But he wasn’t finished talking yet.
“At half your asking price.” Evan concluded with a smirk.
“Half?”Mercer nearly choked. “You cannot be serious.”
Evan lifted a brow. “I have never been more serious.”
Mercer sputtered. “That is theft.”
“No,” Evan corrected. “That is what your mill is actually worth.”
Mercer’s nostrils flared. “That is robbery.”
“If that is the case,” Evan shrugged, “then do not sell.”
Mercer stared at him, his fingers tightening around his glass. They both knew he did not have that luxury.
Evan let the silence stretch again, watching Mercer come to terms with the reality.
When he spoke again, his voice was smooth.
“You are drowning, Mercer. And I am the only man offering you a lifeline.”
Mercer’s jaw tightened.
Evan reached for his glass then and took a slow sip, giving the man a moment to consider his options?—
Which were none. Evan was not one to negotiate after all.
Tick. Tock.He knew it was only a matter of time before…
“Fine,” Mercer spat, throwing his napkin on the table. “Half.”
Evan smiled, leaning back in his chair. “Splendid.”
Ambrose chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as Mercer scribbled his signature onto the contract.
“You are a devil, Marwood,” Mercer muttered.
“And what does that say about you?” Evan grinned, triumphantly. “Since you’re the one making deals with me?”
“Fine, fine. I don’t want to hear it,” he huffed. “You got your deal. Now send me over the money.”
“You don’t need to worry,” Evan assured, smirking. “I always keep my promise.”
Mercer glared at him one last time before storming out of the room, his boots clacking furiously against the floor.
The moment he was gone, Ambrose let out a low whistle.
“Nowthatwas worth seeing,” Ambrose nodded. “You are truly ruthless.”
“It is not ruthlessness. It is business,” Evan replied, unbothered.
He had heard himself being described asruthlessso many times now that it was routine to him.
Ambrose shook his head. “You could have bled him even further, you know.”
“That would have been unnecessary,” Evan shrugged. “There is no sport in beating a man who is already on his knees.”
