"Philip Hale, what have you decided? You should know that almost all the money you’ve earned over the years has been paid out as compensation to the manufacturers suing you. Your case isn’t closed yet, and you’re barely hanging on with what little family savings you have left. If you sell your business to me, I can give you a fair price, giving you a chance to make a comeback. I can also arrange for the best lawyers—I’ll even take care of your daughter and help her get into a university in Aethelgard!"

The terms Justin Hale laid out were exceptional and very tempting. He knew exactly how Philip Hale’s mind worked. After being held at the police station for so many days, Philip Hale’s greatest wish was undoubtedly to be acquitted and released.

Even if he were convicted, he would still want some assets left to make a comeback after his release. And after that, he hoped his only daughter would have a bright future.

Justin Hale had considered every angle before he came. He arrived today feeling completely confident he would succeed.

However, Philip Hale did not respond right away. "If I’m understanding you correctly, Mr. Hale, you mean that you wish to acquire my assets personally, not on behalf of the family."

"That’s right. It’s a personal acquisition. This has nothing to do with the family." ’He really lives up to his reputation as a self-made man who built a multi-million-dollar fortune,’ Justin thought. ’His intuition is incredibly sharp.’ Not that Justin tried to hide his intentions—it wasn’t something he could hide anyway. He had traveled all the way from Aethelgard for the sole purpose of acquiring Philip Hale’s business!

"And fifty million is what Mr. Hale calls a fair price?" Under normal circumstances, Philip Hale might have treated Justin Hale with deference, but he was now a prisoner. Even if he exhausted his entire fortune, it might not be enough to make this situation go away. When he couldn’t even protect his own freedom, money and profit started to lose their luster.

"I’ve had an appraisal done. And while your business is worth far more than fifty million, the fallout from the fraud allegations has been severe. You can no longer operate in the stone material trade, and almost none of your former clients will work with you again," Justin Hale analyzed with cool logic.

"That means after I take over, I’ll have to start from scratch, which will require a huge investment. Fifty million is a perfectly reasonable price!" Justin Hale had indeed lowballed the offer significantly, but not excessively so. He had a talent for reading people and knew exactly where their bottom line was. As long as he didn’t cross that line, the deal wouldn’t fall through.

Philip Hale fell silent. A long, drawn-out silence.

The room grew quiet. Justin Hale, who had been so sure of himself just moments before, began to feel his confidence waver in the face of Philip Hale’s prolonged silence.

After a long time, just as the tension in the room reached a breaking point, Philip Hale finally spoke. "You’re not the only one interested in my business, Mr. Hale. Felix Gallagher also paid a visit today."

Justin Hale’s eyes flickered. He had a very bad feeling, and his earlier confidence began to evaporate. "And what is your decision?"

"I need to consider it." Philip Hale was surprised. ’Justin Hale didn’t even ask what Felix Gallagher offered, he just asked for my decision. Is he really that confident? Isn’t he worried I might sell my business to Felix Gallagher?’

"Fine!" Justin Hale agreed readily, showing no hesitation. He perfectly concealed the uncertainty he felt. "I think you’re a smart man. You wouldn’t sell the business you worked so hard to build to Felix Gallagher, the man responsible for this whole mess, would you?"

A look of understanding dawned on Philip Hale’s face. ’So that was his reasoning.’ "Be that as it may, the most important thing for me right now is getting out of this godforsaken place in one piece! Felix Gallagher made a very tempting offer. If he drops the lawsuit, I can walk out of here immediately."

Justin Hale’s expression finally changed. ’Damn it! How could I have overlooked that point! That Felix Gallagher really opposes me at every turn. He fought me for the jade at the Stone Trading Convention, and now he’s trying to snatch away the Hale family’s assets!’

"But don’t you forget, even if he drops the lawsuit, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s the one who ruined everything for you! He sued you, got you investigated by the police and locked up in here, and now he wants to acquire your business by offering to drop the charges. Are you really content to be played so easily in the palm of his hand?"

"That’s why I need time to weigh the pros and cons carefully!" Philip Hale’s face was a mask of indecision. In all his years navigating the business world, this was the first time he had ever been played so thoroughly!

In the end, Justin Hale left empty-handed.

When Seraphina Sterling returned home, she was relieved to find Kimberly Jennings there, safe and sound. Her mother hadn’t shown up the entire time Seraphina was at the police station, so she knew something must have happened. ’The only one who would go after Mom is Justin Hale. There’s no one else.’

’It seems having an arrogant and overbearing teacher has its perks after all,’ she thought. ’At the very least, he can keep my family safe for now!’

But what Seraphina Sterling didn’t expect was that as soon as she walked through the door, she saw Kimberly Jennings with her bags packed. "Seraphina, we’re leaving! Right now! This place is too dangerous!"