Gavin's lips twitched as he pressed his palms together in a pleading gesture toward Ethan, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile.

"Mr. Roscente, with your family's wealth, this petty cash must be nothing to you. But I'm broke—unemployed, living off my dad's measly $300,000 monthly allowance." He batted his eyelashes. "Cut me some slack. How about $260,000?"

His whining tone stretched like a spoiled puppy's.

Ethan didn't even glance up, taking a slow sip of his whiskey.

Gavin pouted.

The billion-dollar project would guarantee the Valentines massive profits.

$500,000 weekly expenses would total $7 million over three months.

"Ethan," he suddenly leaned in, "if you want to help Jenna, why not just give her the money? $7 million could set her and her brother up for life."

"Would you take it?" Ethan flicked cigarette ash.

"Damn right I would!"

"She's not you." A smoke ring drifted between them. "She'd refuse."

Gavin clawed at his hair. "But this way Tristan pockets everything! It's infuriating!"

Amid the haze, Ethan stubbed out his cigarette.

"I don't need your help anymore."

"Found another way?" Gavin's eyes lit up.

"Mhm."

"About the Hudson Yards project..." Gavin rubbed his hands.

Ethan swirled his glass. "HM Group's opening public bids. Tell your father to follow procedure."

Gavin's grin froze.

"However—" Ethan's tone shifted, "I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself."

"Name it!"

"Bring men to Studio 54 every night." Ethan's gaze turned glacial. "Guard Jenna. Keep the trash away."

Gavin gaped. "You actually like her?"

Ethan's stare could frost hell. "One more word, and Hudson Yards disappears."

Like her?

Ridiculous.

This was simply...atonement.