He never spelled it out directly. Some things had to be figured out slowly by others. Otherwise, if the wrong path was taken, they’d only turn around and blame him. After hanging up, Daniel fully understood the meaning behind Desmond’s words. He was no fool.
He knew well enough what would benefit him and what would harm him. And besides, Lucas’ standing in the business world was unshakable. Only someone with a death wish would try to go head-to-head with him. Now that he understood Lucas’ stance, Daniel felt it was time to give Joseph his answer.
Better to settle it quickly than let it drag on and risk second thoughts. The longer things stalled, the messier they would get. With that in mind, Daniel dialed Joseph without hesitation. The call rang for a while before it was finally picked up. Joseph did it deliberately, making Daniel wait. He knew perfectly well—if Daniel was calling, it meant he was ready to hand the project over. Now the roles were reversed. Daniel needed him, so why should he be polite? The humiliation Joseph had endured earlier was still fresh. Now that the tables had turned, he wasn’t about to waste the chance.
Only at the last moment, just before the call would have cut off, did Joseph answer. When he finally spoke, his tone was deliberately unhurried. “What is it? Mr. Lewis, calling me now–what’s the matter?” Was it that Daniel had come to his senses and decided to give him the project? Joseph didn’t say the thought aloud, but it was exactly what he was thinking. Right now, Joseph treated Daniel with the patience of someone who knew victory was already his. As long as the project ended up in his hands, what did a few twists and turns along the way matter? The moment Daniel heard Joseph’s voice, he knew exactly what the man was thinking. Joseph must have assumed the call meant cooperation—that Daniel had chosen him. What a joke.
A trace of mischief stirred in Daniel, and he deliberately said, “Of course I called to discuss the project with you, Mr. Hunt.” Hearing this, Joseph felt a surge of satisfaction. He knew it—Daniel would come around eventually. His efforts hadn’t been in vain. “If Mr. Lewis has made up his mind about the project, then naturally I have no objections,” Joseph replied confidently. “But if you’re willing to cut me another two percent of the profits, then I’ll consider letting bygones be bygones.”
Daniel almost laughed out loud at that. Where did Joseph get such blind confidence, to speak so arrogantly without hesitation? All Daniel had done was mention the project, and Joseph had already spun up a whole drama in his own head. Daniel let out a deliberate chuckle. “Mr. Hunt, I think you’ve misunderstood.”
“What do you mean?” Joseph frowned in confusion. Wasn’t this call about cooperation? Hadn’t Daniel himself said they were here to talk about the project? And now he was saying it was all a misunderstanding.