Chapter 623: In Wine There Is Truth

"No," Manuel replied indifferently. The elevator arrived, and he exited.

"Manuel!"

What a pig-headed guy! How could he be so stubborn?

Manuel hurried to the parking lot, preparing to leave. Susan, breathless, intercepted him, standing before his car. She wondered, curiously, what he'd eaten to possess such stamina; she'd nearly collapsed trying to catch him. While she was exhausted, Manuel sat calmly in his car. She approached and knocked on the window.

He lowered it, saying coldly, "The project team's already finalized; no one's joining mid-project. Most of the work is nearing completion. Henry's addition wouldn't significantly help now."

"Then why not let him join? It makes no difference," Susan argued irrationally.

"No, he wouldn't contribute much, so his influence would be minimal. But releasing confidential documents changes everything," Manuel explained.

"Oh, you don't trust Henry," Susan retorted sharply.

"I'm impartial," Manuel declared righteously.

"If so, you wouldn't have singled him out. Why can't he join?" Susan's annoyance grew.

"There are thirty people on this project, out of over ten thousand employees at Phillips Bank. How can you say I'm singling him out?"

Susan was speechless, feeling defeated. She'd considered him taciturn, but he'd completely shut her down.

"If Henry wants success here, he should forget shortcuts. Otherwise, he'll be ruined," Manuel stated.

Susan pondered his meaning, but he rolled up the window and drove away before she could question him further.

Damn it! What a terrible guy! Susan was furious.

She returned to her car, panting with anger, her attempt to help Henry having failed.

The following week, Henry received no news of his acceptance. He knew two possibilities existed: Susan hadn't helped, or she had, and Manuel refused. Neither outcome was acceptable, jeopardizing his career at Phillips Bank. He looked utterly despondent.

Then, a call from Sway Bank. The caller's voice was sharp, "Henry, you suggested Kensbury, provided information, but every company we contacted rebuffed us. Do you know how much effort I invested convincing Sway Bank's headquarters to expand into Northfield? You're sabotaging everything! What am I supposed to tell them? Don't ruin this for me!"

Henry, looking distraught, held the phone. He'd contacted Sway Bank following a chance business encounter, securing a promise to help him seize control of Phillips Bank once established in Kensbury. Initially, everything had gone smoothly—until Manuel intervened.

"Henry, I can't cut profits further; I'll lose money, and it'll trigger a price war and audit risks. Find out what special offers Phillips Bank made! I need to fight back strategically, not just slash prices!"

"I'll get back to you tomorrow," Henry gritted his teeth.

"Henry, if I'm screwed, you're next. You won't have a future at Phillips Bank once they discover our collusion!"

"I know," Henry replied, hanging up. His rejection from the project team left him with only one option: stealing business plans. He never anticipated Manuel would drive him to such extremes.

Another business dinner concluded. Manuel instructed the driver to take Susan and Callie home first. Susan, drunk from weeks of overtime followed by excessive socializing at numerous business dinners, felt nauseous.

"Miss Phillips, are you going to be sick?" "Pull over! Now!" Susan demanded urgently.

The driver stopped. Susan vomited profusely. Manuel and Callie stood by, concerned.

Afterward, feeling terrible, Susan admitted she'd diluted Manuel's wine to avoid him getting too intoxicated.

Manuel offered her water.

Susan took a few sips, then felt dizzy and nearly fell. Manuel caught her. She allowed him to support her back to the car.

At her apartment, Manuel noticed her dazed state. He instructed the driver and Callie to wait while he helped Susan inside. It was her first time getting so drunk.

Callie, watching them go, mused about their shared history and the unspoken desires between them.

Manuel helped Susan to bed.

"Water..." she mumbled.

Manuel returned with honey-sweetened hot water, but she was too inebriated to manage it. He helped her sit up and brought the water to her lips.

Dizzy and disoriented, Susan looked at Manuel, opened her mouth—then, her desire shifted from water to him.