Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 242

"We have to move fast. If we hesitate, our competitors will snatch up the remaining markets," Mira said, her tone firm.

"Our business model has already caught the attention of major venture capitalists."

Her resolve was absolute.

"What if a copycat launches without requiring a deposit?" Marcus Sterling asked. "Would we have to refund all ours?"

The Vice President leaned forward, waiting for her answer.

"Exactly. If that happens, we issue refunds immediately."

The revenue from both companies last month, combined with the hundreds of millions Mira had made from the stock market, had all been funneled into MVX-23 stock as a reserve.

If the worst-case scenario hit, they wouldn't face a liquidity crisis.

Once the new year passed and all regions started turning a profit, their war chest would be overflowing.

After the meeting adjourned, Mira finally told Owen about Harvey Rivers wanting to sell Rivers Plaza.

"If he's willing to sell the building, you're going to let him buy in?" Owen asked.

"Yes. I'm tired of the constant threat of having to relocate."

"How much equity are you planning to offer? Is he trading the entire value of the building for shares?"

"Of course not. That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you."

The building was worth roughly a hundred million dollars. EcoRide currently had fifteen branches and a valuation approaching eight hundred million. If Harvey traded the entire building, he'd walk away with twelve percent equity.

With EcoRide practically printing money, Mira wasn't about to give up that much of the pie.

"If we offer too little, they'll walk. Let's give them six percent," Owen suggested. "The three of us can each dilute our shares by two percent."

He ran the numbers quickly in his head.

"Then it's settled."

The remaining balance for the building would be paid to the Rivers family in cash.

Mira had originally planned to check on Solflare Hearth & Grill after work, but the meeting had run late.

She'd have to head home and visit the restaurant another day. She still had a mountain of studying to do.

Getting into the car, Mira looked at Owen and sighed. "I half wish I could send you to school in my place."

She was exhausted.

"My dad and I don't have a dime to our names. What could she possibly want?"

"Don't be so naive. What if she's planning to sell you off to settle a favor? Some old creep twice your dad's age.

"Or maybe she wants to marry you off to some rich, brain-dead heir so she can collect a massive payout.

"Or even worse—what if your half-sibling has failing kidneys, and they just want to harvest your organs?

"They might be drowning in loan shark debt and plan to use you as collateral—"

"Mira, that's enough," Mr. Harth interrupted smoothly.

He stepped in before she could completely traumatize the poor girl.

Her theories were getting so dark that Mr. Harth and the Iron Wolves nearly choked on their soup.

Elara grew paler by the second, terrified that Mira's predictions were entirely plausible.

Trembling, Elara clenched her jaw. "I hope she rots in hell."

"It sounds harsh, but the logic holds," Mr. Harth added gently.

"She abandoned you at your lowest point and ignored you for over a decade. Her sudden, desperate interest in you isn't born out of a guilty conscience."