SWNOVELS Chapter 481-490
Chapter 481
Attlee tried to reason with a friendly tone: “Knock before you barge in, okay?”
After closing the door, he knocked again, but there was no response from Mom.
Unable to endure this, Olga stormed in, fuming, “Mom, didn’t you hear the knocking? Are you so sick that even your ears can’t work? We’ve been knocking forever! How long do you plan to keep us out here? You owe Attlee, me, and Yoli an explanation for all this!”
With that, she pulled Yolanda from behind her. Yolanda’s eyes were red; she was clearly upset about the whole situation. She looked like the whole world had wronged her.
“What did you do to Casey?” Grace shot back instead of answering, “Is Casey with you?”
Casey was Grace’s personal advisor, specifically the one who helped with the will.
In Casey’s character, she would never reveal the contents of the will unless forced to!
When Olga stormed into the room, Grace suspected something was up with Casey. After Attlee pulled Olga out, Grace frantically dialed Casey’s number, only to be greeted by silence.
Worried for Casey’s safety, Grace got even angrier, pointing a trembling finger at Olga and asking, “What did you do to Casey?”
“She just wouldn’t cooperate, so I had to make her suffer a bit. Man, she’s stubborn, she wouldn’t spill the beans no matter what.” Olga smirked, recalling Casey’s terrified expression and her agony after being taught a lesson–It was satisfying.
“So, you threatened her with her daughter, didn’t you?”
Casey was a single mom, and her daughter was her Achilles‘ heel.
“What did you do to that girl?”
“I just gave her a scare; I didn’t hurt her! Why are you so worked up?” Olga couldn’t understand why Grace was more concerned about others than her own family. Was she really so sick that her brain was fried?
“Let them go!” Grace banged a book on the bed rail, making a racket..“I order you to let them go!”
“They’ve been released.” Olga shrugged. “If she’d just complied from the start, she wouldn’t have had to suffer. So much for teamwork.”
But Grace’s will was already kept in a will bank, and nobody could access or nullify it unless Grace agreed to alter it.
That’s why Olga had to confront Grace.
Overwhelmed by rage, Grace hurled a glass of water from her bedside table.
Attlee was too late to stop her. The glass hit Olga, soaking her dress..
“Mom, are you out of your mind? Why would you hit me?“:
“You deserved it! Calling you a robber is an insult to robbers! You three would do anything for the will. Where’s your conscience? You’ve done some seriously messed–up things.”
Grace coughed violently, clutching her chest. She seemed to have overexerted herself, her heart throbbing with pain.
Feeling wronged, Olga retorted, “How can you say that? You only have one son. If you won’t leave anything to him, at least leave something to Yoli. Who’s Arabella? She’s just a stranger with no blood relation to us. She’s the founder of QY and a piano maestro. She doesn’t need your money. Why would you leave her everything?”
“That’s my property. I’ll leave it to whoever I want. What’s it to you?” Grace pointed at Olga after a fit of coughing and said, “Just yesterday, weren’t you crying and begging, saying you owe Arabella too much and want to make amends, to be a family again? Now she’s a stranger with no blood relations?”
Chapter 482
“Mom, we weren’t fair to Bella before, and we want to make it up to her, but we need you to back us up. Isn’t it a given that someone’s assets should go to their next of kin?”
Without waiting for a response, Olga continued, riled up: “You know we’re in a tight spot. We’ve asked for your help several times, and you’ve ignored us. We can’t figure out why you would secretly draft a will and give everything to Bella. What were you thinking?”
Olga was so furious that she was practically shaking. “Yoli’s engagement party with Zachary is in just a couple of days, and she doesn’t have a decent dress. She’s going to be a laughingstock if she shows up in some old rag! Plus, she’ll be graduating from college in a couple of years and marrying into the Panter family. How can she do that without a proper dowry?”
Without giving Grace a chance to reply, Olga continued accusing, saying, “If you had divided your assets evenly among us, I wouldn’t have said a word. But you gave everything to Bella. You ignore us when we need your help and help her when she doesn’t need it. What’s the deal?”
Yolanda was silently crying on the side, seemingly upset and disappointed by her grandmother’s favoritism.
Grace was so infuriated that she clutched her chest; the pain was too much.
Seeing this, Attlee pulled Olga back and rushed forward, asking, “Mom, are you okay? Is there something wrong with your heart?”
“Stop playing dumb! You owe us an explanation for all this! We won’t rest until we get one!”
Seeing Olga with her arms crossed and looking unyielding, Attlee shot her a glare. The old lady looked really pissed. If she got sick because of this, it wouldn’t be worth it.
Grace was trembling with rage. She reached for items on her bedside table, a heated cup pad, a tissue box, reading glasses and started throwing them at Olga.
Quickly dodging, Olga said, “Mom, what the hell?! What are you doing? Enough already!”
When she ran out of things to throw, Grace reached for the emergency call button on the side of her bed, intending to call someone to kick them out. But before her hand could reach the button, Attlee spotted it. He swiftly unplugged the cord and moved the button out of her reach.
“Mom, what are you doing? Take a deep breath.” He quickly comforted her, then turned to Olga and said, “You, out. Yoli, stay.”
“Why should I leave?” Olga wanted to argue, but noticing Grace’s pale face, she finally left the room reluctantly.
Grace was in so much pain that she couldn’t speak for a while. Attlee poured her a glass of water, but she took it and splashed it all over his face.
“I have no son like you; get out.”
Bullying an old woman with his wife, he had some nerve!
Attlee understood his mother’s anger. He wiped the water off his face, knelt down, and said sincerely, “Mom, I can accept your resentment toward me. But you don’t understand our predicament. Things at home are really bad, and at this critical time, you’ve already prepared your will.”
He didn’t know that Grace had written her will a long time ago. She had called Casey over yesterday to modify some details, such as if Bella were to have an accident and couldn’t inherit her estate, she’d rather donate everything than leave a penny to Olga and the rest.
“Mom, can you reconsider?” Attlee begged on his knees, “Even if it’s just some emergency funds for now.”
Grace didn’t expect this shameless man to make such a demand. Enraged, she smashed the cup in her hand on his head.
In a split second, the cup didn’t break, but blood started to trickle down Attlee’s forehead.
Chapter 483
“Dad?” Yolanda covered her mouth in horror. She never imagined her grandma could be so cold–hearted, even hurting her own dad.
She quickly moved to help stop her dad’s bleeding with a tissue, anger flashing across her face. “Grandma, is this really okay with you? Can’t we just have a civil conversation? One minute you’re throwing stuff, the next you’re hitting someone. He’s not just your son; he’s my dad too! How could you do this to him?”
“Yoli, kneel.”
Yolanda’s hands froze. “Dad?”
“Kneel!”
Yolanda had no choice but to bite the bullet and kneel. Thankfully, she was wearing long pants today, so kneeling didn’t hurt her delicate skin.
“Mom, she’s your granddaughter. She’s been through so much, suffered so many humiliations, and finally came home. Don’t you feel any sympathy for her as her grandmother? Don’t you want to make it up to her?”
Grace glanced at Yolanda. She was her granddaughter; how could she not love her? How could she not want to make it up to her?
But this kid always had so many bad ideas in her head, always plotting something, always against Bella; that’s why she didn’t like her.
If she could just get along with Bella and be more understanding and well–behaved, she would definitely get a share of the inheritance!
But her attitude, along with Attlee’s and Olga’s ambitions, made Grace determined not to leave them a dime!
“Ever since we were kids, only Bella has been there for me, taking care of me in your stead.”
“She’s helped me with water, massages, bathing, turning over, and changing my catheter. You’ve done none of this!”
“How many times have you come to see me? If it weren’t for the recent problems at home, you wouldn’t even bother!”
“Not only do you not visit me, but you also try to drive away my old friends at the company. If you had a good reason, that would be one thing, but your actions are just unheard of!”
“You call me mom, but you don’t actually treat me like one! To you, I’m just an ATM. All I’m worth to you is my inheritance! If you got that, my last years would be miserable!”
“Stop talking about the inheritance. I’ll give it to whoever I want.”
Grace’s face grew colder, her voice lower. “Get out. Don’t come back.”
“Mom.”
“If you disturb my rest again, I’ll have Bella take me to another hospital, one you can’t find!”
“Mom, don’t be angry. Please think about what I’ve said.” Attlee was still trying to make his case. “If I were able, if I were rich, if I didn’t have to worry about food and clothing, you could leave your inheritance to whoever you want, and I wouldn’t mind! But the problem now is that the company is facing an unprecedented crisis.”
Chapter 484
“I want you gone.” Grace pounded on the nightstand, her entire body shaking with rage.
“Mum, don’t get riled up; just cool it.”
“Get out! Can’t you understand what I’m saying? I want you two to leave now!” Grace screamed with all her might.
Worried that this would only worsen her condition, Attlee started to get up, pulling Yolanda with him. “Alright, you rest up; we’ll come see you in a few days.”
“Get out!” Grace was so angry that she was nearly voiceless, her body shaking violently. After they left, she realized her face was wet.
She laughed bitterly at herself. She never imagined she’d end up so alone in her old age.
Blood ties didn’t mean squat.
She slowly took out a phone from underneath her pillow, checked her recent call records, and dialed Arabella, just wanting to hear the young girl’s voice. “Granny, what’s wrong?” Arabella could tell something was off from her voice: “Are you feeling down?”
“Not really; I just miss you. What are you up to?”
Arabella paused what she was doing, glanced at the massager on her table, and said gently, “Nothing much, just some work–related stuff.”
“Don’t work too hard; remember to rest. By the way, when’s my surgery?” She was getting anxious.‘
“In three days.”
“Three days, huh?” Touching her chest, Grace repeated the date, unsure if she could make it.
These past few days, Attlee had enraged her to the point where her heart was constantly hurting and she was having difficulty breathing.
Mistaking her concern for the success rate of the surgery, Arabella smiled gently and said, “Don’t worry, Granny. As long as the surgery is successful, you’ll be much stronger. Just focus on recuperating; I promise you’ll live to be a hundred.”
Grace laughed, saying, “Why would I want to live that long? I’d be content just to see you get married.”
“Granny, don’t say that; we’ll get through the tough times.”
Arabella had saved her life countless times when she was hanging by a thread.
“It’s just a minor operation; you rest easy. When you wake up, everything will be better.”
“Okay, I trust you; I’ll rest easy.” Grace said with a laugh, showing great trust in Arabella’s medical skills, “By the way, when I get out of the hospital, I want to move to that house in the suburbs.”
She no longer wanted to see Attlee and the others.
“Alright, I’ll have it cleaned up.”
“After I’ve recovered a bit, arrange a meeting with your parents. I want to talk to them face–to–face.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“You carry on; I need to rest.”
“Okay, bye, Granny.”
After hanging up, Arabella looked at Jack and said, “Check if Attlee went to the hospital today.”
“Did something happen to the old lady?”
“No.” Arabella just thought her voice sounded a bit down and, wasn’t sure if it had anything to do with Attlee. “Also, have Caden check on her to see if she’s feeling unwell.”
“Alright.” After completing the task, Jack reported back, “Boss, Attlee did go to the hospital today with Olga and Yolanda. I guess they were there to visit a patient!”
hapter 485
“What did Caden say?”
“He said the old lady’s mood has been a bit up and down, but there’s nothing majorly wrong with her. Probably pissed off by those three numbskulls.”
“Do we still have those miniature surveillance devices we used before?”
“Boss, are you planning to install surveillance in the hospital room?” Jack immediately caught on, saying, “We should have done this ages ago.”
“I’m on it!”
After a while, Jack found the last miniature surveillance device. It was developed by Arabella a long time ago and looked like a grain of rice, so it’s virtually invisible no matter where they stuck it.
“Boss, this is the last one. Here you go.”
“I’m headed to the hospital tomorrow. Keep your eyes peeled here.”
“You got it.”
Meanwhile.
Olga, waiting in the hallway, saw Attlee and Yolanda coming out of the room and couldn’t help but ask, “What happened? You’re out already? What did the old lady say? How much is she giving us?”
“Drop it.” Attlee looked like he had lost all his mojo.
“So, the old hag still won’t cough up a dime, huh?” Olga asked, then noticed a wound on his forehead: “What happened to your head?”
“Mom, you wouldn’t believe it. Grandma threw a massive fit and hit Dad in the head. Even when we were on our knees begging, she still wouldn’t change her will.”
“That old bag!” Olga cursed in her mind, “I’ll go talk to her.”
“Don’t.” Attlee grabbed her hand and was about to say something when his phone rang.
“Hello? What? The Collins family again? Why do they keep targeting us?”
After hanging up, Attlee couldn’t figure out why the Collins family kept coming at them.”
The Murphy family wasn’t even a threat to the Collins! Why were they so hell–bent on messing with them?
“What happened?” Olga couldn’t help asking, “What did the Collins do this time?”
“Ever since the Collins sent us a warning, almost all of our material suppliers have refused to work with us. We haven’t had new stock in ages!”
“Though we still have some inventory and some old orders in production, a bunch of manufacturers called today saying they won’t work with us anymore and to stop production. It took us a while to find out that it’s the Collins pulling the strings.”
“Also, many of the malls that our brick–and–mortar stores are located in are forcing us out, even offering compensation for breaking the lease. And for our leases that are about to expire, they’re not planning on renewing unless we’re willing to pay ten times the rent.”
“Ten times? Why don’t they just rob us?” Olga couldn’t believe it.
“Also, all our loyal customers are gone.”
“And our employees. The word is that if they go to any of the Collins‘ subsidiaries, they get double the salary and even double the vacation days. Now a lot of them are suddenly quitting.”
“Could it be because of what happened last time?” Olga suddenly remembered how they had blocked Kenneth and Louisa at the Dawn Restaurant, and Louisa didn’t look happy.
Could that be why the Collins have intensified their attacks on the Murphy family?
“Now we’re under multiple pressures, and we heard that there’s an insider leaking our secrets,” Attlee said, anxious and at a loss. “Now our capital chain is broken again, and if we don’t fix it, the Murphy family is really going to go belly up.”
Chapter 486
Yolanda went pale the moment she heard the news.
No, the Murphy family can’t go bankrupt, at least not now!
Her engagement party with Zachary was just around the corner, and if they went bankrupt now, she wouldn’t even be able to marry a regular rich kid like Zachary!
Her future would be just like any other ordinary person’s. No, she couldn’t let that happen!
“I’ll go talk to her,” Olga said, getting ready to walk into the sick room in her high heels.
“Right now, we should start selling off my shares. The more we can stall, the better. Don’t bother with her; she won’t help, Attlee sighed, seemingly having foreseen the outcome.
Olga wanted to say something, but Attlee cut her off. “You know her temperament; the more we want her help, the less likely she is to give it. Let’s wait a few days before we approach her.”
“What’s she doing with all those shares and cash? She can’t take it with her, and she won’t help us solve our problems!” Olga was more resentful of the old woman after saying this.
So was Yolanda. She wished the old woman would just kick the bucket already. After all, she hadn’t contributed anything to their descendants and always favored Arabella!
At least if she were dead, she wouldn’t be in the way or waste medical expenses!
“That’s her property! Now, help me spread the word and see if anyone we know is willing to buy our shares at a high price. Remember, this needs to be hush–hush.”
Yolanda’s engagement party was about to begin. If people found out that the head of the Murphy family was selling off shares, they would definitely think the Murphy family was going under. Once the stock price dropped, the company’s crisis would worsen, and it would be even harder to recover!
“I got it!” Olga was very pissed off. She hadn’t expected to end up having to sell her shares without gaining anything.
Meanwhile, Jack got the news not long after Olga spread the word.
“Boss, the Collins family’s attack on the Murphy family has intensified. Attlee can’t hold out any longer; he’s started selling off his shares,”
Arabella was surprised that her parents would attack the Murphy family for no reason. Was it because of her?
With that thought in mind, she tapped her fingers lightly on the table and started planning. “Spread the word that the Murphy family is going bankrupt. Create some negative news to add pressure and make the stock price plummet. Then have Dylan step in and buy up all the shares from Attlee.”
“Alright, no problem!”
Jack knew that once Arabella took action, no one else mattered!
They had been too lenient with the Murphy family in the past.
“Besides the shares, what other assets do they have?” Arabella asked, lifting her head.
“If we don’t count what the old lady has, Attlee only has some real estate and a Maybach left. But Olga also has some shares, plus houses, cars, etc.”
This time, they were selling Attlee’s shares, but Olga’s were still retained and not up for sale.
“We need to find a way to make them give up everything at once.”
Since they kept harassing the old lady and making her angry, they deserved a lesson.
After all, they would never learn their lesson in their lifetime.
Chapter 487
“Boss, Olga is a real money–grubber. There’s no way she’d give up her assets easily at this crucial moment,” Jack said.
“Weren’t we planning to bid on a plot of land in the suburbs?” Arabella already had a plan in motion.
“Yeah.” Jack nodded. “Dylan’s interested in the same plot. He wants to help you win the bid, but the McMillan Corporation is also eyeing it. They want to build the biggest cultural and tourism complex in Summerfield there.”
Rumor had it that the McMillan Corporation wanted to build the nation’s largest Ferris wheel on that plot, alongside a bustling seaside opera house, a large commercial street, luxury hotels, and so on.
Arabella analyzed, “Attlee is in desperate need of money. He’s already sold off his shares and definitely wants to make a hefty profit. We can spread the word that the land is very valuable and would bring a lot of money once bought. On the day of the auction, I’ll discuss it with the others and get Attlee to buy the land.”
“Boss, you, Jack had to express his admiration, “your strategy is brilliant.”
The price of the land would require Attlee to use all of his assets, including loans, just to barely afford it.
But there’s a catch with the land; Attlee would definitely regret it later.
“Spread more rumors that the land is very popular and valuable. Have more people around Attlee to create a tense atmosphere.”
“Got it!” Jack immediately started preparing.
The next day.
Arabella visited the hospital’s Room 301, brought some fruits and snacks for the old lady, and installed surveillance equipment in a high place.
If people didn’t carefully examine every corner of the room, they wouldn’t notice it. It blended with the wall color.
All in all, Arabella always satisfied the old lady’s needs. The old lady had been wanting to install surveillance equipment for a while.
“I can check what’s happening in the room through my phone. If you ever get bored, I can chat with you through the surveillance, but you won’t be able to see me.”
“It’s okay; as long as I can hear your voice, I’m satisfied.” Grace’s mood improved due to Arabella’s visit. She wanted to peel an apple for her.
But Arabella took the apple from her and said, “Let me do these things. You need to rest now. After your surgery, when you recover, I’ll take you traveling to other countries.”
“That would be great.” Grace had long wanted to see other countries. “Whenever you have holidays, take me with you.”
“No problem.” Arabella peeled more fruits for her.
Looking at how well–behaved Arabella was and recalling Yolanda’s cunning eyes, Grace felt that there was no comparison. Arabella was so much better!
“Grandma, which country do you like the most?” Arabella handed over the cut fruits and asked softly.
“I like any country as long as you take me there.” Grace also handed her some fruits. “Have some.”
Arabella took the fruits from Grace and tasted one, saying, “We’ll go to Dawnstar first. I’ll book the hotels and restaurants; you just need to come with
me.”
“Alright, I’d love to.” Grace replied with a smile. “Oh, find a time for me to meet your boyfriend.”
Arabella smiled and said, “Alright, after your surgery, I’ll bring him to see you.”
“He must be a great guy if you approve of him.” Grace couldn’t wait to see them walk into the wedding hall. “I just don’t know what to prepare as a gift for the first meeting.”
All she had were the things Arabella had given her. After several months of hospital treatment, she didn’t have any valuable items with her.
Chapter 488
“He doesn’t really care about formalities.” Arabella reassured her in a soft voice.
“A gift is a must for the first meeting. When you get a chance, go to the apartment I used to live in. Open the safe and bring back the ring inside. It was your grandfather’s favorite treasure when he was alive. He always said he wanted to pass it down to his future grandson–in–law.”
Arabella knew the value of the ring. “No, you should keep it as a keepsake.”
“Things only have value when they’re passed down. Consider it a little token of affection from me.” Grace patted her hand with a smile on her face, “You must get it for me. It’s for him, not you.”
“Okay.” Arabella laughed and stayed a while longer with Grace until she seemed tired. After she fell asleep, Arabella finally got up to leave.
Two days later.
Attlee and Olga successfully sold all their shares, properties, and shops. They borrowed a large amount of money from several rural banks under the group’s name, and after several rounds of financing, they finally qualified to participate in the auction.
The groups attending the auction today were all top international ones, including QY, Allbara Investment, McMillan Corporation, the Collins Group, and so on. Even Alberto came to join the fun.
Among these groups, the Murphy group was the least prestigious and seemed insignificant in comparison,
Attlee arrived at the entrance, looking at the majestic gate before him, and couldn’t help saying, “Olga, we must succeed in getting this plot today.”
As long as they had this plot, the Murphy group could definitely shine! All problems would be solved!
Olga was excited. “Our net worth will soon multiply by hundreds, even thousands of times. By then, the Panter family will be irrelevant! Yoli, that’s why I told you to dress up carefully today!”
Everyone here today was rich and noble. If Yoli could catch the eye of one of them, her future would be limitless.
The Panter family and Zachary were nothing compared to these top–tier groups. They weren’t even worth mentioning!
Yolanda was a little excited. Ever since her accidental encounter last time, she felt that Zachary was too ordinary and not good enough for her. If she could find a richer and more powerful man here today, even if he was older, she would accept him!
As they stood at the entrance, representatives of other groups passed by. Seeing the three of them dressed so extravagantly, they all looked puzzled and surprised.
Today’s event was a land auction, but the three of them were dressed very formally, as if they were attending a banquet.
!
Especially Yolanda, in her backless dress, stood out like a sore thumb among the men and women in suits and work clothes.
Yolanda thought she was very beautiful and eye–catching. She smiled and greeted the people who passed by her, but no one paid her any attention. They looked at her as if she were a fool.
Yolanda was a bit confused and didn’t know where the problem was.
Just then, a luxurious RV pulled up at the entrance. The formally–dressed driver respectfully opened the door.
The first to get out was Kenneth, followed by Louisa, whom he helped out of the car.
Attlee’s first reaction upon seeing them was to straighten his clothes. He took a couple of steps forward with a beaming smile on his face. “Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, what a coincidence! Are you also here for today’s auction?”
The money he brought today made him stand tall, as if he had the confidence to interact with them.
But Louisa gave him a cold look. This fool was almost bankrupt and still laughing so happily.
She said coldly, “You should laugh while you can; you might not have a chance later.”
Attlee was stunned. He thought Louisa was saying that the Murphy group couldn’t afford the land, so he laughed even more happily.
Chapter 489
“Mrs. Collins, you might not get it, but we Murphys have to nail this piece of land today.”
“So what?” Louisa couldn’t care less about whether they got it or not; she just walked right past them.
The four security guards at the entrance recognized Kenneth and Louisa, bending over backwards to welcome them: “Mr. Collins, Mrs. Collins, welcome! Come on in.”
“Has the founder of QY arrived?” Louisa asked coolly.
“She hasn’t arrived yet, but I’ll send someone to let you know as soon as she does.”
They’ve been to these auctions a bunch of times. The security guards all knew Arabella, the young founder of QY.
“Alright.” Louisa, arm in arm with her husband, went in.
“Mrs. Collins seems to have a bee in her bonnet about us. She’s always so sharp–tongued, Olga grumbled, watching Louisa’s retreating figure.
Even though the Collins did have money, the gap between them and the Murphys wasn’t small. Louisa always talked down to the Murphys, making them feel pretty damn small.
“She can afford to be, so once we get in there, you better be on your best behavior. Try to get on their good side. If we score this land, we’ll be rubbing elbows with them quite a lot.”
“Alright.” Olga watched Louisa walk away, thinking, How the hell did she get so lucky to marry a top dog?
Just then, a car pulled up nearby.
A stern–faced, impressive man got out, and Yolanda couldn’t take her eyes off him.
What a hunk!
He was nothing like the other two men she had met at Dawn Restaurant. This man was tall and handsome, radiating a strong aura.
She had met him at a design competition before. She knew he was the big shot of the Collins Group, the current top dog of Solterra.
Seeing him, Attlee immediately went over and said, “Mr. Collins, long time no see. Are you here for the auction? I saw your parents had already gone in. I was wondering where you were. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.”
Hans Collins just gave him a glance and looked away. Clearly, he didn’t remember Attlee.
The secretary following Hans simply held out a hand to stop Attlee from approaching further.
Olga felt a little awkward. No matter who they greeted today, they all seemed indifferent.
Huh, wait till they’re top at the of the heap. Let’s see if they dared to treat them like this.
Thinking of this, Olga noticed her daughter’s smitten look and couldn’t help but say, “Smitten, huh? That’s the kind of man you should aim for, not Zachary! You need to think big; reel him in like you did with Zachary.”
“Mom, don’t worry; I know what I’m doing.” Yolanda watched the man’s retreating figure and made up her mind. If she found someone better, she’d blow off Zachary in a heartbeat.
“Let’s not stand around here. Let’s go in.”
There was still half an hour before the auction officially started. Attlee planned to mingle with the big corporations after they got in.
“I have to tell you this in advance; be as friendly as you can when you see Bella. Got it?”
“Whether Bella is willing to make peace with us or not doesn’t really matter if we manage to buy this land.”
“That’s short–sighted. Considering Bella’s resources and connections, we’re better off making a friend than an enemy!”
Hearing Attlee say this, Olga nodded, “True that.”
Chapter 490
Just as Attlee was trying to walk through the entrance with his wife and daughter, with the invitation in hand, one of the security guards stopped him on the spot.
“Sorry, sir, which corporation do you represent?”
Attlee was taken aback. “Didn’t you see my text just now? Haven’t you heard of the Murphy group?”
“The Murphy group?” The security guard seemed genuinely clueless. Today’s auction was filled with top–notch corporations, and he had never heard of smaller ones like the Murphy Group.
He hurriedly asked his colleague, “Is the Murphy group also participating in the auction today?”
“I’m not sure. It doesn’t ring a bell. Let me check.”
“Sorry, could you please wait a moment?”
Attlee and his family seemed a tad unhappy being held up at the gate. “This is the text you guys sent me to remind me to come over today; how could this be an issue? Can’t a text prove my identity?”
Olga couldn’t help but blurt out, “He’s the richest man in Tranquil City!”
“Tranquil City?” The security guard in charge was visibly dumbfounded. He hadn’t heard of such a place.
Another security guard also looked lost. “Tranquil City? Where’s that?”
A third guard couldn’t help but whisper, “Summerfield is divided into four districts, and the least developed one is the North District. The North District has four counties, and the least developed one is Seraphim Haven. Within Seraphim Haven, there are four towns, and the least developed one is Tranquil City. That’s the Tranquil City he’s talking about.”
The other two guards were left speechless. They finally realized that he was the richest man from a small town in Summerfield, not some big shot they mistook him for.
Seeing the bewildered and speechless expressions on the faces of the guards, Attlee and Olga felt extremely awkward.
Even Yolanda felt the embarrassment. Apparently, these guards were pretty clueless, not even knowing about Tranquil City!
Even though Tranquil City was just a small town in Summerfield, it shouldn’t be overlooked!
“How much longer do we need to wait?” Olga didn’t expect a hiccup, even before the auction started. Would there be any surprises today?
The guard who had gone to verify the information swiftly returned, “Sorry for the wait; please come in.”
“Please pay more attention in the future. Remember, we’re the Murphy Group. We’re going to win this auction today! We’ll be seeing each other a lot more!”
The four guards didn’t know where their confidence came from. The presence of corporations like the McMillan Corporation alone was sufficient to put pressure on them, let alone other big corporations.
However, they didn’t say much and made way for Olga and her group.
“Yoli, did you see that? The way those four guards were falling over themselves to accommodate Kenneth and Louisa. We need to elevate our status and become part of high society, so we won’t have to go through such embarrassments!”
“Mmm, I’ll remember that.” Yolanda also wanted to uplift her status. She made up her mind to attract a wealthier man than Zachary today.
Attlee looked at the seat number in the text message and kept searching, only to find their seats were in the last row.
“Isn’t this too far?” Olga was a bit worried: “Can the auctioneer see us when we bid?”
“We’ll have to make do.” Attlee didn’t expect the organizers to put them in such a remote spot, especially close to the restroom. Although dissatisfied, they couldn’t do much about it. At least they could attend the auction.
“At least we have seats. Look at all the companies outside that want to participate but don’t qualify.” Attlee tried to comfort himself.
When they entered, they noticed many representatives from small companies waiting outside, hoping to meet important figures after the auction.