Aidan raised an eyebrow, commenting, "Let's be clear—we're just fellow explorers with our own goals. We're not allies, and even if we were, why do we have to share both good and bad times?"

Jackson hesitated, momentarily lost for words. It dawned on him that the rumors about Aidan's unpredictable nature were indeed true.

"Mr. Ridge, state your conditions. If it's something we can accommodate, we won't turn you down," Grace replied promptly. She sensed Aidan's longing for some sort of benefit.