Chapter 18 there to throw money away . So , I'm " That's right . " Babur nodded without hesitation . " I have somewhere to be , so I take my leave ." " Mr. Winslow , it's nothing personal - it's just business . We're not running a charity , and certainly not afraid this is where our cooperation ends " Victor stared at Babur in disbelief , " Mr. Blake , you .. you're choosing The Chandler Group as s well ?! Hudson Barrett also stood . " Mr. Winslow , I've got other matters to attend to . I'm sure well cross paths again someday . That line " We'll cross paths again " -was almost poetic in its irony . The Chandler Group was on a meteoric rise , building their empire from nothing , already leaving Apex Game Studios far behind . Within a month . The Chandler Group would completely overtake Apex , snatch up the Celestial Awards , and stand at the top of Silverhaven's gaming industry - while Apex would be left to announce bankruptcy By then , how could Victor ever face them again ? So yes , " well cross paths again " … perhaps , but only if fate was feeling cruel . As Hudson Barrett and Babur strode out , Victor shot up from his seat , panic edging his voice . " Mr. Barrett , Mr. Blake , wait ! Let's talk this over - after all these years of working together ! And today's contract signing was already scheduled . If you both walk out now , where am I supposed to find new partners at the last minute ? " Hudson paused and looked back , his eyes cold and laced with scom . " Mr. Winslow , the agreement may have been scheduled , but we never signed anything . Without signatures , there's no contract , and no legal obligation . You ought to know your limits . Sometimes , it's best to leave things unsaid - I hope you understand that much . " Victor frowned . " Mr. Barrett , even if we haven't signed anything yet . I thought our history meant something . Remember when your company was on the brink , and I stepped in to help ? Can't you give us one more chance ? We all hit rough patches . If you help me through this , and if Apex wins the Celestial Awards and goes public , I promise you - l never forget what you did for me ! " Back when Hudson Barrett's company was on the verge of collapse - partners pulling out , contracts terminated , everything falling apart - it was Victor who stepped in and kept the Barrett Group afloat through the worst of the storm . Without Victor back then , there'd be no Hudson Barrett today . Victor had assumed that reminding Hudson of those days would sway him , or at least earn some sympathy . But to his shock , Hudson only sneered . " Win the Celestial Awards and go public ? Mr. Winslow , are you still dreaming ? Can't you see how things stand ? Silverhaven belongs to The Chandler Group now . Apex is about to be nothing but a relic . The only company taking home the Celestial Awards will be The Chandler Group " And let's not rewrite history , I never begged you to bail out the Barrett Group - it was your choice . What now , Mr. Winslow ? Are you trying to use that favor to hold me hostage ? " Victor's eyes widened in disbelief . He never thought Hudson Barrett would be so heartless . Worse yet , he'd never imagined he'd end up living out the old fable of the farmer and the viper ! It's true - only when you've hit rock bottom do you see people's true colors . Babur glanced at his watch and said impatiently , " Let's go , Mr. Barrett . It's nearly time to sign with The Chandler Group - why waste breath on someone like him ? " % Hudson didn't hesitate , he followed Babur right out the door . " Hudson Barrett Babur ! You bastards - you'll regret this ! " Victor shouted after them , barely able to contain his fury Babur glanced back , his tone mocking . " Maybe we will , maybe we won't . But right now , Victor , you're about to become a stray dog With that , both Babur and Hudson Barrett laughed as they walked out , leaving Victor standing alone . Victor clenched his fists and slammed them down on the table K This was humiliation , plain and simple t Bang The blow made the coffee cup on the table quake , dark liquid sloshing over the rim . " Anger will only eat you alive , Mr. Winslow . Why stoop to their level ? " !! The unexpected voice startled Victor He looked up to see a young woman sitting across from him . He had no idea when she'd appeared . She wore a plain white T- shirt , her hair up in a messy bun , the picture of youthful confidence - seventeen , maybe eighteen at most . " Miss , do I know you ?" Caitlin smiled , unbothered by his suspicion . She got straight to the point . " I can help Apex Game Studios bring down The Chandler Group , weather this crisis , and soar to the top - Celestial Awards included ."