Rags to Riches

Chapter 3 The Lorimer Family’s Crisis

Murray stood there with his hands behind his back, his voice booming. "Marcus and I are good friends, so I've brought along a diamond scepter as a gift!"

He presented the scepter to Nora and left without another word.

"Murray Fletcher … from the East? He can't be … Murray Fletcher, the head of the Fletcher family? That's the most prominent family in the East!"

"I think it really is him! I've seen him on TV before!"

"My God! He actually came to attend our family gathering! No other family in Cromford City has had the privilege in the past!"

A stunned silence descended upon the crowd, until Luke spoke up. "What bullshit! Why would someone like Murray Fletcher be good friends with a good-for-nothing like Marcus Coleman? Marcus, where did you hire some actor to pretend to be Murray Fletcher? Do you realize the Fletcher family will be out for our blood if they find out about this?" he bellowed.

He refused to believe a good-for-nothing would have anything to do with the most prominent family in the East!

Everyone's gazes landed on Marcus, including Vivian's. Her eyes were filled with shock, and her heart raced as she prayed Marcus hadn't pulled some sort of trick.

This was the first time in three years that she'd had some form of hope in him. If he'd really managed to invite Murray to their family gathering and win her the biggest portion of the family's resources, she was confident she could lead her family to greater heights!

"Even if I'd hired someone to pretend to be Murray Fletcher, I couldn't possibly have gotten a fake diamond scepter, right? Murray won it in an auction at Riverton last month; it's worth tens of millions of dollars and it's the only one in the world," Marcus said calmly.

As the Drakon, close to half of the world's richest moguls were akin to his hired help; Murray was only one of many. In fact, he could almost be considered one of the most insignificant among the pack.

Murray was Marcus' temporary link to the Pantheon of the Drakon while the latter was in Cromford City.

"Bah! A diamond scepter, you say? Don't think I can't tell it's just made of glass!" Luke darted forward to grab the scepter before smashing it on the floor.

"Stop!" Nora thumped her walking stick on the floor and took the diamond scepter from Luke, appraising it closely.

She'd dealt in antiques for decades and knew much about scepters. After a long moment, she gasped. "This scepter is authentic! I've also seen Mr. Fletcher at a banquet before. He's the real deal! Good job, Vivian!" Nora gave her a rare smile.

She didn't believe for a second that someone like Marcus would know Murray, so she figured Vivian must have somehow gotten to know him.

"This is impossible. Simply impossible!" Luke muttered to himself, unable to believe what was happening.

"Grandma—" Vivian was about to explain that Marcus was really the one who deserved the credit when he stopped her.

"There's no need to explain," he said calmly.

He didn't care what people thought of him; he was only doing this to make his wife happy.

Vivian looked at him, an odd expression on her face. For some reason, he seemed different today.

The family gathering lasted until the evening. Soon, night befell Lorimer Manor.

"The family gathering was a huge success today. Luke and Vivian did especially well! However, I'm sure everyone is aware of the crisis that's currently plaguing our family. If we make it through this, there's a chance of us finally becoming part of the upper class. But, if we don't, we'll be completely ruined." Nora sat at the head of the table, looking grave.

The members of the Lorimer family looked gloomy; some of them even sighed.

The Lorimer Group had spent a fortune investing in a new real estate development known as Centurion Garden. The construction had been two-thirds of its way to completion when the authorities informed them that they had not met the construction safety standards required for them to proceed.

After investing a total of 500 million dollars in this project, it now seemed like all of the money was going to be lost!

Considering their current predicament, the only thing that could save the Lorimer family was a massive investment to boost their cash flow.

"So, did anyone manage to get any investors or take out any mortgages?" Nora asked while massaging her temples.

Everyone silently exchanged looks upon hearing her question and shook their heads, smiling bitterly.

Investors? Who would want to invest in the Lorimer Group now, when it looked like there was no way of turning a profit?

As for taking out a mortgage, when had banks ever done those in need any favors?

Nora couldn't help getting mad when she saw everyone fall silent. She hated how they'd given up before even going to battle!

"Grandma, don't be mad. Your health is more important than this. I'll think of a way to resolve this!" Luke got up to pat her on the back and comfort her. He quickly swept a gaze over everyone present and finally looked at Vivian. "Isn't Vivian, the almighty Ms. Lorimer, well-connected? She even knows the head of the Fletcher family. Maybe she has a way of resolving this!" he taunted.

"He's right! Vivian knows Murray Fletcher. This is the Murray Fletcher we're talking about!"

"Exactly! A few billion dollars probably means nothing to him!"

"Vivian, you've enjoyed many perks as a member of the Lorimer family. Now, it's time to repay those debts!"

Everyone seemed to have found a way out of this when they heard Luke's words.

Immediately, the pressure was on Vivian.

After a moment of silence, Nora asked rather expectantly, "Vivian, do you really have a way out of this situation?"