Chapter 22: How Much Do You Need?

    Sean reached for his wine and took a sip without once taking his eyes off of Lawson. It was a simple business tactic his father had taught him—silence always made people uncomfortable. After just a few minutes of cold, uninterrupted silence, most people were willing to offer almost anything. He fought the urge to smile as Lawson shifted uncomfortably in his seat. As far as he understood it, Lawson’s company was on the verge of a massive financial crisis. There had been issues with the supplier, and several investors had pulled out with a little warning. Though Lawson had tried to keep the company’s instability a secret, the news had spread fast. No one with half a brain was willing to invest in the company. Sean had been surprised when Lawson called him—not many people had the guts to ask him to invest in a collapsing business. He’d wanted to hang up the phone, but he’d paused. His mother had left one of her glossy society magazines lying on the coffee table, and a picture from a r