Chapter 13 It's All My Fault, Mr. Krauss

• While the Sullivan family members were busy criticizing Vance, another luxury car stopped at the front gate.
• It was Ferdinand.
• As soon as he stepped inside the house, he shouted, "Grandpa Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan, did Victor come by and apologize just now?"
• He immediately set off toward the Sullivan family residence as soon as he received the call from Shelley.
• Who could possibly resist the temptation of free credit?
• "Please come in, Mr. Krauss! Thank you so much for helping us! Looks like we owe you another favor this time," Daryl said eagerly.
• "Heh, it's nothing. Don't mention it," Ferdinand said. "I didn't expect Victor to be a predator. If I had known his true colors, I wouldn't have been friends with him."
• "As far as I know, Troy Global has just cut ties with Krauss Corporation. It's impossible that you've met with Helen Lewis," Vance said.
• "Pfft!" Ferdinand could not help but chuckle. "Krauss Corporation and Troy Global have been close business partners for decades. I must be such a failure if they cut ties with us!"
• "Mm, I think so too," Vance said.
• "Shut up!" Daryl chided. "Know your place, Vance. Another word from you, and you're out!"
• Hazel looked disappointed. Vance was disappointed too, at the Sullivan family, for trusting the wrong person. They're not going to thrive, he thought.
• "Right, do you know about the new collaboration project between Krauss Corporation and Troy Global?" Ferdinand said.
• "No. What is it?" Daryl asked.
• "It's a development project in Kingsbank. We've received reliable information some time ago that the city council will move to Kingsbank, and property prices there will dramatically rise soon. That's why Krauss Corporation paid a lot of money for many prime lots in that area."
• The Sullivan family members were incredibly envious of Ferdinand's information network.
• "Of course, that's only the first thing. Secondly, you should know that the Avatar of War will be coming to Chevron soon to look for his mentor, Lord Reaper, right?"
• The Sullivan family members nodded. "Yes, we know."
• They also knew that the Avatar of War's mentor was supposed to be married to Hazel, but they did not tell Ferdinand that. After all, Ferdinand was also interested in marrying Hazel.
• "I tried to ask Ms. Lewis for a favor while talking to her earlier. I requested her to use her father's mayor powers to move the welcome ceremony for the Avatar of War to Kingsbank. If that really happens, property prices in Kingsbank will rise tenfold easily. The good news is that Ms. Lewis has agreed to it. Moreover, she paid two hundred million dollars to buy a ten percent stake in the Kingsbank development project."
• What? Tenfold? Ferdinand is a business genius! That's why Krauss Corporation is so big!
• Their admiration for Ferdinand continued to grow.
• "Of course, I could never forget you guys. After all, Hazel and I were classmates and friends. She helped me loads back when we were in school," Ferdinand said. "I begged my father for a long time before he agreed to sell you a fifteen percent stake of the project for two hundred million."
• The Sullivan family members were incomparably excited to hear that.
• That was the perfect chance to make money. They could easily make up to two billion dollars or even more, and they did not have to put in any effort.
• Moreover, Troy Global only received a ten percent stake for two hundred million dollars, while they could get fifteen percent.
• Ferdinand is too kind to us! They thought.
• "Thank you so much for helping us, Ferdie. We'll never forget your generosity," Arnold said. "However, we can't cough up two hundred million dollars just like that. Please give us some time to gather our funds."
• Ferdinand frowned. "Ah, if that's the case… I can do that, but you'll have to be quick. Also, I can save the shares for you if you hand me a deposit of fifty million dollars first."
• Arnold nodded. "No problem."
• His trust in Ferdinand was absolute.
• However, Vance spoke coldly, "I'd advise you not to do that. First of all, the city council isn't going to move. Secondly, I've never heard of the Avatar of War's welcome ceremony being held at Kingsbank. Thirdly, as far as I know, Troy Global has cut all business ties with Krauss Corporation. Krauss Corporation doesn't have the financial assets to develop Kingsbank. Ferdinand, you're only looking for a sucker to take over your failed investment."
• Ferdinand laughed loudly. "Haha, you got me this time, Vance! You're so well-informed!"
• "Shut up, Vance!" Hazel said angrily. "No one will laugh at you for being useless, as long as you're being honest, but no one will respect you if you insist on demeaning others to elevate yourself! Can't you just admit that Ferdinand is a better man than you are?"
• Vance looked disappointed. "Never mind. I don't know you that well anyway. I only hope you won't regret your decision."
• He turned around and left.
• Suddenly, Hazel felt her heart clench. Have I gone overboard for scolding Vance like that? In any case, he saved me from Victor.
• Also… why would I think Vance is lying and Ferdinand is telling the truth?
• Her faith in Ferdinand began to waver.
• The entire Sullivan business was worth five hundred million dollars. Having two hundred million dollars in liquid funds proved to be a difficult challenge.
• "Whatever it takes, we have to gather our funds. Go and borrow if you have to. When it comes to it, sell our properties too! We have to gather two hundred million dollars in the shortest time possible!"
• "Yes!" The Sullivan family members were eager to make some serious dough.
• After Ferdinand left the Sullivan family residence, he secretly gave his father a call.
• "Good news, Father. The Sullivan family took the bait! Sullivan Corporation will be ours in no time!"
• …
• The next day, Vance went to Troy Global and cleansed the buildings of the lingering miasma as well as realigned the leylines.
• After that, he refused Helen's invitation to dinner and prepared to leave.
• At the lobby, Shelley rushed over to him. "Follow me, Vance. Hazel is in danger! Quick!"
• Vance frowned. "What's wrong?"
• "Hazel went to look for Cosmo Russell to ask for money, but he trapped her in the Sweet Dreams Club. Cosmo is notorious for being a violent pervert, and Hazel will surely be violated."
• Vance's heart wrenched. "Let's go!"
• He did not understand why he was so worried about Hazel's whereabouts, even though she had treated him badly.
• On the way there, Vance got to know that Cosmo was the only son of Drago, leader of the Desperados, and the Sweet Dreams Club was Cosmo's turf.
• In the most luxurious private room, Hazel was already drunk. Her vision was blurry, and she kept herself conscious through sheer force of will.
• She knew that the consequences were dire if she fell asleep.
• She took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Russell, I've already drunk three glasses of liquor, just as you wanted me to. Shouldn't you fulfill your end of the bargain and return the twenty million dollars you owe?"
• "Hahaha!" Cosmo and his minions laughed out loud.