Joanna put on a gentle smile. "Julian, let's have dinner together. I happen to be very interested in your subsidiary, and Sebastian is also looking to partner with it. We can talk about it over dinner."

The smile on Julian's lips slowly vanished.

Joanna really was after his subsidiary.

Julian looked at Sebastian. They were supposed to be good friends. Was he going to kick him while he was down, too?

Maxwell Griffith stood beside Joanna, the two of them looking like a perfect match. But his expression was blank, as cold and distant as ever.

"Sebastian, we should have a good chat. Let's talk properly about this partnership," Julian said. He wasn't one to run from a fight, but he hated being manipulated.

If Joanna really wanted to scheme against him, he wouldn't just sit back and take it. Maxwell Griffith's voice was cold. "Let's go. We'll talk over there."

Julian was slightly taken aback. His accent sounded a little different than before, but his demeanor was exactly the same.

Julian was puzzled but didn't dwell on it. He smiled and nodded. "Alright! Let's go."

The group went to a table by the window. Joanna asked a waiter to bring them some food; she didn't feel like moving, afraid she would get into a fight with Natalie if she ran into her.

And she knew she couldn't win against Natalie.

Joanna looked at Julian and asked casually, "Julian, didn't you see Natalie?"

Julian shook his head, lying, "No, I'll go settle the score with her later. She cost me a fortune this time."

Joanna relaxed when she heard that.

Julian was an idiot. She had her eyes on several of his subsidiaries, which were very profitable.

With Maxwell's help, sealing the deal would be quick.

The waiter soon brought their dinner, a lavish spread of dishes.

Joanna picked up the serving utensils and placed some shrimp, Julian's favorite, in

his bowl. "Julian, I remember you love shrimp. Eat up."

Julian said, "Thanks."

Joanna continued, "Julian, your subsidiary in Wye is doing really well. Sebastian has some assets there too. I heard you're short funding for a few recent p perfect timing, Sebastian can

invest."

it's

Julian thought, if he hadn't overheard Natalie and Luna's conversation, he would

have agreed to Joanna's proposal without a second thought.

But now, in this moment, he trusted Natalie's words more.

His face remained calm, but then he suddenly smiled and looked at Maxwell Griffith. "Sebastian, you just lost the Griffith Group. Is your cash flow still okay?"

"Even though I lost the Griffith Group, I don't lack the small amount of capital needed to invest in you. If you agree, we can sign the contract today."

Maxwell Griffith made no effort to hide his greed.

A brief silence fell over the three of them.

Julian smiled, trying to break the tension. "Sebastian, my company is small, just making a little pocket money. Are you sure you want to partner with me?"

He picked up the shrimp Joanna had given him and ate a piece. It was fresh and tender.

But an image of Natalie eating steak flashed in his mind, and suddenly, the steak seemed much more appealing.

Maxwell Griffith explained coolly,

"We're friends. In my current

situation, we can help each other

out if youre not willing, that's fine For the sake of our friendship, I won't force you."

Joanna chimed in from the side, her tone dripping with passive aggression. “Julian, after Sebastian's company was stolen, his status isn't what used to be. If you don't want to partner with him, we won't be angry. After all, people always strive for better things. If Sebastian still had the Griffith Group, why would he ever need to ask you?"

Joanna's words were meant to sound understanding, but for Julian, whose perspective had completely changed, they sounded jarring and ugly.