61. TRICKERY

In the dimly lit principal's room, Theodore Turkle unconsciously tapped

his fingers on the table. Although he despised Aiden for not respecting him, Mr. Harvey

had tried to talk to him so often about Aiden. The boy must have something special

about him.

When he thought about it, he felt he wanted to see him again. Why don't I give Aiden

one more chance? I'll ask him to come to my office to see me tomorrow morning. If he

doesn't turn up again, no one can blame me for being ruthless.

Aiden had no idea that he had offended the person in charge of Otis High School,

Principal Theodore Turkle. At this moment, he was deep in a happy dilemma. When he

found out that the two types of tea that he had invented had somehow turned into miracle drinks for women's health, Aiden did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He was bowled over by the attention of Patty, the boss at Cold Emerald Spring. Ever

since she had seen the commercial potential of these two medicinal teas, she had called

Aiden several times a day, begging him to agree to a collaboration. Aiden naturally knew

of the standing of the Cold Emerald Spring group in the cosmetic industry.

A leading cosmetics company in Chesterton State, it had been established for decades

and was widely favored by women across the state. His mother, Clara, talked of it almost

every day. It would have been hard for Aiden not to know the brand.

Collaborating with a large company like Cold Emerald Spring would not only broaden the

sales channels of the Midnight Snack restaurant, but also give him access to a dizzying

number of female customers from Cold Emerald Spring. There were so many potential

benefits. Therefore, Aiden quickly decided to take up Cold Emerald Spring's offer.

When she received Aiden's phone call, Patty seemed to be overjoyed and made an

appointment to visit Aiden the next day. So he had to take another day off school.

Although Mr. Harvey readily approved it, Aiden did not know that he had accidentally

broken his promise to Theodore Turkle.

In the principal's office, Theodore Turkle was deeply offended when he heard that Aiden

had applied for another day off school. He was so angry that he slammed the table. This

time, he lost any remaining goodwill he might have felt.

I want you to understand that you have overstepped the mark badly. Aiden, however,

knew nothing of this. At the same time, he was receiving Patty and her colleagues in the

private room on the second floor of the Midnight Snack restaurant.

One of the team was a middle-aged man wearing black-framed glasses and a suit that

caught Aiden's attention. He had fair hair, blue eyes, and a long, aquiline nose. He was

obviously not a local man.

He had an arrogant look on his face and appeared to be looking down his nose at Aiden

the whole time. Even when he shook Aiden's hand, he could not conceal his disdain.

Patty introduced him as Robert Leonardo.

He was from Regan, in the south of the county, and was as arrogant as most people from

there. It was in their bones. But at least Aiden knew what he was dealing with.

Although he hated this kind of undisguised contempt, he looked at Leonardo with a flash

of fire in his eyes. Leonardo's position was vice president of Cold Emerald Spring Group

for the region and executive president in Regan. To have brought such a senior

executive showed that Patty attached great importance to this collaboration.

Robert, let Mr. Dale have a look at the contract. Patty smiled. Leonardo looked haughtily

at Aiden and threw the contract down in front of him.

He did not want to say a word Patty frowned but said nothing.

Aiden opened the contract and saw over ten pages of clauses covering the terms of the

collaboration.

Ding. Flipping through the contract. Appraisal ability, plus one.

Ding. Activating beginner level appraisal ability. Currently appraising the target's

contract.

Identification complete. Ding. Three loopholes.

Enabling the target to avoid obligations. Located on page three, line twelve, page four,

line five, and page seven, line two. Inequitable clause.

Detrimental to host. Located on page eleven, line thirteen. A cold light flashed in Aiden's

eyes.

They think that I'm too young and inexperienced to know better. They think that I don't

understand the contract. They're trying to take advantage of me.

But they don't know that I have a system. With the help of the system's appraisal ability,

Aiden seemed to have magical vision. He could see the loopholes in the contract at a

glance.

He flipped through the contract and closed it in less than ten seconds. Patty was slightly

surprised. She hadn't expected Aiden to be so indifferent.

She smiled and said, Mr. Dale, are you satisfied with the contents of the contract?

Aiden's face was absolutely calm as he said, Is this Cold Emerald Spring's attitude to the

collaboration? If so, then you'd better go now. Patty Lowe was startled and asked

hesitantly, Mr. Dale, I don't quite understand what you mean. Aiden threw the contract

on the table with force.

It landed with a thud. Miss Lowe, let me tell you, it is Cold Emerald Spring who came to

beg me to work with them. I don't lack partners.

Mr. Dale, what are you trying to say? Patty frowned, confused. Aiden looked at her

coldly. Are you still pretending you don't know? Don't tell me you don't know how many

loopholes there are in this contract, and you ask if I'm happy with it? Irregularities? How

could there be loopholes? Robert, why is there a loophole in the contract? Patty turned to

look at Robert Leonard.

Although she had drafted the contract form, the details had been completed by Leonard.

Don't listen to this kid's nonsense. I have checked this contract over and over again.

How could there be a loophole? Leonard looked at Aiden with contempt. He only looked

at the contract for a few seconds. It's impossible that he saw anything wrong.

The kid is obviously looking for trouble. He's just after more benefits from Cold Emerald

Spring. President, don't fall for his tricks.

Patty was inclined to believe Robert. After all, she had worked with him for many years,

so inevitably trusted him above Aiden. A trace of disgust flashed across her eyes.

She said coldly to Aiden, Mr. Dale, you have no proof. You can't just say that there are

loopholes where there are none. This is no way to collaborate.

You at Cold Emerald Spring really can't see you're wrong until it's too late. Aiden crossed

his arms, his expression indifferent. He casually pointed out the four loopholes in the

contract, enabling Cold Emerald Spring to avoid its obligations.

Patty picked up the contract on the table and followed Aiden's instructions to look at the

contract clause by clause. The more she looked, the colder her expression became. What

is this, Leonard? Patty exclaimed, her expression angry.

You'd better give me a satisfactory explanation. Robert Leonard was shocked when

Aiden pointed out the loopholes. He looked at Aiden as if he had seen a ghost.

These get outs had been designed by Robert on purpose. He had thought them very

subtle. Even those who had been doing this sort of deal for years and were very familiar

with standard terms could not see them at a mere glance.

But how had this teenager found them within 10 seconds?

Seeing Patty's ashen face, Robert could not help but shudder. In the Cold Emerald Spring

group, he was often said to be above everyone else.

He was not afraid of anyone but Patty, whom he found somewhat intimidating. He gritted

his teeth and admitted, yes, I put those loopholes in. The Midnight Snack Restaurant is

just a small business.

They're lucky to be able to collaborate with Cold Emerald Spring. Why shouldn't we have

the advantage in a few terms and conditions? Isn't that just a matter of course? He failed

to notice Patty's darkening expression and continued proudly, President, I really don't

understand why you're wasting your time on such a small, insignificant... That's enough,

Leonard. I don't need your views, said Patty sharply.

Robert was unable to finish his sentence. He looked at Patty in disbelief. She had

humiliated him in front of everyone.

Leonard, you disappoint me. Patty was trembling with anger. It's unwise to look down on

anyone in the business world.

Midnight Snack Restaurant is not a large business at the moment, but I have 20 years'

experience in this area, and I can assure you that it will soon grow rapidly. Do I make it

clear to you that I see the Midnight Snack Restaurant as a very important partner? To do

something like this to such a highly valued collaborator is shaming. You have disgraced

the Cold Emerald Spring.

Robert's pupils constricted. Highly valued partner? He had never thought that a small

restaurant would seem so important to Patty. From today, you're fired.

Go back to Regan. Patty's cold voice made Robert turn pale with fright. President, I was

wrong.

Please give me another chance. He scrambled towards Patty, wanting to persuade her,

but two sturdy figures suddenly blocked his way. Remove this disgraceful person, please.

Ensure he leaves the premises. At Patty's cold words, the two bodyguards ignored

Robert's shouts and dragged him out of the room. Robert's protests grew more distant,

and the room returned to silence.

Patty took a deep breath and sat down opposite Aiden again. She said sincerely, Aiden,

I'm very sorry. Mr. Leonard did not understand that I was sincere about this partnership.

To try to make up for this mistake, we will increase your percentage share to show our

sincere goodwill. Please collaborate with Cold Emerald Spring. Aiden narrowed his eyes

and quietly observed Patty's expression.

At this moment, the air hung still. The courage that Patty had cultivated for dozens of

years in the business world wavered, and her heart started to beat nervously. She

suddenly felt that the young man in front of her was a cunning old fox inside.

She had never thought that one day, she would actually tremble in front of a teenage

high school student. Aiden looked and saw Patty's sincerity. He believed that it really had

been done by Robert on his own initiative.

Now that Robert had been fired, Aiden's anger disappeared. He smiled and said, What

happened? I seem to have forgotten. Patty could not help but be relieved.

A bright, engaging smile lit up her face.