Trace quickly received a response from the Growlers, stating that they could investigate, but the price would be higher.
The exact increase wasn’t clearly explained, but Patrick decided to assess its value personally, weighing how much this information meant to him.
When Trace relayed the reply to Patrick, he couldn’t help but complain, “I always knew the Growlers had ill intentions, but I never expected them to be so shameless now.”
Patrick sensed something peculiar about this situation. While the Growlers raising their price wasn’t surprising, their deliberate withholding of crucial information seemed calculated.
They wanted him to willingly spend money to purchase the news and determine its worth himself.
It was as if they were probing Aimee’s significance in his heart.
Patrick found the whole thing absurd and unimaginable.
After a moment of contemplation, he said to Trace, “Tell them 180 million. That’s the price.”
Trace’s eyes widened in shock, staring at Patrick’s face for a while, trying to ascertain if he had heard correctly.
Whether it was the Read family or Aimee, neither was worth spending 180 million, which was exactly double the Growlers’ base price.
“Mr. Hayden, are you really suggesting this price?” Trace found it utterly outrageous.
Patrick glanced at him and said, “Why? Are you dissatisfied?”
Trace’s heart skipped a beat. He felt a touch of menace in Patrick’s tone. It was an intention that conveyed dissatisfaction and warned him that he and his wife wouldn’t be pleased if he didn’t comply.
Trace immediately shook his head, attempting to convey compliance, and said, “I’ll inform the Growlers right away.”
However, within just ten minutes, Trace returned with even more bewildering news.
“Mr. Hayden, the Growlers claim that you lack sincerity,” Trace relayed the message, keeping his presence minimal and only stating the facts.
But instead of the anticipated anger, Patrick’s face displayed intrigue.
The corner of Patrick’s mouth twitched as he said directly, “360 million.”
This time, Trace grew even more restless.
Even if Patrick had money, he couldn’t spend it so recklessly.
Doubling the price and handing it over to their enemy was simply ludicrous.
Trace hesitated for a moment and said desperately, “Mr. Hayden, it’s the Growlers we’re dealing with. They swindled us out of 800 million before. It’s not worth giving them this much money now.”
He couldn’t believe that aside from the Growlers, there was no one else capable of handling this matter.
They couldn’t simply allow themselves to be bullied by the Growlers like this.
However, Trace’s words seemed to trigger something in Patrick, who said directly, “Then tell them I’m willing to pay 800 million.”
Trace felt as if he were on the verge of begging Patrick.
He knew how whimsical Patrick could be, but he shouldn’t be this impulsive.
With such a significant amount of money, wouldn’t it be better to keep it for themselves? Why hand it over to the Growlers?
Patrick couldn’t be bothered to explain. He simply said, “Take action.”
Trace felt like crying, but he couldn’t refuse Patrick’s command.
He could only respond to the Growlers’ message, fervently wishing that they would cease their ignorant flattery, accept the offer, and take care of the matter after dutifully receiving the 800 million.
However, this time, they received no response.
At that moment, Aimee had already left the hospital. Just as she got into the taxi, she heard her mini program’s notification tone repeatedly chiming.
She took out her phone and glanced at it, finding that the person ranked second had sent thousands of messages.
“Damn it! Patrick Hayden must be out of his mind!”
“Is he crazy!?”
“He thought he’s proud and arrogant after his victory last time, right?”
“Did he forget how we swindled the 800 million?”
“And now he has the audacity to claim it’s still 800 million?”
“I think he’s trying to humiliate us, and I have evidence!”
“Damn Patrick! He deserves a good beating. I’m buying a plane ticket and flying over to teach him a lesson!”
Aimee patiently read through the messages, unable to hold back her laughter any longer.
Patrick had truly outdone himself. He managed to provoke even the most level-headed person and incited someone to come all the way to Innisrial.
She suddenly felt curious about how Patrick would react when faced with her.
With a cheerful demeanor, Aimee replied, “I’ll be waiting for you, Alan.”