Taking on the Burton Group was a money pit for Joshua. He was spending a fortune just to nick them — winning the battle but wrecking his own treasury in the process.


    Because of the poor cost-benefit analysis, few were willing to employ such tactics. Businessmen understood weighing pros and cons. Even if there was no profit to be made, one shouldn''t take such a heavy loss.


    Abby continued, "Besides, Joshua has poured so much money into this. If we just pull out now, wouldn''t all his investment go to waste? He might be rich, but that money didn''t just fall from the sky. Do you think it''s y money you can just burn for fun?"


    "So what if it''s wasted?" Foreman retorted, his voice rising. "He owes Ste that much and more! After everything he put her through, even his entire fortune wouldn''t be enough to repay her!"


    The air went still. Both Ste and Abby frowned at him.


    Realizing he''d lost hisposure, Foreman cleared his throat and softened his expression and tone.


    He sighed. "I just don''t want Ste to owe anything to that man. If she needs help, Haynes and I can step in. No matter what, Joshua is the one who hurt her most. We can''t just forget the pain once the wound is healed. We can''t let him hurt us and then buy his way back into our good graces."


    He looked at Abby. "A person can have nothing, but they must have their pride, their dignity."


    Damn it! Abby had to restrain herself from swearing out loud. "Foreman, are you being deliberately naive?


    You''re right, he hurt Ste. That''s et


    precisely why he''s willing to


    help her more. Do you think he''s throwing all this money around for fun? Is he an idiot? The only thing that matters is what you can hold in your hands.


    dony


    "We''re all just ordinary people here, so let''s drop the high-and-mighty act. I don''t see this as ack of pride. Realck of pride is when you have nothing and people can step all over you. Realck of dignity is when you''re trying to save your family and friends, but you''re so thoroughly crushed that you have to beg your oppressors for mercy.


    "Right now, someone is offering us help without asking us to grovel. It''s a chance to leapfrog years of struggle. Why wouldn''t we take it? If a feast falls from the sky, you don''t stand and talking about pride." That''s not having principles, that''s just being a damn fool!"


    Abby was genuinely furious. Her personal philosophy was simple: only a fool turns down a golden opportunity. Why refuse a helping hand that could save you years of struggle?


    If you stripped Jonathan Williams, Sellers, and Leonard of their family backing and made them start from scratch, it was questionable whether they''d ever make it. Sess wasn''t just about talent; it required the right timing and a healthy dose of luck.


    As a former agent, she''d seen countless talented people. But only one in a thousand ever truly made it to the top. In contrast, those with mediocre abilities but powerful backgrounds and connections could achieve sess in the blink of an eye.


    Abby worried that Ste might actually listen to Foreman and refuse Joshua''s help. Her face hardened, and she issued a firm dismissal.


    "Foreman, we''re busy. We don''t have time to chat. If you have something to discuss, wait until we''re finished. For now, please wait for Ste in the reception area."