125. Swollen Pride

Chapter 125

Swollen Pride

Clarissa's face remained icy, like an eternal glacier,

Listening to Apollo's arrogant and confident words, she felt nothing but disgust.

She replied coldly, "Brag after you've actually accomplished it!"

"Bragging?"

Apollo's lips curled up in a smug smile, unfazed by Clarissa's attitude. "Anyone familiar with me knows I never brag! If I dare to say it, I can do it!"

"Ms. Fox, what do you think?

"The Chevalier family has considerable influence in Skyefall. Whether it's legitimate or underworld matters, we call the shots. If Skyefall Security were still a subsidiary of the Draco Group, we might have shown you an ounce of respect. But now…

"Anyone who dare refuse me will find it impossible to operate in Skyefall!

"I will shut them down! I trust the new owner and general manager of Skyefall Security won't be foolish enough to make that mistake, right?"

Apollo's expression turned icy cold as he glared at Judith, his eyes

A flash of anger crossed Judith's eyes.

Apollo was threatening Skyefall Security. As its vice president, hour could she not be furious?

But in the end, she didn't dare to show her anger. Instead, she put on an even more fawning tone.

"Mr. Chevalier, you exaggerate. How could we refuse you or miss a chance to cooperate with the Chevalier family? I'm sure our collaboration will go smoothly."

Osborne, sitting in a corner, felt his anger rising as he watched this scene.

He thought, "What is this vice president, Judith, up to?"

"If all the managers at Skyfall Security are like her, lacking backbone, I'll have to consider overhauling the management teams."

Apollo was very pleased with Judith's behavior…

In his eyes, without the Draco Group's backing, Skyefall Security was just an ordinary security company.

Apollo didn't take them seriously at all.

In Skyfall, it would be too easy for the Chevalier family to crush a security company. A single word from him could cause severe losses for Skyefall Security.

That was why he was so confident, so certain that Skyefall Security wouldn't dare refuse him.

If they have some sense.

Apollo told Judith, "To be the vice president of Skyefall Security, you must have some skill. If you ever think about it, you can come and join the Chevalier family."

Judith was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Mr. Chevalier, If there's an opportunity, I'd love to work on something big with you."

Her expression grew even more ingratiating

Osborne let out a cold laugh, having already decided to fire Judith. He thought, "How did someone like her become the vice president of Skyefall Security?

What is the general manager, Valentin Gibson, doing?"

Just then, the office door opened.

A middle–aged man in his forties stepped in. He had a strong presence, was tall and sturdy, and had an authoritative demeanor.

"Mr. Gibson, you finally arrived. Mr. Chevalier has been waiting, Judith quickly said.

"Mr. Chevalier, let me introduce you to our general manager, Valentin."

Valentin nodded at Apollo, his expression neutral.

He quickly scanned the office environment, barely acknowledging the others until his gaze fell upon Osborne, causing him to pause briefly as if about to say something.

But Osborne reacted quickly, shaking his head slightly.

Valentin was the only one who knew Osborne was the new owner of Skyefall Security. They had spoken on the phone before.

Although they hadn't met, Valentin certainly had his photo and could recognize him.

Valentin subtly nodded at Osbome before turning to Apollo.

"Mr. Chevalier, nice to meet you."

Apollo smiled faintly, l manager, Valentin? I hear only you can decide on leasing the Class A defense system. I've come here to lease that system.

"A flat rate of 100 million dollars a year!

"If you agree, Skyefall Security will gain the Chevalier family's friendship,"

Apollo finished speaking, and everyone looked shocked.

Donna frowned at Apollo, wanting to speak but ultimately staying silent.

One hundred million dollars was too low!

The Class A defense system included many high–tech defense weapons, all products of the Draco Group, many of which were not for sale.

The cost of the system was exorbitant.

Even leasing it would typically start at 500 million dollars a year, with some willing to pay a billion dollars unable to secure it.

And yet, Apollo was offering only 100 million dollars!

Valentin's expression turned cold as he glared at Apollo.

"One hundred million dollars?"

"Mr. Chevalier, are you joking? Or did you misspeak?"

Apollo smiled faintly. "No, I'm not joking, nor did I misspeak. I said 100 million dollars. A yearly rent of 100 million dollars is a lot, and it comes with the Chevalier family's friendship. That's a huge gain."

Valentin replied coldly, "What if I refuse?"

Apollo's expression turned even colder, his tone threatening. "Then you should consider carefully. If you refuse, what Skyefall Security will receive from the Chevalier family will be, hostility."

You threatening me?" Valentin glared daggers at Apollo, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Take it as a threat or a piece of advice. Either way, I've made my stance clear, and it's up to you to decide what to do."

"Aligning with the Chevalier family, Skyefall Security remains the top security company in Skyefall state. If you go against us….

"Then Skyefall Security might as well prepare for bankruptcy."

With that. Apollo leaned back in his chair, looking disdainfully at Valentin.

Valentin's face darkened, and just as he was about to speak, Judith grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Gibson, don't lose your cool. We're no longer under the Draco Group, and we can't afford to offend the Chevalier family.

"I think we should just agree. Sure, we lost the Draco Group as our backer, but this is our chance to hop on the Chevalier family's ship. That's the only way our company can keep growing.

"Otherwise, if the Chevalier family targets us and squeezes us out, we'll suffer big time, maybe even crash and burn.

"Mr. Gibson, there are over a thousand people needing jobs. Don't be rash. A hundred million dollars is better than nothing."

Valentin coldly stared at Judith. "You want me to agree to this?"

Judith looked awkward but nodded. "Yes, I think we should. It's good for Skyefall Security. Even if the new boss were here, he'd definitely agree. He wouldn't want to cross the Chevalier family, would he?"

Their voices were low, but everyone present was sharp–eared, catching every word.

Faces varied, all waiting for the outcome.

Only Apollo remained calm as if he were sure Valentin wouldn't dare refuse.

Valentin glanced at Osborne.

Osborne looked frustrated. He thought Apollo would negotiate reasonably, but instead, he resorted to intimidation.

Osborne had no intention of agreeing anyway, and now it was even less likely.

He shook his head at Valentin and quickly sent Valentin a text message.

Valentin's phone pinged, and upon reading the message, his eyes lit up.

Apollo smirked. "Valentin, have you made up your mind? Are you renting out the system for 100 million dollars, or are you picking a fight with my family and watching Skyefall Security go under?"

Valentin snorted coldly, "Apollo, are you delusional? Or are you thinking with your ass? If you're sick, go see a doctor, don't come here causing trouble. Get lost now, or don't blame me for being rude."

After Valentin spoke, the room fell into an eerie silence. Osborne, who had expected this, wore a smirk while everyone else was stunned.

No one had anticipated Valentin would curse so harshly, so crudely

Apollo's family wielded immense influence in both the underworld and the legitimate business in Skyefall, and Apollo was a contender for the Chevalier family's inheritance,

People thought, "How dare Valentin talk to him like that?

Even if Skyefall Security hadn't changed bosses and was still under the Draco Group, they wouldn't have the guts to challenge the Chevalier family, let alone offend them."

Valentin's outburst left everyone in shock.

They all thought they had misheard

Even though they felt Apollo was out of line, they didn't approve of Valentin burning bridges like this. He had completely crossed the Chevalier family, ready to take them on.

They wondered where Valentin got his nerve from.

Donna was shocked.

Barlyn looked astonished, almost admiring Valentin for doing what he had always wanted to do but couldn't.

Clarissa, usually so aloof, now had a faint smile on her face as if enjoying Apollo's humiliation.

Apollo trembled with rage, standing up abruptly, glaring at Valentin, and growling. "What did you say? Say it again if you dare."

Valentin rolled his eyes and disdainfully replied, "You got problems with not only your brain but with your hearing, too? You want me to repeat the insult? Fine, listen up. Who do you think you are, spouting nonsense at Skyefall Security? You think you can rent our top–tier defense system for 100 million dollars? Go spend your money on a tombstone."

"You moron, the Chevalier family will fall because of you. The more cocky you are now, the more pathetic you'll be later. Don't run back to Mommy when things go south?"

Valentin's tirade was even fiercer and sharper than before.

Everyone was dumbfounded, Judith gaping in horror, gasping, "It's over. Skyefall Security is done for."

Judith looked at Valentin in disbelief. She had worked with him for years and had never seen him so fiery.

She wondered, "Could this be the new boss' directive?"

But whatever the case, Judith felt Skyefall Security was doomed, Valentin was doomed, and so was her new boss.

Apollo, furious, smashed a vase beside him, his eyes shooting fire, no longer able to maintain his noble demeanor.

"I'll kill you," Apollo roared and charged forward.