Chapter Wife 81

Chapter 81 In Joseph’s office, a shadow of concern crossed his face. The issue Noelle brought up at today’smeeting had him sending people to dig up some information. If turned out Collosus Group had beencutting back on their orders, and it had been going on for a while. However, it was only gettingserious now.

Joseph could not figure out what game Collosus Group was playing. In the past, even if the booksdid not balance, they had never meddled. Frotconn was its own thing, and barely connected toCollosus Group. The only reason they ever backed him was because he once helped out a kid fromthe Hoffman family, which had earned Frotconn some brownie points.

Joseph thought that favor would carry Frotconn forever, but now it looked like Collosus Group mightbe cutting them loose.

“Dad, what’s the deal here?” Xavier was just as baffled about Collosus Group’s motives. “What’s upwith that Charles guy?”

Mentioning Charles brought a scowl to Xavier’s face, mixed with a hint of fear and distaste.

Frotconn was practically in Collosus Group’s shadow, and his dad was always nudging him to rubelbows with the big shots from the Hoffman family. However, in all these years, he could count hisrun–ins with Charles Hoffman on one hand.

In Brookville, Charles was practically royalty, and Xavier had once dreamed of cashing in on hisfamily’s weak connection to the Hoffman family to climb the social ladder. As for Charles, he wouldnot give Xavier the time of day.

Joseph caught wind of Xavier’s griping and scowled. “I’ve told you a million times, Charles is atougher nut to crack than his old man. How’s it going with getting on his good side?”

Xavier bristled at the memory. “What do you think? You know just how standoffish Charles is.” Herecalled their last awkward encounter. “Remember the Shaw family’s grandpa’s birthday bash? Youtried to bu up to him, and he acted like we were invisible.” Xavier clenched his fists. “How long arewe suppose keep chasing after someone who couldn’t care less?”

16 “Do you really think this is what I want?” Joseph scowled, frustration evident in his voice. “If itwasn’t for the big shot Collosus Group backing him, I wouldn’t give that kid the time of day!” Hepaused, then said, ” Go dig up some dirt. Find out why Charles is cutting back on our orders, andlook at the department store deal–if we can’t get our products into Collosus Group’s stores, thenwhat?”

The thought alone was enough to give Joseph a headache. “How are we supposed to hit the stock market?”

“Hitting the stock market?” Charles’s fingers drummed a steady rhythm on the desk as he shotRonald a piercing look. “You’re telling me Joseph’s little kid wanted to go public this year?”

“That’s the word on the street,” Ronald replied, standing a bit taller. “Joseph had some nerve,aiming to go public with such a tiny operation. They were flying the Hoffman family flag, and thatwas something.”

Charles chuckled and shut the folder in front of him. They wanted a free ride with Collosus Group,did they?” He stood, hands casually tucked into his pockets, and gazed out at the sprawling view from the twenty–seventh floor. “The higher you climb, the more you see, but oh, the harder youfall.”