Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Sebastian Hawthorne Is a Great Bargainer

Jude Sheridan clearly felt the immense pressure from the man before him, a commanding presence that required no anger to be intimidating. He immediately changed his attitude.

"Mr. Hawthorne, I was just speaking hypothetically."

"Cecilia and I..."

Sebastian Hawthorne cut him off. "President Sheridan, let’s keep this professional. I’m not a fan of playing the sentiment card. After all, feelings are fleeting, wouldn’t you agree?"

Jude Sheridan’s expression faltered. He knew Sebastian Hawthorne was taking a veiled jab at him.

’A man who cheated right before his wedding, trying to appeal to sentiment... How could he not see how unreliable that is?’

Jude Sheridan had heard that Sebastian Hawthorne was a difficult man to deal with, but he never expected him to be *this* difficult.

’The slightest slip of the tongue could be a major mistake in front of him.’

Just moments ago, Jude Sheridan had been determined not to appear weak, wanting to position himself as Sebastian’s equal.

But now, sensing Sebastian Hawthorne’s disdain, his confidence began to crumble.

"You’re right, Mr. Hawthorne."

"Strictly business, it’s all about profits and growth. I’m sure Cecilia already..."

Sebastian Hawthorne interrupted him again. "President Croft."

Jude Sheridan froze, shocked that Sebastian Hawthorne would deliberately correct his way of addressing Cecilia Croft. He had no choice but to follow his lead.

"I’m sure President Croft has already discussed Vantage’s future plans with you. Since you’re interested in partnering with Vantage, you must approve of our direction. Now that Vantage is facing a small problem, why not invest? You could genuinely participate in the company’s growth. What do you think?"

Sebastian Hawthorne listened to Jude Sheridan with a blank expression, showing little interest.

He didn’t answer or show any reaction, seemingly contemplating Vantage’s current value.

Jude Sheridan’s heart was in his throat, his mind a mess of anxiety.

"Mr. Hawthorne, if you think my asking price is too high, why don’t you tell me what you have in mind?"

Sebastian Hawthorne hadn’t even given his position, and Jude was already lowering his price. He was clearly panicking.

"There’s internal trouble at Vantage, isn’t there?"

Sebastian Hawthorne’s voice was soft, but his gaze landed on Jude Sheridan with an intensity that was hard to meet.

Jude Sheridan controlled his microexpressions. "What makes you say that, Mr. Hawthorne?"

Sebastian Hawthorne toyed with his phone and smiled.

"I heard the first person you contacted was Uncle Croft. What happened? Is Uncle Croft no longer willing to buy Vantage’s shares?"

Jude Sheridan shook his head. "No, Mr. Croft is very interested in Vantage’s shares."

Sebastian Hawthorne’s eyes sharpened. "Then why the rush to find me, President Sheridan?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed Jude Sheridan’s eyes. Under Sebastian Hawthorne’s all-seeing gaze, he caved.

"For profit, of course."

’How could the man at the helm of the Hawthorne family not see through my little schemes?’

’He’s just testing my sincerity.’

Jude Sheridan decided to just admit it frankly, hoping to dispel any of Sebastian Hawthorne’s suspicions.

He had to get Sebastian Hawthorne on his side. It was better than letting Titus Croft and Cecilia Croft get the lion’s share of Vantage.

Sebastian Hawthorne nodded nonchalantly. "So, you’re trying to guard against President Croft?"

Jude Sheridan: "..."

’I’ve already made it so obvious, why does he keep asking?’

It was incredibly frustrating.

Sebastian Hawthorne, seemingly oblivious to his discomfort, continued.

"It seems your relationship with President Croft isn’t as good as you described. That injury on your head... President Croft did that, didn’t she? From the looks of it, she’s dead set on breaking up with you."

Jude Sheridan: "We’re fine. She’s just angry right now."

Even now, he was unwilling to admit that he and Cecilia Croft had broken up.

’It was a one-sided breakup from Cecilia. I don’t agree to it.’

The moment he spoke, the air seemed to freeze.

Sebastian Hawthorne narrowed his eyes, leaning back in his chair and watching him with an indifferent expression.

"No? If you haven’t broken up, why are you scheming like this behind her back? If you can pull these kinds of tricks on your fiancée of seven years, I have to worry about how you’d treat a business partner."

Jude Sheridan’s face changed instantly. He realized it was a verbal trap set by Sebastian Hawthorne and felt as if something was caught in his throat, unable to be swallowed or spat out.

Sebastian Hawthorne’s fingers tapped a slow, rhythmic beat on the armrest of his office chair.

The sound only made Jude Sheridan’s already frayed nerves even more frazzled.

"Mr. Hawthorne, we’re just temporarily broken up. She’s just throwing a tantrum at me. Once she cools down, we’ll get back together."

"As the saying goes, every man for himself. A man in your position, Mr. Hawthorne, should be able to understand how I feel."

Sebastian Hawthorne let out a cold laugh. "I can’t relate at all."

He had been groomed as the heir since birth. Even during the years when the struggles between his uncles and elders were most intense, they were all still desperately trying to prove their own capabilities, pushing their respective industries and projects to their absolute best. None of them ever harmed the company’s interests.

The Hawthorne family had reached its current standing as a result of the family’s unity.

Even with minor conflicts, they all understood the bigger picture.

’How could a man like him possibly expect me to empathize?’

Jude Sheridan’s expression stiffened. He could glean from Sebastian Hawthorne’s words that they were not cut from the same cloth.

He clenched his jaw, forced a smile, and rose from the sofa to take his leave.

"Since Mr. Hawthorne has no interest in Vantage, I won’t disturb you any longer."

Sebastian Hawthorne looked up, a sharp coldness entering his deep eyes.

"We haven’t even discussed the price, and you’re leaving, President Sheridan? Is my time that worthless?"

Jude Sheridan felt the threat in his words and could only sit back down on the sofa, his patience wearing thin but his attitude now much more humble.

"That’s not what I meant. I just thought Mr. Hawthorne had no intention of investing in Vantage."

Sebastian Hawthorne raised his hand and held up two fingers. Before he could even say the number, Jude Sheridan’s face lit up.

’Twenty billion?’

’The rumors are true. Sebastian Hawthorne is incredibly generous with companies he fancies.’

"Two hundred million for twenty percent of Vantage’s shares."

Sebastian Hawthorne watched the joy in Jude Sheridan’s eyes instantly extinguish, replaced by disbelief and shock, and the corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

Jude Sheridan: "Mr. Hawthorne, that’s far too low! Vantage’s market value is much, much higher than that."

Sebastian Hawthorne picked up the teacup from the table and took a slow, unhurried sip.

"Vantage was indeed worth more than that before. But now, this is the price. Feel free to wait a few more days, President Sheridan. Next time you come to me, I’m afraid the price might be even lower."

Jude Sheridan took a deep breath, the emotions he had managed to suppress so well now erupting completely. His chest heaved uncontrollably.

He could feel Sebastian Hawthorne’s contempt, his mockery.

"Since you have no sincere intention of doing this deal with me, Mr. Hawthorne, I won’t disturb you any further."

Sebastian Hawthorne didn’t try to stop him. He simply set down his teacup and said coolly.

"Anyone else will only offer you a lower price. If you don’t believe me, President Sheridan, then by all means, wait and see. Just know that the next time you come looking for me, I won’t be so easy to talk to."

Jude Sheridan grit his teeth, his face dark as he stormed out of Sebastian Hawthorne’s office.

’I refuse to believe anyone could offer an even lower price.’

Twenty percent of Vantage’s shares should be worth close to ten billion.

Sebastian Hawthorne’s offer was a stab straight for the jugular. Naturally, Jude Sheridan was unwilling to sell.