Chapter 69: Take It or Leave It

Maggie was taken aback. Hesitating a moment, she blushed and said, "Mr. Harris, watch your manner!"

Without waiting for a response, Maggie turned and headed back to the villa.

Nathael pursed his lips; joy flickered in his eyes before his gaze darkened.

Carrying breakfast upstairs, Maggie accidentally bumped into Joseph, who was rushing downstairs. The food spilled onto the stairs.

Half the coffee was spilled; the croissants were barely salvageable.

Maggie frowned, her distaste unconcealed. "The croissants from Garnet Street? From who?" Joseph immediately recognized them, feeling oddly dissatisfied.

Worried about losing her temper, Maggie refrained from speaking, simply squatting to pick up the food.

Joseph, however, was insensitive. He squatted beside her, stopping her. He coldly remarked, "The man from last night?"

Avoiding his touch, Maggie looked up and sneered, "Aren't you nosy? Why are you so worried about my business? Or do you have nothing better to do than act cheap after losing me?"

"Maggie, I admit my past mistakes," Joseph began, but paused as Maggie picked up a tube of ointment from the floor. Both their gazes froze.

Maggie examined the ointment. Anti-inflammatory and pain relief ointment? she wondered, bewildered. Oh no! she screamed internally. Nathael actually bought this; my butt isn't swollen!

Maggie was furious, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. This was a great humiliation. Nathael did this intentionally!

Joseph snatched the ointment, assuming it was a pain reliever from intimacy. Anger flashed in his eyes. "Where did you go last night? Did you visit Leo? Did you sleep with him?"

Maggie grabbed the ointment back, tossing it into the paper bag. Standing up, she faced him. "Yes, I slept with him! I slept with him a long time ago! Do I need to prove it to you?"

Joseph's expression darkened. He had never truly believed Maggie would behave this way—a psychological disbelief, perhaps, a refusal to accept she'd easily abandon him for someone else. Despite repeated evidence, he never truly believed she'd slept with another man.

Maggie carried the breakfast back to her room, her good mood ruined by Joseph's ominous presence.

After freshening up, she gazed at the croissant and remaining coffee, feeling distracted. How foolish she'd been in her past life to believe Joseph genuinely cared! He knew she loved Garnet Street croissants, yet never bought them for her.

The soft, tender pastry, with its slightly crispy base and rich chocolate burst, was incredibly delicious. Maggie contentedly closed her eyes, savoring the familiar taste.

Then she saw the ointment Nathael had sent. She pursed her lips, humming softly. This is the evidence! The undeniable evidence of his crime against me! The ointment, originally in a separate bag, had fallen out during the collision with Joseph. How embarrassing!

In the morning, the Aquapolis economic development meeting proceeded as scheduled. Nathael, rarely early, arrived and exchanged pleasantries. His smile seemed forced.

Joseph entered, his dark expression evident. Nathael smirked; his dark pupils reflected his good mood. Tsk! He saw the breakfast I delivered.

Jimmy, noticing this, joked, "Tsk! Some people are in high spirits; others are feeling down and lonely."

Nathael raised his glass, remaining silent, his eyes as black as ink.

Meanwhile, in Sierra's room…

She pleaded with Olivia all morning. "Mom, please let me go out! I can make amends and help us regain the Herschire Cultural Park project."

"Your grandpa told you to stay put. You shouldn't have caused trouble recently. Stay home and behave," Olivia said hesitantly.

(Time stamp: 12:45 Thu, 16 May)

Chapter 69: Take It or Leave It (continued)

"As long as I get the drawings, the Herschire Cultural Park project can be salvaged!" Sierra pleaded desperately.

"But Maggie already said that the Calebs project…"

"Mom! Am I your daughter, or is that illegitimate child your child? She's harmed me so much! Grandpa treats me so badly! I just want a chance! If we get the drawings, even if they don't work, Grandpa will know. Just subsidize me with half the money, and I'll tell Grandpa I bought them cheaply."

Olivia was moved. Sierra was her child. And aside from the money, there wasn't much to lose. 1.5 million dollars was a huge sum, but she was willing to pay to make amends.

"Come home before noon, or Grandpa will find out," Olivia reminded anxiously. She gave Sierra a card. "There's 1.5 million dollars—my money. Don't tell anyone."

"Mom, you're the best!"

(Time: 10:00 AM, Panorama Hotel)

Sierra waited. Leo arrived unhurriedly.

Sitting down, he casually glanced at the bruised woman. "Ms. Sierra, what can I do for you?"

Sierra handed him the card. "There's 1.5 million dollars. I want to buy the Calebs' design proposal and plans for the Herschire Cultural Park."

Leo chuckled. "I'm sorry, but the price has gone up."

Sierra was stunned. "How much?"

"Three million," Leo said, his eyes locking on hers. His demeanor was polite, but his gaze cold and distant.

"This is highway robbery! You only asked Maggie for 1.5 million! Isn't that against business ethics?" Sierra was upset.

Leo chuckled. "1.5 million was a special price for Ms. Adam. Do we have a relationship?"

Sierra struggled to contain her rage, but needed his help. "Can you lower the price? Three million is too much."

Leo remained cold. "Three million. Take it or leave it!"