Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 489

Adrian scrambled desperately, hunting down loans and begging for capital. He sold off every property under his name that could be liquidated and mortgaged whatever was left. Even with all that, he only bought the company another ten days of life.

Over this agonizing stretch, Adrian tasted the bitter, freezing reality of human nature—a reality he hadn't faced in decades. Back when the Mercer Group was at its zenith, a minor cash flow hiccup would have peers and 'friends' practically kicking his door down to hand him money, often without even asking for interest. He, of course, always paid them back generously. Even the elite banks used to track him down, begging him to take out massive loans.

But the second the Porter family swallowed his two anchor businesses, those so-called friends and loyal partners vanished into thin air.

Securing a bank loan wasn't entirely impossible, but their first question was always a ruthless, "What's your collateral?"

Instead of help, his former creditors lined up at his door, relentlessly demanding immediate repayment.

He was completely besieged on all sides, utterly isolated, without a single soul to turn to.

Wait... isolated?

He used to have a brilliant, capable wife. He had sons who were each uniquely talented, and a stunning, obedient daughter. If he hadn't violently severed ties with all of them, they would be standing on the front lines right now, shielding the company. He wouldn't have had to lift a finger.

When exactly did it all start falling apart? When did fathers stop acting like fathers, sons stop acting like sons, and wives stop acting like wives?

It hit him. Ever since Mara moved back into the house, it had been absolute chaos. The shouting and screaming never stopped.

Was everyone else right? Was Mara actually a curse?

And the Porters—he had treated Shane and Roxanne incredibly well. But in the end, swallowing the massive Mercer Construction wasn't enough for them. They devoured Mercer Jewels, and now they were trying to suck the entire Mercer Group dry!

The line connected quickly.

"Adrian? You must have dialed the wrong number. I'm Lacey, your discarded ex-wife. What's wrong? Did you get bored playing house with your one true love and your precious daughter, and suddenly remember I exist? Or were you in a drunken stupor and dreamt about me? Let me guess—you've had your fun, things went wrong, and now you want to use me as a punching bag? Too bad we're worlds apart now. You can't reach me to vent your anger."

Adrian let out a pathetic, bitter laugh. "Lacey, please, don't mock me..."

"Save it. Just hearing your voice is giving me goosebumps. We aren't close, so don't try pulling another one of your sick stunts."

Lacey was on edge, still deeply traumatized by the hell Adrian had put her through.

"Lacey, how have you been?" he asked, desperately trying to play the emotional card to steady her before asking for the money.