Shortly after the call, Theo and the other executives received official approval from Glenn. Theo, in disbelief, immediately called him.


    "Glenn, are you crazy? This isn''t a small decision! Do you have any idea how much it costs to build a factory? Not to mention operating costs and maintenance. Thepany can''t afford this. The foreign investors will never agree—"


    "The money won''te from thepany''s ounts," Glenn interrupted.


    Theo was stunned. "You''re going to pay for it yourself?"


    "Yes," Glenn said simply.


    "Where did you get that kind of money?" Theo demanded. He knew UME''s financial situation inside and out. Even if Glenn had saved every penny he''d ever earned, it wouldn''t be nearly enough.


    "I don''t have it," Glenn replied calmly. "But the Carlisles do. This is why I came back-to leverage their resources when necessary."


    He said it so casually, but Theo didn''t believe it for a second. Even if Glenn had agreed to return to the family fold, they wouldn''t just hand over that kind of cash without something significant in return.


    "What did you promise them, Glenn?" Theo asked sharply. He didn''t know Glenn''s father, Kearney personally but he knew the Carlisle Groups reputation. They never made a deal they didn''t profitfrom. For them to offer up this much money, Glenn must have given them something priceless in return.


    Glenn didn''t deny it. "I made a deal."


    "What kind of deal?"


    "It doesn''t matter," Glenn said, his voice even. "I trust Evangeline not to let me lose. Right now, you should be focused on helping her seed, not worrying about minor details."


    Theo felt like he was going insane. "Glenn, this is a nine-figure deal! Do you actually believe she can pull this off, or are you just so infatuated with her that you''re willing to risk everything?" he burst out, unable to hold back any longer.


    Glenn was silent for a few seconds. "It''s both," he admitted. "But we''ve been partners for years. This is more about rational judgment than emotion." He knew Evangeline better than anyone, just as she knew him They were the only two people in the world who would never betray each other. He could trust her with his life.


    Hearing the conviction in Glenn''s voice, Theo knew it was useless to argue. He was frustrated, but he also knew how stubborn Glenn could be.


    "I''m dealing with somethingplicated here," Glenn added. "I''ll have to extend my trip. I''m giving you and Evangeline full decision-making authority. If you can''t reach me, you two will have to make the call."


    Theo didn''t think much of it. Glenn always said things like that, but he was almost always reachable. Right now, his main concern was talking Evangeline out of this reckless n. Building a factory was a huge gamble. If it paid off, it could secure UME''s future. But if it failed, it would be the end of Glenn.