Chapter 1177: Disappointment
Chapter 1177: Disappointment
Horace stared at Brody, and his words naturally carried a hint of suspicion. He wanted to know what
was going on in Brody's mind, especially at this critical moment. On one hand, there was Horace, who
had secured the project, and on the other hand, there was Preston, who hadn't secured any projects
yet was demanding a promotion. The executives of the company were already expressing
dissatisfaction with Preston's promotion, which made Brody think that Preston had been causing too
much trouble lately.
Brody let out a disdainful hum, and his tone had lost the gentleness he had shown towards Preston
earlier. He appeared displeased and cold. He said, "He's just the project director of Armstrong Corp,
nothing more than an employee we hired. Why should we care about what he thinks? When you think
about it, the survival of Armstrong Corp only matters to the two of us. After all, we are the ones who
own shares in Armstrong Corp. As for those people, no matter how loyal they seem, it's only because
we've hired them. If something really happens, it will be the two of us who bear the brunt!"
Brody believed that his words were absolutely correct. The more he spoke, the more he convinced
himself. He thought he was trying to win over Horace while also telling him that even though Preston
was his subordinate, deep down, Brody still considered Horace more important.
However, what Brody didn't know was that Horace didn't pay much attention to his words. They went in
one ear and out the other. He knew very well that Brody was just talking for the sake of it. After all, he
was currently collaborating with Ayan, and Brody was happy about it, so it was not surprising for him to
say anything.
Horace didn't react much, as if everything had nothing to do with him. He simply stared at Brody with
an emotionless expression in his eyes.
Brody didn't notice this and was completely immersed in his joy at the moment. He said to Horace,
"Your suggestion earlier was good. Let's decide it that way. Follow your plan. However, you'll have to
contact Jenson yourself. If I directly ask Preston for his contact information or try to mediate, I'm afraid
he will be upset. But if you do it yourself, he won't be able to say anything. What do you think?"
Horace just smiled and said, "Mr. Armstrong is right. Let me handle this matter myself for now.
However, I don't want to make this matter public in Armstrong Corp for the time being. I don't want to
publicize anything that hasn't been achieved, just like our collaboration with Simpson Group this time.
Mr. Armstrong can understand, right?"
Brody nodded in agreement. After that, he repeatedly mentioned the dinner plans for tonight with
Horace before finally leaving his office.
After Brody left, Horace's secretary quickly closed the door and approached Horace again. The
secretary said, "Mr. Burris, are you really planning to snatch the museum project away from Preston?"
"At the moment, the museum project doesn't solely belong to Preston, right? They also mentioned that
it still needs further consideration, didn't they? Since it's still under consideration, it means it hasn't
been finalized. How could I be snatching it? Besides, it's all for the sake of Armstrong Corp. Taking this
project wouldn't harm Armstrong Corp, would it?"
Horace raised an eyebrow, his eyes flickering with a hint of coldness. He glanced at his secretary and,
without waiting for the secretary to understand the implication, he spoke again, "Go and arrange a
meeting with Mr. Evans. Remember, discreetly share this information with someone named Walker."
Brody didn't want to ask Preston for his contact information just to temporarily keep him in the dark. He
hoped to announce it publicly after finalizing the collaboration, leaving Preston with nothing to say.
But for Horace, whether they could actually secure the museum project was of little importance. What
mattered to him was Preston's position within Armstrong Corp. That was his goal.
After the secretary left the office, Horace picked up his phone and dialed Ayan's number.
The call connected quickly, and Ayan's voice, tinged with a faint smile, sounded, "Mr. Burris, do you
have some good news to share with me? You just left Simpson Group and immediately called me. Mr.
Burris, you can't possibly be missing me already, right?"
Horace also smiled and calmly replied, "Mr. Simpson is right. There is indeed some good news I want
to share with Mr. Simpson. But whether it ultimately qualifies as good news or not, that's up to Mr.
Simpson to decide. We'll see if Mr. Simpson is willing to give me this opportunity."
Ayan instantly understood Horace's meaning. He curved his lips into a smile, a clear amusement
flashing in his eyes, and said, "Then, Mr. Burris, go ahead and tell me. I'll see if I can give my approval
to this so-called good news."
"Is the museum project Mr. Simpson's idea?"
Horace didn't state it explicitly, but his words were clear enough for Ayan to understand.
Ayan narrowed his eyes slightly, his facial expression becoming gentle. His voice turned low and husky
as he said, "I'm not quite sure what Mr. Burris means. Simpson Group hasn't been involved in the
museum project, so how can it be my idea? Even if I have great abilities, I don't have the power to
control everything, do I?"
"I know Mr. Simpson's abilities. Since Mr. Simpson has given Armstrong Corp this opportunity, would
Mr. Simpson consider giving me this chance if the current person is not suitable?" Horace asked
directly.
Ayan smiled faintly and said, "Can Mr. Burris handle the workload?"
"Of course, I can't just hand over this lucrative opportunity to someone else, can I? Besides, the
timelines for the two projects don't conflict, do they? If Mr. Simpson is concerned about me handling
two major collaborations alone, he can assign a capable person from Simpson Group to assist me,
can't he?"
Horace's proactive invitation amused Ayan, and he replied, "What's in it for me? Mr. Burris can't expect
me to work for you for free, can you?"
"Naturally not. As long as Mr. Simpson gives the word, both I and Armstrong Corp will give our all,"
Horace sincerely expressed. He continued, "Although Armstrong Corp's decision-making is currently
influenced by Mr. Armstrong, once the collaboration between Armstrong Corp and Simpson Group is
finalized, Armstrong Corp will be under my authority. So, I can guarantee that I won't let Mr. Simpson
down."
Since Horace had spoken so frankly, Ayan understood that his intentions were genuine. Moreover, he
had some knowledge about Horace, having spent a considerable amount of time with him. Otherwise,
he wouldn't have introduced him to his circle and Simpson Group's projects.
Ayan smiled lightly and said, "Since Mr. Burris is so sincere, I can rest assured. Since Mr. Burris has
reached this level of sincerity, I can't continue to decline. If Mr. Burris is interested in the museum
project, then go and fight for it! It's better to secure it before too much time passes and it falls into
someone else's hands, right?"
"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Simpson. After I secure the museum project, I'll treat Mr. Simpson to a
meal. You can't use a busy work schedule as an excuse to postpone it!" Horace replied.novelbin
"Alright, then I'll await good news from Mr. Burris."
The conversation between the two was pleasant. Although they didn't completely reveal their true
intentions, the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.
After ending the call with Horace, Ayan looked at Kian beside him and calmly said, "Tell Jenson that
there's no need to continue dealing with Preston regarding the museum project. Horace wants to take
advantage of the collaboration with Simpson Group to secure the museum project as well. This will
likely be a significant blow to Preston."
Kian nodded slightly but expressed some concern, "Mr. Simpson, won't this push Preston into a
desperate situation?"
"So what if he becomes desperate? What capital does he have to compete with me now? Let alone
me, even Horace can't do anything to him. As Horace already mentioned today, so what do you think
he can do even if he's not desperate?" Ayan no longer regarded Preston as a threat. He understood
Brody's character and knew that Brody's loyalty lay with Armstrong Corp's interests. Preston was only
being used as a relationship leverage.
So, with Preston being in this state and unable to secure the museum project, what capital does he
have to continue thriving in Armstrong Corp?