Chapter 6: Crisis Brewing
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"Mr. Reed, this modification is absolutely necessary. Montgomery Enterprises insists on adding this supplementary clause," came Mark Johnson's voice.
"Why spring this on us at the eleventh hour?" Dad's tone was deadly serious. "This clause looks innocent enough, but it gives them far too much wiggle room."
"Mr. Montgomery assured me it's merely a formality and won't actually be enforced," Mark explained. "If we refuse, it could jeopardize the entire partnership."
I knocked lightly and entered. "Dad, everything okay in here?"
Dad looked up and sighed. "The Montgomerys suddenly want to add a supplementary clause. The wording is... troublingly vague."
I took the document and scanned it quickly. On the surface, the clause dealt with financial oversight procedures, but the carefully crafted language gave the Montgomerys unilateral interpretation rights. In my previous life, this exact clause had been the weapon used to frame my father.
"Dad, this clause is dangerous," I said bluntly. "It essentially gives them carte blanche to interpret financial matters however they want."
Mark Johnson stared at me, clearly surprised. "Miss Reed, I assure you this is standard business language."
"If it's so standard, why introduce it at the last minute?" I countered. "And if it's truly just a formality, why are they so adamant about including it?"
Dad considered this for a moment. "Emily makes an excellent point. Mark, inform the Montgomerys we need to either renegotiate this clause or strike it entirely."
Mark looked deeply troubled. "But Mr. Reed, the signing ceremony is tomorrow..."
"Then we'll postpone it," Dad said firmly. "I'd rather delay the project than sign a contract with hidden traps."
Mark nodded reluctantly and left the study.
"Dad, you made the right call," I said, exhaling with relief.
"Emily," Dad studied me intently, "you've changed recently. Your business acumen surprises me. Is there something going on I should know about?"
I hesitated briefly. "Dad, I just... have this gut feeling that this partnership isn't what it appears to be."
"Is it because of Richard Carter?" Dad asked suddenly. "I know you two have been seeing each other."
I felt a jolt of surprise. "How did you know?"
"I'm your father," he smiled. "I may be busy with work, but I still keep tabs on what's happening in your life."
I lowered my gaze. "I'm sorry. I should have told you myself."
"It's okay," Dad said, patting my shoulder. "I'm just concerned your judgment might be clouded by your feelings."
"It won't be," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "Trust me, Dad. I've never seen things more clearly than I do now."
Dad nodded. "Good. I trust you."
After leaving the study, I immediately texted William Montgomery: "The Montgomerys suddenly pushed for additional clauses, but my father refused. Was Richard behind this?"
His reply came almost instantly: "Yes. Stay alert tomorrow. He'll likely try something else."
Warning bells clanged in my head. Richard wouldn't surrender so easily; tomorrow's signing ceremony would definitely have hidden dangers.
That evening, Richard called, a barely perceptible tension in his voice. "Emily, I heard your father has issues with the supplementary clauses?"
"Yes," I replied innocently. "Dad thought they were too ambiguous and wanted to revisit them."
"They're just standard legal boilerplate, nothing important," Richard insisted. "Could you talk to your father? Tomorrow's ceremony is crucial for the Montgomery organization."
"I'll try, but Dad's pretty stubborn once he makes up his mind," I said, feigning helplessness.
"Emily," Richard's voice softened dramatically, "you know how vital this project is for me. If it succeeds, my standing in the company will skyrocket. And then, for our future together..."
He left the sentence hanging, but his meaning was crystal clear. In my previous life, such promises would have had me melting, even willing to pressure my father into accepting bad terms. Now they just made my stomach turn.
"I understand. I'll see what I can do," I replied noncommittally.
After hanging up, I immediately texted Dad: "Dad, no matter what happens tomorrow, please stand firm on rejecting that supplementary clause."
Dad's reply was swift: "Don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing."
The next day, we arrived at Montgomery Enterprises headquarters for the signing ceremony. I wore a crisp, professional suit as I accompanied Dad. Richard greeted us in the lobby with a flawless smile, though the anxiety flickering in his eyes gave me secret satisfaction.
"Mr. Reed, Emily." He greeted us warmly. "Today marks an important milestone."
Dad nodded. "Indeed. Let's hope for a smooth process."
"About that supplementary clause," Richard ventured cautiously, "our legal team has revised the wording to address your concerns."
Dad took the revised contract and examined it carefully. I peered over his shoulder and saw that while the language had changed, the problematic core remained intact.
"This still doesn't resolve the ambiguity," Dad said, shaking his head. "I'm sticking with the original version—no supplementary clauses."
Richard's expression froze momentarily before he recovered. "I'll convey your position to Mr. Montgomery. Please wait here."
Once he'd gone, I whispered to Dad: "Stand your ground. You're making the right call."
Dad squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. I won't back down."
Ten minutes later, an unexpected figure appeared—William Montgomery. Dressed in an impeccable charcoal suit, he approached us with effortless grace.
"Mr. Reed, it's an honor to meet you." He extended his hand. "William Montgomery."
Dad shook his hand firmly. "Mr. Montgomery. I didn't expect you'd attend personally."
"This project warrants my attention," William said with a slight smile. "I understand there are some concerns about the contract?"
"Yes, specifically the supplementary clauses," Dad replied directly.
William nodded thoughtfully. "I've reviewed them myself. Your concerns are entirely valid. In fact, I find those clauses completely unnecessary."
Richard's expression soured instantly. William's unexpected intervention had clearly derailed his plans.
"So we can proceed with the original contract version?" Dad asked.
"Absolutely," William agreed without hesitation. "Business partnerships should be built on mutual trust, not on gaining advantages through deliberately vague language."
The remark was clearly aimed at Richard, who visibly struggled to contain his anger. "If that's Mr. Montgomery's position, we'll proceed with the original contract," he managed through a forced smile.
The signing ceremony proceeded without further issues. As Dad and James Montgomery signed the documents, I caught Richard and Sophie exchanging a meaningful glance. My guard went up immediately—they wouldn't surrender so easily. They must have a backup plan.
After the ceremony concluded, William approached me. "Miss Reed, might I have a word?"
I nodded and followed him to a secluded corner.
"Thank you for the warning," I said sincerely.
"My pleasure," William replied with a slight smile. "But this is merely the opening move. Richard isn't one to concede defeat."
"Do you know what he's planning next?"
William shook his head. "I can't be certain, but you should remain vigilant. Particularly..." he paused meaningfully, "with those in your inner circle."
I understood immediately he meant Sophie Wilson. In my previous life, she had been the one who helped Richard steal my family's confidential information.
"I'll stay alert," I assured him. "Though I still don't understand why you're helping me."
William studied me, his eyes revealing an emotion I couldn't quite identify. "Perhaps I recognize intelligence that deserves better than to be manipulated."
His words sent an unexpected warmth through me, but I quickly checked myself. In this world of constant calculation, no one offers help without ulterior motives.
"Thank you all the same," I said with a measured smile.
Returning to Dad's side, I found Richard chatting with him, his face a mask of sincerity. "Mr. Reed, it's been a pleasure. I'm confident this project will be tremendously successful."
"Let's hope so," Dad replied with a measured nod.
Richard turned to me. "Emily, we're having a celebration dinner tonight. Will you join me?"
After a brief hesitation, I nodded. I needed to monitor his next move.
As we were leaving Montgomery headquarters, I spotted Sophie Wilson waiting in the lobby.
"Emily!" She waved enthusiastically. "Congratulations on the deal!"
"Thanks," I smiled. "What brings you here?"
"Just meeting a friend," she said, linking her arm through mine. "I heard about tonight's celebration dinner. We should get ready together!"
Inwardly I was on high alert, but I agreed with a smile. In my previous life, this dinner was where Sophie had helped Richard steal my father's passwords. This time, history would not repeat itself.
