For the past two years, Tristan Grayson’s life had revolved around two things.

First, finding Mika Summers. Second, making amends to the Summers Family.

IS Group targeted LK Group at every turn, but Tristan Grayson had long since lost his ambition. As a result, he had no desire to compete with Archie Summers for any project he liked or had his eye on.

The once-mighty business tycoon now faced a forced acquisition by the Sovereign Group after more than half a year of declining performance and losses nearing ten billion.

「LK Group, CEO’s Office.」

Henry Archer glanced at the financial report and asked with concern, "Boss, the parent company sent over a new executive to manage things. Are you going to go meet them?"

"I’m not," Tristan Grayson said, irritably slamming the file in his hand onto the desk.

"But Boss, I heard the heads of the other subsidiaries have already scheduled meetings with the new executive." Henry Archer knew he was playing with fire, but he had to say it. After all, his boss was severely lacking when it comes to social graces.

"Instead of wasting time trying to kiss up to superiors, you should be figuring out how to improve our performance."

Startled, Henry Archer immediately replied, "Yes, Boss. My apologies." But when he saw his boss’s gloomy expression soften, he grew hesitant again, clutching the report and sneaking glances at him.

Even without looking in Henry Archer’s direction, Tristan Grayson knew the man was still staring at him. He rapped his knuckles on the desk in annoyance and snapped, "Henry Archer, what is it you want to say?"

Steeling himself, Henry Archer lowered his head and said nervously, "Well, Boss, you didn’t go to Miss Joyce’s birthday party last night. This morning, she called me several times, asking why you didn’t attend. She also wanted me to ask if you have any time today. If you do, she was hoping you might join her for a meal."

"I don’t have time."

"But Boss, Miss Joyce said that Mr. Lockwood also asked her to dinner. If you don’t go, it’s very likely that Mr. Lockwood and the Joyce Family will..." He trailed off, looking at Tristan Grayson uneasily.

Of course, Tristan Grayson knew what Henry Archer was implying. If he didn’t go, the Joyce Family would probably choose to sign a deal with the Lockwood Family, and any potential partnership between his company and the Joyces would be over.

In LK Group’s current state, losing the partnership with the Joyce Family meant they might as well declare bankruptcy tomorrow.

"Where are they meeting?" Tristan Grayson asked, his cold gaze deepening as his thin lips parted.

"The Empyrean Hotel."

"Understood."

「Half an hour later, in the CEO’s office of IS Group.」

Archie Lockwood angrily threw his phone onto the desk. "Find out which hotel Aria Joyce and Tristan Grayson are meeting at."

"Yes, sir."

"Tell Louise Jordan I’ll be handling the meeting with the head of X Group myself." He had always delegated matters concerning the partnership with X Group to his subordinates. For him, X Group was the empire he had single-handedly built in Austerra. Later, due to certain events he preferred not to recall, he had transferred ownership to someone else. That was why he’d never wanted to work with X Group, much less meet anyone from the company.

But today, to secure the deal with the Joyce Family, he had to meet with that person.

"Yes, sir," Howard Rhodes replied crisply, turning to relay the instructions.

Just then, Archie Lockwood added coldly, "Set the meeting at the same hotel where Aria Joyce is."