Ivy cast a sidelong glance at Zachary. “Didn’t Dad just buy you a new car recently? What car are you eyeing now?”
Zachary had a penchant for buying cars and changing girlfriends, which led Ivy to guess that he was asking for money to buy another car.
Each of them received a basic allowance of fifty thousand dollars a month, not including living expenses, which, of course, far exceeded fifty thousand dollars for either of them.
They also had a credit card with a substantial limit, which Magnus paid off monthly. If they maxed out the credit card, they would simply ask Magnus for more money.
Their monthly expenditures were often several hundred thousand dollars. Usually, they spent over a million. Magnus was generous with them, and they could have whatever they wanted for a few tens of thousands of dollars.
But this time, it involved tens of millions of dollars, and Zachary had just gotten a new car not long ago. Even Magnus’s indulgence had its limits.
“You have to help me, Ivy. I’ve gotten myself into serious trouble,” Zachary said, his face losing its usual arrogance, alerting Ivy that something was amiss.
“What happened exactly?” Ivy was now fully awake.
“Last night I drank too much. The woman I’ve been seeing recently cheated on me with another man. In a fit of rage, I fought with the man and trashed Irene’s bar. Now she’s demanding over ten million in damages, or else she’ll go to Grandpa.”
“What? You dared to smash up Irene’s place? Are you tired of living?” Everyone knew that Irene was no ordinary woman.
Rumors had it that she had a deeply influential mystery man backing her, which explained why her stunning beauty didn’t attract unwanted advances.
Once, a local thug harassed her, only to be found dead in an accident shortly thereafter, but who knew if it was an accident?
Any man who lusted after Irene either ended up ruined or disappeared from the world entirely.
No one dared raise their voice to her, and the rumors about her grew ever more fantastic. Even a bold person like Zachary had to behave in front of Irene.
Hearing about the trouble with Irene, Ivy grew anxious. “It’s just a woman. If she’s gone, just find another. Do you know what happened to the last person who crossed Irene?”
“Of course, I know, but I haven’t offended her. As long as I pay her by noon tomorrow, it should be fine. Irene is reasonable, after all.”
Thinking of the fate of the local thug, Zachary shuddered. He had to pay Irene on time, or he might be next.
“It sounds easy, but do you think ten million is a small amount? Look at the huge mess you’ve made this time!”
“Dad already hates it when we hang around those places. If Grandpa finds out about this, do you think we can still enter the company? You’re really foolish!”
Ivy fumed. If it were up to her, she would never make such a mistake.
Knowing full well that Irene had powerful backing, Zachary still dared to cause trouble on her turf. Now he had really done it!
“Ivy, stop making such cold remarks. If I get in trouble, you’ll be implicated too. Grandpa certainly won’t let you into the company either.”
“Lend me whatever spare cash you have. I’ll pay you back double once I have the money,” Zachary pleaded, tugging at Ivy’s dress.
“Enough with that. You’re my brother. How could I not help you? But I really don’t have much spare cash. You know I’m not the type to save money.”
“What should I do?”
“I only have a hundred thousand dollars with me, which isn’t even enough for your small expenses. I’ll ask my friends if they can lend you some,” Ivy said, somewhat helplessly. After all, Zachary was her brother.
“You’re such a good sister. Then, I’ll ask Mom,” Zachary said as he started to leave, but Ivy quickly pulled him back.
“Are you out of your mind? Mom already dislikes us going to those places, and now you got yourself into big trouble. Do you want to be scolded? Besides, even if Mom has some private savings, she definitely won’t give it all to you to cover your losses. Mom is too shrewd for that. Why bother making it awkward for yourself?”
Ivy knew Genevieve better than anyone. Over the years, her mother had spent all her money on her appearance.
Every time a wealthy lady bought some jewelry, she would inevitably buy the same. A lifetime of vanity meant she was unlikely to have much savings.
Zachary would be wasting his time going to her and would definitely get a scolding. He realized Ivy made sense.
“It looks like I have to sell my cars, but I can’t liquidate them quickly unless I accept a very low price. Even then, it won’t be enough,” Zachary said, troubled.
“You’re even willing to sell your beloved cars. It must be a serious crisis.” Ivy knew how much Zachary cherished his cars.
“I just don’t want something bad to happen to me!” Zachary lamented with a grim face. Irene was like a myth, and the power behind her was like a demon looming over Zachary’s heart.
“I’ll go find you some money. Don’t worry too much,” Ivy said as she hurried back to her room.
Zachary picked up his phone to make another call, but at that moment, it rang. It was Edie, whom he had just called not long ago.
“You piece of shit, how dare you call me?” Zachary snapped as soon as he answered, knowing Edie had often freeloaded off him.
Today, driven to desperation, he sought Edie’s help, but Edie hung up faster than anyone. Naturally, Zachary was angry.
“Don’t be mad, Zack. I was really busy just now, and I called you back as soon as I was free. About finding money, I just thought of a good idea.”
“What is it? Tell me quickly,” Zachary perked up, having thought that all his friends were unreliable in times of trouble.
“It’s not clear over the phone. I’ll drive over to pick you up.”
“Alright then, at least you show some decency.” Zachary had no choice but to hurriedly leave home.
When he got out of Edie’s car, his entire demeanor had changed.
“This is your idea? To make me gamble? What if I lose?” Zachary grabbed Edie by the collar.
“You need over ten million dollars so urgently, and I’m broke. I can’t help much but thought of this. There’s no other way now. You might as well try. It’s normal here to win over ten million in one night. Here’s a hundred thousand dollars. If you lose, we leave. But what if you turn things around? That’s all I can do for you. Think about it.”