Alec was left scratching his head. How could the Hilpton turn into an ancestral property when it was obviously a chain hotel operating globally? Completely nonsense!

With no other options, Alec raised his offer to three times the value, catching the manager's attention but still getting turned down.

Reflecting on his extensive experience working with Jarrod, Alec sensed something odd about this transaction.

After all, Jarrod stood as one of the top ten magnates in Ardlens.

The manager of Hilpton was playing out of Jarrod's league.

Yet, the manager dismissed the offer outright, even when the offer was raised to three times the value. It struck Alec as highly unusual. No normal businessmen would pass out the opportunity to make money. It seemed like the manager was keeping secrets.

Left with no alternatives, Alec consulted Jarrod again, who responded with just two words after hearing the situation, "Five times!"

Alec was stunned. Offering five times the price would mean operating at a loss for the next fifty years. What sort of agreement was this, practically throwing money away?

Yet, Alec understood if he didn't seal the deal, Jarrod might go as far as to propose ten times the price.

Alec resorted to every strategy he knew, from charm to dogged determination.

In the end, the vast financial offer made the manager cave.

Gone were the mentions of family heirlooms. Although the manager claimed to agree reluctantly, his face betrayed his true feelings with a broad grin.

Clutching the acquisition contract he had fought so hard for, Alec felt the deal was anything but a lucrative one.

Before the break of dawn, Nicole awoke.

As Nicole gazed at the peaceful face next to her, she was overwhelmed by a feeling of complete satisfaction.

Her thoughts remained a mystery to outsiders. When she first exited Austin's life, people assumed she harbored strong negative feelings toward Austin.

They were unaware her choice was rooted more in remorse. Nicole was weighed down by remorse for not being the good mother she should have been. Claiming depression as a defense was inadequate.

From the instant her hand reached for Austin's neck, Nicole relinquished her claim to motherhood.

Additionally, her notoriety in Ardlens, marred by Jarrod's doings, implied Austin was better off without a mother like her bearing a stained reputation. Austin's future seemed brighter and more promising without her presence. She found comfort in observing him from a distance.

With a heavy heart, Nicole let go of Austin's hand, feeling an emptiness grow with every inch she withdrew.