Alistair Forrest's lips curved into a smirk. He spoke bluntly, showing Susan Caldwell no courtesy at all. "The Forrest Group's business has never been small. And while we haven't expanded into Veridia yet, all it would take is a nod from us to get the best resources. We wouldn't need Ms. Caldwell to put in a word for us. I'm someone who enjoys making friends, but I don't particularly care for people who throw their weight around."
He paused, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "And I have this bad habit... whenever I see someone throwing their weight around, I feel compelled to challenge them. It's just a contest of who has better connections, isn't it? Who's afraid of whom? Wouldn't you agree, Ms. Caldwell?"
Susan Caldwell's expression immediately soured. Her status was her greatest asset, the tool that had ensured her success her entire life. But now, faced with someone who didn't give a damn about her status, she was struck by a profound sense of powerlessness.
