?Chapter 1479:


    “So this is what you’re working on now? Someone once begged to present this exact project to McCoy Group, but we wouldn’t waste a second on it. Yet here you are, chasing after it like it’s gold.”


    Niks’ hand hovered, itching to reim the proposal, but Hamilton smacked the folder down on the table. The sharp crack echoed in the room.


    In that instant, it was as if Hamilton hadn’t just tossed the proposal aside, but had hurled a bitter insult straight at Niks’ pride.


    Hamilton grabbed the pen and scribbled a few notes on the proposal.


    “In these parts, your review is far fromplete. You can’t honestly believe this proposal is ready for bidding; it’s a total embarrassment!”


    Niks nced at the spots Hamilton had marked—the same ones Cedric had pointed out earlier.


    He pressed his lips together, then started to exin his idea.


    Hamilton blinked in surprise, but it vanished quickly.


    “You need all that time just to think over something I threw together? That just shows youck talent. Niks, you’re my son. I know you better than anyone else. You just don’t have it in you. If you did, after all these years by my side, you wouldn’t still need to check with others on these things. The right path is sticking honestly by me. I’m the only one patient enough to guide you. Cedric and Dani are backing you now because they want to win you over. But sooner orter, they’ll get fed up with you.”


    After a while, Hamilton added, “That’s enough. I’m done talking. If you can’t see reason after all I’ve said, there’s nothing left for me to do. We’re having family dinner on Sunday. You’ve been away for a bit. Make sure youe back.”


    With that, Hamilton, his pride fully restored in front of Niks, strutted out like a king leaving his court.


    Niks stood frozen, staring at the proposal in his hand, feeling like his heart had dropped straight through his chest.


    Lately, Dani always felt sleepy, so Carol suggested they head home early.


    “Tell Cedric to start dinner. I’ll call Damon and ask him toe. Niks went to that bidding meeting today, right? He left this morning confident—he’s gotta have good news. Let’s celebrate with him.”


    Dani didn’t say a word against it.


    Cedric had been swamped recently, busy dealing with McCoy Group. By the time Dani and Carol decided to leave early, Cedric was still caught up in a meeting.


    They told Cedric’s secretary to pass along the message, then Dani and Carol made their way home.


    Just before they got home, Carol spotted someone squatting by the vi’s entrance.


    “Is that Niks?” Dani turned her head to see.


    Outside, rain poured down hard, and there was Niks, crouched on the doorstep, soaked through, looking as lost and miserable as a stray dog.


    Dani and Carol hurried over.


    “What’s wrong?” Dani asked. “Did you lose the bid?”


    Rain dripped from Niks’shes like tiny diamonds falling to the ground, sparkling like tears.


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