Stephen realized he had hit a brick wall. But as someone who had climbed to his current position, he knew when to retreat. At this point, the best move was to de escalate and find a compromise before Nancy truly escalated the situation to a mutually destructive outcome. Cutting losses in time, that was the smartest choice. After a brief pause, Stephen spoke. "As long as you sincerely apologize to us, and Arthur comes forward and formally apologizes, I might be willing to forgive you. “After all, Walker Group has worked with the government for years and is well versed in our requirements. Replacing a company on such short notice could create quality concerns." Stephen attitude and tone were now completely different from before, because this wasn’t just about a personal grudge anymore! it affected his position in the Seacity government. He couldn’t afford to act on impulse. Zane and Maris remained silent, their lips pressed into thin lines. But their expressions were as dark as coal. Luke hadn’t expected such a drastic reversal in just a few sentences. Panic surged within him! If the Yarbrough family truly backed down, what would happen to him? If the Gibson family decided to take revenge, as a mere collateral relative of the Quinns, he had no power to fight back. Yet now that Stephen had made his statement, there was nothing Luke could do. He couldn’t afford to offend both the Gibsons family and the Yarbrough family at the same time. The abrupt shift in stance wasn’t lost on the audience, many of whom stifled laughter. Just moments ago, Stephen had been so arrogant, vowing to cut off all ties with Walker Group. And now, at the mere mention of breachofcontract penalties, he was backing down? Many had assumed that since Stephen was offering an olive branch, Nancy would accept it, preserving both sides’ dignity and preventing Walker Group from going under. But the moment she heard his words, Nancy perked up with renewed energy. "Apologize? Apologize for what? Neither Arthur nor I did anything wrong. If anyone should apologize, it’s Maris. He provoked us for no reason, disturbed Arthur’s good mood, and wasted his time. He’s the one who should be apologizing!" The Yarbrough family’s eyes widened in shock. Disturb his mood? Waste his time? Maris had lost an arm! He was still wearing a cast!For weeks, he had struggled even to eat properly!And she was claiming that Maris had merely disturbed Arthur’s mood?How could she compare Maris’s injury to something as trivial as mood? The onlookers were equally dumbfounded. Everyone knew Nancy was protective, but wasn’t this going too far? Stephen had clearly been offering her a way out. Everyone could see that. Did Nancy really not realize it? All he had asked for was a simple apology from Arthur. Yes, Maris had started the conflict, but Arthur had walked away completely unscathed, while Maris had ended up with a broken arm. Just a few words, and she could have resolved the company’s crisis and maintained her government contracts. It seemed absurd not to take the offer. Unless, Walker Group already secured a new business partner? One that could rival the Seacity government? But no one had heard any such news. Stephen had intentionally made Walker Group’s disqualification from bidding public knowledge. At such a sensitive time, who would risk offending the Yarbrough family by partnering with them? The Yarbrough family faces were now completely stormy. Zane gaze turned ruthless. Through clenched teeth, he demanded, "Spencer! Nancy! Are you really willing to sever all ties with the Yarbrough family?!" The mood shifted instantly. Spencer and Nancy’s expressions grew serious. Spencer met Zane’s glare head-on and spoke firmly. "Zane, you’re mistaken." Hearing his words, both Zane and Stephen subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. They were so focused on the tension of the moment that they didn’t even care that Spencer was addressing him so directly, without the usual formalities. But just as they started to relax, Spencer continued. "It wasn’t us who sought to sever ties with the Yarbrough family, it was you." The Yarbrough family were stunned! They stared at Spencer and Nancy in disbelief. Ever since Spencer’s influence in the government had waned, the dynamics between their children had shifted. Zane had never intervened. Survival of the fittest, that had always been the rule. The weak got trampled. That was how things had always worked. The Gibson family had never put up much resistance, and after their daughters left Seacity, things had settled. Even Spencer’s colleagues in the government had begun treating him differently. But now, here he was, standing tall and completely unafraid. Had he given up? Was he throwing caution to the wind, no longer caring about his family’s wellbeing and future? That didn’t seem like Spencer style. For the first time, Zane found himself unable to read him.