Rags to Riches

Chapter 8 Easier to Leech Off You

As she spoke, that surname seemed to be etched into Vivian's mind.

The boss' last name was Coleman, and the company was investing 500 million dollars in her, not the Lorimer Group. Could it be … Could Marcus be behind this?

Who else would treat her like this?

Vivian recalled how confident Marcus had been when telling her to agree to the bet. Then, he'd brought her to Globestone Investments, seemingly sure that something good would happen.

It was as if everything was within his control!

The more she thought about it, the faster her heart raced.

"Yes, our boss is from the Coleman family, based in the capital. Please keep this to yourself for now, Ms. Lorimer. Mr. Coleman doesn't want people to know about his identity just yet." Wendy didn't expect Vivian to ask her that so suddenly. She blanched for a second before regaining her composure, fibbing about the Coleman family from the capital.

"The capital? Looks like I've let my imagination get the better of me!" Vivian smiled self-deprecatingly.

How could the son of a wealthy family from the capital come to Cromford City and become the Lorimer family's matrilocal son-in-law? Not to mention the insults and mockery he would have to withstand, too.

Soon, Vivian pushed those thoughts out of her mind and exited the building.

A moment later, Marcus revved the motorcycle's engine as they sped home. "Did everything go well, honey?" he asked.

"Yeah. I've already signed the contract. Look, I even have a copy of it!" Vivian waved the contract around, feeling much more at ease now that she'd settled the matter of the investment.

Marcus laughed. "You're amazing! Remember to bring me along when you go to the meeting tomorrow. I want to see with my own eyes how Luke bawls when he finds out that he's lost the bet!"

"Sure! Oh, right. Marcus … Do you know about the Coleman family from the capital?" Vivian bit her lip.

"No." He shook his head, but his smile slowly faded as his eyes flashed icily.

"Oh. Well, thanks anyway!" Vivian murmured as she stared at his back.

Even if Marcus had nothing to do with Globestone Investments, she wouldn't have gotten this investment if not for his help.

"C'mon, you're my wife! I was only doing what any husband would do. Besides, once you become the head of the family, it'll be easier for me to leech off you!" Marcus quickly composed himself and said half-jokingly.

Vivian was at a loss for words.

…

Late at night, at a luxurious hotel suite, Luke sneered while he swirled his wine.

"So, did that worthless woman run around all day begging for investments?" he mocked.

He felt elated at the thought of Vivian being rejected over and over again.

"Uh … no. The only place she went to was Globestone Investments. She left after half an hour there," Luke's subordinate answered respectfully.

He'd spent the whole day trailing Vivian.

"Globestone Investments? Was anyone else with her?" Frederick, who sat beside Luke, asked curiously.

Vincent, the general manager of Globestone Investments, was Frederick's maternal uncle. It was with his help that the financial institutions belonging to Verdant International could expand so rapidly.

"Marcus Coleman, sir. He took her there on his motorcycle."

Frederick burst into laughter. "A motorcycle? Man, they're idiots! What do they take Globestone Investments for? I bet she got kicked out without even getting to see my uncle in the flesh!" he said confidently.

The investigation into Vincent was being carried out in secret, so he'd yet to find out about his uncle's downfall.

Luke laughed along with him. "You're absolutely right, Mr. Lloyd. Since we're on this topic, would you happen to know when we can sign the contract for Verdant International's loan over to Lorimer Group?"

Once he had this contract signed, he'd be the next head of the Lorimer family!

"I've already sorted things out with my father. Verdant International currently has fifty million dollars in cash, and the hundred million dollars that my uncle agreed to invest in one of our financial institutions earlier will be banked in the next couple of days. If everything goes smoothly, I can have the contract sent to you by tomorrow morning." Frederick patted his chest confidently.

"That's great! I knew you were capable of great things, Mr. Lloyd! Once I become the head of the Lorimer family, we'll be able to work together perfectly. Cheers to our future collaborations!" Luke was overjoyed. He clinked glasses with Frederick.

Frederick snickered. "I'm sure you know that money doesn't matter to me as long as you don't forget about what you promised me earlier. You said you had a way of making Vivian spend the night with me." His eyes gleamed.

He'd been salivating after Vivian for a long time and was desperate to have a taste of her.

"I'm a man of my word; once I win that bet, Vivian and her family will be driven out of the Lorimer family. When that happens, she'll be nothing but a useless pawn. I bet she won't even be able to put food on the table. All you'll have to do is give her some money. Then, you can have your way with her!" Luke sneered, his eyes flashing ruthlessly.

…

The following day, all members of the Lorimer family gathered in the conference room.

Luke looked around, then said contemptuously, "Vivian's not here yet. Maybe she's given up, just like that loser she calls her husband."