Married a Secret Billionaire
Chapter 390

At the Tanners' residence at night...

Joe and Mandy were discussing how they would try for the joint hospital project in the study room while Nelly sat aside and listened attentively.

Mandy had wanted to let her go back to her room earlier to sleep and did not want her to know too much.

A few years ago, she had her guard up against Nelly and tried as much as possible not to let her get in touch with the Tanner Group's core business.

Joe did not think much about it. Nelly was not their biological daughter, but they had raised her to this day. It was impossible to say that they had no feelings for her. Moreover, Nelly was able to assist him in business.

"I don't know how the rumor came about," Joe said in a low tone. "But it's said that Rowan likes the Tanners the most among the four major families and wants to work with us." Mandy frowned.

She thought that it was ridiculous at first, but the rumor was growing more aggressive and sounded as if it was real.

Despite that, Rowan did not have any actual contact with the Tanners.

"Dad, is there really a rumor like this?" Nelly could not hide the triumph on her face.

"Yes." Joe looked at her with a complex gaze. "Do you know anything about this?"

"No." Nelly chortled. "It's just that the Hamertons lead the western suburbs project, and I've been following up recently and drafting many proposals for the joint hospital.

"The Hamertons' rationale is that since the land is already theirs, they can give up a share in the hospital project since it'll be built on that plot of land anyway.

"Dad, this is the outcome I've managed to obtain after several negotiations with representatives from the Hamerton Group. It hasn't been easy!"

Joe nodded. Perhaps the Hamertons were really sitting this one out. They could not actually take the land and the projects too, right? After all, the Hamertons had always upheld the notion that money was to be made together.

"If the Hamertons aren't fighting for this, the rumor might be true."

"You think this is good news?" Mandy scoffed. "Has the Hamerton Group clearly expressed that they aren't fighting for this project?"

"Mom, they didn't, but I can talk to Zephyr "

"Forget it!" Mandy snorted, "Who are you to Zephyr? Was the humiliation last time not enough?"

Nelly bit her lips.

"I think the rumor is a trap!" Mandy looked thoughtful. "The source is unknown. It must be targeting the Tanners!"

Joe narrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

"The Tanner Group's having a financial crisis that it's already hard for us to merge funds. Do we have that extra money to build a hospital?

"Moreover, tall poppy syndrome. The more believable the rumor is that the Tanners will have it all, who are we offending? All the three other major families!"

Joe's heart dropped. He only cared about winning the hospital project that he had forgotten about these social pros and cons.

"The western suburbs' land belongs to the Hamertons. They should be the ones calling the shots. How would Rowan Irwin have eyes for us?"

Joe's frown was twisted into a knot. He had to give it to his wife that she was more meticulous than him in certain aspects. It was just that he wanted to go for the joint hospital project without caring about the price he had to pay.

"Joe, I think we should pull out," advised Mandy. "Zephyr's attitude is more than clear. He doesn't want a marriage with our family. He's defying Liam Hamerton openly. Would he regard us?

"At present, the Tanner Group isn't like it used to be... We have a financial crisis. We can only try to survive by being cautious. Perhaps, we'll be able to go through this safely!"

Joe was in deep thought, and the whole room went quiet like it was a vacuum.

After a tense moment, he pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray and said with determination, “We must get this project no matter what. Rowan's come to Centrolis for this joint hospital. It's apparent how much he prioritizes it!"

"Joe, you "

"Rowan might be able to heal Kelly!"

Mandy stared at him, and her eyes reddened instantly.

Nelly took a deep breath, the corner of her lips twitching. There was a flash of viciousness in her gaze as she adjusted her breathing and smiled.

"Dad, Kelly's already like that. We spent so much over the years, and nothing seems to help her get better. Will Mr. Irwin bring her back to life?

"Dad, mom, we want the joint hospital project to make more money, take the Tanner Group out of its crisis, and get closer to the Hamertons! Not solely—" "Shut up!" Mandy slapped her in rage.

Nelly was shocked. When she was able to react, her cheek was throbbing in pain, and there was a metallic taste of blood at the corner of her mouth. Mandy glared at her like she was burning a hole through her. She had long noticed that something was wrong with her daughter.

She did not know when it started, but Kelly refused to meet anyone or talk. She refused to see her own parents and was spending longer in bed.

Mandy could only ask the doctor about it, but she did not know that Nelly had bought over the doctor and nurses, so they only relayed the good news.

In addition to Joe's busy work and the Tanner Group having a crisis years ago, she helped her husband and ran the household-sometimes being unable to free time up for Kelly.

Meanwhile, Nelly had always been an obedient goody two-shoes in front of them, so she did not think of things in a negative light.

Today, however...

Mandy panted with a resentful gaze while Joe eyed her to warn her not to go over the line.

"Nelly, go back to your room first," he said.

Nelly held a hand over her face, shaking. She was going to turn around when a servant knocked on the door.

"Sir, madam, Mr. Bayer is here."

"What's he here for?" Joe was surprised.

Mandy was curious too but thinking about it, it was not all that surprising for Josiah to pay a visit when they were in frequent contact with the Bayers.

The few of them went downstairs.

Josiah got up to greet them, but his smile dimmed a lot more when he saw Nelly behind the couple.

"Josiah, you're here," Joe said with a smile. "Is there something important to bring you here at this time?"