Cato pursed his lips and shrugged. “Very well. Just come to me any time you feel overwhelmed. I could always get you a job—subcontractor companies like mine are always hiring.”
“That’s unnecessary,” Frank replied coolly.
It was obvious Cato considered Frank to be beneath him, and his job offers were clearly his way of mocking Frank.
Frank certainly would never fall for such a cheap trick.
“Enough small talk,” Helen said as Frank took a seat. She then took out an agreement from her briefcase and pushed it to Frank. “Frank, the Southstream Lanes are building a mansion for Mark Lane as a gift for retirement. Everything about the subcontractor involved and various other finer details are included—take a look and see if there’s anything missing.”
Frank took the agreement, but while he combed through it, Luna was scowling impatiently. “Are you going to sign it or not, Helen? I worked hard to get Cato’s help, and he can give us a ten percent rebate while providing good work. Why would you let some ignoramus like Frank read the agreement?”
Helen did not hold back this time and retorted, “I’ve been given full authority on this matter. Ask Grandfather if you’re upset with the arrangement.”
Luna’s face contorted like she ate dung.
“I’m done.” Frank returned the agreement to Helen soon enough.
“What do you think?” Helen asked him eagerly.
Frank nodded. “The agreement details are very much you. Including even construction mishaps in the clauses is a nice touch… but there’s something you missed.”
“What?” Helen was taken aback.
Even Gina’s ears pricked up in attention.
“Are you sure about the subcontractor’s background?” Frank asked. “Are you sure it’s not a shell company, ready to bail once they get your money?”
While Helen appeared thoughtful after hearing what Frank had to say, Luna leapt up, slamming her hand on the table, pointing at Frank as she snapped, “What do you think you are doing?! Cato is my contact, and I can be a referee to his character! Bailing once he gets our money? There’s a limit to how much bullshit you can spew, y’know!”
“Exactly!” Cato bellowed coldly at Frank, clearly furious too. “I’ve been operating a serious company for years, and I have a good reputation here in Morhen. Why would I trick some bumpkin from a backwater place like Riverton?! The paltry pay you can barely afford is beneath you—I wouldn’t even take the job if Luna never reached out to me… and you’d insult me instead?! Unbelievable!”
His reaction only confirmed Frank’s hunch.
Still, he smiled faintly but said nothing—all he offered was a suggestion, and it was Helen who decided what to do.
“What about this?”
Helen spoke solemnly after some thought. “Let’s take a trip to Cato’s company. I’ll need to look at your company’s conditions before the paperwork. That’s not too much to ask for, is it?”
“Hmph.” Luna snorted unhappily.
