Chapter 111

Arellano had taken care of Eloise for twenty years, so it was only natural he didn’t want to let her go so easily. He wanted to ask for something in return, but he was afraid Cosmo might refuse, leaving him with nothing in the end.

His wife, Ardiel, stayed at home and knew nothing about business. He couldn’t consult her, especially when it came to money. He doubted she could even think of the right amount to ask for.

So, Arellano turned to Gabriel. After meeting so many times, they were no longer formal with each other, almost familiar.

“That cut on your lip… your girlfriend’s doing?” Arellano teased, pointing at the small wound on Gabriel’s lip. “Women sure have their ways these days.”

Marks on the face, especially fresh ones, always caught attention and stirred up gossip.

Gabriel wasn’t interested in entertaining the joke, so he brushed it off. “You were looking for me, Arellano? What’s the matter?”

“Of course. And it’s good news,” Arellano replied with a smile. “Cosmo wants to cut Eloise’s ties with our family. He said he’ll buy it out completely and even gave me the chance to name my condition. The problem is, I don’t know what to ask for. How much would be right? That’s why I thought of asking you.”

Gabriel frowned slightly. “Eloise wants to cut ties with the Lopez family?”

He already knew Eloise wasn’t Arellano’s real daughter. So if she wanted to separate, people would understand. But still, she had been under his care for two decades. If she walked away now, people might say she was ungrateful.

On the outside, Eloise seemed quiet and timid. He hadn’t expected her to be so firm when it came to making decisions.

“Maybe she’s still angry at us for arranging her marriage to Cosmo,” Arellano sighed. “I raised her for twenty years, and she doesn’t even know how to show gratitude.”

Gabriel smirked and answered with sarcasm. “You married her off to a cripple, Arellano. Everyone knows what you were after. Stop pretending you did it for her.”

Arellano scowled. “What’s wrong with Cosmo? With his status, plenty of women would want to marry him! I don’t get why it’s being made to look like my fault.”

Gabriel’s tone cooled, his eyes darkening. “Don’t change the subject. This is your chance, isn’t it? You’ve always wanted to be part of the Bay Project. Ask him for it.”

Arellano wanted the project badly, but he knew he didn’t have the strength to take it on alone. The problem was, if he handled it by himself, he might not last.

“I know how important the Bay Project is to Cosmo. He won’t easily agree. And besides, I can’t handle something that big on my own,” Arellano said, forcing a smile.

“You want me in on it?” Gabriel quickly caught on.

“Are you interested, Gabriel?” Arellano asked.

Gabriel had studied the project for a long time. He even had access to some internal information, knowing more details about it than Arellano.

“You know how to pick the right ally,” Gabriel said with a sly smile. “But if I join in, the Dominguez family will have a stake in the project.”

From the Lopezes to the Dominguezes, then back to the Lopezes, it was like power was just circling around. But this time, the former guest seemed to be turning into the true owner.

“I can’t think of a better partner than you,” Arellano replied.

He knew that the projects Dominguez Group chose were always solid. There was no need to overthink it, as long as they could get in.

“Once you get your hands on the project, I’m in,” Gabriel answered firmly.

He had no intention of letting Cosmo keep the project. Whatever it took, in the end, he wanted it in his hands.

“Is there anything else you want aside from the project?” Gabriel asked.

“Won’t Cosmo get angry if I ask for too much? He might end up giving me nothing,” Arellano asked, a trace of worry in his voice.

Gabriel smiled, his words heavy with meaning. “Then it depends… on how much Eloise really means to him.”

That night, Arellano met Cosmo for dinner. Arellano even suggested that Cosmo order the food. Cosmo chose a few dishes, and Arellano added two more.

When the waiter left, Arellano took a sip of tea before speaking directly. “About what we discussed earlier, Mr. Dominguez… I’ve been thinking about it. I’d like to ask, what are your limits?”

Cosmo gave a faint smile. “Are you worried I’ll back out if you ask for too much? Don’t worry, just name it.”

As the one who first laid out the condition, Arellano knew there should be a limit to what he asked for. But Cosmo didn’t seem interested in drawing any lines on what he was willing to give.

“You know I’ve been wanting to get that bay project for a long time… just give it to me,” he said directly.

Cosmo’s handsome face showed no trace of emotion. “That’s all you want?”

It was as if Cosmo had already seen through his real intention. Yes, Arellano wanted the project, but he wanted more than that. So he continued, “I also want shares of the Dominguez Group.”

The project had an end, it would eventually be finished. But the shares? As long as the company existed, they would keep earning, and that meant stability.

Cosmo smiled, though it was hard to tell if it was out of amusement or annoyance. “Arellano, you really are a businessman.”

It wasn’t clear whether Cosmo was praising him or mocking him, but Arellano just smiled back and said, “You asked me to name my price. Of course, I’ll choose what benefits me the most.”

Cosmo stayed silent, his eyes fixed on him.

Arellano went on, “Eloise was raised by me and my wife. Even after we learned she wasn’t really our daughter, our care for her never changed. We raised her wholeheartedly.”

“No one ever said you didn’t care about Eloise,” Cosmo replied.

Arellano smiled. “Maybe she just held some resentment because we married her off to you. But now, you two are fine, and she looks happy with you. She has no reason to be upset anymore.”

“If that’s the case,” Cosmo asked, “then why does she want to cut ties with your family?”

Arellano’s smile faded. He knew the truth was because of interest and money, but he didn’t say it. “She made her own decision. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be talking to me right now about conditions.”

Cosmo remained quiet, then spoke slowly. “I can give you the project. But not the shares.”

Arellano knew the shares were too valuable, but he wanted to test how far Cosmo would go.

“Hmm, that means Eloise isn’t that important to you,” Arellano said with a hint of provocation.

Cosmo gave a cold smile. “You don’t need to provoke me, Arellano. If you really cared about Eloise, you wouldn’t have sold her to me.”

This time, there was no denying it. The truth was, they really had sold Eloise, and it wasn’t just a simple agreement.

Arellano’s smile disappeared, but he was used to controlling his emotions, so he quickly composed himself. “Weren’t you the one who first brought up the deal?”

The waiter arrived with their food, breaking the tension. After a moment of silence, Cosmo asked casually, “Did Gabriel advise you?”

Arellano was caught off guard by the question, but quickly smiled. “Yes, I’ve had some dealings with Gabriel, but the shares… that was my own idea.”

Cosmo had his own thoughts. If Arellano got those shares, he might just pass them on to Gabriel. And once Gabriel had enough shares, he could surpass Cosmo in influence and power on the board.

“Don’t tell me you actually believe Gabriel is on your side,” Cosmo said. “He’s only helping you so he can use you.”

It was almost like calling him a fool, but Arellano showed no sign of irritation. “I know what I’m doing,” he answered.

The negotiation wasn’t a complete success, but it wasn’t a total failure either. Cosmo now knew what Arellano wanted. The project could be given, but the shares would never be handed over. Still, it seemed Arellano wasn’t about to give up on demanding them.