Gary froze at his words.


    He hadn''t expected Lionel to be so shameless and direct, making such an unreasonable request.


    Seeing his troubled expression, Lionel asked knowingly, "What''s the matter, you can''t do it? I thought you said you two had a great rtionship. If you really can''t, I won''t force you."


    Lionel had figured out his motive and was deliberately putting him on the spot. He was surprised at how easily the man cracked under pressure.


    "Mr. Rosenberg, what are you saying? We''re family. It''s easy for us to meet for a meal. Don''t worry, I''ll make it happen."


    Gary had painted himself into a corner. Having just boasted about their rtionship, he had no choice but to follow through, or else Lionel would know he was lying and refuse to partner with him.


    Lionel raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk in his eyes as he looked him over. "Alright, then. I''ll wait for you to arrange it. You can pick the ce. Just text me the details once it''s set. As for the partnership you mentioned, we can discuss itter."


    With Lionel''s promise, Gary felt a wave of relief. He stood up excitedly and said, "Mr. Rosenberg, you can count on me. I''ll get everything arranged perfectly. It''ll be tonight at the earliest, tomorrow at thetest."


    Lionel didn''t respond, just maintained his signature professional smile.


    Gary left and got back in his car.


    The moment he was alone, his rxed expression tightened into a deep frown. He fidgeted restlessly in his seat until he found a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a deep drag, slowly exhaling the smoke.


    "That shameless bastard! He did that on purpose!"


    He held the cigarette in his right hand and rubbed his temple with his left, feeling


    incredibly frustrated and unsure of what to do.


    She had caused a scene as soon as


    she got home, and they''d had a fight. Getting her to meet him now would be nearly impossible. He sat


    in the car for ten minutes, unable


    think of a solution and finally picked up his phone to call Cherry


    "Gary, how did it go? Did you handle it?" Cherry answered excitedly, "Did he agree? Tell me, don''t keep me in suspense."


    Gary recounted his entire conversation with Lionel. There was a long silence on the other end before Cherry finally spoke.


    "He doesn''t trust you, so he''s deliberately making things difficult. If you can''t get her to meet him, helt definitely refuse to work with us. That man is so cunning! He cant get Hannah to see him himself, so he''s using us!"


    Cherry cursed, her voice filled with anger.


    She had thought Gary''s visit would go smoothly, but she never expected this oue. It was clear he was being yed.


    "Gary, what do we do now? Are we really going to do what he says and get her to meet him? That''s going to be incredibly difficult."


    If she had known things would turn out like this, she never would have argued with Hannah. Otherwise, there might have been a chance. But as things stood now, getting her toe out was next to impossible.