What’s on the big screen?
An account opened by Rose for the company’s finances?
What were they planning?
Everyone looked on, puzzled.
Flynn smiled faintly and said, “I am investing $12 billion into the Sharp’s Group.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the room fell silent before erupting into laughter.
“Twelve billion? I thought he was going to say $120 billion! All this grandstanding for such a small amount-it’s hilarious!”
“That amount, combined with Ms. Sharp’s account, barely makes over ten billion. And they think they can withstand a trillion-dollar tidal wave? What a joke!”
“This kid probably doesn’t even have a million to his name. People can say whatever they want, right? I could say I’m investing $10 billion into Ms. Hussain’s business!”
Nobody took Flynn seriously. A little over ten billion wasn’t even enough to make a dent. Turning the tide with that amount? Near impossible.
In fact, that small sum would likely end up in Lilia’s pocket in one way or another.
Such was the nature of business wars-when you lose, you lose everything; when you win, you win big.
It was like a certain business tycoon in the Republic of Federation, who shorted neighboring economies and directly caused their collapse. He made trillions of dollars as a result.
Lilia understood this all too well. Whether Flynn had the money or not, she couldn’t care less. In fact, she would welcome Flynn’s investment-once they lost everything, she would gain even more.
Layla, however, frowned. She didn’t think Flynn was bluffing.
He might actually have that much money.
After all, even Jasper Pearce, the bank president, had shown up. As someone of his stature, Jasper would never risk his reputation to falsify accounts for Flynn.
But where could Flynn have gotten $12 billion?
Wasn’t he just a puppet?
Layla’s frown deepened, though it soon relaxed.
Even if Flynn had the money, it was no cause for concern.
When Flynn made his announcement, Madeline’s hands trembled slightly.
Flynn had been able to buy Thodell Mansion and gift Scarlet a Carlos diamond ring worth billions-he very well might have $12 billion.
It seemed her suspicions were correct: Flynn had poured all his assets into this battle.
Realizing this, Madeline felt an overwhelming sense of despair.
That Flynn-mocked by thousands and scorned by hundreds.
That Flynn-the one who was never treated as a person by the Kaur family.
That Flynn-whom she thought had nowhere else to turn and had only married into the Kaur family out of desperation.
That Flynn-whom she believed couldn’t even afford a home and would never find another wife after their divorce.
He was, in fact, a billionaire.
A man whose wealth she couldn’t even dream of achieving, whose friends included high-profile figures like Nathan and Orion Kennedy.
If they hadn’t divorced, she could have used Flynn’s connections and billions to rise to prominence.
She wouldn’t have had to struggle for others’ respect.
The things she had yearned for, dreamed of, and chased after-Flynn could reach them effortlessly with a single hand.
If they hadn’t divorced, she could have stopped Flynn from investing in the Sharp’s Group.
That way, his billions would have been preserved.
Pain. A sharp pain stabbed through her heart.
A pain so intense she could hardly breathe, her whole body trembling with cold.
Paulina Johnston felt the same.
If Flynn hadn’t divorced Madeline, as her son-in-law, she would have done everything in her power to stop him from investing.
That $12 billion could have stayed with the Kaur family. But there were no “ifs.” Flynn was like a moth to a flame, destined to lose everything.
The room was filled with ridicule.
Flynn, expressionless, said calmly, “The $12 billion I mentioned isn’t in Ostrad currency. It’s in U. S. dollars.”
What?!
The chatter instantly ceased. Silence fell over the room.
This time, not only was everyone dumbfounded, but even Madeline froze.
Twelve billion US dollars?
That was over $70 billion Ostrad currency.
“How is it $12 billion in U. S. dollars, not…”
Molly started to ask, stunned, but Scarlet quickly covered her mouth.
The night before, Scarlet had already told her about the $50 billion in U. S. dollars.
What Molly couldn’t understand was why Flynn had announced $12 billion instead of the full $50 billion.
“You idiot! If you scare Lilia too much at once, she’ll pack up and run overnight!” Scarlet whispered.
“Ms. Sharp’s goal isn’t just revenge-she wants to make a massive profit too!”
Molly’s heart sank, and she nodded repeatedly, breaking out in a cold sweat.
This business war’s outcome might be far more brutal than expected.
If Lilia took the bait, as Jasper Pearce had suggested, not even Layla would be able to save her.
It was like the food chain-big fish eat smaller fish, and smaller fish eat shrimp. Lilia thought the Sharp’s Group was just shrimp, but in reality, it was a whale.
“What’s the use of saying all this? If you have $12 billion, then show us!” Lilia folded her arms, her stunning face filled with disdain.
Flynn didn’t say another word. His fingers moved across the keyboard, entering a passkey.
When he pressed the confirmation button, the account balance on the big screen began to scroll rapidly.
“$10 billion!”
“$16 billion!”
“$32 billion!”
…
Everyone’s eyes were glued to the screen, their jaws dropping lower with each passing figure.
The shock in their hearts grew with every number.
When the balance finally stopped at $76. 3 billion Ostrad currency, the room fell completely silent.
Flynn had actually invested $12 billion. In U. S. dollars.
The room was dead quiet.
Jasper Pearce’s voice broke the silence. “Mr. Clark, the $12 billion U. S. dollars has been fully converted into Ostrad currency. Our bank is honored to serve you.”
“I confirm that all these funds are legal, compliant, and entirely legitimate.”
“This matter has also been reported to the Ostrad central bank. There are no instances of money laundering or fundraising involved.”
“Of course, if anyone has doubts, they are welcome to report it to the central bank, where someone will address their concerns.”
Jasper’s words were like a thunderclap, dispelling any doubts in the room.
Flynn’s $12 billion investment into the Sharp’s Group was indisputable.
“Thank you, Mr. Jasper,” Flynn said lightly.
Jasper smiled. “You’re too kind, Mr. Clark. It’s my honor to assist you.”
Over the past few months, Flynn had done so much for the Pearce family. They had been searching for an opportunity to repay him, and now they finally had one.
Upon receiving Flynn’s request, Jasper had worked tirelessly and managed to arrange everything by noon.
After Jasper left, the hall sank into an endless silence.
Everyone had assumed Rose was at the end of her rope, relying only on tricks and theatrics to deceive people.
After all, she had a track record-she had used the “God of War” as a smokescreen to keep everyone at bay for two months.
As for Flynn, they had dismissed him as a clown-arrogant, erratic, and all talk with nothing to back it up.
No one had imagined that he was, in fact, a hidden billionaire, casually wielding $70 billion.
Madeline clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms, yet she didn’t notice. She stood frozen.
Seventy billion. Flynn had seventy billion.
Even $1 billion was shocking enough. But seventy billion?
The Kaur family’s annual profit was at most $30 million. To earn $70 billion, they would need 2, 330 years!
Flynn had effortlessly produced it in one go.
“I’m not in the same world as you.”
That was something Madeline often said to Flynn, implying he was unworthy of her-a toad lusting after a swan.
But now, how ironic those words seemed.
She and Flynn truly weren’t in the same world.
Because she was the toad.
Madeline felt her chest tighten, her heart spasming painfully. She pulled out her phone and opened her social media account.
Quietly, she deleted the photo of her divorce certificate and the caption that had read, “Happy Divorce.”
But deleting it wouldn’t change the fact that the divorce had happened.