Chapter 18 The Price of a Smear Campaign Chapter 18 The Price of a Smear Campaign " Trevor cut our orders . The company's in crisis and you're still hung up on this marriage ! " +10 Free Coins Jade turned pale . " What ? How could that happen ? Trevor cutting ties helps no one . We've worked together for years - how could he just walk away ? " John could only regret his choices . " If I'd known it would end up like this , I never would've brought Mandy to the Rich family banquet . Now look - none of this really hurt Mandy at all . And us ? We ran off to the Yale family trying to convince them she was crazy , only for them to show zero interest in breaking off the engagement . Who knows what they're thinking about us now ? If they start believing we mistreated Mandy , we're in real trouble . " Jade finally grasped the seriousness of the situation . Her face turned ghostly white . " What do we do now ? " John sighed , his head pounding . " For now , just leave Mandy alone . Let things cool down before we do anything else ." " But what about Yvonne's engagement ? " " We'll deal with that once the company's back on its feet . If the business collapses , nobody's getting a happy ending . Yvonne's nearly twenty , and she hasn't helped the family business at all . I don't even know what she does all day with those spoiled heiresses she hangs around ." John had heard the rumors - Mandy's design work was apparently stunning . She had real talent , enough to impress Austin and earn a personal invitation to the Yale estate . Looking back , John regretted everything . Upstairs , Yvonne had been standing on the staircase . She heard every word . Furious , she ran back to her room . She had planned to ask her parents to push harder - force Mandy to cancel the engagement . But now , with the company in trouble , her father had no time to help her . Worse , he was disappointed in her . Thought she was useless . The more she thought about it , the more furious she became . She was going to prove him wrong . Yvonne called Lily . " Lily , what happened last time was my sister's fault . Can we meet and talk ? " On the other end , Lily had already been chewed out by her father . She'd also realized Yvonne had used her . " If this is about fixing your company's deals , then I don't think we have anything to talk about ?" " Lily , we're truly sorry . How about this - I'll bring Mandy along to apologize to you in person . How about that ? " Even if it wasn't about saving face , it was about pride . Getting Mandy to apologize in person ? Lily wasn't going to say no to that , " Alright , bring her to my house tomorrow . F'll be waiting . " " Don't worry , Lily . I'll make sure Mandy apologizes properly . " Now that the meeting was sex , Yvonne had to convince Mandy . She went to John . " Dad , I talked to Lily . She said if Mandy apologizes tomorrow , she'll ask her dad to restore our contracts . But I don't think Mandy will go willingly . What should we do ? " John saw a sliver of hope and felt relieved , 1/2 P P · Chapter 18 The Price of a Smear Campaign " Well done . Yvonne . Since you've created the opportunity , I'll talk to Mandy myself . " +10 Free Coins Yvonne said sweetly , " I'm part of this family . I've benefited from everything it's given me . Helping out in a crisis is the least I can do . " 1- John nodded , pleased . At least Yvonne knew how to be thoughtful . Not like Mandy , who only stirred up trouble and embarrassed the family . They never should've brought her back . John knocked on Mandy's door . " Mandy , come out . I need to discuss something with you . " Mandy came down to the living room , lazily flopped onto the sofa . " What's up ? " John said , " You made a scene at the Rich family's banquet . Because you still haven't apologized , they cut several of our contracts . It's been a big blow to the company . Tomorrow , you'll go with Yvonne to the Rich house and apologize . Help us fix this . Mandy laughed . " And who told you an apology would fix it ? Mr. Tate , you've been in business for years - do you really believe in something that convenient ? " Yvonne chimed in confidently , " Mandy , I already spoke to Lily . As long as you apologize , she said she'd talk to her dad and get the contracts back . " That sounded like a kid playing house . In front of John , Mandy didn't flat - out refuse . Instead , she calmly offered her own take . " If I were Trevor , I might accept the apology and resume working with your company . We've been partners for a long time , after all . " 2/2