Chapter 49
Although Gareth didn’t have much influence, he would never just stand by and watch an old friend end up on the street.
The moment Gareth misunderstood Caitlin-and him-Victor jumped in to explain. “No, you’ve got it all wrong! Miss Kensington didn’t run off with the data, and just now, accounting called to tell me she’s already covered all of Apex’s outstanding funds p>
What?
She covered everything?
Gareth blinked, half-convinced he must have misheard. His eyes widened in disbelief. “Winslow, are you sure about this p>
“I’m sure. Linda from accounting told me herself,” Victor said, immediately pulling up his phone. “Look, here’s the screenshot Linda sent me p>
Staring at the string of zeros on the image, Gareth finally believed what he was seeing.
Good Lord.
He couldn’t help but blurt out, “So Miss Kensington really wasn’t lying p>
If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Gareth never would have believed it.
It was ten million!
Who in their right mind would throw ten million at a video game company on the brink of collapse?
This Miss Kensington was really something else.
It took Gareth a moment to collect himself. He raised his glass. “Congratulations, Winslow. Feels like the sun’s finally breaking through p>
Victor grinned. “I told you, Miss Kensington would never lie to me p>
Gareth couldn’t help but add, “She must be some heiress from one of those old- money families. No one else could fork out that kind of cash without blinking p>
Ten million dollars. Not a hundred thousand, not even a million. And more than that-it was a doomed investment from the start.
Victor clinked his glass with Gareth’s. “I don’t know if she’s old money or not, but I do know one thing-Miss Kensington is definitely no ordinary person! Gareth, I have a feeling she’s going to help us take Apex all the way to the Celestial Awards this year p>
As he spoke, hope flickered bright in Victor’s eyes.
If before, Victor had only a twenty percent shot at winning the Celestial Awards, now he was betting on seventy.
The Celestial Awards.
At the mention of those words, Gareth glanced at Victor, as if wanting to say something; but after hesitating, he kept his thoughts to himself.
He wanted to warn his old friend that maybe Miss Kensington was just another rich girl looking to prove herself on a whim.
Money was nice, but it didn’t guarantee talent or vision.
Apex Game Studios needed more than cash; they needed a partner with real expertise.
Victor couldn’t pin all his hopes on her. The Celestial Awards were established by Master Ninth himself, internationally recognized, with serious prestige. And now, not only had Jasper jumped ship to Chandler Group, but talents from every field were flocking there as well.
Honestly, if Apex could just hold onto its place in the industry, that would already be an achievement.
As for the Celestial Awards-it was a dream Victor shouldn’t be chasing just yet.
But Gareth couldn’t bear to disappoint his friend. So instead of voicing his doubts, he raised his glass. “Winslow, say no more. Whatever you do from here, I’ve got your back. And you know my door’s always open for you and your wife p>
“Thanks, brother.” Victor lifted his glass and toasted him.
Sylvester Group.
A man in a crisp white shirt stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows on the thirty-eighth floor, a glass in hand, gazing down at the city below. The air around him was charged with an unmistakable authority.
Knock, knock.
A quiet rapping sounded at the door.
“Come in p>
He turned his head slightly, the single word carrying the weight of command.
A few days had passed, and Gordon was looking much better.
His assistant entered. “Sir, it’s time for your medicine p>
Gordon turned, accepting the cup. His hands were elegant, long-fingered, a striking contrast against the plain white ceramic. The black liquid inside gave off a bitter scent, but he drank it in one swift motion, not so much as flinching. Every gesture radiated unforced, effortless nobility.
The kind that couldn’t be faked.
“Sir, have some candied fruit-it’ll help with the taste,” the assistant offered,
holding out a plate in anticipation of the bitterness.
But Gordon waved him off. “That’ll be all. You can go p>
“Yes, sir.” The assistant bowed respectfully and left.
“Uncle p>
Almost before the door swung shut, Skyler strode in. “Uncle, how are you feeling today? Any better p>
“Much better,” Gordon replied. “Though I did cough up a bit of blood this morning p>