Chapter 796:
Felix rested a calming hand against Rylie’s back, his voice steady and reassuring. “Everything is fine now. Present your proposal to Mr. Burgess.”
Having come prepared, Rylie opened her folder and laid out both her contract and proposal. “Sweetberry caters primarily to stylish young women, but our vision is”
Broader than just casual attire. We intend to branch into athletic wear as well. Since your racing club carries an international reputation, I would be thrilled to explore a potential partnership.”
Zeke, without waiting for her presentation to conclude, slipped a pen from his jacket pocket. “Naturally, that won’t be an issue. Where should I sign?”
Rylie stared in surprise. “But I haven’t even explained the revenue model or outlined my business plan.”
Exchanging a brief glance with Felix, Zeke laughed. “The Owens produce remarkable talent. I’ve already heard how you rescued Mr. Owen in the mines. With that kind of courage, I’m confident you’ll thrive in any endeavor you pursue.”
The discussion wrapped up with ease, and Rylie left the room wearing a bright, satisfied smile.
Felix, however, kept his eyes on her, the weight of unease in his expression. “Tell me, what was on that storage card?”
Rylie had not intended to mention it, yet the hypnotist’s reminder echoed in her mind, telling her she now had loved ones she could depend on. With that thought steadying her, she chose to reveal the truth of what had happened.
Anger edged Felix’s tone as he finished listening. “The Garretts and Terrance have used the last of my patience.”
Kendrick, upon learning the details, was equally incensed. By the next morning, the Owen family, the wealthiest in the region, issued a formal announcement declaring all ties with Terrance severed.
Paola, eager for news of Rylie’s ruin, clicked impatiently through updates, only to be confronted with the opposite. Terrance had been cast aside, every link between him, Detour Inc., and the Garretts cut off.
𝕸𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝖚𝖕𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝖎𝖓 𝖌𝖆𝖑𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖘.𝖈𝖔𝖒
Adding to the blow, Felix released his own statement. Until Detour Inc. was returned to Rylie’s rightful ownership, any party attempting business with the company would be treated as an enemy of the Owen family.
This delivered a decisive message to all — Felix would sooner dismantle the empire Terrance had spent decades building and rebuild from the ground up than allow Detour Inc. to be seized by outsiders.
The announcement ignited a storm of debate online. Detour Inc. was a longstanding giant in real estate, employing thousands. If the company were abandoned, what fate awaited its workers? Critics argued Felix had gone too far in protecting his sister.
To this, his answer was simple: “The employees of Detour Inc. are welcome to resign and join our real estate companies.”
With the Owens’
With the Owens’ influence and resources, accommodating a few thousand more employees was hardly a challenge.
At first, Felix hadn’t intervened because he knew that Rylie was fiercely independent and preferred to handle matters herself. Besides, he believed that she had no prior business experience, and Detour Inc. was the last legacy of their parents.
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