Conor didn’t even turn toward him. Arthur raised his hand again. “Stay where you are.” The bodyguard immediately stopped. Arthur continued studying Conor.For several seconds, neither man spoke.The room was so quiet that the faint clinking of porcelain from the restaurant outside could be heard clearly.Arthur’s eyes moved slowly over Conor’s face.He was trying to determine what kind of man would remain this calm while surrounded by the Hale Family’s bodyguards.But Conor gave him nothing.No nervousness.No hesitation.Not even the slightest sign that he intended to back down.Arthur finally spoke.“You really don’t intend to leave?”Conor took another sip of tea.“No.”Arthur raised an eyebrow.“You know who I am.”“Yes.”“You know what the Hale Family represents in Golden Sparrow City.”“Yes.”“And you’re still sitting there?”Conor placed the teacup down.“You’ve asked me that three times.”Arthur’s lips twitched.“And your answer hasn’t changed.”“It won’t.”One of the b

Arthur continued staring at Conor.“You’re either exceptionally confident…”He paused.“…or you have no idea what you’re dealing with.”Conor gave him a calm smile.“Perhaps I’m simply having a very good afternoon.”Nick couldn’t hold back his smile this time.Arthur noticed.“You find him entertaining?”Nick shrugged.“Occasionally.”Arthur looked at him.“And you?”“I’ve known him long enough not to argue with him over tea.”Arthur’s expression became thoughtful.“That explains your confidence.”“No,” Nick replied.“It explains my survival.”Conor glanced at Nick.“That was almost profound.”“Thank you.”“I wasn’t complimenting you.”“I’ll take it anyway.”Arthur stared at the two men.For the first time, his irritation was mixed with genuine amusement.But the manager was not amused at all.He stepped forward again.“Mr. Conor, I’m asking you one final time. Please leave.”Conor looked at him.“You’ve said that several times.”“And you keep refusing!”“Yes.”“Why?”“Because your ar

Arthur chose not to escalate the confrontation.Whatever irritation he felt toward Conor, he was not foolish enough to turn a dispute over a private room into an unnecessary conflict.Before leaving, however, he had made his position clear.“Remember my warning,” Arthur had said.Conor had merely nodded.“I will.”Arthur’s eyes had remained cold.“Good. Because Golden Sparrow City has more dangers than you realize.”Conor had taken another sip of tea.“I’ll try not to lose sleep over it.”Arthur had stared at him for a moment before finally turning away.“Let’s go.”His bodyguards followed immediately.The manager hurried behind them, still looking annoyed.But Arthur said nothing more.Once they stepped outside the restaurant, the city breeze brushed against his face.He entered his car.Two bodyguards climbed into the vehicle behind him while another car followed from a short distance.For several minutes, Arthur remained silent.His eyes were fixed on the passing streets.The manag

“My family didn’t make these decisions alone.”Arthur raised an eyebrow.“Is that supposed to be an excuse?”“No.”“Then what is it?”Carl hesitated.“We were pushed into a situation we couldn’t control.”Arthur stared at him.“Everyone says that when they’re losing.”Carl remained silent.Arthur leaned forward.“Let me make this simple.”His voice became colder.“I have no intention of rescuing a declining family simply because its heir has come begging at my door.”Carl’s heart sank.“Mr. Hale…”“No.”Arthur waved his hand.“Whatever proposal you came prepared to make, forget it.”Carl stared at him.“You won’t even consider it?”“I’ve considered it.”Arthur’s answer was immediate.“And my answer is no.”Carl’s expression became desperate.“Please, Mr. Hale. Just give us a chance.”Arthur frowned.“Why should I?”“Because we can repay you.”“With what?”Carl fell silent.Arthur nodded.“Exactly.”He picked up his document again.“You don’t have the money.”“We can rebuild.”“You don

Carl took a slow breath.“Conor Grey came into the Nelson family’s life recently,” he began. “At first, nobody paid much attention to him.”Arthur listened without interrupting.“But he quickly became close to Olivia Nelson.”“Her husband,” Arthur said.“Yes.”“And you believe he married her for her family’s influence?”“I’m certain of it.”Arthur leaned back.“What makes you so certain?”Carl hesitated.“Because before Olivia, Conor had nothing.”Arthur’s eyes narrowed.“Nothing?”“Nothing worth mentioning.”Carl continued quickly.“He wasn’t from a powerful family. He had no significant business. No reputation. No connections that I knew of.”Arthur tapped a finger against the armrest.“And yet he behaved like a man who feared nobody.”Carl smiled bitterly.“That’s his trick.”Arthur studied him.“What trick?”“Confidence.”Carl leaned forward.“He wants people to think he’s powerful. He acts as though everyone beneath him is insignificant.”Arthur’s expression remained unreadable.