Chapter 65
Frederick raised an eyebrow at me, signaling for me to go on.
“You might think I’m all talk with nothing to back it up,” I said sincerely. “But I’m just getting started. This is the most honest offer I can put on the table right now.”
I looked him in the eye. “Every investment comes with risk. I’m sure you’ve learned that the hard way with some of your past deals. So, I won’t waste time sugarcoating it–I can’t promise this will make money, but I can promise your returns will be the highest I can give.”
“Sounds like you’ve done your homework.”
Frederick flipped through the stack of paperwork and casually dropped it onto the table. He leaned back, watching me with interest. “You even studied how I invest. It looks like you came prepared.”
I gave him a slight smile. “Well, if I’m gonna ask someone to put their money into my project, I better know what makes them tick.”
“Alright. I’ll give it some serious thought,” he said, his tone turning more serious. “But don’t expect any favors. If your project turns out to be profitable, I won’t back out just to avoid a conflict of interest. But I won’t give you a free pass either.”
“That’s all I could ask for.” I raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Guzman, here’s to hoping we both walk away with a
win.”
He let out a short snort through his nose and said nothing, just took a sip from his glass.
I then asked, “Drinking in the middle of the day? Isn’t it a little early for that?”
“I’m your potential partner now,” Frederick said coolly. “Is this how you usually talk to your business
partners?”
I didn’t argue. I just smiled and took a sip from the glass in front of me.
Frederick raised an eyebrow. “That’s a 20–thousand–dollar sip. You sure you’re not treating yourself a little too comfortably?”
I immediately choked. “20 what?”
Had he lost his damn mind?
Frederick picked up a napkin and moved to wipe my mouth, but I paused and took it from him before he
touched me.
His eyes flickered, and after a beat, he pulled his hand back, his expression turning colder.
“You’re one to talk,” he said. “Your family’s wine cellar puts this place to shame. You’re married to Jonathan Freeman. The guy collects million–dollar bottles like they’re baseball cards. And you’re out here drinking in a dive bar with me? What game are you playing, Elise?”
The taste of the wine still lingered. I wiped the corner of my mouth. “Why would you think that?”
“You’ve got more money than you know what to do with,” he muttered. “What are you out here hustling
for?”
I gave him a puzzled look. “Everyone likes money. Everyone wants more. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make your own.”
He scoffed. If you really wanted money, why not just ask Jonathan? Your husband’s the richest man in the city–hell, probably in the entire Harthville. If you want something, he just has to snap his fingers. So why go through all this?”
I could hear the sarcasm in his voice, but I stayed calm and answered him seriously.
“Because at the end of the day, his money is still his. I just feel better knowing I’ve got something that’s
mine.”
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have expected that from someone like you. You strike me as more of the stay–at–home–wife type.”
I smiled. “Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. People grow.”
Frederick paused, and his tone shifted. “Business with me isn’t some playdate. I’m not Jonathan. I don’t just hand things over. You’re gonna have to work for it. Make sure you’re ready for that.”
