, Theo walked in.


    "Grandpa, thepany just received a sudden investment-100,000,000 dors! It came from Drake. That guy really knows how to do business. If we had partnered with him earlier, the Wilkie Group wouldn''t be on the brink of copse!" he eximed.


    Pedro''s mood soured even further. "You fool!"


    Theo froze, stunned and offended. "Grandpa, what do you mean? Someone''s giving us money, and you''re upset? What did I do wrong?"


    "You think that moneyes without strings? Drake gave us that money because


    he expects us to help him take down Prospectus Technology!" Pedro barked.


    ver


    "And how is that a bad thing? If Prospectus Technology copses, we can dominate the market in Saintornia! We won''t have to deat with those arrogant partners anymore. Every time I meet them, they''re condescending and


    smug-I''ve had enough of it!" Theoined.


    Pedro took a deep breath, steadying his temper. "Come to my study. Now."


    Ten minutester, Theo stormed out of the study, furious.


    As he reached the door, Pedro''s cold voice echoed behind him. "Remember everything I told you. Follow my instructions to the letter. If you teak anything that leads to the Wilkie Group''s copse, I''ll disown


    you."


    Theo gritted his teeth, his voice tense. "I understand, Grandpa."


    Without another word, he left the house and climbed into his car. Rage simmered just beneath the surface as his hands clenched the steering wheel.


    "Damon..." The name escaped through gritted teeth, his bloodshot eyes burning with fury.


    He couldn''t believe Damon had


    managed to uncover his secrets and use them to ckmail Pedro. The humiliation was unbearable. He


    wanted nothing more than to tell Drake everything and let him handle Damon.


    But deep down, he knew that wasn''t an option. Neither Drake nor Damon was someone the Wilkie Group could afford to cross.


    The only thing he could do now was carefully navigate the cracks between them, hoping to avoid total destruction.


    After sitting in the car for over ten minutes, Theo finally calmed down enough to drive away.


    He had to figure out how to keep the Wilkie Group out of Damon and Drake''s fight. Otherwise, no matter who won, the Wilkie Group would be the one to suffer.


    With that thought, he dialed Jane''s number. His voice was cold and clipped. "Do you have time? There''s something we need to discuss."