Chapter 168 The End of Niceties

• This was the way Alaric set up his trap. The sly old fox would start slow and bait his victims with some attractive deal, then pounce on them when they started to waver. If one did not guard against him right from the beginning, then the temptation would work in his favor.
• Presently, Alaric was not angry to hear my firm rejection of his offer. He was unfazed as he took a sip of his tea and said, "President Hotham, you're putting me in a really difficult position here. We just agreed that business is all about trust and profit. If buying up Oswell Incorporated at a below-market rate was a matter of profit, then my promise to Patrick during our negotiation was a matter of trust. See, I gave him my word that I would avenge his downfall, President Hushton, and surely you wouldn't let me go back on my word like some third-rate businessman, would you?"
• I raised a brow. This old fox is cracking down on me! Taking a deep breath, I lit up a cigarette and pointed out, "I don't consider there to be a feud between us, President Hotham, and I certainly don't plan on starting one. If you think you can bully us into taking up the deal just because we're a small-scale factory, then go ahead and try. Also, there is no 'trust' in this; you're just abusing your power by picking on small-fries like us."