“You sent your daughter,” Magnus snapped. “The same damn woman I told you I would never sign another deal with.”
His jaw tightened, eyes blazing.
“I gave you one chance even after your daughter disrespected me. Even after her childish nonsense in the name of business. And what did you do? You made the same fucking mistake again. What the hell were you thinking?”
Jerry visibly shrank under Magnus’s gaze.
“Mr. Graves, I’m sorry,” he rushed out, his voice unsteady. “I had no idea she would do something like that. She convinced my secretary to tell me the meeting was canceled. She said it had been moved to tomorrow and came to see you without my knowledge.”
His voice trembled slightly as he spoke.
“I had no idea she changed it. I will—”
He stopped, struggling to find words.
The humiliation of lowering his head in front of Magnus was unbearable. But the fear of losing the deal was worse.
“I will do anything,” Jerry said finally, voice desperate. “We can still sign the deal. I’ll reduce our share of profit. We can finalize everything right now.”
Magnus’s expression didn’t change.
“There is no deal,” he said calmly. “Whatever happens between you and your daughter no longer concerns me.”
He leaned back slowly into the couch. His face turned completely indifferent.
“I gave you a chance. Your daughter ruined it. Twice.”
Jerry’s heart dropped.
“Now it’s between you and Celia. Handle your daughter yourself. It has nothing to do with me.”
Jerry’s face went completely white.
“And make sure,” Magnus continued, his voice dropping lower, “that she never appears in front of me again. Because if she does… I will make sure neither of you can stay in this city.”
Jerry felt the weight of the threat press against his chest.
“Mr. Graves, please— let’s discuss this—” he tried again, panic creeping into his tone.
Inside, he was fuming.
Furious at Celia’s stupidity that had destroyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even with lower profit margins, a deal with Empire Group would have boosted their reputation immensely. Future contracts would have doubled. Profits would have multiplied. Doors would have opened effortlessly.
It was a stepping stone. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Now everything was destroyed.
Because of Celia.
Because of her recklessness.
Magnus didn’t even look at him again.
He closed his eyes and leaned back with a detached expression. He lifted his hand lazily and flicked two fingers toward the door.
“Leave.”
