Chapter 164 I'm Late
After James followed Ian out of the conference room, they found a quiet corner.
James asked, "Ian, what's going on? Why can't we transfer the money?"
"James, Mr. Wilson isn't here, and I can't reach him. Without his approval, the finance department won't release such a large sum," Ian explained.
"Is this company mine or Charles'? I'm the chairman. Doesn't my word count?" James was getting frustrated. If he couldn't invest in Laura's company now, he'd look like a fraud to her.
"Mr. Smith, you're the chairman, but only Mr. Wilson and I know that. He's been the acting chairman, so he needs to approve big transfers," Ian said carefully.
James sighed and asked, "Any other solutions?"
"Well, you could use your own account to invest if you're in a hurry," Ian suggested.
"No, if I use my own money, Laura will know it's from me, and that'll complicate things," James rejected the idea. "Can you reach Charles now?"
"I tried calling him before coming here, but his phone's off," Ian replied.
"What's Charles doing? He's always unreliable when it matters!" James muttered, clearly annoyed.
Ian hesitated for a moment before suggesting quietly, "James, Mr. Wilson's flight is delayed; he's still up in the air. If it's a problem, maybe you should just let Laura know, and we can transfer the money tomorrow. Mr. Wilson will definitely be able to come in person then!"
"Well, that's our only option," James said with a sigh. "Also, call Golden Peak Investment and cancel their deal with The Diaz Family. That should indirectly confirm your identity."
"Got it," Ian nodded and made the call.
A moment later, they returned to the conference room.
Donovan saw James and laughed, "James, figured out how to keep deceiving us?"
James ignored him and said to Laura, "Laura, Ian said their chairman is unreachable. Can we postpone the financing to tomorrow?"
Donovan laughed louder, "See, Laura? More lies! 'Unreachable chairman'? Give me a break!"
The other shareholders also laughed at James's words.
"James, do you think we're idiots? Yesterday you postponed to today, now you're pushing it to tomorrow. What's the excuse gonna be then? Just admit you can't find an investor!" Nancy snapped.
"Our chairman is still..." Ian tried to explain.
"Enough, Mr. Phillips, no need to explain!" Laura cut him off and walked up to James. "James, be honest, is this guy just someone you hired to act with you?"
"No!" James shook his head.
"Good!" Laura sneered, looking disappointed. "James, even now you're still lying to me? I hate being deceived more than anything. Just leave. I never want to see you again."
"Laura, I..."
"Didn't you hear me? Do I need to call security to throw you both out?"
Laura didn't give James a chance to explain. The moment he mentioned rescheduling the financing to the next day, she had already concluded that James was deceiving her.
"Miss Hall, I really am from Golden Peak Investment Company..." Ian tried again.
"I don't care who you are. I don't need your investment. Get out!"
Laura pointed to the door, shouting at James and Ian.
James hesitated for a moment, then, gritting his teeth, turned to leave. He had tried to help Laura, but his efforts were unappreciated and he felt humiliated.
Seeing James leave, Ian quickly followed.
"A loser is always a loser. No matter how much you pretend, you can't change that!" Donovan mocked as James walked out.
Just as James reached the door, hurried footsteps echoed.
The door swung open, and Charles walked in!
Donovan's smile froze. Ian wasn't well-known in Lumina City, but Charles was a big name in Serendara as the acting chairman of Golden Peak Group.
Everyone was stunned when Charles appeared. Their expressions were filled with shock.
"Mr. Smith, sorry, I just got back from a business trip in Nova Cresta, so I'm a bit late!" Charles said, trying to keep James's identity under wraps.
"No problem," James replied calmly.
The room fell silent. No one expected James to actually know Charles.
Everyone held their breath, finding the situation unbelievable.
