Chapter 6: Dire Consequences

The entire room instantly fell dead silent.

A few moments later, however, the room erupted in uproarious laughter.

"Hahaha... how ridiculous. Do you think securing an investment is as easy as playing Monopoly?" Bella chuckled. "Poor people really don't know the first thing about business."

"Tch! You think you're some big shot with a vast, powerful network? You're just a contract employee. Your chances of getting that investment are absolutely zero," Jeremy sneered.

"I heard that more than half the companies in Everdale Province have applied for that investment, and most of them have a much higher valuation than Liquid Corp. Just how exactly do you plan on securing it? Begging like you usually do? Or acting like a doormat? Give it up, it's impossible," Sabrina said, a corner of her lip curling into a smirk.

Mockery poured in from the rest of the family as well. It seemed everyone wanted to chime in on Lucas's absolute absurdity.

"I know the people there. Their CEO used to be my subordinate," Lucas replied lightly, completely unfazed.

Everyone's jaw dropped at his words.

Angeline snapped her head toward Lucas, glaring daggers into his eyes.

Has he lost his mind?

Jeremy furrowed his brow. A wave of suspicion washed over him, fueling his hatred for the man even more.

"Sounds like you're high on illegal drugs," Jeremy scoffed.

He looked at Angeline and added, "You'd better take this guy and leave. I don't want the Jordan family dragged into some drug scandal."

Lucas was already itching to leave the estate himself. He wanted nothing more than to shut the Jordan family's mouths as soon as possible.

"Come on, Ms. Angeline. Let's go prepare the proposal," Lucas said smoothly, wrapping an arm around Angeline's waist and pulling her close against him.

Angeline was furious with him. She figured he was just taking advantage of the situation to get handsy. Still, she forced a smile to keep their act convincing.

Lisa stared at Lucas, perplexed by his overwhelming confidence.

Could he be telling the truth?

"Hold on. Don't leave just yet. I'm not finished," Lisa commanded.

The elderly woman stood up and fixed her gaze on Angeline.

Clasping her hands behind her back, she stated, "Earlier, I explained the rewards you would reap. Now, let me clarify the consequences you will face if you fail to secure this investment."

Panic began to set in for Angeline. Truth be told, she was deeply pessimistic about their chances, and anxiety gripped her tight.

This is all because of that idiot, Lucas. How could he just challenge Grandma like that?

"If you fail, you will be stripped of your position as Marketing Director and demoted to a regular staff member. Furthermore, I will withhold your dividends for the next three years," Lisa declared, a faint, cruel smile playing on her lips.

Demoting Angeline and withholding her dividends for three years would save the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It was a cunning plan from Lisa.

Angeline felt weak in the knees. She could already picture her impending financial ruin.

Ryan, despite his harshness earlier, truly loved his only daughter. Naturally, hearing the severe consequences Angeline would face filled him with dread.

"Don't be a fool, Angeline! Forget this broken peasant's nonsense and go back to Max. Do not destroy your own life!" Ryan pleaded.

Angeline was torn. The stakes were devastatingly high, but she couldn't bring herself to marry Max either.

Meeting her gaze with a calm, reassuring look, Lucas said, "Ms. Angeline will get it. I am absolutely certain of it."

As if hypnotized, Angeline slowly nodded.

With the deal struck, Lucas and Angeline left the Jordan estate to head back.

"Get in the car! I'm driving you home!" Angeline ordered sharply.

"I can go home by myself. Besides, I have errands to run," Lucas refused.

"We can't split up here. My family is definitely still spying on us. We have to stick together so they don't get suspicious, and besides, we have a lot to talk about," Angeline argued.

Conceding to her logic, Lucas followed her orders and slid into her luxurious red sedan.

As soon as they were a safe distance from the estate, Angeline pulled the car over to the side of the road. She turned to Lucas, her expression dead serious.

Lucas was taken aback by her terrifying glare. She looked like an icy, vengeful witch.

"What exactly were you thinking, challenging my grandmother like that? Are you purposely trying to ruin me?" Angeline demanded, her voice rising in panic.

"Relax, I will help you get that investment. Like I said earlier, I know all the top executives at Golden Star Corp. I'll introduce you to them later," Lucas answered calmly.

Angeline shook her head. "It's not that simple, Lucas. Business knows no friends. Even if you really do know them, they wouldn't just hand it to you. Especially not with your current status. Just forget it."

Lucas merely smiled, studying her face. Even though she looked utterly annoyed, from his perspective, it was rather adorable.

His eyes drifted downward slightly, taking in the generous, exposed view of her cleavage.

Angeline caught his wandering gaze. "What are you looking at? Keep your eyes up here, or I'll gouge them out!"

Lucas completely ignored the threat. Instead, he leaned in, bringing his face dangerously close to hers.

Angeline held her breath. Her face went rigid with tension.

The sensations she had experienced for the very first time last night suddenly flashed vividly in her memory.