America 1982-Chapter 178 - 67: Lies Fill the House_3
"But in an open bidding process, Actor and EDS have no competitiveness whatsoever," Tommy didn’t follow up on Ottilia but continued to ask. His tone made it sound like the woman was insignificant in his mind at this moment, and making money was his, Tommy Hawk’s, sole purpose.
Seeing Tommy somewhat tempted, Miller immediately intensified his persuasive tone, "EDS has formed multiple business alliances to provide comprehensive information services for various parties. Lotus Corporation happens to be a member of the EDS Agile Alliance and is responsible for providing EDS with customized spreadsheet software. In other words, there is an economic relationship between them that could be used in court to implicate EDS. During the time EDS is embroiled in this, the military could use the excuse of fearing potential infringement risks and malicious claims to reject EDS’s bid. It’s a justified reason, and then, I will give you full support—lawyers, funds, connections, lobbyists, and so on. You could rapidly expand Actor and comfortably secure this contract. Speaking of which, military business is the easiest. Those lower-ranked soldiers have no idea what they need. You could give them a blank piece of paper, tell them it includes some electronic material, and they would foolishly believe it. Just complete this one deal, and you’ll realize that making money is actually very easy, as long as you make the right choices. Of course, I can first pay Actor Corporation five million in the name of DFS purchasing computer software training services from your company so that you won’t be strapped for cash, even though DFS doesn’t need any services from Actor."
Tommy had silently cursed the old man in front of him, who had become a beast in human clothing yet still tried to talk to him with a hooligan’s tone to seem more approachable, countless times in his mind. Images of his three daughters and his wife had been arranged in countless positions in Tommy’s mind.
He considered himself a scoundrel with no bottom line but with basic humanity, but what was this guy? Without imagination, courage, or freedom, he was unworthy of being called a scoundrel. And yet, he was trying to deceive Tommy into helping him fight against Perot, another scoundrel?
Was he old and not allowed to let other big swinging men enjoy their lives, only to accompany him in celibacy?
This meeting, aside from letting Tommy see how Miller exploited this lawsuit from his perspective, offered nothing else worth learning. Miller was far behind Benjamin Rosen—at least Mr. Rosen could offer some positive suggestions. Although Tommy understood those truths on his own, they at least represented the demeanor of an SSD alumnus instructing a junior.
And listening to this bastard talk, deceiving yourself and Actor to be his tools and weapons for a mere five million—is Tommy Hawk some poor country bumpkin from Warwick who’s never seen money?
Not even willing to offer his daughter Ottelia’s hand in marriage to Tommy as a bargaining chip for becoming a tool, saving his own daughter and sparing others as well? What if it were just a lie to make Tommy happy?
If he had known how stingy the otherwise wealthy man was, he wouldn’t have brought Sophia as a shield. That way, he might have gotten closer to Ottelia in private.
"Uh... but... I mean... I’m saying I come from Warwick," Tommy hesitated, opening his mouth and looking at Miller, then lowered his head to look at his hands: "You know, Mr. Perot is my father’s idol. When I joined SSD, my father especially told me, if I had the chance to meet him, to remember to get his autograph for him. But Mr. Miller, what you just said... you want me to stand against Mr. Perot. He’s also a member of SSD. I joined SSD because of him."
"So, you’re sure you want to give up such a big deal?" Miller looked at Tommy with a smirk and half-smile, "You’re a smart man, think about it. When you had no money, you could turn the Caribbean Sea upside down, and with wealth, you could even use that money in combination with your brain to change the entire world, Tommy."
Tommy seemed to make up his mind, his gaze suddenly becoming resolute, looking at Miller: "To help you fight against a past idol and SSD alumnus... It’ll cost extra."
"Truly a qualified scoundrel of SSD," Miller laughed upon hearing Tommy’s words: "How much money do you want?"
Tommy also started to laugh: "No, no, no, money isn’t important at the moment, what I’m really lacking is a sense of security."
"Security?" Miller frowned slightly, "A bodyguard? A driver, a doctor?"
"Your three daughters are also blondes like Miss Ottilia Farrell, huh?" Tommy said with a smile, slowly standing up: "I’m joking."
This remark nearly made Robert Miller, who had just taken a sip of water, choke. He wasn’t senile, that damn scoundrel really dared to think... all three of his daughters were blondes...
He stood up with a slightly darkened face and shook hands with Tommy, saying coldly, "I don’t think you need to ponder. I already know the answer. I was once a scoundrel myself, and I know what you’re thinking. You take my words as lies and jokes."
"You’re not a scoundrel, Mr. Miller. So the best outcome is to treat this meeting as a joke," Tommy released his hand, sighed: "Before meeting you, I respected you, because your experiences when you were young made a new generation scoundrel like me aspire, wishing I could find a time machine to go back to that era and do crazy things with you. But now, as I’m about to take my leave, I realize that aside from having three less beautiful blond daughters than Ottilia, there’s nothing about you worth remembering. Times have changed, Mr. Miller. Twenty years ago, you and Mr. Perot were the finest scoundrels of SSD, but now, only Mr. Perot remains a true scoundrel, whereas you have become a gentleman."
