Chapter 684

Bob looked at him and sighed, "I've steered this company my entire life. Never did I imagine that in my twilight years, I'd have to watch the Rodriguez Group decline. Lawrence, you have to remember that it's us who drag Leah down! When she was with Andrew, she had a glorious life. Now, at eighty, she has to live in such a small place."

"Bob." Leah frowned and interrupted Bob, "Don't say that. No power lasts forever; what rises must eventually fall. Maybe it's all fate, and we're just fine now."

She remained calm, with a gentle strength in her eyes. "Even in decline, we should remain optimistic. Look, at the very least, we have a roof over our heads and food on the table. Compared to ordinary people, we are still far better off. Besides being looked down upon by those tycoons, we have nothing to worry about."

Lawrence lowered his eyes, surprised at how open-minded Leah was, who was indeed the most insightful person in the family.

"Grandma, I'm sorry. Everything that's happened to the Rodriguez Group is my fault. It's my negligence that's led us to this point." Lawrence said.

"You're damn right it's your fault!" Bob snapped back without any leniency. "You should have been running the company when the chip was launched. If it weren't for you running off with Winnie and stirring up endless bad press, we wouldn't have been so vulnerable. I don't blame you entirely, though. After all, I made a bigger mistake myself-trusting Hellen for thirty years."

Leah's once gentle eyes grew cold. "I told you from the start that Hellen wasn't the right choice for a daughter-in-law. You thought picking an ordinary woman would protect the Rodriguez Group from future issues. I advised you to choose someone you actually cared about. But in the end, you and Hellen became distant. I could see from the start, back when you were with Melissa, that she was a good woman. Too bad you were both tied to other lives; it was never going to work out."

Leah's expression was a mix of emotions. "By the way, Lawrence, where is Melissa living now?"

"Mother, why are you asking about this now?" Bob was puzzled by Leah's question, a hint of awkwardness crossing his weathered face. He had a vague idea Melissa had visited him in the hospital, but he wasn't keen on rekindling contact with her, fearing it might lead to more awkwardness.

Lawrence looked down. "Mom, Melissa lives in a villa in the city. She's doing well."

"That's good to hear," Leah said, shaking her head. "You and Bob are both stubborn in your own ways. You're too loyal and obstinate, while Bob's been heartless and detached. I worry about the Rodriguez Group, but I worry even more about you two."

Bob felt a pang of guilt. At over fifty and now divorced, he felt the weight of Leah's words.

Anday stepped forward, trying to console Leah. "Mom, don't be too upset. Bob getting divorced at his age might actually be a blessing in disguise. We don't need to let Hellen's actions drive us to despair. Hellen played us for fools, and Ronnie was beyond the pale. But the Rodriguez family still has a foundation. We sold the estate for 100 billion, and with the subsidiaries sold off, we've got some seed money to work with. Bob, it's up to you and Lawrence now. With you two at the helm, the Rodriguez Group might still have a chance."

Bob nodded. "I'm still in touch with the buyer for the estate. We owe thanks to this mysterious benefactor. By the way, Lawrence, I got word that the chairman of NexaCore Group is quietly in VeridianiaTrento City. If we can negotiate a partnership with NexaCore and bring in their exclusive chips, it could help us through this crisis."

"NexaCore Group?" Lawrence asked, unfamiliar with the company.

Bob explained, "NexaCore Group is headquartered on the AquaVista Continent. Rumor has it that their chairman has connections with domestic political figures, including the president. This shadowy power player keeps a low profile and avoids the public rankings of Veridiania companies, so nobody really knows much about him. NexaCore Group is involved in a wide range of industries, with hundreds of offices worldwide. In reality, they're a major financial force behind the president. Lawrence, come to the office tomorrow. The Rodriguez Group needs to regroup. See if you can arrange a meeting with NexaCore's chairman."

Bob's gaze was intense as he spoke.

Lawrence, however, was momentarily at a loss for words.

After dinner with Leah, Lawrence made an excuse to leave the villa. In truth, he had nowhere to go.

In his mind, his health was deteriorating, his mood had plummeted, and he felt utterly drained. Even if he were to rise to greatness again, he would no longer be a complete man. He was destined never to be with Winnie, and he wondered if his two sons would even accept a broken father. His life seemed destined to be solitary.

Yet, Bob's look reminded him of the responsibility resting on his shoulders-everyone in the Rodriguez family was counting on him. He had no right to back down.

Perhaps it was exhaustion or the weight of it all, but Lawrence found himself wandering into a bar. He sought solace in alcohol, hoping to numb the pain, even if just temporarily.

At the bar, Lawrence ordered a round of drinks, downing them one by one. The room grew hazy, and he chuckled bitterly to himself, thinking, 'Indeed, alcohol is a good escape.'

He could barely remember who Winnie was anymore.

Lawrence lifted a bottle of vodka, pouring it down his throat with a cold, detached resolve.

On the second floor of the bar, a figure passed by and noticed the drunken Lawrence downstairs. With a smirk, he quickly slipped into a private room and made a call.

"Hey, Mars, guess who I just ran into at the bar?"

"Ronald? Spit it out."

"It's Lawrence. He's in such a bad state, wearing cheap clothes and drowning his sorrows in booze. I almost didn't recognize him. Looks like Rock did a great job with what you had him handle last time!"

"Lawrence?" Mars chuckled, his legs nudging Rock, who was currently wrapped around a woman, and raising an eyebrow with a devilish smirk. "Lawrence is out of the hospital, but he's drinking his troubles away. Ronald mentioned the job you had done in the cell. How'd that turn out?"

Rock, aware that Mars was merely feigning ignorance, let a smug smile spread across his face as his hand slid off the woman's waist. "Well, if things go as planned, he might end up a cripple for good. But now that he's out on bail, the Rodriguez Group's estate just sold at a price of $100 billion. Mr. Martin, aren't you worried he might claw his way back up?"

Mars' smile faltered. Ishara's words were like a thorn in his side; he still harbored fears about Lawrence.

Even in his current state, Lawrence was not to be underestimated. Mars raised his glass and clinked it with Rock's. "Remember how Mr. Scott was furious after Lawrence kicked him out of the Rodriguez Group? And Jesse's failed auction didn't help his mood. Would you like to give him a little extra reason to be upset?"

Rock got the hint instantly. Mars was crafty enough not to get his hands dirty himself. But Rock didn't mind stepping in. With Lawrence having nothing left, taking him down further could crush his spirit completely.

With a cold smile, Rock took out his phone and dialed, "Mr. Scott, this is Rock, a friend of Mr. Martin. I have some good news-Lawrence is out."