Rags to Riches

Chapter 9 These People Are All Idiots

"I don't think we need to wait anymore. This is just a waste of our time!"

"If Vivian actually manages to get an investment, I'll jump off this building!"

"Luke, you're being too gracious. So what if you've given her a chance? Losers will always be losers!"

The other members of the Lorimer family spoke one after the other, trying to suck up to Luke.

"Silence! There's no need to wait anymore. Luke, tell everyone what you've managed to achieve." Nora's eyes were half-shut, and she sounded impatient.

She hadn't held out hope for Vivian from the beginning. She'd only really agreed to their bet so that she would have a proper reason to announce Luke as her successor.

"Yes, Grandma." Luke tried to suppress his excitement. He knew the outcome had been solidified by then! "Take a look at this, everyone. This is the contract that Mr. Lloyd personally delivered to me this morning; it already has Verdant International's stamp and signature. They're loaning us a hundred million dollars!" He respectfully presented the contract to Nora.

"One hundred million dollars? Luke's amazing!"

"He's truly outstanding! The Lorimer Group's saved!"

"Damn right, it is! Honestly, I can't help laughing at the thought of Vivian thinking she stood a chance. What right does she have to compete with Luke?"

The excitement in the room was practically bubbling upon Luke's announcement.

"Great job, Luke!" Nora skimmed through the contract with delight.

This amount of money would be enough to make the Lorimer Group rise from the ashes!

"Now that everyone's seen what Luke has managed to achieve, I have something to announce. The next head of the family is—"

Luke clenched his fists and trembled with excitement.

"Wait a minute!"

At this moment, Marcus' voice rang out from the entrance.

"What the hell are you doing here, loser? What right do you have to participate in this meeting? Get the fuck out of here!" Luke's nostrils flared with rage.

He was only one step away from being announced as the official heir!

"Oh? He may not have the right, but I do, don't I? Don't forget about our bet, Luke! Why were you in such a rush to put an end to this before I even got here? Don't tell me you're scared," Vivian said as she strode into the room.

She was positive she would win this bet!

"My, my. I was wondering who it was—turns out it's a coward! I thought you'd hide in a corner forever, you know," Luke sneered.

He was full of confidence. Vivian had only been at Globestone Investments for half an hour and hadn't been to any banks. How could she possibly do anything to turn the tables?

"That's what you say now, but what are you gonna do if I tell you that I've managed to get an investment?" Vivian smirked.

She couldn't wait to see the look on Luke's face when he found out what she'd achieved.

"That's impossible!" Luke said firmly. How could she possibly have gotten anything from Globestone Investments in that half an hour?

"Vivian, stop causing a scene. Luke managed to get a loan for a hundred million dollars; he's already signed the contract!"

"Even if you managed to get fifty million, what does it matter when compared to a hundred million?"

"The way I see it, you should get on your knees, apologize, and beg for mercy. Perhaps Luke will be gracious enough to let you continue working at the Lorimer Group."

Everyone took the chance to insult and mock Vivian, afraid that they'd offend Luke otherwise.

"Hold up—Luke, you promised that you'd admit defeat if Vivian managed to get fifty million dollars in investments. Are you going back on your word now? Besides, you'll know what exactly Vivian has achieved if you take a look at the contract she's holding. Don't tell me you don't even have the nerve to read a contract!" Marcus couldn't stand how materialistic these people were being.

"How dare you! What right do you have to speak, you loser?"

Despite his words, Luke couldn't help feeling that something was amiss. Why were Vivian and Marcus so calm?

Had something unexpected happened?

"Grandma, why don't you take a look at this?" Vivian glanced at Luke before handing the contract to Nora. Once she read the contract, all would be revealed.

"Vivian, did you really manage to get at least fifty million dollars?" Nora accepted the contract but didn't flip through it. She looked Vivian in the eye as she questioned her granddaughter.

"Yes, I did!" Vivian nodded excitedly.

Nora's impression of her would definitely change once she read the contract and saw that she'd managed to get 500 million in total!

"Oh." Nora's eyes flashed. She put the contract aside without another word, then placed her hands atop her walking stick. "You've done well, Vivian. From today onward, we'll make sure to take special care of you and your family. Also, I hope you'll learn to be satisfied with what you have."

Her face was devoid of emotion as she spoke; she even sounded like she was giving Vivian a warning.

"Grandma …" Vivian's heart sank. She never would've expected Nora to be biased enough to not even bother reading the contract. This was an investment worth 500 million dollars, yet all her efforts had only gotten her a warning to be satisfied with what she had.

She didn't deserve this!

Luke burst into laughter. "Vivian, don't you get it? Do you want Grandma to tell you the harsh truth? How is your fifty million dollars gonna save the Lorimer family? It's nothing compared to my one hundred million. Besides, I'm the eldest grandson and a member of the main family. What made you think you had the right to compete with me for the position of the next head?" He looked down at her and Marcus contemptuously.

"Honey, I think we should just go. These people are all idiots, going on and on about fifty million dollars when you managed to get 500 million. Since they're not interested in the money, we can use it to set up our own business. For now, let's set our sights low and try to make one hundred million in profit."

Marcus looked at Luke and Nora as if they were fools.

Vivian, on the other hand, stood there, teary-eyed.

Marcus held her hand and reached out with his free hand to grab the contract.

"Stop right there!" Nora flung her walking stick away and grabbed Marcus' hand. Her eyes were practically glowing as she said, "W-What did you just say? 500 million dollars?"