Chapter 123

Howard's POV

Having just escorted Philip from the premises, I returned to my office with a measured stride, my mind already calculating the next necessary steps.Annie had composed herself admirably after Philip's unwelcome appearance,but I could still detect the lingering strain behind her eyes. It reinforced my resolve to address not just one, but both of today's disruptions.

I settled into my chair, reaching for my phone with deliberate calm. The sequence of numbers for Bill White's father came automatically as I dialed,my expression neutral but my intent anything but.

When Mr. White answered, his voice carried that practiced cordiality of old money-smooth and devoid of genuine warmth. "Mr. Thompson,to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"It appears your company doesn't consider Howard Technologies worthy of respect," I stated, my tone deliberately cool, stripped of any pretense of politeness. "Your people now feel emboldened enough to come to my company and harass my valuable employees."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Annie gathering her sketches, moving toward my desk with a slight weariness still evident in her posture.The sight of her attempting to maintain her composure after Philip's intrusion only strengthened my determination to resolve the issue with the White family once and for all.

"That can't be right," Mr. White quickly responded,his voice dripping with hollow flattery. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for you, Mr.Thompson." His casual tone betrayed his lack of sincerity.

"Whenever I interact with any Howard Technologies employee," he continued. "I practically treat them like royalty. I'm even afraid to speak too loudly around them." He concluded with an empty assurance:"This must certainly be a misunderstanding!"

I narrowed my eyes, recognizing that despite his many words, Mr. White had offered no actual solution. He was stalling, and I had no patience for such tactics. "Is that so?" I replied with characteristic directness.

"So you're saying that your son actively bullied my employee," I continued,my voice steady but pointed, "and you believe this issue can be resolved through simple denial of intent?"

I made it clear that such a superficial approach wouldn't suffice: "If my company's employees were to forgive you so easily, perhaps employees at other companies might follow suit in the future?"

The sharp question left Mr. White momentarily speechess. I could almost visualize his practiced smile freezing on his face. "How would you like me to resolve this matter?" he eventually asked.

I could sense the unspoken tension-Mr. White would unconditionally side with his son rather than with an "insignificant employee" from another company. It reminded me of Philip's disrespectful behavior toward Annie this afternoon, and of all the times Betty had made Annie's life difficult. These self-proclaimed elites seemed to have forgotten the most basic principle of respect.

I let out a cold laugh, noting the irony-though Bill's family was clearly in the wrong, Mr. White was behaving as if I were the offending party. My patience had reached its limit.

I never wasted time on such matters, and responded with finality: "I'd

prefer you handle nothing at all." Without waiting for a response, I ended the call.

Annie stood by my desk, having obviously overheard my conversation and sensed my negative energy. She set down her sketches and asked with genuine concern, "What's wrong?"

Seeing Annie, my expression immediately softened. Despite enduring Philip's harassment, she still cared about my emotional state, which sent a wave of warmth through me. "Bill's father," I explained. "His son comes to my company to harass employees, but he doesn't seem to think it's a serious issue."

"Perhaps having a social status far above the average person has created an illusion of superiority," I continued thoughtfully, unconsciously connecting today's two incidents. "But in today's society, aren't all people equal? Whether they're from the White family or the Baker family."

I looked directly into Annie's eyes, seeking her perspective and also wanting to confirm she had fully recovered from her encounter with Philip.

Annie nodded without hesitation: "Absolutely. They're just like Philip,always thinking they're above everyone else."

I felt a surge of satisfaction, appreciating her clear insight. I gently patted her arm,saying with quiet confidence, "It's fine. The principles they don't,understand-I'll teach them. Just like I did with Philip today."

Annie looked at me with concern: "What are you planning to do?"

I was already contacting Susan: "Some of our contracts with the White family are expiring soon, correct?"

Susan confirmed: "Yes, but because their products are so outdated, they're

currently unpopular in the market..."

She continued, "We were planning not to renew with them, but couldn't find a suitable reason."

"Now we have a reason," I said calmly. "You recently mentioned that other companies' products are noticeably better than theirs, right?"

Susan confirmed: "Yes."

"Then find the most suitable company among them for cooperation,"I instructed decisively. "We simply need to change partners."

Susan expressed concern: "Suddenly changing partners after years of cooperation will certainly cause resentment."

I slowed my speech, radiating confidence: "Leave it to me. I'll handle it.

Consider it the second task after dealing with Philip today."

This reassured Susan: "Very well, sir."

I continued my strategic breakdown: "We're optimistic about several other projects and plan to collaborate with them, correct?"

After a moment's consideration, Susan reported these projects to me.

"Cancel all of these projects," I commanded coolly. "Find other partners."

Susan wanted to ask if such extreme measures were necessary,but remembering that my decisions, even when initially questioned,typically proved wise in the long run, she decided to trust my judgment:"Understood,sir."

After ending the call, I took Annie's hand and led her to the private lounge area.

Having heard my conversation, Annie expressed surprise: "You're canceling all cooperation with them? Just as decisively as when you told Philip never to come back?"

"Yes." I confirmed without hesitation. My hand gently stroked the back of hers as I explained my reasoning: "His son's lawless behavior is already beyond help, just like Philip's, and doesn't deserve a second chance."

"If he truly intends to pass his company to his son, their company will be bankrupt within a few years," I analyzed. "I called him earlier to confirm his attitude."

"If his mind were still functioning properly, he could have better disciplined his son. I could have pointed out the problem for him to fix,and we could have continued cooperating."

"But clearly his thinking aligns with his son's..." My voice carried a hint of contempt. "He believes only he himself matters, while others are insignificant...exactly how Philip treated you."

I methodically explained my reasoning: "Continuing to cooperate with such people would ultimately drag us down."

"So my thinking is, it's better to sever ties early," I concluded. "This gives the company sufficient time to find new partners."

Annie looked at me with admiration: "You really consider everything so thoroughly. Unlike Philip, who only sees immediate benefits."

"This is an essential ability for someone at the highest level of a company,"I replied, accustomed to this mode of thinking. "Otherwise, if we only focused on immediate situations..."

"The company would eventually go bankrupt. Then what would happen

to the employees?" I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders."I must consider their wellbeing,just as I must protect you and Lucy."

Annie leaned into my embrace: "Indeed. That's the biggest difference between you and Philip."

Just then, my phone rang again. I answered casually: "Hello?"

It was Catherine's father, Mr. Morgan. "I was just about to bring the evidence to you when Mr. White suddenly called, saying that if I'm willing to tell you that Bill has already apologized to Catherine..."