Playtime's Over, CEO: She's Really Done With You-Chapter 375: I Am Far More Noble Than You
Brandon looked somewhat desperate.
He had already realized that once the news got out, everyone would think the risk was too high.
There was no need to gamble on this.
Moreover, the two who came today, First Young Master Ford and Isla Lawson, were here to cause trouble.
Serena... what could she do?
"I asked Ethan Lynch. You know Dr. Lynch’s skills. He said after discussing with his colleagues, although Auntie’s illness is serious, there is the latest technology available for surgery. The success rate isn’t particularly high, but it’s worth a try."
In fact, Serena had already asked Ethan Lynch to communicate with the other party yesterday.
Actually, the other party was quite willing.
Compared to being half-dead with tubes stuck in and waiting for death, it’s better to have a surgery to try for a sliver of hope.
Serena also asked Ethan Lynch to probe the other party’s attitude towards Aether.
The other party was clearly reluctant.
"That was something we developed bit by bit, day and night. It’s all our hard work," the other party had said.
"And Ethan Lynch told me your friend is also willing to undergo this surgery," Serena told Brandon.
Brandon suddenly stood up, his face filled with surprise and joy.
Then, he deflated again.
"But..."
Serena smiled and said, "See how much you need, give me an IOU, and I’ll lend it to you from my private account without mixing it with Aeon’s or Aether’s funds."
This time, Brandon was genuinely moved.
His tears welled up.
He grabbed Serena’s hand: "Mr. Sheridan, I don’t know how to thank you..."
"Do well, and that will be thanks enough," Serena patted Brandon’s shoulder.
Brandon was sniffing and tearing up.
Serena handed him a tissue, and he smiled sheepishly.
"So, can you tell me what the funding target is this time?" Serena asked.
"The target is said to be three hundred million, but even getting a hundred million would be great," Brandon said with a smile.
Serena nodded, showing understanding.
After this conversation, the short break was over.
Everyone returned to the table once more.
"Alright, let’s continue." Brandon went up to the stage, this time appearing a bit more composed.
"I thought about it. Aether previously mentioned a thirty million threshold for capital verification, so it will remain thirty million, without changes."
Brandon said this while bowing slightly to First Young Master Ford and Isla Lawson: "Apologies."
The two expressed no opinion; they were just here to make things difficult for Serena. Now that they couldn’t, there was no need to impose restrictions.
The others were also relieved, no longer fearing embarrassment from failing the capital verification.
"So, let’s see how much everyone is willing to contribute next?"
Brandon said, first looking at First Young Master Ford.
But First Young Master Ford remained silent; he had just learned from Isla that there was a major trap here.
Brandon then turned his gaze to Isla Lawson, who still smiled without speaking.
This was becoming interesting.
Just now, the two who were jumping up and down happiest, insisting on raising the threshold, were now silent.
Brandon was displeased internally, but showed no signs of it on his face, instead looking toward the others.
The others also chose to remain silent and observe for now.
Finally, Brandon turned his gaze to Serena.
Serena looked at Raine.
Raine spoke: "We’ll contribute sixty million from Aeon."
This was the only one willing to invest.
There, Isla and First Young Master Ford exchanged a glance, then Isla smiled and said: "There’s so much funding, why only sixty million?"
Serena smiled: "We just verified the capital, right? Verifying capital and actual investment are two different things."
"No, if you’re going to invest, make it a hundred million," Isla said with a smile.
Serena raised an eyebrow: "Why? Do you get to set the price of my investment?"
"What if I only invest sixty million?" Serena asked.
Isla smiled and looked at Brandon.
"Mr. Huxley, I just discussed with Young Master Ford," Isla said, "If Young Master Ford and I are to invest together, then only one more person is allowed after this."
"That is, me, First Young Master Ford, Serena, each one hundred million."
Brandon was confused: "But..."
"No buts, you can ask the others present if anyone else wants to invest in your project," Isla said with a smile.
Serena slightly frowned. Had something happened while she was talking with Brandon?
She immediately looked at Raine.
Raine lowered her head: "Someone I know just told me that Isla’s assistant spoke to them about some things but specifically instructed not to tell us, so we don’t know exactly what."
But having said so, Serena roughly understood.
Isla had informed everyone present about Aether’s situation.
With such a risk assessment, no company would want to invest again.
An enterprise with no future is not worth the investment.
In fact, they might have even leaked that Isla and First Young Master Ford wouldn’t invest, only to trap Serena alone.
Above, Brandon also asked his secretary, and after knowing, his face turned pale.
Isla saw Brandon’s face and knew it as well.
"You’ve got it now, right," Isla said with a smile, "So now at this table, there will only be three investors: me, Young Master Ford, and Serena."
"Young Master Ford and I have already agreed," Isla said with a smile, looking at First Young Master Ford, "Each of us will invest a hundred million; Serena either invests a hundred million alone or gets out!"
This immediately put pressure on Serena.
First Young Master Ford also looked this way.
First Young Master Ford and Isla’s people had already gone to investigate urgently.
They checked the check to see where Serena’s money came from.
They quickly found out that Serena had actually used leverage.
"She’s really bold; if this project fails and she can’t pay it off, she’ll have nothing, not even what belonged to her father!"
Isla said, but then laughed, "Isn’t this perfect, the foolish Serena delivered the opportunity to us, just trap her this once, and it’ll be enough to ensure she won’t recover!"
First Young Master Ford and Isla had just discussed, that if they pressed Serena to put all one hundred and fifty million in her account, Serena might choose to leave, but if it was just one hundred million, she might grit her teeth and agree.
Such a company would have a long payment cycle.
It would be easy to drag Serena down.
Thus, First Young Master Ford said, "Serena, what do you think, you have the money, right? Join us, one hundred million, you’re enough to afford that."
Serena watched the two’s smug smiles across the table.
She just lightly tapped the table, seemingly waiting for something.
The room was silent.
Then...
"Knock, knock, knock!"
A knocking sound echoed.
Then, the door opened, and Jasper Ford strode in with his entourage.
"Oh my, am I late?" Jasper said with a grin, "Can I still join in?"
Brandon was momentarily stunned, then nodded.
Jasper then took a seat next to Serena.
Serena glanced at him.
Over there, First Young Master Ford furrowed his brows slightly: "Jasper, aren’t you busy with your celebration, what are you doing here?"
Jasper sneered. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Can Virgil come, but I can’t?" Jasper retorted sarcastically.
Virgil is First Young Master Ford’s name.
"I’m here to invest, while Virgil is here to cause trouble. I’m much nobler than you!" Jasper continued.
