Chapter 1177: Disappointment

Chapter 1177: Disappointment

Horace stared at Brody, and his words naturally carried a hint of

suspicion. He wanted to know what was going on in Brody's mind,

especially at this critical moment. On one hand, there was Horace, who

had secured the project, and on the other hand, there was Preston,

who hadn't secured any projects yet was demanding a promotion. The

executives of the company were already expressing dissatisfaction with

Preston's promotion, which made Brody think that Preston had been

causing too much trouble lately.

Brody let out a disdainful hum, and his tone had lost the gentleness he

had shown towards Preston earlier. He appeared displeased and cold.

He said, "He's just the project director of Armstrong Corp, nothing more

than an employee we hired. Why should we care about what he thinks?

When you think about it, the survival of Armstrong Corp only matters to

the two of us. After all, we are the ones who own shares in Armstrong

Corp. As for those people, no matter how loyal they seem, it's only

because we've hired them. If something really happens, it will be the

two of us who bear the brunt!"

Brody believed that his words were absolutely correct. The more he

spoke, the more he convinced himself. He thought he was trying to win

over Horace while also telling him that even though Preston was his

subordinate, deep down, Brody still considered Horace more important.

However, what Brody didn't know was that Horace didn't pay much

attention to his words. They went in one ear and out the other. He knew

very well that Brody was just talking for the sake of it. After all, he was

currently collaborating with Ayan, and Brody was happy about it, so it

was not surprising for him to say anything.

Horace didn't react much, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

He simply stared at Brody with an emotionless expression in his eyes.

Brody didn't notice this and was completely immersed in his joy at the

moment. He said to Horace, "Your suggestion earlier was good. Let's

decide it that way. Follow your plan. However, you'll have to contact

Jenson yourself. If I directly ask Preston for his contact information or

try to mediate, I'm afraid he will be upset. But if you do it yourself, he

won't be able to say anything. What do you think?"

Horace just smiled and said, "Mr. Armstrong is right. Let me handle this

matter myself for now. However, I don't want to make this matter public

in Armstrong Corp for the time being. I don't want to publicize anything

that hasn't been achieved, just like our collaboration with Simpson

Group this time. Mr. Armstrong can understand, right?"

Brody nodded in agreement. After that, he repeatedly mentioned the

dinner plans for tonight with Horace before finally leaving his office.

After Brody left, Horace's secretary quickly closed the door and

approached Horace again. The secretary said, "Mr. Burris, are you

really planning to snatch the museum project away from Preston?"

"At the moment, the museum project doesn't solely belong to Preston,

right? They also mentioned that it still needs further consideration,

didn't they? Since it's still under consideration, it means it hasn't been

finalized. How could I be snatching it? Besides, it's all for the sake of

Armstrong Corp. Taking this project wouldn't harm Armstrong Corp,

would it?"

Horace raised an eyebrow, his eyes flickering with a hint of coldness.

He glanced at his secretary and, without waiting for the secretary to

understand the implication, he spoke again, "Go and arrange a meeting

with Mr. Evans. Remember, discreetly share this information with

someone named Walker."

Brody didn't want to ask Preston for his contact information just to

temporarily keep him in the dark. He hoped to announce it publicly after

finalizing the collaboration, leaving Preston with nothing to say.

But for Horace, whether they could actually secure the museum project

was of little importance. What mattered to him was Preston's position

within Armstrong Corp. That was his goal.

After the secretary left the office, Horace picked up his phone and

dialed Ayan's number.

The call connected quickly, and Ayan's voice, tinged with a faint smile,

sounded, "Mr. Burris, do you have some good news to share with me?

You just left Simpson Group and immediately called me. Mr. Burris, you

can't possibly be missing me already, right?"

Horace also smiled and calmly replied, "Mr. Simpson is right. There is

indeed some good news I want to share with Mr. Simpson. But whether

it ultimately qualifies as good news or not, that's up to Mr. Simpson to

decide. We'll see if Mr. Simpson is willing to give me this opportunity.”

Ayan instantly understood Horace's meaning. He curved his lips into a

smile, a clear amusement flashing in his eyes, and said, "Then, Mr.

Burris, go ahead and tell me. I'll see if I can give my approval to this so-

called good news."

“Is the museum project Mr. Simpson's idea?"

Horace didn't state it explicitly, but his words were clear enough for

Ayan to understand.

Ayan narrowed his eyes slightly, his facial expression becoming gentle.

His voice turned low and husky as he said, "I'm not quite sure what Mr.

Burris means. Simpson Group hasn't been involved in the museum

project, so how can it be my idea? Even if I have great abilities, I don't

have the power to control everything, do 1?"

“I know Mr. Simpson's abilities. Since Mr. Simpson has given Armstrong

Corp this opportunity, would Mr. Simpson consider giving me this

chance if the current person is not suitable?" Horace asked directly.

Ayan smiled faintly and said, "Can Mr. Burris handle the workload?"

"Of course, I can't just hand over this lucrative opportunity to someone

else, can I? Besides, the timelines for the two projects don't conflict, do

they? If Mr. Simpson is concerned about me handling two major

collaborations alone, he can assign a capable person from Simpson

Group to assist me, can't he?"

Horace's proactive invitation amused Ayan, and he replied, “What's in it

for me? Mr. Burris can't expect me to work for you for free, can you?"

"Naturally not. As long as Mr. Simpson gives the word, both I and

Armstrong Corp will give our all," Horace sincerely expressed. He

continued, "Although Armstrong Corp's decision-making is currently

influenced by Mr. Armstrong, once the collaboration between Armstrong

Corp and Simpson Group is finalized, Armstrong Corp will be under my

authority. So, I can guarantee that I won't let Mr. Simpson down.”

Since Horace had spoken so frankly, Ayan understood that his

intentions were genuine. Moreover, he had some knowledge about

Horace, having spent a considerable amount of time with him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have introduced him to his circle and Simpson

Group's projects.

Ayan smiled lightly and said, "Since Mr. Burris is so sincere, I can rest

assured. Since Mr. Burris has reached this level of sincerity, I can't

continue to decline. If Mr. Burris is interested in the museum project,

then go and fight for it! It's better to secure it before too much time

passes and it falls into someone else's hands, right?"

“Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Simpson. After I secure the museum

project, I'll treat Mr. Simpson to a meal. You can't use a busy work

schedule as an excuse to postpone it!" Horace replied.

"Alright, then I'll await good news from Mr. Burris.”

The conversation between the two was pleasant. Although they didn't

completely reveal their true intentions, the atmosphere was relaxed and

comfortable.

After ending the call with Horace, Ayan looked at Kian beside him and

calmly said, “Tell Jenson that there's no need to continue dealing with

Preston regarding the museum project. Horace wants to take

advantage of the collaboration with Simpson Group to secure the

museum project as well. This will likely be a significant blow to

Preston.”

Kian nodded slightly but expressed some concern, "Mr. Simpson, won't

this push Preston into a desperate situation?"

"So what if he becomes desperate? What capital does he have to

compete with me now? Let alone me, even Horace can't do anything to

him. As Horace already mentioned today, so what do you think he can

do even if he's not desperate?" Ayan no longer regarded Preston as a

threat. He understood Brody's character and knew that Brody's loyalty

lay with Armstrong Corp's interests. Preston was only being used as a

relationship leverage.

So, with Preston being in this state and unable to secure the museum

project, what capital does he have to continue thriving in Armstrong

Corp?