Cold sweat trickled down Galen''s face.


    He knew Jasper was always getting into trouble out there. If it weren''t for his two reliable friends, Haynes and Foreman Richards, constantly bailing him out, Jasper would''ve crashed and burned long ago.


    Truth be told, Jasper just wasn''t up to the job. Galen had never really wanted to hand The Wilkinson Group over to him. But with two such capable friends at his side, what could go wrong? As long as Haynes and Foreman tossed a few contracts their way, thepany would keep running smoothly-might even thrive. The Wilkinson Group had its share of talented department heads, too. All Jasper needed to do was sit back and enjoy the ride. And if anything serious cropped up, Haynes would step in.


    With the O''Brien Group backing him, Jasper should have had it made.


    Galen never imagined that Jasper, without a word of warning, wouldnd him in such a mess.


    If it weren''t for the setting, Galen would''ve pped him right then and there.


    He scrambled for an excuse. "Mr. Burton, I''m truly sorry. Jasper didn''t know who you were, otherwise he would never have "


    Mr. Burton arched an eyebrow. "So, by your ount, the Wilkinson family only picks on the weak and grovels to the strong? Is that how you do business?"


    Galen fell silent, his legs trembling so hard he could barely stand.


    He knew that crossing Mr. Burton meant disaster; the Burton family wouldn''t have


    to lift a finger to ruin The Wilkinson Group overnight.


    At that moment, Haynes, who''d been quiet all this time, finally spoke up.


    "Jasper, aren''t you going toe over here and apologize to Mr. Burton?"


    Haynes''s words hit Jasper like a bucket of cold water. For all his arrogance, Jasper wasn''tpletely reckless-he knew exactly what he could get away with.


    He''d always kept his distance from true heavyweights-someone like Neville, for example. He''d assumed Mr. Burton was just some unremarkable old man, someone with neither power nor influence.


    How wrong he''d been.


    Jasper''s gaze darted around the room, never once meeting Mr. Burton''s eyes.


    "Mr. Burton, I''m sorry... It was all a misunderstanding-my fault entirely. Please, sir, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive a foolish mistake and let bygones be bygones."


    There was no trace of defiance or resentment in his apology this time.


    Mr. Burton let out a cold, sardonic chuckle. "You smashed up my shop, and a simple apology is supposed to make it right? Tell me, young man, are your words really worth their weight in gold?"


    Jasper stammered, “I—I can pay for the damages-"


    Mr. Burtonughed outright. "Do I look like I need your money?"


    Galen and Ynde stood to the side, not daring to utter a word. Only Haynes remained calm andposed, neither servile nor arrogant.


    "Mr. Burton, what would it take for you to let this go? What can we do to make things right for Jasper?" Haynes asked, his tone unwavering.


    Mr. Burton gave Haynes a sidelong nce. It was rare to see such poise in someone young, especially after learning who he was dealing with. A pity, he thought, that Haynes was so blind to thepany he kept.


    "There''s nothing you can do," Mr. Burton replied coolly. "No matter what he does, I


    won''t forgive him. I''m not the type to let things go easily."


    He turned to face Galen and Ynde.


    "But I don''t believe in punishing the family for one man''s mistakes. His actions won''t bring consequencesz down on the rest of you. Still, I hope, for your own sakes, that you keep him in line from now on. Letting him run wild will only lead to bigger disasters."


    He paused, his meaning clear.


    "It''s a shame, really. Handing apany like this over to a reckless heir is just asking for trouble."


    Mr. Burton was, after all, a man of his age and stature he wouldn''t stoop to making a scene. But his words were warning enough, and Galen understood immediately what needed to be done.


    The Wilkinson Group needed a new sessor.


    Mr. Burton hadn''t been subtle, and Jasper caught the message loud and clear, His eyes went wide, his face reddened with anger and


    humiliation. He looked as if het


    wanted to argue, but Rachel quickly grabbed his arm.


    Today was Mr. Burton''s birthday celebration. If Jasper caused a scene here, publicly crossing Mr. Burton...