Leo Pg got the message and rushed over to persuade Amanda.
"Amanda, tell me honestly, how have I treated you all these years? You needed money, I gave you money. You needed people, I gave you people. Whatever you asked for, I gave it to you. I haven't mistreated you in any way. Why are you quitting?"
"Think about all the effort you've put into this place. You've finally built it up, and now you want to abandon it and let someone else benefit? Doesn't that hurt?"
"What else can you do besides this? Can you find a job that pays as well? I've been giving you a solid five percent of the profits, which, combined with your salary, is nearly a million a year!"
"Timmy's about to start school. Didn't you want to send her to a private school? And your father's health isn't good. The future is very..."
"Enough!"
Leo Pg's heartfelt persuasion was cut short by Amanda's cold rebuke.
He flinched, startled.
This crazy woman, now that she thinks she has someone backing her, she's become bolder?
A flash of malice crossed Leo Pg's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
He couldn't do anything to her at the moment, but he seethed inwardly, planning to "have some fun" with her once she lost favor.
Amanda keenly sensed the fleeting cruelty in Leo Pg's eyes.
She knew this short, fat man's temperament all too well.
He was petty and incredibly patient.
He could appear calm and collected on the surface, but once he found an opportunity, he'd turn into a raging beast.
His methods of dealing with enemies were always chillingly brutal.
It was clear he was displeased with her current attitude. If she insisted on leaving, he'd likely target her.
Amanda herself wasn't afraid. She could always hide a small knife in her hair and take him down with her in a one-on-one fight.
But she couldn't bear the thought of her daughter being left alone in the world.
After much thought, she relented.
"Fine, I'll take the bar," Amanda said decisively.
"Aha, that's the spirit!" Leo Pg beamed.
"Mr. King is practically showering you with riches. Shouldn't you at least have a drink with him to celebrate?"
"Thank you, Mr. King."
Amanda forced a heartbreaking smile, refilled James's glass, and handed it to him.
ãSystem Prompt: Amanda's favorability -1ã
James was bewildered.
What kind of attitude is this?
Damn it, I'm giving you a bar, not poison.
Why are you acting so aggrieved?
I haven't even done anything to you.
James couldn't help but ask Amanda, "Amanda, do you dislike my gift?"
"No, no, thank you for your generosity, Mr. King," Amanda said, forcing a weak smile.
James fell into thought.
Sixty million wasn't a small sum, even for him.
He didn't have much cash on hand right now.
The reason he was willing to invest in Amanda, whom he'd only met twice, was not only because she was smart and capable but also because she held onto her principles as a woman.
A woman with conviction and perseverance was worthy of trust.
Plus, she was a single mother, which made him want to help her even more.
But now, her reluctance to accept the bar made James uneasy.
Something was definitely wrong.
James decided to be frank with her, to say some heartfelt words to allay her concerns.
"Let's not drink just yet."
James stood up, took both glasses from her hand, placed them on the table, and then held her hand in his.
"Amanda, can we talk in private?"
Amanda tried to gently pull her hand away, but the man held it firmly.
She shot him a helpless, somewhat resentful look.
"Mr. King, I'm not the kind of woman you think I am. You're likely to be disappointed."
Leo Pg immediately interjected, "What are you talking about? It's your good fortune that Mr. King has taken an interest in you. Don't be ungrateful."
James frowned at Leo Pg, puzzled by his obsequious behavior.
It made him feel like he was bullying a woman and engaging in some illicit affair.
Leo Pg, under James's gaze, instantly fell silent, awkwardly chuckling, "Hehe, hehe."
Amanda sighed. "Alright, let's go to a private booth. It's quieter there."
She added, fearing that James might take advantage of her, "I've studied judo." But she quickly dismissed the idea.
A new boss was still a boss. She could tolerate a little unwanted attention, but she'd warn him if he went too far.
"No need, let's just find a spot downstairs,"
James thought the atmosphere downstairs was quite nice.
He led Amanda downstairs, surveying the bar.
It was around ten o'clock, and the bar was playing soft music with dim,æ§æ§ lighting. The atmosphere wasn't too intense yet.
It was the warm-up period for the bar.
Guests were gradually entering.
On the first floor, many men and women were playing drinking games at small tables, cheering and laughing.
Many beautiful girls were in groups of three or five. These girls were lured in by the marketing team with the promise of free drinks to boost the bar's atmosphere.
A bar with more women naturally attracted more male customers.
And the girls, enjoying the attention from men, were quite open to advances.
They practically drooled over handsome guys and were eager to please, even willing to pay to spend a night with them.
Even though James was only moderately handsome, he received quite a few stares from the girls.
If it weren't for his intimate behavior with Amanda, some of the girls would have already made their move.
James, facing the many blatantly flirtatious stares, remained composed.
With no woman in my heart, my blade is naturally sharp.
With his heightened senses, he now found these girls, who scored only six or seven out of ten, less appealing.
He and Amanda found an empty table and sat down.
James still hadn't let go of her hand.
"Amanda, don't be afraid. I'm not a good person."
"???"
James's bluntness took Amanda by surprise. She stared at him, puzzled.
The man smiled warmly and continued, "You're very beautiful. When you smile, your eyes crinkle like crescent moons. I really like seeing you smile."
"I admit, at first, I had improper thoughts about you. Any man would have thoughts about a beautiful woman like you."
"But do you know why I suddenly said I wanted to give you this bar? We've only met twice. What do you think I saw in you?"
Amanda, gradually drawn in by James's words, pondered his meaning, allowing him to hold her hand.
"Because I have the ability to manage this place well?"
James shook his head, smiling.
Amanda's face darkened, and she said self-deprecatingly, "Because I'm a widow with no support, so I'm easier to control?"
"No," James said earnestly.
"I never intended to control you. And with your looks, I think there would be many people willing to support you if you just let them."
Amanda felt a bit embarrassed by James's straightforward compliment.
She looked up at him with bright eyes and smiled, "Then it can't possibly be that Mr. King fell in love with me at first sight and wants to shower me with riches and promise me a lifetime of peace, right?"