Chapter 58.
The announcement left everyone shocked and confused. The COO position was next to the CEO. Mr. Alfred was always sceptical about giving anyone that position because the person would mostly be in charge of the family business.
The only person he trusted to do it well was Julia. Unlike others, she had few to no flaws and wasn’t greedy. But Julia had refused it many times because she wanted to pursue her career as a teacher.
Victoria faced Mr. Alfred. “Grandfather, what are you saying? You will give this nobody our family
position!”
Another cousin chimed in, “What about Steve? You said it would likely go to him since Julia didn’t want the position.”
Steve was Mr. Alfred’s first grandson. He was a man with a bad character. Even though he had ambition, he was overly greedy and careless.
Mr. Alfred scoffed. “Why are you all worried? Do you really believe he would manage to get the Cornwall contract? Obviously not.”
Everyone nodded at this. Then Mr. Alfred added, “If you fail, you will leave Julia alone.”
Julia cut in, “Grandfather, you are still bringing this up? He won the first bet, and now you are giving him something impossible to do because you don’t want me to marry him!”
Mr. Alfred said, “I have no hand in this. You can see he is the one claiming he can do it, and that should be his punishment if he fails.”
Julia faced Marcus. “Marcus, this is impossible. They just want to drive you away.”
Marcus dipped his hand in his pocket and scoffed. “I will go on with it. I’m sure we can get the contract. All we have to do is have a talk with them.”
They all burst into laughter at Marcus’s words, the sound sharp and mocking in the wide room. Some leaned back in their chairs as if they had just heard the funniest joke of the year.
“You think the Cornwall contract is something you just walk into and get?” one of the cousins said between laughs.
Another shook his head, wiping his eyes. “I can’t wait to see this. I honestly can’t wait for him to be humiliated.”
Victoria smirked, crossing her arms. “He really thinks it’s that easy”
Marcus stood there without reacting, his expression steady as the room continued to mock him.
“We have our bet,” Marcus said calmly. “And I would like it made official on paper so no one goes back
on their words.”
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The room went silent for a second before Mr. Alfred suddenly laughed loudly.
“Okay,” he said, still laughing. “Let’s do that.”
Victoria frowned immediately. “Grandfather, this is not necessary. He is just dragging this further.”
Ms. Leah also stepped forward, concern in her voice. “Sir, maybe we should reconsider. This could complicate things unnecessarily.”
But Mr. Alfred raised a hand, stopping them. “Nothing to worry about. Something almost every company in this country cannot secure, and you believe this ordinary man can do it?”
He shook his head, still smiling faintly. “Let him try. Let us see how far his poor confidence takes him.”
He leaned back in his chair. “I will send the draft agreement later today to julia”
With that, Marcus and Julia turned and walked out of the room together.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Ms. Leah’s expression changed. Her curiosity from earlier returned stronger than before.
“That man…” she said slowly. “I still don’t understand how he got that ring. A two million dollar ring just like that?”
Mr. Alfred’s expression darkened slightly. “I will have my people run a background check on him. I want to know everything. Where he came from, what he does, and how he got that kind of money.”
Ms. Leah nodded. “I agree. He might be bringing a bigger problem into this family than we expect.”
XXXX
Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Marcus and Julia walked side by side in silence until they were far enough away from the house.
Julia finally turned to him. “I really appreciate what you did back there. Thank you for everything.”
Marcus glanced at her briefly. “It’s okay.”
Julia hesitated, then spoke again, softer this time. “And I’m sorry for not believing you before. I didn’t think you would actually go as far as buying a two million dollar ring for all of this. A fake relationship…”
Marcus smiled lightly, not interrupting her.
Julia shook her head slightly. “Please, if you don’t mind, where are you getting all this money you’re spending? That ring alone…”
Marcus replied simply, “It’s mine. Let’s just say I saved it.”
Julia frowned, unconvinced. Her mind started spinning with thoughts. What if Marcus had spent
everything he had just to make this work? What if he had sacrificed his entire life savings just to impress her family and secure their agreement?
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The thought made her uneasy.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” she said quickly. “If you really spent that much, I will pay you back. This shouldn’t fall on you alone.”
Marcus was about to respond, but she cut in again before he could. “I mean it, Marcus. I don’t want you suffering for this alone.”
He studied her for a moment, then simply said nothing, choosing not to push the matter forward. Then julia decdied to drive him home.
They reached the intersection and Marcus stepped down from the car, he didn’t want to let her know where he lived. Not yet. He adjusted his jacket as he prepared to leave.
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