Chapter 57 I Have No Son
Before long, the bidding session officially ended. Finn walked forward with the microphone in hand.
He glanced at James and nodded at him before speaking solemnly,
"After comprehensive review by all the judges, the results of this bidding project will be officially announced in one week. We will notify all participating parties in writing at that time. Please be patient."
The venue immediately fell silent. People exchanged glances and whispered to each other, wondering who would win the project.
Next, Finn briefly explained some follow-up matters, then signaled the staff to wrap things up. The venue slowly began to clear out.
However, as people passed by Landon and his two companions, their faces showed mocking expressions.
Although the results hadn't been announced yet, the Collins Group clearly had no hope.
Landon was shaking with anger, his hand gripping the cane tighter and tighter.
He glared at Gilbert and Daryl through gritted teeth and said,
"What are you standing there for? Let's go back. Haven't we been embarrassed enough?"
Gilbert and Daryl flinched and followed Landon out dejectedly.
Watching them leave, Caroline felt worried.
"James, do you think the Collins Group really has no hope?"
Although she and Landon's group had submitted separate bids, they all belonged to the Collins Group after all.
They had offended Finn, and Caroline felt especially heavy-hearted.
At this moment, James held her hand, his eyes showing some helplessness.
"The results will be out in a week. Don't be afraid."
Caroline was a bit surprised. James seemed so confident, as if he was certain she would win the bid in a week.
But they could only wait for the results.
When Landon and the others got home, Bronte saw them return and rushed over, her face full of urgency.
"Dad, Gilbert, Daryl, how did it go? Did the bidding go smoothly? Did the Collins family win?"
Looking at Bronte, Landon's face turned dark, his tone showing no mercy.
"You dare to ask? You've ruined us all! Brian isn't the heir to Summit Holdings Corporation at all."
"He's a fraud! You brought him into our home, he cheated us out of everything we had, and now we're completely finished!"
Bronte's face turned pale. She froze completely, unable to believe her ears.
"No, that's impossible. Brian was so impressive, how could he be a fraud? Dad, did you make a mistake?"
"A mistake?"
Landon slammed the table, so angry his cane was shaking.
"Finn said it himself - he's never had a son named Brian! You let the wolf into our house yourself, and you still have the nerve to cry injustice?"
Doyle also stepped forward, his face grim, his tone carrying long-suppressed dissatisfaction.
"Bronte, this really is your fault. You kept praising Brian, saying this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We couldn't stop you, and now you've ruined the whole family. How are we supposed to hold our heads up?"
Gilbert sighed on the side, looking at Bronte with resentment.
Daryl was even more direct, pointing at her nose and cursing,
"If it wasn't for that Janice you found, would we have been scammed like this? I think you did it on purpose!"
Being accused by everyone in turn, Bronte looked terrible - both wronged and panicked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I was also deceived by Janice. How was I supposed to know Brian was fake? She told me with such certainty."
"What's the use of saying this now!"
Landon cut her off sharply.
"Call Janice right now! Ask her where Brian is! If we can't get the money back, you'll never have a good life!"
Bronte was so scared she trembled. She quickly took out her phone, her fingers shaking as she found Janice's number and called right there.
The phone rang several times before being answered. Janice's voice on the other end carried an unnatural panic.
"Aunt Bronte?"
"Janice! So you still know I'm your aunt!"
Bronte couldn't contain her anger and started cursing.
"You told me Brian was the heir to Summit Holdings Corporation, right? Turns out he's a fraud! You two teamed up to scam us, trying to destroy our whole family!"
Janice was startled on the other end and quickly put on a wronged and panicked tone.
"Aunt Bronte, why are you saying this? I'm a victim too! I was also deceived by Brian. I had no idea he was fake."
"Don't get excited, don't be angry. I'm really looking for him! I have information about him, I can really contact him! Just give me a little more time, I'll find Brian as soon as possible and get your money back. I promise!"
Bronte paused, her anger subsiding slightly, but she remained fierce.
"You'd better keep your word! Let me tell you, Janice, if you don't hand over Brian within three days, I'll make a scene at your house and let your parents know what you've done!"
"Okay, okay, I understand, Aunt Bronte. I'll do it as soon as possible, as soon as possible!"
Janice quickly agreed repeatedly.
"I'll go find people right now. I'll call you back as soon as I have news!"
"Good! I'll wait for your call!"
Bronte hung up angrily. Feeling slightly more settled, she looked up at Landon and the others.
"Janice said she'll get back to us as soon as possible and recover the money!"
Landon's face remained grim, but he didn't scold her anymore. He just snorted heavily.
"She'd better. If she dares to play us too, I won't let her off."
Doyle also sighed and said nothing more.
What no one knew was that on the other end of the phone, after hanging up, Janice's expression turned completely cold.
She casually tossed her phone aside, her eyes full of impatience.
With a cold laugh, she directly blocked Bronte's number, switched to a new SIM card, packed a few simple belongings, and quietly left Silvermoon City.
At this time, with such a huge scandal at the Collins family, business partners and employees were all fleeing.
Even the shareholders wanted to sell their shares at low prices.
After all, after making such a scene at the bidding meeting and offending Finn, no one dared to continue cooperating with the Collins Group.
When Landon learned this news, he was so angry he nearly ended up in the hospital.
Caroline had been dealing with headaches from the sudden chaos. When she returned to her residence, her face still showed some fatigue.
James immediately noticed something was wrong with her mood. He put down the documents in his hand, got up, and walked over, gently supporting her waist.
"What's wrong? Is the company in chaos?"
Caroline leaned into his arms and sighed softly.
"The company can barely hold on. All the business partners have left, half the employees are gone, and the shareholders are all selling their shares. Grandpa and the others are going crazy."
James's eyes turned cold. His fingers gently stroked her hair, his tone calm but firm.
"Leave this to me. You don't need to worry about it."