chapter181

"Alright, I've got to go." Lydia was about to hang up.

Juna called out quickly. "Wait, hold on. That kid from the Jefferson family is still looking for you. He keeps trying to challenge you to a race. Honestly, he's so persistent it's almost sweet. Are you really not going to give him a chance?"

Lydia answered without missing a beat. "No time."

"Okay then, girl."

On the other side of town, at LYLX headquarters, Jenson waited with anxious eyes, watching Ethan finish his phone call. As soon as Ethan put his phone down, Jenson rushed over, forcing a smile. Mr. Reed, if there's anything we've done wrong at Smith Corporation, please just tell us. We can fix it, really. But about the partnership..."

"I'm sorry. From today on, we won't be working with Smith Corporation anymore. Bryce, please show him out."

Ethan's voice was ice cold, and he didn't hesitate to call his assistant over.

Jenson wasn't ready to give up. He looked desperate, like he might start crying any second.

"Mr. Reed, please, even if you won't work with us anymore, can you at least tell us why?"

He hadn't slept at all last night, worrying about this. LYLX was their biggest client, the one that made Smith Corporation look good. Without LYLX backing them, Smith Corporation would fall apart and get swallowed up by the competition. The thought alone was enough to make him panic.

"A reason? You really don't know?" Ethan used to have respect for Jenson. He thought they were Lydia's biological parents, even though the Smiths had never treated Lydia right.

But now, everything had changed.

They broke Lydia's heart and kicked her out of her own home.

Without Lydia, their company would never become so soccessful.

How could they be so ungrateful?

Jenson looked completely lost, sweat beading on his forehead.

"I... I honestly have no idea. Mr. Reed, please, just give me a hint." Jenson reached into his pocket, pulled out a bank card, and tried to push it into Ethan's hand, Ethan stepped back, face tight with impatience. Mr. Smith, stop bothering me.

Jenson looked like he was about to break down.

He'd shown up first thing in the morning, hoping to talk about the partnership. Even though they didn't know what was going on the staff had stil been polite and brought him straight to Ethan. That little bit of respect had made him feel proud, even made him wonder ifLYLX was just trying to pressure him into lowering prices.

He never thought that, even after all his begging, Ethan would still say no. Why? What had Smith Corporation done to make LYLX cut them off?

"We've worked together for years. Haven't things always been good between us? Look, I'll drop my prices thirty percent, alright? If that's not enough, fifty?"

Jenson was practically biting his tongue. Even if they didn't make any money, just having the partnership would keep Smith Corporation afloat.

Ethan shook his head. "It's not about the price. We just don't need to work with Smith Corporation anymore. Please leave, Mr. Smith."

Ethan turned away, and Jenson finally lost it. He choked out, Mr. Reed, please... I'll get on my knees. As long as you give us another chance, I'll do anything!"

Jenson's knees were about to hit the floor when Ethan shot Bryce a look. "Please take Mr. Smith downstairs."

Bryce stepped in, grabbed Jenson by the arm, and started walking him toward the elevators. Jenson's cries echoed through the office, making everyone look up from their desks to watch the scene.

People in the office had always wondered about it. Smith Corporation wasn't special. Their materials were average. Yet for some reason, the company had always partnered with them, paying

top dollar for their stuff.

Sometimes, it really seemed like Mr. Reed and the company's real boss, Miss L,

were making crazy decisions. But now, everything finally made sense.