All Chapters of From Money Burner to Debt Collector: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Mr. Stewart, you have to give us an answer today!"The conference table in the top-floor meeting room of Stewart Group was covered with more than a dozen payment demands.The room was packed with representatives from banks, suppliers, and investment firms. They had all come to collect their money.My dad, Landon Stewart, sat anxiously at the head of the table.He had not slept all night, and he looked worn out.My oldest brother, Noah Stewart, stood behind him. He was taking calls while flipping through the financial reports.His face grew darker by the second. "Dad, the bank just pulled the loan for the Eastport project. The Westfield construction site has also stopped work. If we can't replace the funds by midnight, three banks will file for asset protection at the same time."Landon's hand shook around his glass of water.Half of it spilled onto the table, but no one offered to clean it up.In the past, these people would have needed to make an appointment weeks in advance just to

Chapter 2

Connor sat down across from Landon, and his lawyer began handing out copies of the agreement to everyone in the Stewart family.The terms included paying off all the debts, keeping the employees, continuing the current projects, and even allowing Landon to remain as honorary chairman.But the hidden meaning was clear.The Stewart Mansion would belong to Connor.Connor would pay off their debts, but the Stewarts would be reduced to nothing more than house-sitters.Noah quickly flipped through the agreement. "51 percent is too much. You're only paying off 1.07 billion dollars, but you'll gain actual control of Stewart Group."Connor smiled. "Mr. Noah, have you forgotten that Stewart Group isn't a normal company anymore? By tomorrow morning, the banks will be seizing it. The fact that I'm willing to pay to solve your problem is already charity."As he spoke, he looked at me. "Of course, if Ms. Stewart is willing to sell some of her assets, she might still be able to raise some money for t

Chapter 3

At 8:15 p.m., the first bank sent over an official demand for payment.At 8:20 p.m., the equipment at the Southfield construction site was seized.At 8:30 p.m., the last bit of available cash in Stewart Group's accounts was frozen.The bad news kept coming.The mood in the conference room grew more tense by the minute. The suppliers had also completely lost their patience.Reggie was the first to stand. "Mr. Stewart, our company has thousands of employees too. If you don't pay us today, I won't be able to answer to them. I need to see the 50 million dollar payment by 9:30."The other creditors quickly joined in.Some demanded that Stewart Mansion be used as collateral. Others wanted Landon's remaining private shares. Some even demanded that I use my own assets as security.Even our relatives, who usually treated Landon and Noah with the greatest respect at the company, had become hostile.Eunice sat down beside me.For once, she didn't scold me. "Talia, listen to me. Give those five

Chapter 4

Noah didn't hand over the pen right away. "Dad, wait."Landon asked in a hoarse voice, "Wait for what? In 20 minutes, every Stewart Group account will be frozen. The factories will shut down, employees will lose their jobs, and the projects will be forced into auction. Instead of letting the banks destroy Stewart Group, we should hand it over while we still can."Noah looked at Landon with red eyes. "But this is everything Grandpa and you built."Landon gave a bitter smile. "We can build another company if we lose this one. But we can't let the debt destroy our family."As he spoke, he glanced at me. "Especially Talia. She doesn't know how to do anything. If Stewart Group really goes bankrupt, who will clean up her mess?"I sat quietly in the corner and watched him.Even now, he was still worried about my unfinished buildings.My heart ached a little.But I also wanted to laugh.I thought he should worry about the people who were actually about to go bankrupt.Connor told his lawyer to

Chapter 5

The big screen lit up and displayed the names of all 12 companies, the amounts they owed, and their due dates.Reggie was at the top of the list.He owed 76 million dollars.Three subsidiaries under Hooper Group owed a total of 4.2 billion dollars.The other creditors owed anywhere from 30 million to several billion dollars.Reggie stared nervously at the screen. "What is this?"I patiently explained, "It's a payment demand. You brought more than a dozen of them earlier. I was afraid you'd get tired of looking at paper, so I put them all into digital form."He slammed his hand on the table. "That's nonsense! When did our company ever owe you money? Do you think you can stop Stewart Group's bankruptcy by making up some random list?"The others quickly joined him."Mr. Stewart, is your daughter crazy?""She's still joking around at a time like this?""Those five bankrupt companies are nothing but empty shells. How could they possibly have 1.8 billion dollars in debt claims?"Landon also

Chapter 6

Everyone in the room fell silent after Landon hung up the phone.Reggie was the first to react.He picked up his briefcase and started walking out. "Since Stewart Group's debts have been settled, there's nothing left for us to discuss."I tapped my fingers on the table. "Mr. Campbell, did you forget about the interest you still owe?"He froze.I continued, "The court only enforced the principal that was due. If you don't pay the remaining 13 million dollars within three days, that new shopping center under your name will belong to us too."He turned around with an ugly look on his face. "Talia, don't push things too far. You don't want things to get ugly between us later."I raised an eyebrow. "Then why the hell did you storm Dad's office with your crew? Now that karma's biting back, you wanna talk etiquette?"Reggie finally gave in. "I'll have our finance department handle it."The other creditors quickly changed their tune too.Just moments ago, they had been demanding that Stewart G

Chapter 7

Connor finally panicked.After reading the contract award notice, he turned and walked away.But when he reached the door, I called out to him. "Mr. Hooper, you forgot your agreement."I tossed the acquisition agreement at him.The papers scattered all over the floor.He didn't pick them up. "Talia, don't celebrate too soon. Hooper Group won't collapse over 4.2 billion dollars."I nodded. "Of course. I never planned to collect only 4.2 billion dollars."His steps stopped for a moment.But he said nothing and walked out.The doors closed behind him. Only the Stewarts and Vincent were left in the conference room.Landon called the police.Just before Vincent was taken away, he suddenly turned around and looked at me. "Ms. Stewart, I always thought you didn't understand anything. When did you figure me out?""When I first bought Everstone Construction."Three years ago, I had told the finance department to pay 1.2 billion dollars for the company.Vincent had strongly opposed the deal.But

Chapter 8

The next day, the new transit plan was officially announced.The area around the seven unfinished buildings was designated as a major transit hub.The empty land that no one had been willing to buy suddenly became worth ten times more overnight.Once the media got the news, they went wild.The headlines were even more dramatic."Stewart's Party Girl Cashes In on Transit Plan.""$5 Billion Deal Sparks Dramatic Turnaround."Some people even said I could predict the future.After seeing all the interview requests, I seriously considered becoming a fortune teller.After all, financial investing required money, fortune-telling did not.That morning, all the relatives who had spent the past three years laughing at and criticizing me came running over.My uncle David Stewart said he had always known that piece of land was special.Others said they were willing to invest in the future construction.Even Eunice wanted to use her savings to buy shares.I turned them all down.It wasn't because I

Chapter 9

The entrance of Hooper Group was packed with reporters on the day of the shareholders' meeting.Connor had clearly prepared for this.He refused to let me inside and had the public relations team announce that Hooper Group wouldn't accept any unreasonable debt claims.I didn't force my way in.Instead, I sat down on a couch in the lobby and ordered the most expensive coffee on the menu.The receptionist reminded me that it cost 38.80 dollars.I nodded. "Put it on Mr. Hooper's tab. He owes me 4.2 billion dollars, so let's count this as interest."The reporters around me burst out laughing.The news quickly reached the meeting room.Less than ten minutes later, Connor's lawyer came downstairs. "Ms. Stewart, Mr. Hooper is willing to negotiate with you privately.""He wants to talk now?""But you have to withdraw your debt claims first."I took a sip of my coffee. "Then have him come downstairs.""Mr. Hooper is chairing the shareholders' meeting.""What a coincidence. I'm here for the shar

Chapter 10

Six months later, Stewart Group finally completed its restructuring.All seven unfinished buildings had also resumed construction.The first one was turned into co-living spaces, with rent 30% lower than the surrounding area.The second became a startup center. It would give priority to former employees of the five bankrupt companies.The remaining buildings were being developed alongside the new transit shopping district.The people who had once looked down on my investments now came asking if I had any units left to sell.I turned them all down.Instead, I told them to check out the old Hooper Group building next door.There were plenty of offices there looking for new tenants.The empty land in Northwood was officially included in the new business district plan.Stewart Group used the opportunity to expand its logistics park.The five companies Landon had once considered a burden were merged into the construction, healthcare, logistics, and supply chain divisions.They weren't broug

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