But her tone changed when Liam added coldly, "One year is still one year, Mum. No business with GSK for one year. Do you know what that means for our funding cycle? For the expansions we've already committed to?"
At that moment Maria's mouth tightened. She couldn't say anything back.
Then Liam looked up, defeated, then dropped the final blow.
"That contract we've been pushing for—the one that was supposed to seal everything for us. The same contract that was going to cement this wedding… it's been cancelled."
The room froze.
Immediately Maria's eyes widened, her jaw dropped slightly, and Chloe looked up with a snap, her breath hitching. Her lips parted but no words came out. That contract wasn't just a deal—it was their ticket into elite society, into higher power. It was the very reason the wedding was being pushed forward.
And now—it was gone.
