Chapter 22: How Much Do You Need?

• Sean reached for his wine and took a sip without once taking his eyes off of Lawson. It was a simple business tactic his father had taught him—silence always made people uncomfortable. After just a few minutes of cold, uninterrupted silence, most people were willing to offer almost anything. He fought the urge to smile as Lawson shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
• As far as he understood it, Lawson’s company was on the verge of a massive financial crisis. There had been issues with the supplier, and several investors had pulled out with a little warning. Though Lawson had tried to keep the company’s instability a secret, the news had spread fast. No one with half a brain was willing to invest in the company.
• Sean had been surprised when Lawson called him—not many people had the guts to ask him to invest in a collapsing business. He’d wanted to hang up the phone, but he’d paused. His mother had left one of her glossy society magazines lying on the coffee table, and a picture from a recent gala caught his eye. A beautiful girl with dark hair and dazzling eyes stared out at him from a photograph. Lawson’s arm was wrapped paternally around her shoulder. The caption of the photo read, “Lawson Stewart and his niece Catherine Stewart.”