Chapter 95: Twenty Million - Witness Your Dream

When Ethan Xu learned from Kevin Xie's call that their scheme had been exposed, he rushed over immediately. He wasn't here to apologize; rather, he had decided to lay his cards on the table and see if Grace Wang was willing to accept the final blow that would topple her.

As soon as he got out of the car, Ethan saw Leon Chen, and his lips twitched involuntarily. He would never forget the look on the manager's face when paying the bill for last night's dinner.

He had never felt so humiliated in his life.

"Honored guest, your total bill is 180,000!" The rotund manager had smiled warmly.

Ethan had cursed inwardly, "Do you think I'm a fool? How could a few dishes cost 180,000? Do you want me to slap you eighteen times?"

The manager, still smiling, said, "Mr. Xu, you misunderstand. Due to your order of Raphael's the blood of fallen, the food is complimentary. We are only charging for the wine!"

"Oh, that makes sense." Ethan nodded in satisfaction. Just as he was about to react, his eyes widened. "What? That bottle costs 180,000?"

"Yes, it's the listed price as per the relevant national department," the manager replied smoothly, producing several certificates.

Ethan felt utterly embarrassed, like a country bumpkin who had to check certificates to dine. But it was just 180,000; he could afford it. Besides, the Ethereal Snow was worth the price. "Fine, the wine was good. Bring me a few more bottles." Ethan tried to regain some face by generously writing a check.

The manager's smile broadened. "Mr. Xu, it's 180,000 dollars!"

180,000 dollars???

Ethan was paralyzed.

All notions of grace and generosity flew out the window. Grabbing the certificates, he was shocked to see the notarized figures. Internally, he cursed, wondering if he had been drinking panda blood instead.

"Hi, Mr. Xu. The wine last night was good. When shall we have another drink?" Leon greeted him warmly.

Ethan gave Leon a cold look, having no interest in fake pleasantries. His gaze towards Leon was filled with oddity. From the manager, he had learned that Raphael's Ethereal Snow was an extremely luxurious wine, known only to top hotels and restaurants. It baffled him that a university student knew about it.

Feigning composure, Ethan nodded. "Not bad. Otherwise, you'd never get to taste it in your life."

Despite his nonchalant act, Ethan's heart ached. That hundred thousand dollars worth of wine was really bleeding him dry. But having drunk it, regretting was pointless; he had to at least pretend it was worth it.

Little did he know, his forced bravado was quite amusing.

Looking at Grace Wang, Ethan realized that dinner had cost him dearly. His only relief was that Grace hadn't seen his embarrassment at the checkout.

Ethan had no desire to talk further with Leon. He directly addressed Grace, "President Wang, I know your company is facing difficulties. I'll buy Queen Company for fifty million. If you agree, I'll pay immediately."

"Do you want me to repeat myself?" Grace remained expressionless.

Ethan shrugged off her cold demeanor. "Grace, to put it bluntly, Queen Company's name is tarnished. No one will take on this mess. You're very charming, but in business, charm doesn't trump profit. That's the reality!"

A flash of killing intent crossed Grace's eyes, causing Ethan to recoil in fear.

It was the first time he had seen such a terrifying gaze.

"Grace, I genuinely want to help you. I've heard your dream is to create a top-notch global network security system. Without my help, Queen Company will definitely go bankrupt. After that, no one will trust you again! Your dream will shatter. Only I, Ethan Xu, can help you rebuild and rise again!!" Ethan shouted, his loud voice drawing the attention of employees.

The employees, initially disheartened, looked hopefully at their boss, but they didn't know the truth or understand Grace's determination.

"Damn, who turned on the air conditioning in winter?" Ethan suddenly cursed.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Ethan's teeth chattered, his body shivering as his breath turned frosty.

Just then, a calm voice broke the tense atmosphere.

"Fifty million? Is that in dollars?"

It was Leon, casually sipping coffee on the sofa.

Ethan sneered. "Of course, it's in RMB. Queen Company's reputation has plummeted. If it weren't for Grace, no one would invest even five million."

"Only about six million dollars? That's too little. I heard someone was willing to invest twenty million dollars in Queen," Leon mused.

"You're kidding," Ethan scoffed. "A student like you is so naive. Who would waste so much money on a failing brand? They could start their own company..."

Ugh!

Ethan suddenly found it hard to breathe. In the blink of an eye, Grace had her hand around his neck, lifting him off the ground with one hand.

Ethan's bodyguards wanted to intervene but found themselves unable to move, pressed down by a tangible killing intent.

Leon gaped. Grace had really hidden her strength.

"Don't appear before me again!" Grace said coldly, throwing Ethan out. The heavy atmosphere began to lighten.

Ethan looked at Grace, now terrifyingly different, drenched in cold sweat. This woman's aura was too frightening. He had thought she had no background.

"Excuse me, is this Queen Company?"

A deep voice sounded at that moment.

"Yes!" Grace's assistant snapped out of it and hurried forward. "How can we help you?"

"Oh, I'm Lawyer Yu from Xijing Law Firm," the righteous-looking man said.

A lawyer?

Ethan regained his confidence, sneering. "A lawyer here to demand compensation? You're about to close down."

"Compensation? Oh, sir, you misunderstand," Lawyer Yu shook his head calmly. "I received a call from Mr. Leon Chen regarding his twenty million dollar investment in Queen Company... Who is Mr. Leon Chen?"

Boom.

Everyone, including Grace, stared at Leon in shock.

A twenty million dollar investment?

This must be a joke!

In the office.

Grace scrutinized Leon with suspicion, unable to see through him.

"Leon, how do you have so much money?"

"The money is entirely legal, don't worry," Leon replied.

"That's not the issue!" Grace's voice was heavy.

"Then what is?" Leon was puzzled.

Grace's icy stare was full of hostility. Leon sighed, thinking she must feel pitied.

"First: I'm seeking greater returns. Second: why not help a friend? If I can help a friend and pursue higher returns, why not?"

Grace couldn't believe Leon's reasoning. Ethan's harsh words were correct; Queen's brand was ruined. A billion-dollar compensation was not just the highest in history but a mark of disgrace.

"I believe you, but I refuse your investment! I'd rather dissolve Queen!" Grace firmly rejected.

Leon didn't stop her, but his calm words halted her steps out the door.

"Grace, do you really want Queen to forever be remembered for this disgrace?"

A look of pain crossed Grace's eyes.

Leon glanced at her, guessing "Queen" held significant meaning for Grace. "Dreams are about persevering to the end with your last breath, aren't they? Otherwise, don't talk about dreams at all..."

Though crude, his words struck a chord with Grace. She wasn't one to give up easily, but being betrayed and bombarded by the media and the public was overwhelming.

The environment greatly impacts a person. Grace maintaining composure and determination was already remarkable.

"What can I do? Even with a two billion investment, Queen won't recover. I don't want your investment to go to waste," Grace said, regaining her usual calm.

Leon chuckled. "You see a loss, but I see Queen becoming a dominant force in the network industry."

Grace couldn't help but smile. "Leon, you seem honest, but you're so arrogant."

"That's called confidence. How can I encourage you without confidence?" Leon feigned helplessness.

Grace pursed her lips. "So you admit you're trying to comfort me?"

"Dreams are personal, but sometimes friends need to lend a hand, right?" Leon answered cheerfully. "If you're willing to let me witness your dream, call my lawyer in."

Leon's passionate words moved Grace. She had heard many sweet words, but no man had ever calmly and confidently offered to witness her dream.

"Are you serious?" Grace asked seriously. "Or do you just want to see me struggle?"

Better to be witnessed by the same person than different ones every time, right?

That's how Leon replied.

...

Ethan Xu still couldn't believe what was happening. A student suddenly investing twenty million in Queen Company was too outrageous!

Extortion.

It had to be extortion.

"Mr. Xu, please leave. Our CEO is discussing the investment with the lawyer," Grace's assistant said, issuing a clear dismissal.

"Is it really twenty million?" Ethan asked in shock.

"In dollars!!" the assistant taunted.

Ethan turned pale, realizing he had been played. Reflecting on the 180,000-dollar wine and the two-million-dollar investment, he thought Leon was just a student and felt he needed a brain check.

Ethan didn't want to stay a second longer. Today's events had been too much. He got into his Mercedes and sped away, thinking to himself that even with twenty million, Queen Company would still fail.

For safety, he decided to have the media increase their attacks on Queen Company and made a call.