Following Lucas instructions, Desmond went to meet <b>David </b>from the supply department.


    At first, David looked visibly annoyed when he saw Desmond, assuming he was yet another person sent by Aurora.


    They’d already made things clear–why were they still clinging on


    David’s full name was David Warren, T


    <b>name </b>might have sounded <b>in</b>, but after years of hustling in Ravenshore, he’d built


    up a strongwork.


    In the world of materials supply, his word carried real weight


    With a frown, David snapped, “Did Walton Corporation send you? Lalready said I wasn’t meeting anyone from them. No matter how many people they send, my answer won’t change.”


    He was fed up.


    Walton Corporation was like <b>a </b>piece of clingy duct tape–no matter how many times he tried to shake them off, they kept showing up


    And honestly, they were the ones who’d messed up in the first ce.


    Why should hispany take the fall now?


    Desmond could already tell there was a major misunderstanding between them.


    Clearly, <b>what </b>they needed most wasmunication.


    “I’m not from Walton Corporation,” he <b>said </b>calmly.


    David blinked, confused. “Then who are you with?”


    Without ying coy, Desmond pulled out his work badge and held up.


    David had still been looking at him with disdain, assuming whatever credentials he shed wouldn’t amount to much.


    But when his eyesnded on therge, unmistakable words “<b>Vanguard </b>Group“, his expression changed, ely


    “You’re with Vanguard?” he blurted out. “That Carter’spany


    Desmond smoothly tucked the badge <b>bark </b>into his coat. He had expected this reaction.


    “Mr. Warren, <b>can </b>we talk now?”


    He lifted his chin slightly, the arrogance in his gaze impossible to ignore,


    David didn’t take offense to Desmond’s tone at all


    In fact, all he could think was–<b>had </b>he hit the jackpot today? How else could he be sitting face<b>–</b><b>to</b><b>–</b>face with someone from Vanguard Group?


    “Mr. Watson, what brings you here today…” David trailed off, but Desmond knew exactly where that question was going


    “To be honest,” Desipond <b>said</b>, “I do <b>have </b>a favor to ask.


    “Oh no, no, please!” David practically shot up in his seat at the word favor.


    This was someone from Lucas‘ inner circle–how could he possibly let him ask for anything?


    Wiping the sweat from his brow, David said quickly, “Mr. Watson, whatever it is, just tell me straight. There’s no need to be so


    formal”


    “Alright. I hope you’ll consider giving Walton Corporation another chance.”


    “Is there a problem?” he asked calmly.


    cup in front of the


    asked in an offhand tone


    “Imey, Mr. Weson what exactly is the rtionship between Walton Corporation and Vanguard Group? Specifically, their


    Desmond narrowed his eysa “Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t be asking.”


    derstand.


    but you’ve got to se


    up his hands


    Welton


    made things very difficult for us,


    This partnership had been giving him one hell of a headachetely,


    esmond asked, puzzled. “You’re the bossaren’t you? Isn’t it your call?”


    You don’t understand, Mr. Watson It’s not that I don’t want to work with them. It’s that Walton Corporation made it clear we weren’t worth their time. If they looked down on us from the start, why bother circling back now?”