After I gave the go-ahead, the factory immediately called in workers who had been off-duty, mobilizing their entire production line.


    Once the products were ready, they shipped them out directly. From that point on, I barely needed to be involved.


    While ncing at the sales figures and profits, I couldn''t help but smile. If my calctions were correct, this batch alone was going to bring in a significant sum.


    More precisely, as long as no knockoffs appeared on the market, this space was mine to dominate.


    With everything set in motion, I finally returned to my sketches.


    ...


    Steven arrived at the restaurant and found himself facing an unfamiliar man.


    As someone who had built his own fortune from the ground up, Otis had amanding presence.


    There was a quiet confidence about him, the kind possessed only by those who had truly seeded. He stood apart from ordinary people.


    Steven frowned slightly. "You wanted to meet me?"


    Otis nodded. "That''s right. Have a seat."


    Steven wasn''t sure why Otis had invited him here, but given that he was Annalise''s biological father, he was willing to show some courtesy.


    Otis studied the young man before him. He had done his research and knew that Steven hade from humble beginnings and that his family''s rise was entirely due to his efforts.


    Otis respected Steven. He smiled and asked, "I heard you still have feelings for my daughter and want to get back together with her?"


    Steven remembered Annalise mentioned her father a few times, but there had always been a tone of deep resentment in her words when she spoke.


    Naturally, he sided with Annalise. There was no way he''d be overly friendly with Otis.


    Feigning ignorance, he replied, "Your daughter? Who''s that?"


    Otis didn''t catch the mockery in Steven''s tone. Instead, he chuckled and said, "forgot to introduce myself. Annalise''s father, Otis Jamison. I assume Annalise has mentioned me to you before?"


    BUMS


    Otis had hoped this approach would help bridge the gap between them, but Steven remained unmoved.


    He answered calmly, "Hardly ever. In fact, whenever I asked her about her father, she always told me that her father was dead."


    Otis'' expression darkened instantly. Though clearly angered, he forced himself to suppress his temper.


    ???


    Feigning nonchnce, he sighed and replied, "Annalise has held a grudge against me ever since her mother and I divorced. As a man, you should understand me. When two people have no feelings left for each other, staying together and dragging things out is meaningless."


    Otis was determined to win Steven over. "Since you''ve been through something simr, you should understand me."


    Steven, however, wasn''t interested in sympathizing. Instead, he leaned back slightly and said casually, "I remember Annalise telling me that you never paid a cent in child support."


    Steven was curious just how shameless Otis could be. So, he didn''t rush things and took it one step at a time, just to see when Otis would lose his temper.


    Otis immediately replied, "That''s not true! I paid every year without fail! In fact, I transferred money to her ount every month right on time. She''s just ungrateful and never once acknowledged it."


    Steven scoffed. "Since that''s the case, why don''t you show me the transfer


    records? I''ll help you clear your name."


    Otis frowned, his patience clearly wearing thin. He said with irritation, "It''s been so


    many years. The records are long gone."