Chapter 55: Exhausting the Family Fortune
She had long known that her family was blinded by greed and wouldn't listen to any advice. No matter how much she tried to persuade them, it would be useless.
She turned and went back to her office, took out her phone, and called James.
The call was quickly answered, and James's voice came through, gentle and magnetic.
"Caroline, what's wrong? Is Daryl giving you trouble again?"
Hearing James's voice, Caroline felt the grievance in her heart ease a little. She said softly,
"James, my family is still being stubborn. They're going around bragging that they're about to partner with Summit Holdings Corporation. Daryl even came to mock me, saying he's going to kick me out of the company."
After listening, James—who had already sent people to keep tabs on the Collins family—
never expected Landon would be stupid enough to trust a con artist.
Little did they know, the moment Brian got his hands on the money, he had already vanished without a trace.
"Ignore them. They're just a bunch of idiots being played by a scammer."
Caroline was a bit shocked. "What do you mean?"
James's lips curved slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Meanwhile, on the Collins family's side, they were still immersed in their fantasy of partnering with Summit Holdings Corporation.
Landon called Brian every day, asking about the project's progress.
But Brian either wouldn't answer the phone or would say he was working on connections and to wait patiently.
Although Landon was a bit puzzled, he didn't think much of it, assuming Brian was just too busy.
A few days later, news came that Finn, the chairman of Summit Holdings Corporation, was about to arrive in Silvermoon City to personally oversee the branch office setup and bidding process.
This news quickly reached the Collins family. When Landon heard it, he felt both excited and nervous.
He was excited because Finn personally coming to Silvermoon City showed how much Summit Holdings Corporation valued the branch office.
As long as they could make a good impression on Finn, the Collins family's partnership would be secured.
He was nervous because he had never met Finn before. If Finn didn't acknowledge Brian or wasn't satisfied with him, all of the Collins family's efforts would be wasted.
Landon quickly gathered Gilbert, Daryl, Bronte, and others to discuss going to the airport to pick up Finn and meet him in person.
"Dad, this is a great opportunity!" Daryl said excitedly.
"We'll go to the airport to pick him up and perform well in front of Finn. We'll give him some expensive gifts, and maybe if he's happy, he'll give us the project directly! Then the Collins family will really be set!"
Gilbert quickly chimed in.
"Yeah Dad, we have to go pick him up. This is a great chance to get closer to Finn!"
"Brian is his son. If we go pick him up, it shows respect to Brian, and he'll help us even more in the future!"
Bronte also said with a smile.
"Dad, I think they're right. We should not only go pick him up but also dress formally to make a good impression on Finn."
Landon nodded, feeling somewhat satisfied with Bronte.
That evening, Landon called Brian.
When Brian learned that Landon's family planned to go to the airport, his expression immediately darkened. Then he explained,
"My dad is a pretty low-key person. He doesn't like showing off, and his trip to Silvermoon City is confidential. He doesn't want to be bothered by too many people."
"If you go to the airport to pick him up, you'll only make him angry. Then the project won't go smoothly."
Landon's heart tightened, and he quickly asked.
"Really? Your father doesn't like showing off?"
"Of course it's true."
Brian quickly said.
"What my dad hates most is people who kiss up to others. Plus, he's coming to Silvermoon City mainly to handle branch office matters. He doesn't have time to meet outsiders. Once he's done with his work, I'll arrange for you to meet him."
Landon felt a bit hesitant, but thinking about what Brian said and fearing he might anger Finn and delay the project, he could only nod.
"Alright, then we won't go to the airport. Please arrange for us to meet as soon as he's free."
"Don't worry, I will."
Brian quickly agreed and hung up the phone.
After hanging up, Landon still felt a bit puzzled. How could Finn, as chairman of Summit Holdings Corporation, be so low-key?
But thinking that Brian was Finn's son and probably wouldn't lie to him, he pushed down those doubts.
Seeing Landon hesitate, Bronte quickly said,
"Dad, Brian is right. Finn is an important person. We should listen to Brian."
Gilbert and Daryl also quickly agreed, and Landon nodded, no longer hesitating.
As for Brian, after hanging up the phone, he left Silvermoon City that very night with all the money.
Before leaving, he blocked all the Collins family members' contact information, as well as Janice's, and completely disappeared without a trace.
The Collins family, however, knew nothing about this.
Landon and the others were still happily preparing to meet Finn, planning how to expand the company after securing the partnership with Summit Holdings Corporation.
Meanwhile, after Finn arrived in Silvermoon City, he didn't contact any local forces. Instead, he went straight to James's residence with a few bodyguards.
His reason for opening a branch office in Silvermoon City wasn't just to expand business.
Finn arrived at the Anderson Manor, had his bodyguards wait at the door, and personally went forward to ring the doorbell.
After a few rings, the villa door opened. It was Iron Wolf who answered.
Iron Wolf saw Finn, was stunned for a moment, then recognized him.
"Finn, what brings you here?"
Finn smiled, his tone respectful.
"Please let him know I'm here to visit."
"Sure thing, please come in."
Iron Wolf quickly stepped aside to let Finn in, then turned to inform James.
Before long, James came down from the second floor.
He was wearing casual clothes, with a cool demeanor and indifferent eyes, without any unnecessary expression.
Seeing James, Finn quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, his tone extremely deferential.
"Mr. Anderson, it's been years. I hope you've been well?"
In his heart, Finn was full of gratitude and respect for James. Without James,
he would have died at the hands of his enemies long ago and would never have built today's Summit Holdings Corporation.
James nodded slightly, his tone casual.
"Sit down, no need to be so formal."
Finn quickly sat down. A bodyguard poured coffee for both of them and then left.
Only James and Finn remained in the villa.
Finn picked up his cup, took a sip, then looked at James and said gratefully,
"Mr. Anderson, thank you so much for saving my life back then. Without you, I would have died long ago. I'll never forget this debt of gratitude."
"I came to Silvermoon City to open a branch office to repay your life-saving grace. I want to give you all the authority and all the projects of the branch office."
James shook his head, his tone flat.
"Saving you was just a small favor. I don't need your shares."
"I only have one request: for this Silvermoon City branch office bidding project, give all the partnership resources to Caroline from the Collins family."