"Mr. Brunner, first come, first served. Stevens Corporation approached you first, and we already had an agreement. How can you go back on your word?" Christina tried to stay calm, though her anger simmered just beneath the surface.

Aspen's expression hardened as she spoke coldly. "Mr. Brunner, doing business is about trust. Stevens Corporation partnering with you is a win-win deal, but Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is on its last legs.

"I heard their formulas were leaked, and the Weller family is squeezing them out. There's no profit there anymore. Are you really going to abandon us for them? Please reconsider!"

Stephen sneered. "A bad move? Aspen, I've been through hell and back in the real world while you were still a little girl playing in the dirt. You think you can teach me what's right and wrong?"

He continued, "Yes, your pharmaceutical project is impressive, but you've misunderstood something crucial. No matter how good your project is, can it compete with