Chapter 66
Chapter 66:
“It’s working,” Jocelyn whispered. “I can’t fight Douglas Tech. He has too much leverage p>
Gaston reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her jaw.
“You’re looking at this wrong, Mrs. Collins p>
“How should I look at it p>
“You’re not fighting Douglas Tech alone,” he said. “You have a partner p>
J𝗼𝗶n оu𝘳 со𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻і𝗍у 𝗈n
“A partner who is legally obligated to protect his own assets,” Jocelyn reminded him, citing their contract.
“Screw the contract,” Gaston said.
He stood up and pulled out his phone. He dialed a number.
“Liam,” he said. “The travel contract for the Collins Group global executives — who handles it p>
A pause.
“Cancel it. Effective immediately. Penalty fees? Pay them. I don’t care p>
Jocelyn stared at him.
“Draft a new contract,” Gaston continued. “Exclusive vendor: The Wolfe Hotel. All global summits. All executive travel. New York, London, Paris. If they stay in New York, they stay at the Wolfe p>
He glanced at Jocelyn. “What was the Smith contract worth? Two million p>
He spoke into the phone again. “Set the retainer at fifty million. Five-year term p>
He hung up.
Jocelyn’s mouth fell open. “Fifty… million p>
“That should cover the loss,” Gaston said casually, picking up his scotch. “And it sends a message to the market. Betting against the Wolfe Hotel is betting against Collins Bank p>
“Gaston… I can’t accept that. That’s charity p>
“It’s business,” he corrected. “I need a hotel partner. You need a client. It’s a synergy p>
He smiled — a rare, genuine smile that made his eyes crinkle. “Besides. I want to see Kieran’s face when he reads the press release p>
Jocelyn was still processing the fifty-million-dollar figure when her phone rang again.
Mother.
She hesitated. She didn’t have the energy for Elouise. But if she didn’t answer, Elouise would show up at the door.
She swiped to answer and put it on speaker.
“Jocelyn!” Elouise’s shriek filled the penthouse living room. “What have you done p>
“Hello, Mother,” Jocelyn sighed.
“Vincent told me! The drugs! The police! And now the Smith Group cancels? You are destroying your father’s legacy p>
“Uncle Vincent was involved in the setup, Mother. He was helping Kieran p>
“Lies! You’re incompetent! You need to apologize to Kieran immediately. Beg him to fix this! Get down on your knees if you have to p>
Jocelyn felt the old shame rising — the conditioned response to her mother’s verbal abuse. Her stomach clenched.
“I’m not begging Kieran for anything p>
“You ungrateful little brat! After everything we sacrificed for you? If the hotel goes under, it’s on your head! You’ll be destitute! That pretty husband of yours will dump you the second the money runs out p>
Gaston moved. He crossed the room in two strides and plucked the phone from Jocelyn’s hand.
“Elouise,” his voice was ice.
Silence on the other end. Then a stammer. “Gaston? I… I didn’t know you were listening p>
“Clearly,” Gaston said. “Let me make something very clear to you. Jocelyn is not destroying the legacy. She is the only thing keeping it alive p>
“But the Smith contract p>