Chapter 65

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Frederickraisedan eyebrow at me, signaling for me to go on..

“You might think I’mall talkwithnothing to back it up,” I said sincerely. “But I’m just getting started. This is the most honest offerIcanput on the table right

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deals. So, I won’t waste time

I looked him in the eye. “Every Investment comes with risk. I’m sure you’ve learned that the hard way with some of your

of your past deals sugarcoating it—I can’t promise this will make money, butIcanpromise your returns will be the highest I cangive.”

“Sounds like you’ve done your homework.

Frederick flipped through the stack of paperwork and casually dropped it onto the table. He leaned back, watching me with interest. “You even studied how I invest. It looks like you came prepared.”

pat their money into my project, I better know what makes them tick

I gave him a slight smile. “Well, if I’mgonnaasksomeone to put their

*Alright. I’ll give it some serious thought,” he said, his tone taming more serious. “But don’t expect any favors. If your project turns out to be profitable, I won’t backout just to avoid a conflict of interest, But I won’t give you a free pass either.”

“That’s all I could ask for.” I raised an eyebrow. “Mr.Guzman, here’s to hoping we both walk away with a win.”

Heletout a short snot through his nose and said nothing, just took a sip from his glass.

I then asked, “Drinking in the middle of the day? Isn’t it a little early for that?

“I’m your potential partner now,” Frederick said coolly. “Is this how you usually talk to your business partners?”

| didn’t argue. I just miled and took a sip from the glass in frontofme,

Frederick raised an eyebrow “That’s a 20–thousand–dollarsip. You are you be not treating yourself a little too comfortably?”

1 immediately choked. “20 what?”

Had he lost his damn mind?

Frederick picked up a naplan and moved to wipe my mouth, but I paused and took it from hins before he touched me.

His eyes flickered,and after a beat, he pulled hishandback, his expression tuming colder.

“You’re one to talk,” he said. “Your family’s wine cellar puts this place to shame. You’re inanted to Jonathan Freeman. The guy collects million–dollar bottles like they’re baseball cards. And you’re out here drinking in a dive bar with me? Whatgameare you playing Else?

The taste of the wine still lingered. I wiped the comer of my mouth. “why would you think that?”

“You’ve got more money than you know what to do with,” he muttered. “What are you out here hustling for?

I gave him a puzzled look “Everyone likes money. Everyone wants note: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make your own.”

He scotted, “If you really wanted money, why not just ask Jonathan? Your husband’s the richest man in the city–hell, probably in the entire Harthville. If you want sotmething, ho just has to snap his fingers. So why go through all this?”

could hear the sarcasm in his voice, but I stayedcalmand answered him seriously

“Because at the end of the day, his money is still his. I just feel better bowing I’vegotsomething that’s mine.”

“Hrally?” He raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have expectedthatfrom someone like you. You strike measmore of the stay–at–home–wife type.”

I smiled. “Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. People grow.

Frederick paused, andhistone slided. “Business with me in’t some playdate. I’mnotJonathun. I don’t just hand things over. You’re gonna have to work forit. Make you’re ready for that.