Fandrey did not intend to continue the discussion about his granddaughter with Deborah. He then got up and went to the study room that was located upstairs.
It was currently afternoon via European timezone. He dialed William’s number and said, “William, everything is true as per your speculation. Ornard is indeed an evil person as he is already taking advantage of Angel. She has produced an utterly brilliant business plan today regarding the bidding activity. Your uncle is not convinced that she did all this herself and neither do I. Ornard must be the one curating such a plan. He is truly a cunning and opportunistic person!”
William chuckled and said, “I am impressed at Angel for establishing a bidding strategy plan of such high quality. Does this mean that Ornard is already aware of the Floyd family’s bidding price?”
“Yes, things have indeed turned out this way. Angel must have leaked the company’s information to Ornard. I am sure that he is aware of our bidding rate! However, he has no idea that I have made specific adjustments to the figures. The bidding price that he had obtained is inaccurate. Things will be difficult for Ornard if he intends to get rid of the Floyd family based on the bidding cost.”
“The older is indeed the wiser! Ornard should still be trying to cause some troubles today, right?” William asked further.
“The Anthony family has decided to participate in the bidding activity in the early morning today. I suspect that Ornard is the mastermind of instructing the Anthony family to do so.”
“Wow! That’s a great thing as I have been eager for them to chime in. Things would not be nice if they do not join in the fun.” William giggled and said, “Grandpa, you should play dumb and let them do whatever they please.”
“Are you suggesting me not bringing their plan to a halt?” Fandrey queried with a surprised tone.
“Yes. You have already deceived Ornard by giving him an inaccurate bidding price. The next step would be to let him win the bidding contract for the building project. He needs to be competent enough to bear a high capital for commencing such a huge construction project, right? He is required to pay deposits and performance bonds before starting the building work. He won’t be able to afford it and may face problems in the midst of the project. We shall sit back and observe how Ornard intends on solving these obstacles.”
William elaborated further in a nonchalant tone, “I would like to teach Ornard a lesson this time. He has no right to be cocky in B City when it is clearly not his territory.”
It was evident that William had a plan in mind. Fandrey immediately knew the exact thing that William would do in dealing with Ornard as he was a veteran in the business world.
Fandrey chuckled along and said, “William, you are splendid! The student has indeed become the master. One needs to be extra alert when trying to go for a battle against you.”
“Grandpa, are you aware of my train of thought? You are the experienced and knowledgeable one instead. I’m utterly amazed!” William was taken aback that Fandrey knew about his idea without even asking a single word about it.
“Okay, stop it with your honey-mouthed compliments about my ability in business dealings. I am getting older as the days go by. I am not as quick-witted as you because my thinking is not as sharp as before.”
Fandrey then mentioned the unexpected meeting between Angel and Helen that happened just now. “Helen and Angel went on a shopping spree together today. She even gave Angel a valuable gift. William, what do you have in mind?”
William frowned upon hearing about it. How was it possible for Helen to have any relationship with Angel?
Helen was an uninvolved person without any ulterior motives in mind. She had devoted all her life to spending time with her husband and son. Why would she click with Angel?
It was peculiar for strangers in buying gifts for someone else when they first met. William was not convinced that Helen was genuinely fond of Angel. Something else must be going on behind the scene.
“Grandma did mention the matter between Richard and Angel when she visited me in Germany last time. I tactfully spoke ill of Richard in hopes that she would put this topic to an end. I did not expect such a thing to happen two days later when grandma brought this topic up. I have no idea what does Helen has on her mind but I can share Richard’s point of view. He genuinely does not click with Angel.”
Fandrey knew deep down in his heart that Angel was not a suitable partner for Richard. However, he was still holding a thread of possibility that they both may couple up in the near future. Fandrey’s hope disappeared within a blink of an eye upon hearing William’s words. “Alright. I will talk things through with your grandmother.”
“You don’t have to purposefully mention this topic to grandma and just go with the flow instead.” William chuckled and asked, “Grandpa, would you be mad at me for being so straight from the shoulder?”
“To be honest, I’m initially pissed off upon hearing about it. However, I have calmed myself down since you have a solid point,” Fandrey replied.
“It is such a relief to hear that you are not upset at me. I would always come clean to you as I am aware that you are a reasonable and logical person. I would not treat grandma like this when discussing such a matter with her. I will always need to find a way in sugarcoating things.”
Fandrey burst into laughter upon feeling flattered by William’s compliment. The uncomfortable and distasteful emotions in him soon vanished into thin air.
William hung up the phone and shook his head. “She’s trying to aim something so far off from her. She clearly does not have any right to do that, doesn’t she?”
Valeria was using photos to make a short film with an excited look on her face. She tilted her head upon hearing William murmuring to himself and asked, “What are you babbling about? Who’s trying to be the greedy one?”
“Angel, the abomination, is attempting to win the lottery.”
Valeria burst into laughter and said, “You’re so humorous! I did not expect you to criticize Angel in such a manner. By the way, honey, take a glance at my photo-collaged movie. It does look good, doesn’t it?”
“Of course! My wife is absolutely gorgeous and hence, it is no doubt that the pictures that you take would be marvelous as well.”
“You’re so cheesy! I shall give you a grape for you being so honey-mouthed.”
Silas and Bobby came in as the married couple was joking around with each other.
“William, I have just received a text message from Pierre. He said that Paisley managed to somehow convince their father in letting Paisley control the Anthony family’s company. Pierre is panicking and asks us what should he do next.”
“What?” William sneered and said, “This is just the beginning. Why is he unable to keep his cool?”
Bobby smiled and chimed in, “Pierre is a brat and is incomparable with Hardy. It would be surprising for him to remain calm upon encountering such a situation.”
“Suggest him in telling Henry that Paisley is an unreliable person. There is a very high possibility for the bidding contract to go south.”
Silas then reverted the text message as per William’s instruction. Pierre was not convinced that the building project would let their company suffer a loss, “I have done my research regarding this contract that is worth hundreds of billions. The company will definitely make a handsome profit and there is no way for this expansion project to be loss-making.”
“There are countless possibilities when it comes to business and tradings. Pierre, you need not feel nervous and just tell your father as per my proposal. Paisley has joined forces with someone else and intends to have full authority over the Anthony family. Do caution your father to be alert. It would be unwise for experiencing a loss and be met with troubles as well.”
Pierre did not have the guts to persuade his father about this. “I am worried that I would suffer a beating from my dad!”
“There is nothing to be afraid of as your father is residing overseas. How can he go physical on you when he is so far away from you? Besides, isn’t your mother in the country? Would your mother have the heart to see you getting beaten up? You should compose yourself and give your father a heads up about it. Pierre, the show has just begun. We should let Paisley have a taste of winning this battle as starters. She will dig her grave much deeper upon having such a confidence.”
Pierre decided to go all-in upon noticing Silas being so firm on his suggestion. He typed out a well-curated text message before sending it over to Henry. “Dad, Paisley has ulterior motives in her mind. You need not let your guard down as there is something fishy about the bidding activity. It will be game over for the Anthony family’s company should you be on the same team as her. You have to give out orders in retracting the company from this bidding project immediately and put a halt to her foolish actions.”
The gaze of Henry was blazing with hopefulness upon receiving news about such a big-scale building project.
Besides, Paisley had informed him that her business partner was Ornard, who was the major shareholder of this joint venture agreement. Pierre’s father would only obtain a small percentage of profit distribution. How was it possible for this bidding project to impose a threat on the Anthony family’s company? Pierre was clearly exaggerating things. Henry reverted back to the text message in which he gave Pierre an earful about it.
Pierre felt offended and was so mad that he flung his mobile phone away. He asked his bodyguard in an upset tone, “Have you prepared the negative articles regarding Paisley, that bitch, as per my instructions? Do expose her right now!”