Chapter 30

Carlos glanced around and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please leave."

Several people stood up, their expressions far more distraught than those of someone who had failed their university entrance exam. Barry slumped in his chair. Among the companies Robert had mentioned earlier, Barry's was one of them!

Barry's anger surged. His former classmate, once inferior, had become someone he could only admire. This was intolerable.

"Robert!" Barry shouted.

As everyone was leaving, Barry stood up and yelled at Robert. His outburst caused those around him to stare as if he were mad.

Carlos frowned. Lucas, standing beside Barry, slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the room.

"What the hell are you doing?" Lucas growled, grabbing Barry's collar and dragging him outside. Their family's close relationship was evident; had their connection been merely average, Lucas would have distanced himself from Barry after his outburst at Robert.

"It's fine," Robert said, waving a hand. "Let him have his say."

"Mr. Zabinski, I" Lucas stammered, smiling nervously at Robert.

Carlos, impatient, scolded, "Didn't you hear Mr. Zabinski? Let him have his say."

Lucas, silenced, loosened his grip on Barry's collar.

Barry, his face flushed from the slap, raged at Robert. "I know I offended you! I know you don't like me! But everything you have is because of your father! I'll be just as good as you someday!"

Robert smiled. "Barry, let's put aside our past grievances. You angered me, but that's not why I asked you to leave."

"Then what's the issue?" Barry retorted, unconvinced. "Our proposal isn't the best, but it's top three. You rejected us because of personal feelings, right?"

Barry, knowing reconciliation was impossible, abandoned pretense. He refused to back down, especially not to someone he once disregarded.

Robert smiled. "Your proposal is excellent, but do you understand Yrinas?"

"Understand Yrinas?" Barry echoed, stunned. "Robert, what are you talking about?"

Robert glanced at the proposals. "Barry, your company proposes using Yrinas as a development base, a springboard. The focus will be in first- and near-first-tier cities, correct?"

"Yes!" Barry agreed confidently. "Yrinas is too small for our development plans. Is there something wrong with my proposal?"

Robert smiled faintly, shaking his head and then nodding. The onlookers were puzzled.

Barry shouted, "Robert, what do you mean? Stop speaking in riddles!" Desperate and reckless, he no longer cared about consequences.

Robert smiled. "Barry, your idea isn't bad, but many have good ideas. Yours is the most naive I've ever seen."