Chapter 390
At the Tanners’ residence at night…
Joe and Mandy were discussing how they would try for the joint hospital project in the study room
while Nelly sat aside and listened attentively.
Mandy had wanted to let her go back to her room earlier to sleep and did not want her to know too
much.
A few years ago, she had her guard up against Nelly and tried as much as possible not to let her
get in touch with the Tanner Group’s core business.
Joe did not think much about it. Nelly was not their biological daughter, but they had raised her to
this day. It was impossible to say that they had no feelings for her. Moreover, Nelly was able to
assist him in business.
“I don’t know how the rumor came about,” Joe said in a low tone. “But it’s said that Rowan likes the
Tanners the most among the four major families and wants to work with us.”
Mandy frowned.
She thought that it was ridiculous at first, but the rumor was growing more aggressive and sounded
as if it was real.
Despite that, Rowan did not have any actual contact with the Tanners.
“Dad, is there really a rumor like this?” Nelly could not hide the triumph on her face.
“Yes.” Joe looked at her with aplex gaze. “Do you know anything about this?”
“No.” Nelly chortled. “It’s just that the Hamertons lead the western suburbs project, and I’ve been
following up recently and drafting many proposals for the joint hospital.
“The Hamertons’ rationale is that since thend is already theirs, they can give up a share in the
hospital project since it’ll be built on that plot ofnd anyway.
“Dad, this is the oue I’ve managed to obtain after several negotiations with representatives
from the Hamerton Group. It hasn’t been easy!”
Joe nodded. Perhaps the Hamertons were really sitting this one out. They could not actually take
thend and the projects too, right? After all, the Hamertons had always upheld the notion that
money was to be made together.
“If the Hamertons aren’t fighting for this, the rumor might be true.”
“You think this is good news?” Mandy scoffed. “Has the Hamerton Group clearly expressed that
they aren’t fighting for this project?”
“Mom, they didn’t, but I can talk to Zephyr—”
“Forget it!” Mandy snorted, “Who are you to Zephyr? Was the humiliationst time not enough?”
Nelly bit her lips.
“I think the rumor is a trap!” Mandy looked thoughtful. “The source is unknown. It must be targeting
the Tanners!”
Joe narrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”
“The Tanner Group’s having a financial crisis that it’s already hard for us to merge funds. Do we
have that extra money to build a hospital?
“Moreover, tall poppy syndrome. The more believable the rumor is that the Tanners will have it all,
who are we offending? All the three other major families!”
Joe’s heart dropped. He only cared about winning the hospital project that he had forgotten about
these social pros and cons.
“The western suburbs’nd belongs to the Hamertons. They should be the ones calling the shots.
How would Rowan Irwin have eyes for us?”
Joe’s frown was twisted into a knot. He had to give it to his wife that she was more meticulous than
him in certain aspects. It was just that he wanted to go for the joint hospital project without caring
about the price he had to pay.
“Joe, I think we should pull out,” advised Mandy. “Zephyr’s attitude is more than clear. He doesn’t
want a marriage with our family. He’s defying Liam Hamerton openly. Would he regard us?
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“At present, the Tanner Group isn’t like it used to be… We have a financial crisis. We can only try to
survive by being cautious. Perhaps, we’ll be able to go through this safely!”
Joe was in deep thought, and the whole room went quiet like it was a vacuum.
After a tense moment, he pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray and said with determination,
“We must get this project no matter what. Rowan’se to Centrolis for this joint hospital. It’s
apparent how much he prioritizes it!”
“Joe, you—”
“Rowan might be able to heal Kelly!”
Mandy stared at him, and her eyes reddened instantly.
Nelly took a deep breath, the corner of her lips twitching. There was a sh of viciousness in her
gaze as she adjusted her breathing and smiled.
“Dad, Kelly’s already like that. We spent so much over the years, and nothing seems to help her get
better. Will Mr. Irwin bring her back to life?
“Dad, mom, we want the joint hospital project to make more money, take the Tanner Group out of its
crisis, and get closer to the Hamertons! Not solely—”
“Shut up!” Mandy pped her in rage.
Nelly was shocked. When she was able to react, her cheek was throbbing in pain, and there was a
metallic taste of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Mandy red at her like she was burning a hole through her. She had long noticed that something
was wrong with her daughter.
She did not know when it started, but Kelly refused to meet anyone or talk. She refused to see her
own parents and was spending longer in bed.
Mandy could only ask the doctor about it, but she did not know that Nelly had bought over the
doctor and nurses, so they only ryed the good news.
In addition to Joe’s busy work and the Tanner Group having a crisis years ago, she helped her
husband and ran the household—sometimes being unable to free time up for Kelly.
Meanwhile, Nelly had always been an obedient goody two-shoes in front of them, so she did not
think of things in a negative light.
Today, however…
Mandy panted with a resentful gaze while Joe eyed her to warn her not to go over the line.
“Nelly, go back to your room first,” he said.
Nelly held a hand over her face, shaking. She was going to turn around when a servant knocked on
the door.
“Sir, madam, Mr. Bayer is here.”
“What’s he here for?” Joe was surprised.
Mandy was curious too but thinking about it, it was not all that surprising for Josiah to pay a visit
when they were in frequent contact with the Bayers.
The few of them went downstairs.
Josiah got up to greet them, but his smile dimmed a lot more when he saw Nelly behind the couple.
“Josiah, you’re here,” Joe said with a smile. “Is there something important to bring you here at this
time?”