Chapter 46
The magnitude of the order—300 million—was almost too hard to comprehend.
Why would Baroque sign this contract? What did Hera have to do with this sudden twist? Why had Olivia personally brought the contract over?
Helena’s mind raced, trying to make sense of it all.
“This is all wrong! The Mares were the ones who negotiated this contract with Drake Group, and this is the same contract that Kai tried to stop! It must be the case!”
Helena grabbed Kai’s arm, her voice trembling with frustration.
Kai’s gaze sharpened, his patience wearing thin, but he didn’t lash out. Instead, his eyes flicked over the contract again. “The Mares’ order was for four million, this one’s for 300 million,” he said quietly, almost as if he were speaking to himself. “The difference between the two is night and day. This isn’t the contract I tried to stop.”
Herman, who had been lost in his thoughts, snapped out of his confusion. He glanced at Lauren, who looked just as bewildered. Olivia’s sudden desire to sign a contract with Baroque made no sense.
Olivia, her face flushed with embarrassment, finally spoke up. “I truly apologize, Mr. Lewis. This mix-up is entirely our fault.”
Herman waved it off, his voice warm despite the situation. “No harm done, no harm done. Baroque and Rococo are both part of the Lewis family. We’re grateful for your interest in us.”
Olivia forced a smile, grateful for his understanding. She then shifted the conversation. “Mr. Lewis, may I ask about someone…”
Herman, eager to smooth things over, nodded. “Of course, Ms. Olivia. Please go ahead.”
Before Olivia could continue, Alice stepped forward, her face grave as she whispered something in her ear.
Olivia’s eyes flicked to her phone. She’d just received a message from Theo: Don’t try to investigate Nash. I’ll tell you everything when it’s time.
Alice repeated the message word for word, and Olivia’s face turned slightly pale as she processed it.
With a sigh, Olivia turned to Herman with a professional smile. “It’s nothing. Please, let’s proceed. Could you bring the person in charge of Baroque to sign the contract?”
Herman, still a little disoriented, didn’t question her but nodded in agreement. He immediately turned to Harrison. “Harrison, come and sign this.”
Harrison stood, looking as though he might collapse at any moment. The weight of the moment had caused his excitement to turn into disbelief. His legs wobbled, and for a moment, he didn’t know whether to sit or stand.
Lauren, seeing him struggle, stepped forward and gently grasped his wrist. “Dad, Hera should be the one to sign this contract,” she said softly but firmly.
Herman smiled warmly, understanding the importance of the gesture. “As long as it’s your decision, Laurie.”
Though Herman held the chairmanship of both Rococo and Baroque, his attention had always been on Rococo. The decision now rested with Harrison’s side of the family, and they would determine who signed.
Lauren left to fetch Hera. When Hera hesitated, unwilling to believe what was happening, Lauren’s frustration bubbled over. “Hera, you need to come down now. This is happening whether you like it or not.”
After much convincing, Hera came downstairs, still looking like she was in a dream as she signed the contract.
Helena, unable to process the shock of the situation, stood up abruptly, her appetite gone. She turned to Kai. “Let’s leave,” she muttered, her voice hollow.
Kai nodded wordlessly, his eyes dark with frustration. They left without saying another word.
Meanwhile, Hubert and Rooney, still trying to process everything, stayed at the table, their eyes fixed on their plates. Neither of them lifted their heads as they ate.
Hera, flushed with the effects of too much wine, toasted to Olivia multiple times. The evening wound down, and soon after, the two representatives from Drake Group left the manor.
Herman, having drunk far too much, retreated to his room to rest.
In the quiet aftermath, Hera pulled out her phone, her excitement evident. She called Nash to share the good news.
Back in the living room, Harrison and his wife sat on the sofa, smiles stretching across their faces.
“Laurie, you’re incredible. You pulled off a 300-million-dollar deal!” Harrison said, his admiration clear.
Lauren rolled her eyes, exasperated. “It wasn’t me, Dad. If it had been anyone else, even my own father, they wouldn’t have been anywhere close to locking down a project like this.”
Harrison blinked in surprise. “If it wasn’t you, then… who?”
Lauren leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “It’s Nash. You remember what Olivia’s secretary asked Kai earlier, right? About someone with a name that starts with the letter ‘N’? They came here for Nash and mistook Kai for him.”
Harrison’s eyes widened in shock. “Nash… it was him all along?”