Chapter 54 Those Who Come Are Not Refused
"Money is not a problem!"
Landon blurted out without thinking, but after hesitating for a moment, there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.
"Mr. Moore, tell me, how much do you need?"
Brian sighed, pretending to hesitate, and held up five fingers.
"At least five million dollars. This is the initial operating budget, to be used for greasing the palms of department heads and smoothing things over. If there's not enough money, forget about getting the project - even on my end, my dad might discover something's off. Then all our efforts will be wasted."
"Five million dollars?"
Landon gasped, his body swaying as he nearly lost his balance.
He knew clearly that the Collins family's liquid assets were only about three million dollars. The remaining two million would have to come from selling the family's antiques and paintings.
Those were things passed down through generations of the Collins family. Unless absolutely necessary, he really couldn't bear to touch them.
But thinking about Summit Holdings Corporation's project, thinking about how the Collins family could use this project to rise from the ashes, he gritted his teeth. The reluctance in his eyes was gradually replaced by determination.
"Alright! Five million dollars it is! Mr. Moore, rest assured, within three days, I'll definitely get the money together for you!"
Gilbert was also stunned for a moment - five million dollars was no small amount - but his greed overcame his hesitation, and he quickly chimed in.
"Yes, yes! Mr. Moore, we'll definitely get it together! Even if we have to sell everything in the house, we absolutely won't delay your work!"
Brian looked at everyone's reactions and nodded with satisfaction, saying seriously,
"Good, I trust you. But I have to remind you, this money must be gathered quickly. The sooner we smooth over these relationships, the better our chances. If another company beats us to it, even if I had supernatural powers, I'd be helpless."
"Understood, understood!"
Landon nodded repeatedly, his face plastered with a fawning smile.
"Mr. Moore, we'll do it as soon as possible, absolutely won't hold you back! Don't worry, once we get the money together, I'll call you right away."
Brian nodded slightly in agreement, though a barely noticeable hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
Three days passed, and Landon finally scraped together five million dollars. He couldn't wait to call Brian.
The call connected quickly, and Brian's tone was as cheerful as ever.
"Landon, got the money together?"
"Yes, yes, we did!"
Landon's voice was full of excitement.
"Mr. Moore, five million dollars, not a penny less. When are you free? I'll bring the money over to you."
"No need to trouble yourself bringing it over. I'll come get it now, and while I'm there, I'll tell you about the next steps."
"Great, great! Mr. Moore, we'll wait for you at home!"
Landon quickly agreed. After hanging up, he immediately had Gilbert and Daryl tidy up to welcome Brian.
In less than half an hour, Brian arrived, still wearing a designer suit, dressed impeccably.
Landon quickly handed over the bank card, his face full of ingratiating smiles.
"Mr. Moore, the money's all in this card. The password is six eights. You can go to the bank to check."
Brian took the bank card, glanced at it casually, and stuffed it in his pocket, his tone casual.
"No need to check. I trust you."
Landon breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked, "Mr. Moore, now that you have the money, please take care of everything that follows."
Brian smiled, looking completely confident.
"Don't worry, just wait for my good news."
"Great, great! Thank you, Mr. Moore! Thank you so much!"
Landon kept bowing, his face unable to contain his smile.
"Mr. Moore, why don't you stay for a meal? We've specially prepared good food and wine."
Brian waved his hand, pretending to be in a hurry.
"No thanks, I still have things to do. I need to get back and prepare. Once the project is secured, we'll celebrate properly."
"Alright, alright! You go ahead, you go ahead!"
Landon nodded quickly and personally escorted Brian to the door.
Watching his car disappear at the corner, he finally relaxed completely, a long-absent smile appearing on his face.
As soon as Brian got in the car, the serious expression on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of smug satisfaction.
He immediately took out his phone and called the bank to check the card balance.
When he heard the phone say the balance was five million dollars, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Meanwhile, on the Collins family's side, ever since Brian took the money, they completely lost their heads.
Landon bragged to everyone he met, saying the Collins family was about to partner with Summit Holdings Corporation, that Brian was his relative, and that the Collins family would soon be among Silvermoon City's elite families.
Gilbert and Daryl were even more arrogant, strutting around Silvermoon City's business district, showing off to everyone they met.
They even made a special trip to the Collins Group. Looking at the employees, they boasted proudly,
"Listen up, all of you! In a few days, the Collins family will be partnering with Summit Holdings Corporation on a billion-dollar project!"
"When that happens, the company will expand. If you perform well, I'll give you raises and promotions. But if you dare slack off, you're out immediately!"
Most of the company's employees were opportunists. Hearing that the Collins family was partnering with Summit Holdings Corporation, they immediately switched sides.
They all gathered around Gilbert and Daryl, bowing and scraping, flattering and fawning.
"Mr. Collins, you're amazing! To actually connect with Summit Holdings Corporation!"
"Mr. Collins, please take good care of us from now on! We'll definitely work hard!"
"Yes, yes, from now on we'll follow your lead. We're sure that following you, we'll definitely get rich!"
Gilbert and Daryl were praised until they were dizzy, feeling wonderful inside, thinking they were already true elite family heirs.
Daryl even deliberately walked to Caroline's office door, knocked, and said arrogantly,
"Caroline, come out here!"
Caroline was organizing files in her office. Hearing Daryl's voice, she frowned, put down the documents in her hands, and walked out.
"What is it?"
Daryl looked her up and down, his eyes full of disdain.
"Caroline, are you regretting it now? Regretting competing with me for the deputy manager position back then? Let me tell you, in a few days, our Collins family will be partnering with Summit Holdings Corporation."
"When that happens, I'll kick you out of the company, take back the shares you're holding, so you can never act high and mighty in front of me again!"
Caroline looked at his arrogant manner without a ripple of emotion in her heart. She even found it somewhat laughable.
"Daryl, don't get too cocky. Be careful that extreme joy doesn't turn to sorrow."
"Extreme joy turns to sorrow?"
Daryl sneered, his tone arrogant.
"Caroline, you're just jealous of me! Jealous that I can rise to success through Mr. Moore, jealous that I'll become an elite family heir! Let me tell you, you'll never catch up to me in this lifetime!"
With that, he raised his head proudly, turned and walked away, leaving Caroline standing there alone.
Caroline shook her head, her heart full of disappointment.