Perhaps sensing Xavier's thoughts, Lance spoke again, "Do you think there's still any friendship left after all that's happened?"
Certainly not.
Xavier answered in his mind and nodded, "I know what to do."
He turned and left.
Not long after he left, Lance received a call from his father.
Logan's voice was deep over the phone, "Come home tonight. Your mother and I have something to discuss with you."
"Understood," Lance responded, already guessing what his parents wanted to talk about.
It was obviously related to the visit from the Cody family elders.
Indeed, that was the case.
That evening, when Lance returned home, Logan brought up the Cody family's visit.
"Today, Jeffery came to see your mother and me. He hopes that for the sake of our long-standing relationship and your grandfather's face, we can let them go."
He paused before asking, "What do you think?"
"If you ask me, I naturally disagree." Lance narrowed his eyes and replied coldly.
He had already spared the Cody family several times before.
But the Cody family kept pushing his limits.
Especially when he thought about that night; if he had been a few minutes late, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
And Bella didn't just want to ruin the person he cared about; she even wanted to harm his children!
Most importantly, showing mercy to such people was like making a killer walk free!
Logan looked at his cold-hearted son and understood his thoughts.
He furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "If you want to completely destroy the Cody family, it won't be possible. I've looked into what's happened between you and Jeffery recently. So far, Old Cody hasn't made a move. If he does, it won't be easy for you to deal with the Cody family. Besides, your grandfather probably wouldn't allow it either."
Samantha's face turned sour upon hearing this.
"Honey, whose side are you on? Bella wanted to ruin your grandchildren, and now you're speaking up for the Cody family? Are you really going to plead for them?"
"I'm not pleading; I'm just being realistic."
Logan retorted and then continued speaking to Lance, "Since we can't destroy the Cody family, we should maximize our benefits."
Lance's eyes darkened upon hearing this.
He remained silent for a few seconds before slowly asking, "What do you mean by maximizing benefits?"
"Make the Cody family leave Cloudmere. We'll take over their projects here. The profits can go to Dr. Deanna and the two children. This way, we honor your grandfather's friendship without making Dr. Deanna and the children suffer too much."
Logan laid out his plan.
Lance thought for a moment before finally agreeing.
"I can let the Cody family off this time, but they better behave from now on. Otherwise, I won't show any mercy!"
"I'll make that clear to Jeffery."
Logan nodded.
Shortly after, Lance left the mansion.
Only Mercer family elders remained in the living room.
Samantha was unhappy and muttered, "Why are you speaking up for the Cody family? Even if their old man asks our dad for mercy later, it hasn't happened yet. You should let Lance deal with them now and vent our grandson's anger!"
Logan shook his head at his wife's short-sightedness.
"I'm not speaking up for them; I'm being foresighted."
Logan said with a profound expression before asking her a question.
"Do you think Jeffery or Bella are people who easily suffer losses?"
"How could they be?"
Samantha answered without hesitation.
Logan nodded, "Exactly. This time we're clearly letting them off because of Old Cody's relationship with our dad. But what if they don't change their ways?"
Hearing this, Samantha finally understood her husband's intention.
If the Cody family didn't change their ways, they wouldn't have this excuse next time.
That night, Logan contacted Jeffery and conveyed Lance's decision.
"Our Lance said if the Cody family leaves Cloudmere, he won't target you anymore."
"Leave Cloudmere? What do you mean?"
Jeffery didn't react immediately and asked instinctively.
Logan explained patiently, "It means your Cody family will withdraw from Cloudmere's business world."
Jeffery took a sharp breath and then felt an overwhelming anger.
How is this letting them off?!
The Cody family's roots were in Cloudmere; leaving would be like abandoning their home. It was no different from bankruptcy!
Listening to Jeffery's heavy breathing over the phone, Logan knew he must be furious right now.
Just as he was about to say something more, he heard Jeffery's gritted teeth voice on the other end.
"Logan, don't push us too far!"