Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 236

"Oh? A last-minute price hike?" Bella sneered. "Is this some kind of trick Lillian is playing? Why call us over if the price wasn't even finalized?"

The lawyer remained calm. He knew Lillian was watching everything from upstairs.

"I believe Ms. Mercer made it quite clear before. With stocks, the highest bidder wins. You two will bid, and Ms. Mercer will sell to whoever offers the most. If you are not prepared to make a higher offer, then I'm sorry, but you can leave."

Sabrina quickly tugged on Bella's arm.

Bella glanced at her mother, then said, "We'll add one million."

The lawyer said, "It seems you're not familiar with the rules. The minimum bid increase is five percent."

Bella gritted her teeth. "Fine. We'll add it."

As soon as she spoke, the lawyer called Brandon again. "Mr. Mercer, we have a five percent increase here. What is your…"

Before the lawyer could finish, Brandon raised the bid by another ten percent.

Bella had no choice. She had come this far; she had to keep raising the price.

She stepped forward and abruptly ended the call.

"Tell Lillian I'll match it and raise the total to one hundred thirty million. That's already a significant premium. If she's not satisfied with that price, then I don't want the shares. And whether or not Brandon can borrow any money is now up to me. If I say the word, he won't get a cent to buy these shares."

***

On the second floor, Lillian sat on a sofa, attended by several maids, casually watching Bella's anxious face on the surveillance monitor.

One hundred thirty million?

Bella immediately initiated the transfer from her phone. "The money should arrive any moment. Please have your Ms. Mercer sign."

"Patience, Miss Ward," the lawyer said. "The contract will be signed once the payment is confirmed."

He then gave the contract Bella had signed to a maid, who took it upstairs.

Lillian took the contract and glanced at it. She suddenly remembered that when her grandmother was in charge, the Mercer Group was at its peak. Back then, her mother's shares would have been worth at least three hundred million.

She couldn't believe how much the company's value had shrunk under her father's management.

And this was after she had driven the price up as much as she could. It was still so little.

Still, it was better than nothing. At least she could convert them to cash now.