Chapter 1119Â
Sharon relayed the phone calls she’d just received from the shareholders to Thomas. By the time she finished, she’d already placed the truth together.Â
“I’m afraid my brothers are behind this.”Â
As for Richard, he would never take direct action that left a trace, but he also wouldn’t lift a finger to stop them.Â
Her gaze dropped to the acquisition documents spread across the table. “Carter really does see further ahead than most”Â
Thomas suggested, “Should we try contacting Doug first? If he’s genuine, we won’t have to worry about raising funds at all. In fact, we could even use the surplus for new investments.”Â
“I thought of him first too,” Sharon admitted. “But I want backup options. If he turns out to be a fraud, at least we’ll have something to fall back on.”Â
Now, however, the sale of her original shares had hit an unexpected snag. They had two potential paths left: secure Doug’s deal, or scrape together loans piece by piece.Â
Carter and Julliard–she trusted they would never deceive her. Having them as a final safety net was ideal. But the debt of gratitude she’d owe them… that was another matter entirely.Â
With the signing meeting fast approaching, she had no time to dwell on it.Â
After some thought, Sharon decided to contact Doug herself.Â
He answered almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting for her call. Once she stated her purpose, he agreed to meet right away, choosing the time and place on the spot.Â
To avoid interference from the Kalen family, Sharon booked a discreet, high–end private club–one known for its absolute privacy.Â
She arrived thirty minutes early. But when she pushed open the door, Doug was already there, waiting.Â
As before, he was alone–no assistants, no entourage.Â
When she entered, he rose politely with a calm, unhurried smile.Â
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Doug slid the contract across the table toward her.Â
This time, Sharon had only brought Thomas along. She didn’t yet trust Enzo enough to include him—and in truth, she hadn’t told him about this meeting at all.Â
Not that Enzo believed in it anyway. He was convinced Doug was a con artist. 1Â
Fifty billion wasn’t pocket change; no one sane would bite at such an enormous “opportunity.”Â
Thomas, however, understood business well enough. Sharon, after carefully checking the contract herself, handed it to him for one final review.Â
He skimmed through it, then nodded. “No problems.”Â
Sharon picked up the pen and signed her name on the final page.Â
Out of habit, she glanced at Doug’s signature–just a single letter: F.Â
Would such a signature even hold legal weight? The question flickered through her mind.Â
Then her phone vibrated softly.Â
She checked the screen and froze.Â
It was a transfer notification. The number that appeared made her dizzy: a five, followed by so many zeroes she had to count them twice.Â
Fifty billion. Fully paid. In one lump sum.Â
She lifted her gaze from the screen to the page before her, then back again. The surreal absurdity of it all made her chest tighten.Â
He’d signed under a false name. Wasn’t he afraid she might just disappear with the money?Â
At that moment, Thomas spoke, “Since the contract’s already in effect, we can transfer the funds into other accounts now, right?”Â
Doug smiled, all polished composure–like a customer service rep who never broke character.Â
“Of course, Miss McKinzie. Please, go ahead.”Â
Sharon met Thomas’s eyes, then rose to make the call herself.Â
She wasn’t about to take chances. Before anyone could freeze the funds or reverse the transaction, she intended to move every last cent into secure, isolated accounts.Â
No sooner had she stepped out of the private room than Doug’s expression shifted. He leaned slightly toward Thomas and said in a low voice, “Mr. Ferrero, the matter with Julliard… it’s been taken care of.”Â
Thomas’s eyes darkened. “Did he suspect anything?”Â