Chapter 170: Mason’s Biggest Opportunity
Seeing the slight frown on Lucas’s face, Mason felt a surge of excitement inside.
This was exactly the reaction he had been hoping for. It seemed Lucas genuinely cared about Maya. Suppressing the smile that threatened to appear on his face, Mason decided to add a little more fuel to the fire.
"Chairman Lucas..."
"I know you and Maya are close."
"So I figured... you deserved to know what’s really happening."
He paused briefly before continuing in a heavier tone.
"The Laurent Family’s company is on the verge of collapse."
"It’s not just a temporary cash-flow problem anymore."
"They’re facing a genuine financial crisis."
"If nothing changes soon..."
"The company could go bankrupt at any time."
Lucas remained silent, allowing Mason to continue.
"The Reid Group discovered their situation not long ago."
"And instead of offering help out of goodwill..."
"They made an offer."
A cold smile appeared on Mason’s face.
"They promised that if the Laurent Family agreed to the marriage alliance..."
"The Reid Group would step in and solve all of their financial problems."
"They would clear every outstanding debt."
"They would inject enough capital to stabilize the company."
He paused before adding the most important part.
"But..."
"Nothing comes for free."
"The condition was that the Reid Group would acquire fifty-one percent of Laurent Group’s shares."
"In other words..."
"They wouldn’t simply become investors."
"They would become the controlling shareholders."
"They would own the company."
Lucas’ expression remained calm. However...
His eyes had already grown noticeably colder.
Mason slowly shook his head.
"To outsiders..."
"It sounds like they’re saving the Laurent Family."
"But anyone who understands business knows the truth."
He laughed bitterly.
"This isn’t a rescue."
"It’s a takeover."
"They want everything."
"The company..."
"And the daughter."
"Once the agreement is signed..."
"The Laurent Family will lose control of the business they spent decades building."
"And Maya..."
"Will become Malrik’s fiancée."
"It looks like a partnership."
"But in reality..."
"It’s nothing more than a beautifully packaged robbery."
The office fell silent once again.
Mason sighed softly.
"But..."
"I can’t entirely blame Chairman Laurent."
"What choice does he really have?"
"If he refuses..."
"The company goes bankrupt."
"His employees lose their jobs."
"His family loses everything."
"If he accepts..."
"At least the company survives."
"Even if it no longer truly belongs to him."
He spread his hands helplessly.
"Sometimes..."
"When both choices are terrible..."
"People can only choose the one that hurts a little less."
Lucas slowly lowered his gaze.
He finally understood why Maya had looked so desperate earlier that day.
Mason quietly observed Lucas’s expression. Deep inside...
He secretly hoped Lucas would become personally involved.
If someone like Lucas stood against the Reid Group...
Even indirectly...
It would completely disrupt the Reid Family’s plans.
And perhaps...
Empire Group would finally have a powerful ally standing on the same side.
Of course...
Those thoughts remained buried inside Mason’s heart.
He wasn’t foolish enough to say them aloud.
Instead...
He simply waited quietly for Lucas’s response.
Then...
As silence filled the office...
Mason suddenly remembered something.
His heart skipped a beat.
A thought flashed across his mind.
Wait...
If Lucas really decided to step in and save the Laurent Family...
Then the amount of money involved would be enormous.
The Laurent Group wasn’t short of a few million.
It wasn’t even hundreds of millions.
It was billions.
If Lucas chose to pour all of his resources into helping Maya’s family...
Wouldn’t that mean Empire Group would lose its chance?
The excitement he had been feeling moments ago instantly cooled.
Lucas, however, noticed the subtle change in Mason’s expression almost immediately.
Looking at him, Lucas could practically guess what he was thinking.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Mason."
"Relax."
His calm voice instantly drew Mason’s attention.
At that very moment...
Lucas had already made up his mind.
If Mason had originally planned to use him as a powerful connection...
Then there was nothing wrong with him doing the same.
After all...
Business was business.
Mutual benefit was the foundation of every successful partnership.
Lucas wasn’t planning to interfere with Empire Group’s interests.
On the contrary...
He had a much bigger plan.
If everything went smoothly...
He could personally secure the most valuable plots at the upcoming land auction.
Afterward...
He could simply let Empire Group handle the development.
Empire Group had the experience.
They had the construction teams.
They had the management.
While he...
Had the money.
It was a win-win arrangement.
There was nothing unreasonable about it.
Looking at Mason, Lucas smiled confidently.
"You don’t need to worry."
"If everything goes according to plan..."
"Empire Group won’t lose this opportunity."
The moment Mason heard those words, his eyes lit up.
He couldn’t hide the excitement on his face.
"Chairman Lucas..."
"Are you serious?"
However...
Before he could celebrate completely...
Another concern surfaced.
He hesitated for a moment before asking carefully,
"But..."
"What about the Laurent Family?"
"Aren’t you planning to help them?"
"The amount of money they need..."
"...isn’t exactly small."
"Even for a wealthy family..."
"It isn’t something that can be casually taken out."
Lucas could hear the concern in Mason’s voice.
He simply smiled.
A calm...
Almost mysterious smile.
"Mason."
"Don’t worry."
"My financial strength..."
He paused deliberately before finishing with complete confidence.
"...far exceeds your imagination."
Lucas slowly rose from his seat, casually straightened his clothes, and brushed away a few imaginary creases before letting out a slow breath. His movements were calm and composed, yet there was an undeniable confidence in the way he carried himself.
A faint smile gradually appeared on his face.
"So..."
"It looks like Malrik is the host of today’s banquet."
He glanced toward the office door, his eyes carrying a trace of anticipation.
"In that case..."
"Let’s go."
"I’d like to see exactly what’s waiting for us."
There was a brief pause before he added with a calm smile,
"And while we’re at it..."
"Let’s see what kind of person this Malrik Reid really is."
Mason immediately understood what Lucas meant.
Without another word, he stood up from the sofa, straightened his own clothes, and quietly followed behind Lucas.
The two men walked toward the office door together.
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