Chapter 322
Chapter 322
Diana POV
I said it all in one breath.
James looked at me intently, a flash of admiration in his eyes.
I looked at him. "That's what you think too, right?"
James ruffled my hair. "Yeah. Great minds think alike."
I smiled, playing with his tie, saying slowly, "You're a good person."
James: "But I don't want to be a good person."
I didn't understand what he meant. Assuming he was talking about work, I nodded along. "Yeah, being a good person is exhausting."
James fell silent.
We weren't on the same wavelength.
But fortunately, I was already his.
James kept me close, being affectionate for a while longer before finally letting me go back to work.
That evening, he went alone to meet Faust. He didn't bring me.
He didn't want the Carrington family's dirty tactics tainting my world.
It was also a way of saving face for the Carrington family.
As I'd expected, some partnerships would be restarted, but most projects had to stop.
When Faust left the restaurant, he looked half relieved, half troubled.
Back at the Carrington estate.
As soon as Faust entered the living room, he saw Victor, Mrs. Carrington, and Elizabeth sitting on the sofa with grim expressions.
Clearly, Elizabeth had been scolded again.
Seeing Faust, Mrs. Carrington immediately rushed over. "Faust, how did it go? Did you see Mr. Howard? What did he say?"
Faust nodded.
His dim expression revealed nothing.
Victor stood. "Faust, come with me."
Faust followed Victor upstairs to the study and closed the door.
They sat facing each other.
Victor personally poured coffee for Faust.
Faust took a sip and looked up at Victor. "Uncle..."
"Go ahead."
Victor's face was composed, but his tone betrayed his urgency.
Faust: "I met with Mr. Howard today. Starlight Towers and Skyline Heights have renewed contracts, but the terms have been adjusted."
Victor: "What adjustments?"
Faust: "The investment amounts and profit-sharing ratios we'd agreed on haven't changed. What's changed is our materials. All building materials must pass Howard Group inspection."
"What?"
Victor's voice shot up. He stared at Faust in disbelief. "How could you agree to such terms? Don't you know how much profit we'll lose if we can't control that aspect?"
Faust: "But if we don't agree, James won't invest project funds."
Victor's face darkened. "That punk, he actually dares..."
Faust took another sip of coffee and reasoned, "Our original materials had high profit margins, but they weren't exactly up to standard. If something went wrong, the consequences would be unthinkable. Why don't we just listen to James? Even if the profits aren't astronomical, they'll still be decent. And it's safe, with no future problems."
Victor was furious but had no other options. He drank his coffee and slammed the cup down on the table.
Then he asked, "What about the other projects?"
Faust: "The Mirage cosmeceutical line—James said he's ending that partnership. He's going to do it himself."
"What?"
Victor exploded again, slapping his palm heavily on the desk.
Suppressing his anger, he asked, "He's doing it himself? How? Is he stealing our formula?"
Faust: "Mr. Howard has no interest in our formula. He didn't say it outright, but I could tell—he thinks we cut corners. He wants to create a real luxury brand. Genuine quality."
Victor's face went pale. He looked at Faust. "What else?"
Faust: "There's also the Riverfront Initiative and several partnerships nearing expiration. James said when they expire, there will be no renewals. Ever."
"Those are the most profitable projects, and James is shutting them all down. What is he trying to do?"
Victor nearly choked with rage.
Faust said slowly, "What he's trying to do doesn't matter anymore. And I don't think he's trying to do anything. Those shady projects we had—the only reason they got Howard Group investment was because James didn't sign off on them. And in the past, we were careful. These last few years, we've gotten bolder and more reckless. Clearly, we've crossed James's line. He's a man with principles."
"Principles?"
Victor sneered coldly. "In business, principles are worthless. Real money in hand—that's power."
Faust didn't respond.
He'd actually taken James's words to heart tonight.
As long as the Carrington family conducted legitimate business, James was willing to give them chances.
James had no intention of absorbing the Carrington Group.
But clearly, Victor didn't see it that way.
He believed that as long as they weren't strong enough, they'd always face the threat of takeover.
And even if Howard Group wouldn't absorb them, who's to say the other two great families wouldn't?
After all, the Evernight family wasn't exactly benevolent either.
Victor slumped in his chair, ashen-faced, muttering to himself. "Looks like we'll soon drop out of New Valley's four great families. Who'll replace us? The Hall family?"
The Hall family had been gaining momentum in recent years and was the Carrington Group's rival.
Jake was more calculating than Tristan, his methods were effective, and he was James's close friend.
Jake was a dark horse who would catch up sooner or later.
Faust slowly shook his head.
Victor: "What do you mean?"
Faust: "I think New Valley's future might have more than four great families. Or rather, the four families will be reshuffled."
Victor: "Who do you predict?"
Faust: "The Howard family, the Hall family, the Kingsley family, the York family."
The Howard family had been New Valley's leading enterprise for years, decades even.
Especially now with James at the helm, Howard Group's position had only risen.
The Davis family focused on fashion. Even if not among the four great families, they were still a dazzling presence in New Valley.
Besides, Cathy, the Davis Group heir, was James's twin sister.
Their partnership would stand firm.
Tristan and Jake were both James's close friends. Their futures were limitless.
The Evernight family would likely drop out of the four great families too.
But the York family? On what basis?
Victor stared hard at Faust. "Have you lost your mind? The York family has one woman—Jane. What kind of waves can she make? You actually think so highly of her?"