Chapter 933


    Standing nearby, Timothy stated firmly, “I''ve made it clear before—there''s no possibility of a partnership between the Barrett family and the Bowen family.”


    Connie quickly stepped in, saying, "Mr. Barrett, please remember that this contract was set by your uncle. As a younger member of the family, it might not be suitable for you to go against his decision.”


    Without missing a beat, Timothy pressed on, "Since you all seem so keen to work with Uncle Ralph, he will no longer hold the position of general manager at the Barrett Group subsidiary. I''ll instruct the HR department to issue


    his dismissal notice immediately."


    Ralph responded with a cold scoff, “Timothy, don''t think for a moment that threatening to dismiss me will have any impact. The position of subsidiary general manager was never my ambition anyway.


    "Remember, I entered into these negotiations after careful consideration. If you fail to see the value in this opportunity, there are plenty who will."


    Lewis hesitated before speaking, “But, Mr. Hopkins, what the Bowen Group values is the societal impact and influence that the Barrett Group provides. Without the backing of the Barrett Group, our project simply cannot


    proceed.”


    Lewis’ cutting words struck Ralph hard, bruising his pride. Furious, heshed out, "Without my efforts, would the Bowen family even have had this coboration opportunity?


    “This contract could have seeded independently, without relying on your family''s support. Yourck of vision is staggering.


    “It''s no surprise the Bowen Group remains a small entity. If you''re not interested in our partnership, there are plenty who are eager to coborate with me!"


    Ralph began to turn away, but Lewis halted him, insisting, "Hold on. If you''re no longer interested in working with our family, perhaps you should return the stuff I previously gave you."


    Ralph''s expression soured instantly, erupting in anger, “You''re spouting nonsense! What gifts did I receive from you? It was your family who begged for this partnership and sent trivial tokens. I didn''t even pay them any


    attention.”


    “If you truly have no regard for them, then it''s only fair to return everything,” Lewis countered firmly.


    "I already told you, I had no use for those items; I got rid of them ages ago. If you want them, feel free to search through the garbage,” Ralph replied defiantly.


    Nevertheless, Lewis refused to back down. "Did you also discard the cash I gave you?"N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Ralph''s anger red, his embarrassment evident. "How dare you speak to me like this! Do you have any idea who I am? I''m the uncle of the Barrett Group''s president. Watch your words, or you''ll regret it," he threatened.


    Lewis'' demeanor hardened. "Enough with the bravado. Sure, you''re Mr. Barrett''s uncle, I''ll give you that. But in terms of our partnership, you''ve contributed nothing.


    "So, what''s the point of unting your connection? Without the backing of the Barrett Group, you''re nothing to me."


    Despite Ralph''s rtion to Timothy, it held no sway in this situation since Timothy didn''t approve of the coboration.


    Pushing Lewis aside, Ralph dered, "I don''t see the point in continuing this discussion. Since our partnership is terminated, I''m leaving!"


    "Hold it right there. You can''t just walk away like that. You must return everything I gave you, including the money. If you refuse, this issue won''t be settled today!"


    Lewis had a reputation for being cunning and opportunistic. If he managed to deceive his ex-wives out of their fortunes, it was evident he had ulterior motives.


    With the partnership now dissolved, it was only logical for him to seek to reim whatever he had given as a bribe to Ralph.


    However, Ralph, ustomed to his own authority and privilege, was hesitant to let go of what he had acquired.


    Instead, heunched into a barrage of insults at Lewis, sparking an immediate physical altercation between the two.