Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Building is Empty
Jude Sheridan still managed to chase after Sebastian Hawthorne before he got into his car.
He tried his best to steady his steps, but he was still swaying.
"Mr. Hawthorne."
He called out to Sebastian Hawthorne.
Sebastian Hawthorne stopped and turned his head to look at him.
Jude Sheridan walked up to him and extended a hand, the arrogant expression he wore when facing the other partners gone.
"Mr. Hawthorne, you may not know this, but Cecilia has been busy preparing for our wedding lately, so she’s hardly been at the office at all."
"I’ll come over to sign the contract with you myself tomorrow. From now on, you can contact me directly for all of Vantage’s affairs, big or small."
As he spoke, Jude Sheridan took out his phone, ready to add Sebastian Hawthorne’s contact information.
Sebastian Hawthorne stood perfectly still before him, a stark contrast to Jude’s unsteady swaying.
"President Sheridan, you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s discuss business another day."
"I insist on signing the contract with President Croft. As for Vantage’s affairs going forward, I will certainly contact you."
Assistant Zimmer had received a notification from Cecilia Croft when the dinner party started and had hurried over.
He had been waiting in the car all this time, quietly awaiting Cecilia Croft’s orders.
Cecilia Croft gave him a look, and he stepped forward to help support Jude Sheridan.
Jude Sheridan was having none of it and violently shook his hand off.
"I’m not drunk, Mr. Hawthorne! I’m not drunk! I’m perfectly sober. Vantage is now..."
Without waiting for Jude Sheridan to finish, Sebastian Hawthorne bent over and got into the car.
Jude Sheridan tried to grab him, but Assistant Scott shut the car door, blocking his path.
"This is far enough, President Sheridan."
With that, he got into the passenger seat. The moment the door closed, the driver started the car and pulled away.
The other partners were still standing behind them. Having been so publicly snubbed, Jude Sheridan’s face turned ugly.
He pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, his entire body radiating a resentful, hostile energy.
Cecilia Croft just stood quietly to the side, watching.
’Over the years, Jude Sheridan’s friends had put him on such a high pedestal that it had warped his mindset.’
’He could never stand being subordinate to anyone for long.’
And Sebastian Hawthorne’s style had always been swift and decisive.
Cecilia felt she could already see the problems Vantage would face in the future, just by looking at Jude Sheridan.
She pressed her lips together and turned to leave, but Jude Sheridan grabbed her hand and yanked her into his arms.
"Cecilia, you’re such a good wife to me. You closed such a huge deal without a peep. They say a man should marry a capable woman, and marrying you is the best luck I’ve ever had."
He held Cecilia Croft in a tight, forceful grip, preventing her from struggling and refusing to let go.
With her in his arms, the anxiety that had been plaguing him seemed to finally subside.
A moment ago, watching Cecilia Croft and Sebastian Hawthorne walk off, chatting happily, he’d had the strange feeling that she was going to leave with him for good.
Even when he’d made a scene, she hadn’t looked back at him once.
Cecilia Croft gave a hard shove, but couldn’t break free, so she stopped wasting her energy.
A few of the uninformed partners began to flatter Jude Sheridan, wishing the couple a long and happy marriage and wishing Vantage continued success.
Their contracts with Vantage hadn’t expired yet, so they didn’t know about the things Jude Sheridan had done.
Mr. Fisher and Giselle Sullivan, however, stood to the side without joining in.
Both had witnessed Jude Sheridan’s willingness to burn bridges, so they had no desire to step forward and flatter him.
Giselle Sullivan, in particular, was so disgusted by Jude Sheridan that she couldn’t bring herself to offer a single word of congratulations.
Amidst the chorus of flattery, Jude Sheridan’s confidence returned. He released Cecilia Croft and mingled with the group, launching into another long-winded speech just outside the restaurant.
Mr. Fisher was the first to have had enough. He politely excused himself.
"President Sheridan, my wife and kids are waiting for me, so I’ll be taking my leave. You all take your time. We’ll see each other again."
Jude Sheridan raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Of course. Family first."
Mr. Fisher turned to leave.
Watching his retreating back, Jude Sheridan added another comment.
"Mr. Fisher, you see that Vantage has now connected with the Hawthorne Group. The Hawthorne Group is bound to make big waves in Silvercrest. With an opportunity like this, I’d think any company wouldn’t quibble over a little profit margin. If you’ve made up your mind, have your people prepare the contract renewal."
Cecilia Croft had already spoken with Mr. Fisher about the Hawthorne Group’s interest in collaborating with Apex Industries. Furthermore, Giselle Sullivan had already let it slip that Cecilia had helped her secure an investment from the Hawthorne Group.
Having navigated the business world for so many years, how could Mr. Fisher not see what was going on?
Cecilia Croft and Jude Sheridan were running Vantage together, yet Cecilia had secured other investments for Giselle Sullivan and had also introduced him to Mr. Hawthorne.
Anyone could see there was something strange about the situation.
Both he and Giselle Sullivan had seen Jude Sheridan’s disgusting behavior firsthand, so they chose to remain silent.
Jude Sheridan was spelling this out in front of so many partners as a way of signaling to the others: Vantage wasn’t the same company it used to be. If they wanted to cooperate with Vantage now, they would have to cede some of their profits.
No one said a word, merely watching Mr. Fisher’s reaction.
If Mr. Fisher agreed to the concessions, they would surely rush to negotiate their own renewals with Jude Sheridan before their contracts expired.
Mr. Fisher’s expression betrayed none of his dissatisfaction with Jude Sheridan. He simply replied in a polite, humble tone.
"That’s something I’ll have to go back and consider."
Jude Sheridan stepped forward and draped an arm over Mr. Fisher’s shoulder, completely ignoring the fact that Mr. Fisher was his senior by more than a decade.
"Old Fisher, out of respect for our many years of partnership, I’ll give you just three days to think it over. After three days, I’ll start looking for someone else."
"Don’t blame me then for not giving you enough time."
As he spoke, he patted Mr. Fisher’s chest with the back of his hand.
Mr. Fisher’s lips pressed into a thin line, and his jaw tightened, a flash of emotion finally showing.
The crowd started trying to smooth things over. Some urged Mr. Fisher to concede, while others just watched from the sidelines.
Pleased by the attention, Jude Sheridan let out a hearty laugh.
Cecilia Croft remained silent at the side, watching all of Jude Sheridan’s arrogant and conceited displays.
Mr. Fisher passed through the crowd and walked over to say goodbye to Cecilia Croft.
Cecilia Croft knew Mr. Fisher had been exercising immense restraint all evening, and she offered him an apology.
Mr. Fisher glanced back at Jude Sheridan and said in a low voice.
"The more prominent one becomes, the harder the fall. President Croft, you should try to talk some sense into President Sheridan."
A smile played on Cecilia Croft’s lips as she replied softly.
"Why should I? To see him build his grand tower, to see him feast his guests, to see that tower left empty... isn’t that a more potent reminder for oneself?"
Her words gave Mr. Fisher the precise answer he was looking for.
After so many years of working together, Cecilia Croft knew Mr. Fisher’s character.
Jude Sheridan, his junior, had publicly humiliated him. Regardless of whether Vantage partnered with the Hawthorne Group or not, Mr. Fisher would never work with Vantage again.
’Although I plan to leave Vantage and Silvercrest, I have to maintain these connections for future use.’
’After I return to Karthus, I’ll talk with my sister about creating a new department. With this network in place, starting out will be much easier than it was for Vantage back in the day.’
