Peterson told Sexton, "To tell you the truth, I feel guilty about screwing up Sheffield's life. When his mother was set up and tossed in jail, I didn't believe she was innocent. She died of depression. Sheffield was rebellious and mad at me. He did many things that pissed me off. But instead of owning up to my part in it, I disowned him. But I regretted everything as time went by, so I resolved to make it up to him. You want to know why he's like that? It's my fault."
"There are better ways to make it up to him. You can't hand a large company like that over to him. He does what he wants, just because he has the support of Theo Group behind him."
Peterson didn't reply to that. He knew better than anyone else that Sheffield behaved like that was not because of Theo Group, but because he had been like this since he was a child. And Peterson had been less than an ideal parent.
He had cleaned up a lot of Sheffield's messes. And after he had disowned Sheffield, he never cared about Sheffield's life again.
What he didn't expect was that Sheffield had the money to invest in research. And his projects turned out to be success stories. The son he had disowned had made over ten billion thanks to his business moxie and would make even more in the days to come.
What bugged Peterson most was that Sheffield cut a deal with ZL Group, and they got most of the profits from his research. Theo Group didn't benefit from it at all.
It seemed that Evelyn was more important to Sheffield than his father thought.
"It's complicated. Mr. Qi, let's have a toast to the future. This is fine liquor that's been aged for 30 years." Peterson raised his glass.
"Okay! To the future!" They clinked glasses.
Before the meeting was over, Sexton insisted, "Now, I'll drop the suit if Sheffield apologizes to Roscoe in public and pays three times the amount in medical expenses."
Peterson didn't say anything. He knew Sheffield would never apologize.
Peterson and Sexton ended the meeting on a high note, but neither of them thought it went well. Nothing got resolved, and Sheffield and Theo Group were in deep doo-doo.
Before Sexton could leave the Alioth Building, another man entered the building. They both recognized each other, but Sexton was extremely nervous. The man spoke first. "Mr. Qi, what a coincidence!"
Sexton knew this was no coincidence. With a forced smile, he strode forward and said, "Hi, Mr. Huo. Nice to see you. You're here to have dinner?"
"Yes, I didn't expect to see you here." Carlos turned to Dixon, "Ask someone to bring a bottle of vintage liquor. Since Mr. Qi and I are both here, I'd like to have a chat." Carlos had always been such an overbearing man. He even made the decision for Sexton, without asking his opinion on the matter.
"Yes, Mr. Huo." Dixon went to make arrangements immediately.
When the private booth was ready, Carlos and Sexton walked in. The last person Sexton wanted to talk to was Carlos. Once Carlos got involved, he'd settle things to his satisfaction. It didn't matter what anyone else wanted.
The situation seemed to be getting more and more complicated, and Sexton was getting more and more frustrated. First, he had to deal with Sheffield, and now, he had to face the domineering Carlos. Sexton had mentally prepared himself for the worst.
He had already drunk tonight, and now Carlos was also offering drinks. In order to prevent himself from getting drunk and making a promise without thinking, Sexton simply told Carlos, "Mr. Huo, I don't want to drink too much. I've already had a few glasses with Mr. Tang. I have to drive to the hospital to take care of Roscoe later."
He meant that he had already drunk too much just now, so he couldn't drink any more now.
Carlos nodded, "I get it. You need to take care of your kid."
"Thank you for understanding, Mr. Huo."
"Don't mention it. Did you figure things out without a lawsuit?" Carlos was a straight shooter. He got to the point as soon as the pleasantries were over.
Even though he felt ambushed, Sexton responded quickly to the question. "I wanted Sheffield to apologize to Roscoe. But he's stubborn. The only option left was to file a lawsuit."
"Oh, I see. Why don't we forget about that lawsuit? I'll take responsibility for your son's injuries."
The first half of Carlos' words irritated Sexton, and the latter part rattled him. "Mr. Huo, are you offering to pay to provide care?" Despite Carlos' gesture, Sexton didn't have the guts to let him do that.
"Yes!" Carlos replied.
"Mr. Huo... you...you must be kidding." Yet Sexton wasn't laughing. He was too intimidated to fake a smile.
Carlos poured a glass of liquor for them both and said casually, "As a father, I understand you, Mr. Qi. I have a son too."
Sexton felt a little relieved and assumed a sad tone. "Mr. Huo, thank you very much for understanding. After Richard's death, Roscoe means everything to me!"
But Carlos ignored his words. Twirling the liquor in his glass, he said in a flat tone, "I love my daughters. Your son insulted Evelyn. I was going to have my team of lawyers file charges against him. But I backed off for Richard's sake. But I can damage Roscoe's reputation."
Sexton's mood fluctuated as if it were riding a rollercoaster. "Really, Mr. Huo? And where is this consideration of Richard, now?" Sexton demanded of Carlos angrily.
A dash of displeasure flashed through Carlos' eyes. "I have been tolerant of Roscoe. We've known each other for years. If it were anyone else who did this to my daughter, I would've put him behind bars without hesitation. I would make sure he lost everything."
Sexton gleaned Carlos' threat and warning from his words.
He didn't want to go down this road, but he could do nothing about it. He knew Carlos meant business.
Whoever threatened Carlos' family ended up disgraced, broke, or dead.
Thinking of this, Sexton conceded. "Mr. Huo, all I ask is an apology from Sheffield Tang. After all, he hit my son. Is that too much to ask?"
"How will you get him to apologize? Mr. Qi, please think about it like this. If it were your own daughter, how would you feel? Wouldn't you want to beat him to death? Sheffield Tang did something I would have done. Are you saying I should apologize to Roscoe?"
"No, no. Mr. Huo..."
"If that's what you want, I can!" Carlos was sure that Sexton didn't have the nerve to ask him to do it even if he offered.
A cold sweat broke out on Sexton's forehead. He sighed heavily. "Mr. Huo, why are you defending Sheffield?"
"Defending him? Why would I do that? I just don't want to see you worry about the lawsuit with your busy schedule. If you're willing to compromise, then everyone will be happy."
Sexton realized he had no choice. But he was still curious about Carlos' attitude towards Sheffield.
"Mr. Huo, is it because you like him and want him to be your son-in-law?" he asked.
Carlos gulped down a glass of liquor and replied, "Both Sheffield and Evelyn are single. Why not?"