Chapter 1158

"I know you're not strapped for cash, so relax. Leave it to me, and I promise you'll be satisfied."

Calix was about to hang up when Scott chimed in, "Oh, there's something I nearly forgot. Idea Tech has invited you to their ribbon-cutting ceremony. Knowing your family's into business, I thought I'd run it by you first."

Idea Tech? Calix had never heard of them.

"I'll check it out and get back to you," he said, ending the call. He planned to get the scoop from Dorian.

Just then, a voice piped up from behind him.

"Idea Tech? That's my son Wilder's venture," said Oliver, his expression as frosty as a winter morning.

"Your son, Wilder?" Calix turned to meet Oliver's chilly stare.

"Yeah, Dominic used to run it, but it was tanking. Now Wilder's in charge."

Calix chuckled, "Oliver, you sly devil. That's so like you."

A failing company with Wilder at the helm-classic Oliver.

"Since Wilder took over, the previous losses aren't on his tab," Oliver continued. "If they were, neither Wilder nor Cole would have touched it. Nobody wants to be the

fall guy."

"Well, I'll let Scott know I'm skipping the ribbon-cutting. Wilder's jumping into tech, just like Reid. If I help him out, Reid might want to throw a punch."

Keeping the peace in the family was more important. Money's just a side note.

Calix walked off, phone in hand, ready to set things straight with Scott.

...

On the day of Wilder's company launch.

Calix wasn't there, but a bunch of other celebs were, boosting the company's profile.

Cole surveyed the lively scene, speaking in hushed tones, "Wilder, is the PR team ready?"

"All set, Dad. The stars I invited are all over the news. It'll give the company a solid boost."

Cole nodded, pleased. "Wilder, I knew you had it in you."

"Dad, I couldn't have done it without your support. Today we're making waves, and I won't let you down."

Wilder dove back into the hustle.

Cole watched the bustling event, phone in hand, feeling pretty satisfied.

...

After the ceremony wrapped up.

Cole and Wilder sat down to take a breather and check if they'd hit the trending charts.

When Cole opened his phone, it felt like a slap in the face.

Wilder was equally floored by what was trending.

"Calix is throwing a concert? A fan meeeet? Splashing out on gifts for fans? Wilder read aloud in disbelief.

Cole shook his head, "A concert by Calix, and it's causing such a stir?" He could hardly believe it.

Even with the celebs Wilder hired, their buzz couldn't match Calix's solo magic.

Wilder was stunned, "I shelled out all that money for these stars, and it's like nothing happened?"

It was like tossing a coin into the sea and not even getting a splash.

Cole was fuming, "Didn't you do your

? If you couldn't book shouldve at least keel.net tabs on his schede nev

Wilder hung his head, taking his father's scolding. He'd dropped the ball on this one.

Wilder felt worse than if he'd swallowed a bug.

Cole glared at his son, the one he'd pinned so many hopes on, who had now messed it all up.

"You spent all that money and stille

ble you've really let net

down!" Cole stormed off, furious.

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