Chapter 208

S21 38. Ask for Help

“Listen, Frank,” Paul suddenly spoke. He couldn’t wait for Melanie to act. “I actually don’t feel comfortable coming here in a condition like this. However, I have no other choice. My company is deteriorating. I need quite a large amount of funds to save it.”

Frank put his hand under his chin. Melanie and Paul held their breath waiting for his response.

“So?”

Paul gasped. He didn’t expect such a short answer.

“Maybe you’ve heard. Our company was once the largest gold mining company in the next town. Our prospects were big. Unfortunately, a disaster occurred and fund management had recently out of the predictions.”

Paul moved forward in his seat. His hands came up on the table. “I admit I was careless. But I can guarantee that it won’t happen again. Once we get more funds, multiple profits await. So, how about you invest in our company?”

Paul’s eyebrows rose, as if ready to hold out hope. However, Frank was silent. He glanced briefly at his wife. Kara didn’t give any clues

“How much do you need?”

“Half a billion dollars.”

Silence filled the air again. No one dared to move. Everyone was waiting for Frank’s brain to finish doing the calculations.

“That’s a big amount,” he muttered before pulling back to lean against the chair. Stroking his chin, he studied Paul and Melanie.

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“What is the percent chance that your company will survive? I heard that no investors dare to invest their money. Could it be that the risk is too great?”

Paul nearly flinched. After a moment of silence, he broke the ice with

a laugh. “Doesn’t every investment have risks? They refused because

they were not ready for the benefits. That number might be too big for

them.”

“So what is the percent chance?” Frank repeated the question more firmly. As Paul could no longer lift the corners of his lips, Frank continued.

“We are both businessmen. I’m sure you understand. Even though you. are my mother’s husband, what we are talking about concerns the work and fate of many people. Of course I can’t be careless.”

“Frank!” Melanie pounded the table. “How dare you talk like that? Paul is your stepfather.”

Frank turned his head with a relaxed expression. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to be impudent. But in the business world, it’s not brotherho or family ties that play a role, but prospects and profits.”

“Nonsense! You even capitalize on your children’s fun experiment

“Maybe they look like they’re having fun. Their work is also relaxed But it is profitable and the prospects are clear. Just look at the sales results of Emily’s products. Even the apartments designed by Louis have many people ready to buy.”

While Melanie fell silent, Frank shifted his gaze. “Then, what about your company, Mr. Harris? What is the ratio between the risk and the potential profit? What can you offer so that I want to invest capital? Please express it in numbers.”

Paul’s jaw throbbed violently. He glanced at Melanie, expressing a

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threat through his gaze. Understanding the code, Melanie got up from the chair. She circled the table and held Frank’s hand tightly, as if it were her last hope.

“Son, can’t you give your stepfather a chance? I’m sure, he won’t

waste it. His company was once the largest. With your help, his name will definitely skyrocket again.”

Frank looked at his mother with a flat expression. “I just asked for an explanation, but

bad? You yourself don’t believe in its performance?”

bad? You yourselfyou

begging like this? Is the company so

Melanie sighed in disbelief. She realized that she had taken a wrong step, but she didn’t want to give up.

“Do you actually still consider me your mother or not? In your entire life, have I ever expected help like this? No, right? This is the first time I’ve begged you. But you’re reluctant to help?”

Frank was stunned. His brows rebelled, but his voice was restrained, only in thought. He had never counted, but since Melanie returned, he remembered that his mother had begged him several times. Was the request different this time?

“Sorry, Mom. But please understand my position. Savior is doing of development this quarter. We have to prepare many things, including capital. I have to manage cash flow wisely. Only impor and promising things I can fund.”

Paul’s clenched hands began to shake. Kara watched him silent Worried that it could cause problems, she touched her husband’s shoulder. “Frank, can we talk for a moment?”

The other three people focused their attention on Kara in unison. However, Kara just looked at Frank. With a shady smile, she nodded, Let’s talk for a bit, hmm?”

Frank’s breathing turned heavy. He knew the meaning behind that

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expression. After exhaling faintly, he looked at Melanie and Paul with a lazy face.

“Can you give us some time? I need to discuss this with my wife.”

Still with pursed lips, Melanie glanced at Kara. She had difficulty guessing her daughter-in-law’s intentions.

However, Paul had different thought. He immediately got up from his chair. His expression was still stern, but his eyes radiated a different light.

“This is indeed a big decision. Please think carefully. We will wait

outside.”

A second later, he glanced at Melanie. With a faint gesture, he

indicated to immediately leave the room.

Like it or not, Melanie moved. Before turning towards the door, she looked closely at Kara. There was a threat in her gaze. However, Kara responded with a warm smile.

“You don’t agree with my decision?” Frank asked as soon as the do

closed. His brows furrowed.

Kara stroked the wrinkled forehead. “From a business perspective never doubted your ideas. But, this concerns your mother.”

“You still remember about her destroying her husband’s company herself, right?” Frank narrowed his eyes.

“Yes, I remember. But everyone deserves a chance. Barbara alone can change. Your mother can too.”

Frank sighed and leaned back. “But it’s half a billion, Kara. That

amount is too big to gamble.”

“What if you consider that amount as ransom? For years, you have lived separately from your mother and half-sister. You didn’t get any

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chance to give them anything during that time. Let’s just say, half a billion is the accumulation of pocket money that you didn’t have time to give them.”

Frank’s eyebrows knit together again. However, his firmness faded. His drooping shoulders implied that he was starting to agree.

“But, I didn’t lie about the Savior fund allocation being full. We don’t have any funds left to invest in such a company. You know that I also used my savings to start building Louis’ apartment. The rest is emergency funds and retirement funds that cannot be contested. I also don’t want to sacrifice the value of investments anywhere, let

alone humanitarian funds.”

The curve of Kara’s lips shrunk. After a few blinks, she muttered, “Do you remember that we just passed the dividend distribution period?”

Frank raised an eyebrow. “Don’t say you want to use it. That’s your first dividend.”

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