Chapter 10

“You’ve just gotten out of prison and are weighed down by a mountain of troubles. There is no way you could shell out that kind of money for a single flower!” Raymond protested, leaning back and spreading his arms. He still wanted to salvage his dignity.

Gennifer tugged at Marvin’s sleeve and whispered, “Marvin, it’s better if you don't engage with him. You must know how influential the Harvard family is in Gloriston.” She was consumed by anxiety and terror that her husband might somehow end up back behind bars.

In the past, the name Harvard had indeed cast a terrifying shadow over Marvin Rock. Everyone in Chemisland knew the immense wealth and arrogance of the Harvard family—back then, anyway. But ever since he discovered the new chemical element known as Glorisium, Marvin no longer feared the Harvard name.

Had the government not actively obstructed his path, the Rock family's enterprises would have skyrocketed and rivaled Harvard's business empire long ago. Now, the true heir of the Rock family was going to prove it.

As the tension escalated, a heated verbal sparring match erupted between Marvin and Raymond.

“Young Master Harvard, starting from today, stop flirting with my wife and trying to make her yours. I am her husband. If you refuse to respect me, I will never respect you, and I don't care what family you come from!”

“I am filthy rich! What woman wouldn't want to be my wife? If you dare to let go of Gennifer, I’ll double the coal supply to Rock Electra!”

“Ha? What kind of businessman are you, Raymond? You need to realize that starting today, Rock Electra doesn't need coal from Harvard Corp. The Rock family doesn't need anything from Harvard Corp!”

Everyone in the room was stunned!

“Marvin, you've gone completely overboard! We were supplying you out of charity, and your family's business was already on life support, yet now you're acting arrogant in front of me? You’ve lost your mind! You've just completely destroyed what little business the Rock family had left!”

Marvin crossed his arms across his chest and said coldly, “On the contrary, if we keep relying on the arrogant Harvard family, we’ll forever be suppressed and marginalized. It's high time we wash our hands of them!”

Everyone was deeply shocked by Marvin's startling statement. For decades, Rock Electra had purchased coal exclusively from Harvard Corp to fuel their modest power plant.

It was much like Winsoil, which always depended on crude oil from Harvard Corp whenever their own internal petroleum reserves ran low or hit rock bottom.

And right now, their oil wells were practically dry. Before they could tap into any new wells, they had to cover a massive three-month deficit. They had no other choice left except to beg at the feet of the Harvard family.

Marvin then swept his gaze across all the members of the Winston family. “Furthermore, it is only right that the Winston family’s enterprise, Winsoil, severs all cooperation with Harvard permanently. Winsoil does not need Harvard’s crude oil!”

Chaos erupted in the room.

Gennifer urged her husband to sit down and be quiet. “Marvin!” Gennifer’s eyes pleaded with him to obey and keep his cool.

The entire family was filled with apprehension. Gennifer was undeniably the closest to Marvin and understood him best; even though she trusted him implicitly, her dread at this moment was overwhelming.

Meanwhile, Axel—accustomed to thinking critically through pure logic and maintaining a close bond with Marvin—was convinced that Marvin wasn't saying these things without reason. Though Axel remained silent, he believed Marvin wasn't joking around.

Marvin squared his shoulders and declared firmly, “Starting today, Rock Electra and Winsoil are cutting all business ties with Harvard Corp!” He then sat down and let out a long, heavy sigh.

Raymond stared up at the ceiling, massaging his forehead as he tried to guess the motive behind Marvin's words. “Honestly, your empty talk is making a fool out of me, Marvin!” He shook his head in absolute disbelief.

If Marvin's words were actually backed by action and approved by Patriarch Warren Harvard, Winsoil would be completely finished. Being forced out of operation for two months would result in staggering losses—bankruptcy would be practically guaranteed.

The only logical alternative if that happened would be for Winsoil to source crude oil elsewhere, such as from The Oxy or state-owned petroleum corporations.

Yet, would a transition like that ever run smoothly without obstruction? Obviously, it would be an uphill battle. Winsoil was far too small; they were only permitted to supply around twenty percent of Gloriston's fuel demand.

If the Winston family wanted to stay trampled under the boots of the Harvard family, they would continue to be squeezed dry. If they wanted true liberation, they had to take decisive action instead of sacrificing Gennifer.

That was precisely how Marvin viewed the situation. He refused to let the Harvard family act as an absolute monopoly, lording over smaller enterprises unchecked.

“I don't agree with any of your nonsense, Marvin!” Russel snapped stiffly.

Silence fell over the room.

They had only just secured a sudden allotment of crude oil from The Oxy following Marvin's promise the night before. Everyone was left with pounding headaches and lingering doubts. How on earth did Marvin have the clout to suddenly arrange a massive oil delivery in under twenty-four hours?

Marvin smiled faintly. “Russel, everyone in this house already knows Winsoil will be safe for the next month. Why are you still panicking?” Marvin held back a laugh; laughing might ruin the heavy atmosphere. He knew how to read the room.

Russel shrugged and retorted, “Sure, The Oxy made a sudden delivery. Your bluster yesterday was just a lucky coincidence, Marvin! What, are you moonlighting as a fortune teller now? Don't you know fortune-telling is just as forbidden as eating pork?” he berated, growing increasingly heated.

Marvin shot back instantly, “I’m neither a fortune teller nor a seer. I speak using sound, sober logic. I’ve already proven it clearly—I brought the most expensive Gloriest Blossom, and I secured the crude oil delivery for Winsoil. Do you all really think I’m just joking around?!”

Derick and Elena retreated, sitting apart from the rest. Marvin's words had given them plenty of heavy food for thought.

“No!” Russel stood up tall, pointing a finger at Marvin. “Where is the proof? Wasn't your name completely absent from both of those deliveries? You're just making things up!” A harsh huff of air escaped Russel's nostrils.

“Very well, I will prove it!” Marvin replied with absolute conviction.

Gennifer slumped forward, gently embracing her husband from the side. “Stop humiliating me here, Marvin!”

Marvin soothed and comforted his wife, then tossed the ring box back toward Raymond. “Here, take your junk back. My wife is disgusted to wear such a cheap ring from you. Tomorrow, I’ll buy her a Red Diamond instead!”

Russel immediately pulled out his phone to search online. Red Diamonds cost five million dollars per gram, and there were only thirty of them in the entire world! Russel shook his head violently. “This is insane! That’s it, I give up—I don't understand any of this anymore!”

True to form, once hatred takes root in a person's heart, white is perceived as black. Russel's mind was completely clouded by deep-seated animosity, making it impossible for him to accept any truth coming from Marvin.

Marvin stood up and declared, “If I gift a single gram of Red Diamond to my wife, it will equal five hundred of the rings gifted by the Young Master of Harvard!”

Everyone was utterly astounded!

He continued, “Oh, extraordinarily wealthy sole heir of the Harvard family, you'd better head down to a jewelry store and learn a thing or two from the dealers!” Marvin offered a crisp, confident smile. He thoroughly enjoyed mocking Raymond that late afternoon, right in front of the entire Winston family without a single exception.

Gennifer sat frozen. As a stunning socialite living amidst the ultra-wealthy elite, she knew all too well that Red Diamonds were exceptionally rare. Not just anyone could ever hope to own one.

“Tomorrow, all of you will witness my wife wearing a Red Diamond necklace!”