Austin, buoyed by his happiness, clenched his tiny fist and declared, âMommy, now I can protect you.
â
Nicole and the others chose not to dampen Austinâs spirits.
Despite his lifelong frailty rendering him unable to protect others, they refrained from discouraging him.
Roscoe affectionately patted Austinâs head, his smile warm and encouraging.
âAustin, I eagerly await witnessing your transformation into a resilient young man.
â
Austin beamed with delight, responding, âI will, Roscoe.
â
Upon Austinâs awakening, Jarrodâs patience with Roscoeâs presence in the room wore thin.
In a cold tone, he questioned, âIs your company still in business? How do you still have time to linger here?â
Roscoe perceived Jarrodâs thinly veiled attempt to drive him away, yet he maintained a composed demeanor.
âI appreciate your concern, Mr.
Schultz.
However, my company is doing well for the time being.
â
Jarrod was left momentarily speechless.
He harbored no genuine concern for Roscoe.
Instead, he covertly hoped Roscoeâs circumstances would deteriorate to the point of necessitating his departure from Ardlens.
Nevertheless, Jarrod felt compelled to maintain a facade of civility, particularly because Nicole had identified Roscoe as Austinâs godfather.
Jarrod was mindful of not allowing his sonâs godfather to endure excessive misery.
âYour familyâs formidable competitor recently conducted an inspection in Haytown,â Jarrod said abruptly.
A faint crease formed on Roscoeâs brow, indicating his surprise.
He hadnât been privy to this information.
The Haytown project, currently in its final phases of negotiation, held significant importance for his company.
If the rival company ventured to Haytown at this juncture, it could indicate an attempt to disrupt his project.
âs BunnyBookery Considering both companies operated within the same industry, competition was normal.
But the timing of the rivalâs approach just before the completion of the Watts Groupâs project seemed particularly underhanded.
After a brief silence, Roscoe responded with a simple âThank you.
â
Jarrod scoffed in response, asserting, âSurvival of the fittest.
If you canât keep up, donât blame anyone else.
â
Jarrodâs implication was clear.
If Roscoe believed personal vendettas drove his past actions, Roscoe was sorely mistaken.
Even in his absence, others would have targeted the Watts family amid their troubles.
Even a dying camel was larger than a horse.
Despite their setbacks, the Watts family still held considerable value.
Securing their contracts could greatly benefit a burgeoning company.
Jarrodâs interventions had deterred numerous opportunists.
Attempting to rival him was a futile endeavor.
Jarrodâs influence didnât come from sheer power to dominate Ardlens.
It was his formidable methods and strategies that made him nearly unbeatable.
He was a true madman, having once shut down a Listed company within three hours.
No one dared provoke him without risking severe consequences.
Jarrodâs intervention had afforded Roscoe the crucial time needed to concentrate on countering the Schultz Group.
Contending with a single formidable opponent was far more manageable than fending off numerous adversaries simultaneously.
Ironically, surviving Jarrodâs suppression had enhanced Roscoeâs standing in the business world.
As a result, Roscoe deterred many who harbored malicious intentions in the shadows.
Moreover, Roscoeâs collaboration with a subsidiary of the Dixon Group further underscored his capabilities.
People were intrigued by him since he had managed to withstand the onslaught of one tycoon and secure the favor of another, achieving heights unattainable to many.
If Roscoe couldnât grasp the intricate dynamics at play now, he truly didnât deserve his place in the business.
But he couldnât fathom why Jarrod, who had once been bent on destroying him, had suddenly shifted tactics, opting not to target him but to offer indirect assistance instead.
Taking a few steps before halting, Roscoe asked, âWhy are you doing this?â