?Chapter 116:


    That got her attention. “But,” Steven added, “he’s a nightmare.”


    Ste arched an eyebrow, intrigued.


    Advanced chip tech could catapult their entire roadmap forward. Just how difficult was this client?


    Steven slid a folder from the drawer and handed it over. “We tried three times—didn’t even make it past the front desk.”


    “Sounds like my kind of challenge.” Ste took the file and returned to her office. She sat down, flipped through the documents, and paused when she saw the address. Her eyes narrowed slightly. That building… of course it was him.


    Meanwhile, across town, on the top floor of the sleek Griffinlife Building, Marc sat in a quiet reception room, awkwardly watching the steam curl from a coffee cup.


    He shifted in his seat. When the door finally opened, he jumped to his feet, all smiles. “Mr. Haywood, nice to meet you. I’m Marc Walsh—Haley’s fiancé.” He extended his hand with forced enthusiasm.


    Winston Haywood barely spared him a nce, gave a curt nod, and walked past him to take a seat, ignoring his outstretched hand.


    Marc awkwardly pulled his hand back. Trying to recover, he sat opposite, forcing a smile. “Mr. Haywood, with your rtionship to Haley, I believe this partnership could be a win for both sides. Walsh Group is ready to go all in.”


    Winston slowly raised his eyes, fixing Marc with a stare that could cut ss. “Mr. Walsh, I’ve reviewed your proposal. Let’s get to the point: what exactly does Walsh Group bring to the table? Real tech? Or integrity?”


    Marc’s smile faltered. He immediately sensed Winston wasn’t here for pleasantries.


    “Mr. Haywood, we bring both—technology and integrity. I can guarantee that.”


    Winston let out a dry chuckle. “Is that right? Funny, becausest I checked, yourpany doesn’t even own that core patent anymore. And your integrity? Let’s just…”


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    “Say the news paints a different picture. You im to be Haley’s fiancé, but I remember the headlines—your little affair, the fallout, the scandal. A man who lets his mistress w her way up by wrecking his own marriage? That’s not someone I’d trust with my money, Mr. Walsh.”


    Marc sat frozen, the burn of humiliation crawling up his neck. He already knew what people were saying about him online. But hearing Winston Haywood throw those headlines in his face, right to his face, cut deeper than he expected.


    Still, he couldn’t afford to blow this deal.


    He forced a measured breath and said, “Mr. Haywood, those rumors aren’t true. My ex-wife cheated first. She ran off with another man. I didn’t get together with Haley until after that. As for the patent you mentioned, sure—it expired. But Walsh Group doesn’t rely on just one. We’ve got a pipeline of tech ready to go.”


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