Chapter 572: Interests Are Paramount
The old madam decided what to do with the money. She wrapped six hundred in oilcloth and hid it away, gave Verna Golding fifty for household expenses, and let Clayton Xavier carry the remaining several dozen.
"You have a social circle now, and a man can’t be stingy. You have to be willing to spend money when the occasion calls for it, even if it means taking a small loss. In business, your network is everything, and building a network costs money."
Clayton Xavier nodded. He understood these principles; his grandma had told him them many times before.
The old madam smiled, pleased. "What are your plans for the future?" she asked.
"I’ll keep contacting factories and spend less time on retail. I want to focus on securing large orders. That way, I’ll have more time to study."
The old madam nodded. She wasn’t worried about her grandson’s studies. It was other matters that concerned her.
"And between you and Adrian Hawthorne... have you thought about the future?"
Clayton Xavier paused, not quite understanding his grandmother’s meaning. He answered cautiously, "I think Kenneth is a very good person. If possible, I’d like to be friends with him for life."
’That was what he truly thought. Even though Adrian Hawthorne was younger, he was bold, quick-witted, and decisive—superior in many ways. He had learned so much from Adrian Hawthorne and was more than willing to befriend someone so exceptional, as long as Adrian Hawthorne didn’t find him lacking.’
The old madam gave a faint smile. "It’s good to make friends," she cautioned. "And that boy, Adrian Hawthorne, is certainly exceptional, with an excellent family background. I support you being friends. But, Clayton, I’ve told you this before: there’s no such thing as a friend for life. Even fathers and sons, brothers, or husbands and wives will turn on each other for profit. The only thing that truly binds people together is self-interest. The greater the interest, the stronger the bond."
’She’d been in business for most of her life and had never believed in sentiment. Kinship, romance, friendship—it was all bullshit.’
’When they were first married, she and Anton Xavier had shared sweet, passionate moments. His words were sweeter than honey, swearing she’d be the only woman in his life. Hmph. A mere five years later, Anton brought that little slut home. She even dreamed of replacing her as Mrs. Xavier. And without Anton’s support, where would that little slut have found such gall?’
’Why else would the other elders of the Xavier Clan have stood by silently, letting that little slut be so insolent to her face? It was all because Anton was backing her. Just because I couldn’t bear children, suddenly I wasn’t worthy of being Mrs. Xavier.’
’But the Xaviers never considered all I’d done. After marrying into their family, I earned them so much money, managed the household impeccably, and served my parents-in-law without a single misstep. I was a faultless wife and daughter-in-law. And what’s more, when they asked for my hand, I made things perfectly clear. I told them my health was delicate and that I might not be able to bear children. But I said I would allow Anton to take a concubine, and I would raise any child as my own.’
’I laid it all out, crystal clear, and the Xavier family said it was no problem. Only then did I agree to marry him, bringing with me a generous dowry. The most precious item in it was the scar-removal formula I had developed myself.’
’My family was of moderate means; my father was a reasonably well-known physician. I’d devoured medical texts since I was a girl and had even treated patients. As a child, I was accidentally burned by hot coals, leaving a hideous scar on my hand. It bothered me terribly, so I developed my own scar-removal ointment. The effect was remarkable—the scar I’d had for years disappeared completely. That ointment sold extremely well, and my family made a great deal of money from it.’
’It was only after I married that I realized the truth. The reason my father-in-law had overlooked my health issues was for that very formula. After joining the Xavier family, I willingly handed it over. I even helped manage their pharmacy, working myself to the bone, diligently and conscientiously, never daring to slack off for a moment. And once the Xavier family had my formula, they thought they could just kick me to the curb?’
’By what right!’