Chapter 973: Fis.h.i.+ng for a Better Offer
Conrad had been standing at the side and keeping quiet since his son Derek arrived. He left it to his son to do the negotiations.
Now, seeing that Derek was struggling to make a decision and looking at him for help, Conrad naturally stepped forward without hesitation.
“Michael Hutton, right? Back then, even your father wouldn’t speak so outrageously in front of me. Yet you, a junior, actually dared to say in front of me that you want to annihilate the Piers. You really don’t have any respect for me, do you?” Conrad said accusingly as he took a few steps forward with the help of his cane.
Only then did Michael act as though he had finally noticed Conrad. “Oh, it turns out you’re here too, Uncle Conrad. I’m really sorry for not noticing you just now.”
In fact, Conrad was the first to enter, and he had been standing in the middle of the funeral hall. Even Derek was standing right next to him, yet Michael said that he had just noticed Conrad. He was clearly lying through his teeth and saying it on purpose.
Besides, Michael looked extremely relaxed. Although he was apologizing, he wasn’t sincere about it at all.
Anger immediately appeared on Conrad’s face, but before he even had time to lose his temper, Michael continued, “But Uncle Conrad, what you’re saying isn’t right. Logically speaking, you’re indeed of the same generation as my father, so I address you as ‘uncle’ out of respect.
“But from the day I took over as the head of the Huttons, my father told me that from then on, everything concerning the family is under my control. He said that I am the head of the Huttons and that I don’t have to seek the permission of anyone or care about anyone’s pride before making any decisions.
“So, Uncle Conrad, you don’t have to throw your weight around as an elder and teach me what to do.”
What Micheal said further enraged Conrad.
“Michael Huttons, it seems you really don’t take me seriously. Have you really decided to go against the Piers?”
Michael remained calm and said with composure, “Uncle Conrad, there’s something wrong with what you’ve said. It’s not that I’m deliberately going against your family, but it’s the other way around!
“From today onward, the Howards are the Huttons’ ally. If the Piers don’t take action against the Howards, everything will be fine. But if you covet the Howards’ a.s.sets and make a move against them, I won’t sit back and ignore it! This all depends on your choice!”
Conrad’s expression became even more sullen.
He could tell that Michael was not joking with them.
If they really wanted to reap benefits from the Howards, Michael would really fight the Piers to the death!
They were truly in trouble this time. As far as Conrad knew, the Huttons and the Howards actually didn’t have any friends.h.i.+p in the past. In fact, just a few days ago, the Howards’ businesses under Florence’s control had united with the Smiths of DC to launch a violent attack on the Huttons, causing them to suffer extremely heavy losses within a short period of time.
But now, not only did Michael not hold a grudge against Florence, he was even defending the Howards vehemently. Was it because… Michael had taken a fancy to Florence?
Regardless of the reason, Conrad was well aware that it would be impossible for them to deal with the Howards today.
The only possibility of them defeating the Howards completely was if the Piers could find a powerful ally and work closely with them!
Conrad glanced at Rayson Williams.
Derek knew that Rayson’s stand was very important to the Piers at this juncture!
Rayson had been remaining silent. Clearly, he was weighing the pros and cons.
He had to consider whether or not to join forces with the Piers, the chances of them winning, and how much benefit they would get.
After all, the reason he brought his subordinates with him to help the Howard residence today was undoubtedly that he wanted to get a slice of the pie for the Williams too.
“Rayson, here’s the thing. The Piers have recently clinched several large government projects. Once we complete them, we’re guaranteed a profit of at least two billion dollars. What do you say we cooperate on them?” Derek immediately threw an olive branch to Rayson.
When Rayson heard this, euphoria immediately appeared in his eyes.
He had heard about the new projects that the Piers had taken on, and the Williams had also planned to get them, but the Piers had unfortunately beaten them to it.
Rayson knew clearly that these big projects indeed had enormous profit margins, and their operations were simple too. They could probably be completed in less than a year.
Derek clearly implied that he would be giving the Williams a share of the profits in exchange for their support.
Besides, Rayson actually hadn’t been speaking because he wanted the Piers to give him more benefits.
The situation was now very clear. If the Piers resolutely wanted to gain some benefits from the Howards, they would have to withstand the joint attack of two giants, the Howards and the Huttons.
And the Piers definitely wouldn’t be able to stop them alone, so they would have to find an ally of equal strength.
He was now the most suitable ally.
But if the benefits weren’t attractive enough, who would be willing to take the risk of offending the Howards and the Huttons?
Thus, Rayson had been waiting for an opportunity, waiting for the Piers to take the initiative to offer him more.
Now, the Piers had made their offer and were willing to share the profits of those projects worth billions of dollars with the Williams.
But after pondering for a few seconds, Rayson didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he took a quick glance at Florence and Michael.
Currently, the Piers were not the only ones who needed allies. The Howards and the Huttons could also make a suitable offer to the Williams.
If the Howards and the Huttons offered more benefits, Rayson could also agree to work with them to unite against the Piers and reap the Piers for everything they were worth!
This was a common practice among top wealthy families!
Although he and Derek had always seemed to be on very good terms, Rayson would never hesitate to defect to a party that offered more. He wouldn’t think twice about turning against the Piers!
Conrad and Derek obviously noticed Rayson glancing at Florence and Michael. After figuring out the connection, they had a drastic change of expression!
If the Howards and the Huttons offered a higher price, Rayson would unite with them. Then the Piers would then be doomed!