From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 167

Harold answered simply, "Ms. Merchant's."

Bert wanted to ask which Ms. Merchant, but who else had been at Harold's side all evening besides Jade?

Hudson's face turned a terrifying shade of gray.

"Mr. Robbins, Jade isn't an expert in this field. Don't you think it's a bit reckless to make such a massive decision based on her advice?"

He had spent months on research and due diligence for this project.

He was certain it was his, but to lose it over something so absurd? He couldn't accept it.

A look of annoyance crossed Harold's face.

"Ms. Merchant may not be an expert, but her insights were incredibly grounded and I happen to agree with them. As for 'reckless,' I think I'm more than capable of judging my own business ventures."

The subtext was clear: Keep your mouth shut, Hudson.

Hudson's expression grew even darker.

The recent social media scandal had crippled the company, and the board was already losing patience with them.

Robbins's project was supposed to be the victory that silenced the critics.

Bert had even bragged about it in the last meeting. To fail now was a nightmare he couldn't afford.

He forced a pained smile and looked at Harold.

"Mr. Robbins, look... Jade is my daughter-in-law. We're family. Why would she recommend another company over ours? You must have misheard her."

Harold felt like saying that while he was old, he wasn't so senile that he'd mix up "Walter" and "Foster."

Thinking of the bullying Jade had endured earlier, he shot a sideways glance at Hudson.

"Oh, so Ms. Merchant is your daughter-in-law? That's funny. I recall seeing a different woman at Mr. Walter's side tonight. Even Ms. Hoyt kept calling her 'Ms. Merchant,' not 'Mrs. Walter.' If you hadn't told me, I never would have guessed she was part of your family."

Bert was speechless, then his gaze snapped to Amara. He turned back to Harold.

"Speaking of which, Amara's grandfather was your old fishing buddy. Didn't she recommend us to you?"

Harold gave him a look of pure disbelief.

"Her grandfather was my friend, yes. But you think that's enough for me to hand you a multi-million dollar contract? Don't you think that would be reckless?"

He threw Hudson's own insult right back at him with a sharp edge.

Hudson and Bert both looked like they'd swallowed ink, their faces turning a dark, sickly hue.

"Sigh—"

Harold let out a long, exaggerated sigh. He patted Bert on the shoulder as he walked past him, sounding almost pitying.

"My friend, you're really losing your edge in your old age."

Bert stood there with a frozen, purple face.

The second Harold was out of sight, Bert spun toward his assistant and roared.

But Jade shouldn't have to carry that.

He wanted to help her, but he wanted to do it safely.

Jade lowered her lashes, her voice a soft whisper.

"But I owe you so much already. I had to pay you back."

Julian stepped forward abruptly.

His tall, powerful frame almost completely swallowed her in his shadow.

Jade looked up into his eyes, which were as dark as ink.

"I told you, I did those things because I wanted to. You keep talking about 'paying me back'—are you really that desperate to get away from me?"

Jade only reached his chin.

To everyone else, he was a powerful, unbreakable force of nature.

But right now, his eyes were filled with a raw, broken sadness that looked like it might shatter at any moment.

Jade's throat felt tight.

"It's not that, it's just—"

"Ma'am, there you are!" The sudden voice cut her off. Julian immediately stepped back, putting distance between them.