He slightly raised the corners of his lips, inexplicably looking forward to her answer.
Evelyn Clayton’s intentions were directly exposed, but she didn’t panic.
Everyone was smart, so continuing to play games would be impolite. She decided to get straight to the point.
"Mr. Ford, are you willing to stay under Summer Monroe’s thumb, letting her ruin the century-old foundation of The Ford Group?"
A strange light flashed in his dark eyes, filled with various emotions, and Franklin Ford suddenly smiled.
Why did he previously think Evelyn Clayton was just a canary in a gilded cage?
No canary ever had such ambition.
"What does it matter if I’m willing or unwilling?"
The Ford Family had few descendants, and in Franklin Ford’s generation, there was no one as competent and intelligent as James Grant.
Even if their family business wasn’t taken over by Summer Monroe, it would be devoured by those covetous family enterprises.
Therefore, regardless of Summer Monroe’s presence, the result for The Ford Group would be the same.
The only difference would be the speed at which it disintegrated.
Evelyn Clayton frowned, surprised by the sudden pessimism of the other party.
She decided to be cautious.
Since Franklin Ford wanted to watch and wait, she’d give him the chance to test the waters.
"When Yu Gong moved the mountains, he said that his descendants were endless. The Ford Group’s situation isn’t great now, but it’s not on the verge of bankruptcy." Evelyn Clayton looked at Franklin Ford seriously and said, "Your self-deprecation sounds like modesty to me, or is it that you suddenly think less of me, considering I can’t be your ally?"
Sometimes being straightforward is more effective than beating around the bush.
Franklin Ford and Evelyn Clayton locked eyes for a while before he finally relented: "Miss Clayton, you speak eloquently, but I haven’t seen any tangible benefits from our collaboration. I need to know what this partnership will bring me, and I still haven’t seen the contract on the benefits you promised me."
No one wants to form a team only to discover the teammate is the one dragging them down.
Franklin Ford doesn’t do things that are not worth the cost.
By saying this, he was already halfway through agreeing to the collaboration. This text is hosted at novel•fire.net
As for the remaining half...
Evelyn Clayton recounted what Summer Monroe said to her: "Given my unique position, I can help you entangle Summer Monroe and seize control of The Ford Group. What do you think?"
"Not bad." Franklin Ford pondered for a moment and then asked, "What will Miss Clayton need me to do in return?"
"Provide some necessary resources."
With the collaboration agreed upon, Evelyn Clayton wanted to settle the bill, but Franklin Ford was one step ahead.
His attitude towards friends and outsiders was vastly different; as indifferent as he was before, he was now... much more attentive.
"I could have actually driven Miss Clayton home."
Franklin Ford’s hand was on top of the car’s roof, his tall stature thoroughly blocking the car door.
Once they exited the restaurant, he became slightly shameless.
Evelyn Clayton gave him a complex look, then politely declined and proceeded to close the door and drive off.
In a good mood on the way back, Evelyn Clayton considered buying herself some dessert as a reward.
Before getting out of the car, she keenly spotted a crowd gathered in front of a clubhouse, among them someone who looked especially familiar.
"Say it again if you dare!"
Matthew Sullivan grabbed his friend’s collar, his face terrifyingly grim. After just a few days, he looked unkempt, with stubble and haggard features.
His usually meticulous hairstyle was messy, clearly showing that Harrison Grant’s downfall had affected him as well.
"Flying into a rage out of humiliation, huh?" The man, even while being lifted by the collar, was still smiling: "I could say it several more times, it wouldn’t change a thing. Young Master Sullivan, you’ll just drift along aimlessly since even that old fox Harrison Grant doesn’t count on you anymore, hahahaha..."