"Why don''t you investigate who ended up with that gamingpany?" Gabriel retorted.


    There was a brief silence before Tom chuckled.


    When the Wilkie Group partnered with Starlite Enterprise, they handed over hundreds of millions to thetter. Then, to salvage their cash flow crisis, they sold Gabriel''s gamingpany, using the proceeds to patch up their financial hole.


    In essence, Gabriel had contributed nothing yet walked away with a gamingpany.


    Meanwhile, the Wilkie Group lost everything the gamingpany, the money, and now even the stability of its headquarters. Thepany was on the brink of copse.


    "I have to say, Mr. Hackett, your maneuvering is impressive. You''ve yed the Wilkies like a fiddle.


    "I wonder, though, how Jane would feel if she realized she spent billions of the Wilkie Group''s funds just to gift you her gamingpany? Do you think she''d be furious?" Tom quipped.


    Gabriel''s gaze turned cold. "And how does any of this rte to our partnership?"


    "Of course, it doesn''t. I just can''t help but admire the masterful way you''ve manipted the Wilkies behind the scenes," Tom replied.


    Impatient, Gabriel cut straight to the point. "8:00 p.m. tonight. Violet Carriage, Room 1. Don''t bete."


    He hung up without waiting for a response.


    ...


    Tom arrived punctually at 8:00 p.m.


    After a few polite exchanges, he took a seat opposite Gabriel.


    "So, Mr. Hackett, reaching out to me must mean you''vee up with a n. Care to share?" Tom asked.


    Gabriel met his gaze coolly. "I might have a n, but how do I know you''ll listen?"


    Tomughed casually. "That depends. Does your n benefit me?"


    Gabriel


    asked


    "Before we get into my n, let''s address your recent


    blunder. The libel case Damon filed


    against you for falsely using the Summer Group of using substandard building


    materials-have you resolved that yet?"


    Tom''s smile froze briefly before he replied, "Of course. It was a minor legal matter. It didn''t harm mypany in any significant way."


    Gabriel''s expression remained impassive. "I expect no more mishaps like that in the future. If you cause another mess, our partnership is over."


    He made it clear that his coboration with Tom wasn''t about charity. He wanted an ally, not a liability.


    Tom straightened his posture and said seriously, "You don''t need to worry. Last time was just a small experiment to test Damon''s response."


    "There''s no need for such experiments. If we want to deal with Damon, the target should be Prospectus Technology.


    "If Prospectus Technology falls, the Sumner Group bes nothing more than a paper tiger. But let''s be honest here your so-called ''tes


    wasn''t about Damon or Prospectus Technology, was it? You had your own motives, didn''t you?" Gabriel taunted.


    Tom''s expression darkened at having his intentions exposed.


    He stared straight at Gabriel and said, "Mr. Hackett, we''re partners. I''m not your


    subordinate. You''re in no position to lecture me."


    Gabriel nodded and stood. "In that


    nat


    case, I see no need to continue our


    partnership. I won''t work with someone who operates outside the Scope of our agreed n."


    He turned and walked toward the door.


    Tom''s eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn''t expected such a hardline response.


    "Wait!" He rushed to stop Gabriel, speaking firmly. "Mr. Hackett, I spoke too hastily earlier. I apologize. Let''s not let this ruin our coboration."


    Gabriel turned back with a smile. "That''s the attitude I expect. Now, let''s sit down and talk properly, shall we?"