Chapter 210 Should We Contact the Daughter of the Taylor family
Chase sat down and let out a slow breath. "Dad, what do we do now?"
Hayden took a sip of tea, his expression grim. "Based on what happened today, do you think Isabella has any chance of getting this project?"
Chase shook his head without hesitation. "No way. The people at Ascend Global Group treated her terribly. I saw the secretary looking at her with disgust, and Clarence didn't even come out to meet her."
"Plus Stanley from Zenith Global Group was there too. He also went to Ascend Global Group today, so it looks like he and Clarence have gotten pretty close."
Hayden frowned. "In that case, it's definitely not happening."
He took a sip of coffee and made his decision. "Go tell the Baker family that we agree to the marriage. They can set the wedding date."
"Also, once the date is set, have them transfer the funds to our company account as soon as possible, just to avoid any complications."
Chase nodded and stood up. "I'll go talk to the Baker family right away."
——
"Mrs. Baker, someone from the Taylor family is here. They say they want to discuss Mr. Baker and Ms. Taylor's matter."
Grace was having coffee in the garden when the butler Hawk hurried over to report.
Grace paused at the news, then said to Zachary beside her, "What did I tell you? I gave them three days, and here they are on the first day."
It seemed the crisis within the Taylor Group was more serious than she'd thought.
When Zachary heard that the Taylor family had sent someone to arrange the engagement, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and his mood inexplicably improved.
He had completely accepted the idea of getting engaged to Isabella now, and actually thought it wasn't bad.
"When I went to the Taylor family to propose the marriage, Isabella was incredibly arrogant." Grace glanced at the butler meaningfully. "Now that the Taylor family has sent someone, you know what to do."
Hawk was a smart man and naturally understood what Grace meant.
He went to the main gate, glanced at Chase, and spoke slowly, "Well, well, if it isn't the eldest son of the Taylor family."
"What brings Mr. Taylor here this time?"
Chase told the truth. "I'm here on behalf of my sister to discuss her marriage with Mr. Baker."
Hawk lifted his chin proudly. "But didn't Mrs. Baker get rejected outright when she went to the Taylor family to propose?"
Chase's expression changed at this, and he quickly said, "My sister was being immature that day and offended Grace. I'm also here today to apologize to Grace on my sister's behalf."
"If you want to see Mrs. Baker, you'll have to get in line," Hawk said condescendingly. "You don't know this, but ever since word got out that our Mr. Baker isn't planning to get engaged to Bianca, those society ladies have been coming in droves. What does your sister from the countryside amount to? Just because she made a little splash at the birthday party doesn't mean she can be so arrogant. Mr. Baker has plenty of options—he's not desperate to marry her."
Chase listened to the cold, cutting remarks. Even though he knew the other person was saying this on purpose, he had no choice but to respond with a smile.
"That's fine, I can wait."
Hawk snorted coldly and dismissively threw out a parting line: "Then wait here."
Then he closed the iron gate, leaving Chase outside, and walked away.
Chase could only stand there awkwardly.
Hayden had ordered him to get this done quickly, and he didn't dare slack off. After all, Hawk was right—Isabella was just a girl from the countryside, and compared to other wealthy young ladies, her upbringing was still lacking. He was also worried that the Baker family might really change their mind.
From time to time, people came and went from the Baker Villa, and seeing Chase standing there like a fool, they all cast strange looks his way.
Chase gritted his teeth inwardly.
It was all that idiot Isabella's fault.
If she hadn't been so arrogant that day, he wouldn't be suffering this humiliation from the Baker family today.
——
Meanwhile, Clarence had lunch with Stanley and the others.
After leaving the restaurant, they returned to Ascend Global Group.
In the elevator, Clarence promised with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Ortiz. I'm only giving this project to Zenith Global Group."
Thinking about the unsigned contract, Stanley brought it up: "In that case, Mr. Fisher, can we go ahead and sign the contract?"
"Of course."
Back in the meeting room, Clarence immediately gave the order: "Get the contract for the Crown District project organized and printed out. This afternoon, I want to sign the contract with Mr. Ortiz."
"Yes, sir." The secretary nodded and went to prepare the documents.
"Mr. Ortiz, please have a seat. Once my secretary prints out the contract, we can sign it."
"Great." Stanley sat down with a smile on his face.
Clarence left the meeting room and had just entered his office when the secretary, who was supposed to be printing the contract, hurried in and leaned close to his ear. "Mr. Fisher, we have a problem. Our export shipment has been seized."
"What?!" Clarence's face changed dramatically.
"How is that possible? Didn't we already clear things with the relevant departments?"
Today's export shipment was very large, with a huge value. He was counting on selling this shipment and getting the money to immediately start the Crown District project.
"Why did they seize our goods?" Clarence asked.
The secretary's expression was grave. "They say they suspect our company is connected to a drug case. They're holding the shipment for a thorough investigation..."
Clarence's face went pale when he heard this.
"How is that possible? How could our company be connected to something like that? This is ridiculous!"
He knew that once you got tangled up with drugs, even your life could be at risk.
Clarence had no desire to be associated with that kind of case.
"How long will they hold the shipment?" Clarence asked.
"At least a week, possibly a month."
Clarence's eyes widened. "That won't work!"
This shipment was being exported to Novaria, and they had agreed on a delivery time with the company there. According to the contract, for each day of delay, one percent of the contract amount would be deducted.
A week would be seven percent, a month would be thirty percent.
His total profit margin wasn't even thirty percent. If they really held it for a month, he'd be ruined.
The secretary suddenly remembered what Isabella had said that morning and couldn't help but say, "Mr. Fisher, Ms. Taylor said that if our shipment got seized, we should contact her. Should we contact Ms. Taylor now?"
Clarence frowned at this. "Contact her for what?"
"You don't actually think our shipment being seized has anything to do with her, do you? Just because of what she said?"
Clarence found it laughable. "It's just a coincidence. Besides, the people who seized our goods are customs officials. How could a young woman have any influence over a department like that?"
Clarence didn't see any need to contact Isabella at all.
He had connections in the relevant departments. This kind of thing had happened before, and all he had to do was make a phone call and they would solve the problem for him.
With this in mind, Clarence directly dialed his friend's number.