Rose’s words echoed powerfully, leaving everyone present stunned.
No one had anticipated that Rose and Flynn shared such a close bond-that she would be willing to give up the opportunity for negotiation just for him. This was a matter that determined the life and death of The Sharp’s Group!
Kendal Roy froze momentarily, caught off guard by Rose’s unyielding stance. If Rose walked away, what was left to negotiate?
Kendal had been counting on this event to bolster his own reputation.
“Mr. Kaur,” Kendal turned to Matteo Kaur, his gaze cold and commanding, his intentions clear: *Don’t forget why you’re here-control Flynn.*
Matteo sighed in resignation, then beckoned Flynn. “Flynn, come sit down. Let’s talk about your recent work.”
Madeline, on the other hand, was livid. She felt humiliated.
Their family’s sole purpose for attending this event was to keep Flynn in check, reducing him to nothing more than a tool.
Unbothered by the commotion, Flynn strode toward Matteo Kaur, ignoring the rest of the group entirely.
Flynn had come for two reasons: first, to treat Matteo Kaur’s illness; second, to settle a business rivalry.
Since Paulina Johnston refused to let Flynn visit the Kaur family, treating Matteo here made the situation all the more critical.
As for the business rivalry, whether or not Flynn declared war on-site wouldn’t have a significant impact on the overall situation.
Kendal Roy shot a cold glance at Flynn’s retreating figure before addressing the crowd.
“I hosted this banquet not only to welcome General Cruz and General Yancey but also for another important purpose-to facilitate negotiations between Ms. Sharp and Ms. Woods.”
“Most of you here are from Niarak, so you must be familiar with the entanglement between Ms. Sharp and Ms. Hussain.
“Further conflict between the two sides would only harm the development of Niarak’s industries.”
“Therefore, I urge an end to this business war for the sake of mutual growth.”
Several entrepreneurs uninvolved in the conflict openly supported Kendal’s sentiments.
Ultimately, this business war revolved around Rose and Lilia.
Oh, and a dead man-Braiden.
Layla had only played a supporting role, never once investing a penny in the feud. Even the billion-dollar contract this time around had been signed by Wakasa on behalf of Lilia.
The rivalry had dragged on for ten years, culminating in Rose’s bankruptcy.
Everyone had thought it would end there.
But no-Rose had risen from the ashes, building a billion-dollar fortune in just a few months.
Initially, people assumed General Cruz had been her benefactor, only to discover it was Nathan.
Both sides had powerful backers, and tensions had escalated in recent months, leading to several clashes.
Hussain Pharmaceutical Group had suffered billion-dollar losses, while *The Swanson’s Group* had gone bankrupt entirely.
Numerous small businesses associated with them had also collapsed, their losses incalculable.
It was time for peace.
The major players could endure the losses, but smaller businesses couldn’t keep up.
Especially on Rose’s side-while Lilia had Layla’s full support and nearly all the local big-name entrepreneurs on her side, Rose, even with Nathan backing her, couldn’t possibly turn the tide.
If the conflict continued, *The Sharp’s Group* and its affiliates would inevitably face total bankruptcy.
“Ms. Woods brought a billion-dollar investment for Ms. Hussain. If this fight goes on, *The Sharp’s Group* will be doomed-thousands of employees will lose their jobs, and suppliers will suffer heavy losses. Negotiating is the only way.”
“Ms. Woods’ presence here shows she’s open to compromise. Ms. Sharp must seize the opportunity!”
“I’ve noticed none of Ms. Sharp’s investors are here-Orion Kennedy, Edwin Gallagher, Uriah Wong-they’re all absent. They’re likely already planning to withdraw their investments from *The Sharp’s Group*.”
“Ms. Sharp is besieged on all sides. Negotiation is her only path forward.”
The room buzzed with chatter, everyone agreeing that negotiation was Rose’s only option.
But what they didn’t know was that with Flynn in the picture, Orion Kennedy and the others didn’t need to intervene. They had even made it clear that Ms. Sharp had full authority to handle the matter however she saw fit.
All they cared about was collecting their profits.
They couldn’t even be bothered to attend board meetings.
Orion Kennedy was busy investigating Zion in Pelens and had no time to show up.
As for Edwin Gallagher, he had called Flynn yesterday only to be inexplicably scolded.
Realizing later what had prompted Flynn’s anger, Edwin was too terrified of being beaten to even consider showing his face here.
Layla, her face expressionless, finally spoke. “I spoke with Ms. Sharp yesterday. She’s not interested in negotiating.”
Her words struck like a thunderclap, leaving the crowd in uproar.
“What?! Ms. Sharp doesn’t want to negotiate? What does she intend to do-fight to the bitter end? That’s ridiculous!”
“Ms. Woods has billions in funding! What does Ms. Sharp have to compete with?”
“Revenge is fine, but you need the strength to back it up. The Fletcher family’s political connections won’t help secure that level of funding!”
The Fletcher family might be a prominent political dynasty in Eahta, but their wealth only amounted to a few billion, and most of their influence lay in government affairs.
For this reason, the Fletcher family would never invest too heavily, fearing it would tarnish their reputation.
No one could understand Rose’s logic. Why reject such a golden opportunity for negotiation and insist on fighting to the end?
To the crowd, Rose’s decision seemed to stem from one mindset: *If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me.*
Even if she had to die, she’d take a chunk out of her enemy first.
But was that really the case?
With billions of dollars crashing down on her, Rose wouldn’t just lose half her strength-she’d lose the ability to fight back entirely.
She’d be slowly strangled.
Rose was being far too impulsive, blinded by her thirst for revenge.
Kendal Roy, too, was taken aback, his expression growing more complex.
Rose didn’t want to negotiate?
Then why was she here?
Rose narrowed her eyes, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Surrender to Ms. Woods, obey her commands, share the two *Ancient Formulas*, and return the two pharmaceutical companies she stole from me-is this what Ms. Woods calls negotiation?”
Silence fell over the room once more.
The conditions were indeed excessive, but the logic was clear-weak nations had no diplomacy.
Without strength, one could only submit to being trampled.
Submission might preserve some dignity and assets, but fighting to the end would lead only to ruin.
Some things couldn’t be resolved with sheer determination. The disparity in power was simply too great.
Layla was a force to be reckoned with-an entity before whom even the most cunning strategists had to bow.
The crowd began pleading with Rose to reconsider.
But Rose remained calm, even smiling faintly, her eyes glinting with disdain.
Layla, noticing Rose’s attitude, frowned and said coldly, “When is your backer Nathan arriving? Out of respect for the Fletcher family, I’ll wait for him. I’ll ask him myself where he stands.”
“But if Nathan supports you, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”
Lilia smirked mockingly at Rose. “What’s the matter? Is Nathan too scared to come after hearing about our billion-dollar investment?”
“Nathan? A backer? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Rose replied with a faint smirk, her tone icy.
Lilia froze, her voice turning sharp. “Stop playing dumb. We’ve already investigated everything. Nathan is the one backing you!”
The crowd shook their heads.
The rumor of Nathan supporting Rose had already spread throughout their circles.
It wasn’t a secret anymore.
Rose’s attempt to cover it up with misdirection was laughable.
Just as everyone was sneering with disdain, an Aston Martin pulled up in front of the hotel.
Nathan stepped out, dressed in a teal suit, and strode confidently toward the hall.
Madeline, upon seeing Nathan, felt her heart race, her cheeks flushing red.
She had been waiting for this moment for so long-Nathan had finally arrived!