On the other hand, Gina hung her head in silence for a long while.Then, having made up her mind, she looked up and snarled, "I'll find Cindy. If we do, we'd be able to buy that farm!""That's not necessary," Frank said, waving her off—money was no issue for him.The question here was how they were going to make a profit with that farm.Gina, however, was only getting further agitated. "No, I'm not taking this lying down. I'll find Cindy! Curse that brat… She'd do this to me when I trust her so much!"While Gina strode upstairs, Helen frowned as she turned toward Frank. "About the money… Why don't we ask Vicky? We might be able to pool the money by working together.""What?" Frank was a little surprised. "When did you two bond?""N-No!" Helen blushed as she snapped. "What are you talking about? We're just colleagues, that's all!"Frank raised a brow, staring at her with a faint, suspicious smile. "Hold on, did you fall for Vicky? Be honest now—which way do you swing?""Stop it
Jade, Luna, and Fleur—who had a major disagreement with Frank and the others at Lane Manor just yesterday—were there too.Pursing her lips, Fleur was already snorting when Frank arrived. "I'm telling you—he definitely came empty-handed and is going to appeal to our better nature using Henry Lane's name. I mean, these people, pooling a billion dollars in a day? Dream on!"Roth Lane, Gavin's eldest son, was there too, frowning at her words."Madam Lang," he said quietly, "Mr. Lawrence isn't all he seems. A billion dollars really isn't that much money to him.""Oh, don't be such a wuss, Roth." Luna snorted haughtily. "Even I can admit that Frank Lawrence has friends, but gathering a billion dollars in a day? It's still a challenge.""Don't worry, Luna." Jade grinned, winking at her. "That man obviously brought Helen here to appeal to emotion. And the farm is a money sink anyway—Helen would never make money out of it even if she bought it. They'd just lose more than what they bargaine
On the other hand, Vicky was smiling. "You must be Fleur Lang, ma'am. Your reputation precedes you… Oh, where are my manners? Would you like some tea? I can pour you some."She really enjoyed stepping on toes, gleeful even as she mentioned the tea incident of the previous night and leaving Fleur glowering.Jade, who had enough, snapped at Vicky right then, "Ms. Turnbull, you should stay in line even if your family is important in Morhen. We aren't afraid of you."Vicky gasped in dramatic surprise. "Whoa, you must be Jade Zahn! Hello to you too—I heard that my darling husband Frank Lawrence saved your daughter, yes?"She certainly was no punching bag like Helen, and her mention of that life debt left Jade and Luna pursing their lips grumpily."I mean, a life debt lasts forever, doesn't it? But why does it feel like neither of you are grateful?" Vicky sighed in exaggerated disappointment just then. "Such a shame I'm not as noble as my husband—I mean, if I saved someone and they st
Mark chuckled, gazing proudly upon the farm that stretched on endlessly. "Chickens, ducks, fishes, geese, pigs, and goats, and an enormous pond… These are all my treasures, and I've been watching over them for years.""And losing a whole lot of money because of it," Fleur added tactlessly.Mark's face fell right then, but Gavin hurried over to clear the air with a smile. "Helen, my father shed blood and sweat for this farm. I'd like him to enjoy some peace in the knowledge that it's passed on to safe hands.""Exactly," Mark said, his expression easing as he sighed. "My health's been declining ever since my brother's passing, and I feel too weary to keep managing the farm.""What are you saying, sir? You're the picture of good health, right?" Helen exclaimed, turning toward Frank."Yeah," Frank frowned ever so slightly but nodded in silence for Helen's sake.Gavin noticed Frank's hesitation, however, and made a mental note.On the other hand, Mark was chuckling and holding up his
Seeing the seriousness in Mark's eyes, Helen swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.After all, she and Vicky had agreed after much discussion that it had to be a factory.The land was flat, and with that river, it was a god-given treasure for an industrial zone.And no one ever lost money when it came to industrial zones, though one could not say the same for a farm.Seeing her hesitation, Mark frowned in annoyance. "Are you going to build a factory here too?""No." Helen quickly denied it, while her mind quickly searched for options.It was obvious that Mark cherished his farm and refused to build factories that would pollute the natural goodness here.However, the problem was that farms were really not profitable, and they might end up losing a lot more.If that happened, forget Mark crediting Helen's abilities—all she would receive in turn was disappointment and a huge debt. She would certainly not be considered a candidate for the next head of the Lane family while s
That being said, both Mark and Helen seemed to have a tacit understanding to not mention Henry today—they did not want to add to their own misery.However, while Vicky and Helen were watching Mark leave emotionally, Fleur went Lang over and snatched the agreement off Gavin's hands. "Hmph. Two months?" She snorted and saw the hundred million dollar sum to be paid.Whipping out a pen from her pocket, she added a zero behind it and quickly passed it back to Gavin.Gavin frowned when he saw Fleur change the price. "This is insurance. What if Helen fails? We'd lose big.""Don't tell anyone! And don't you understand how humiliating it would be if some nobody is appointed the head of our family?!" Felur growled under her breath.Gavin was going to argue but soon noticed Frank turning toward them.He quickly pretended nothing ever happened—he did not want Frank to have a fight over money here. It did not benefit his family whatsoever!Also, it was just one more zero, and Helen had agr
Helen almost shed tears from sheer frustration. "How could you do this to me, Vicky?!"Vicky walked up and hugged Helen while purring, "Oh, dear Helen… Why are you tearing up? It really hurts to look—but reality is just that cruel. All is fair in love and war! You need more resolve than this!"Wagging her finger at Helen, she continued, "I mean, just think about it—why would I help you become the next head of the Lane family? Just so that you can lord over me? I'd be shooting myself in the foot, and I'm not as dumb as you are."Seeing that Vicky's words were striking Helen where it hurts most, Frank sighed exasperatedly. "That's enough now, Vicky. Stop scaring her—don't you have any ideas?""Huh?" Vicky turned toward him in shock. "Did you think I'm just scaring her, darling? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defeat Helen once and for all… Fine, I'll be frank. I'm not some deity who can make money out of such a huge farm in two months. Helen is in for it now."Helen real
Vicky stuck her tongue out at Frank, while Helen frowned. "Alright, just leave this whole affair to me," he said. "Both of you just follow my orders—you'll be handing the advertising and getting all the public figures of Riverton to build hype. The more hype, the better."As for me…" Frank glanced at the farmland around him, sighing. "I'll be staying here for a while.""Frank…" Helen was awash with emotion.She was convinced she could rise as the next head of the Lane family, only to end up relying on Frank again.It was as emotional as it was awkward—in fact, Frank's claim before that he was the reason Lane Holdings flourished during their three-year marriage was no lie.Frank patted her on the head just then. "Come on. You don't need me if you can do everything yourself. Go on—get to work.""Yeah," Helen nodded."Playing favorites huh, Frank?" Vicky's huffed, puffing her cheeks in jealousy. "You're always on Helen's side, never caring about me! I'm upset now!"Frank chuckle