Chapter 172 The Twist of Fate
"Where did this arrogant brat spring from, spouting nonsense?" one of the shareholders scoffed, his voice indignant.
The memories of the FutureTech shareholders were a jumbled mess. Elbert's words, his claim of ownership, seemed utterly ludicrous.
"Isn't this the Brown family's former chauffeur?" another shareholder chimed in, his voice dripping with disdain. "The penniless fool who clung to Lori for a living?"
A wave of recognition washed over one of them, a portly man with a receding hairline. "Hold on," he exclaimed, pointing at Elbert. "I recognize him. He's the one… the one who saved Lori from those thugs a while back."
The auctioneer, finally snapping out of her daze, consulted the documents in her hand. "Your name… is Elbert, correct?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
Elbert, his back still turned toward them, simply nodded.
The auctioneer's brow furrowed, her confusion growing with each passing second. She scrutinized the photo in her hand before glancing back at Elbert, her eyes darting back and forth as if trying to connect two completely different images.
As if sensing her scrutiny, Elbert turned his head slightly, revealing a chiseled profile and an intense gaze. His right eye, catching the light, shimmered with an almost otherworldly purple hue.
"It's him!" the auctioneer gasped, her voice trembling with awe and disbelief. "He's the one who placed the winning bid for 52.13% of FutureTech's shares. $260.3 billion, in the first 0.03 seconds of the online auction!"
Murmurs rippled through the room. The shareholders, their faces in shock and disbelief, exchanged uneasy glances.
The weight of the situation was finally sinking in.
They finally realized this wasn't some elaborate prank. This… this young man, this former chauffeur, now held the fate of FutureTech in his hands.
They looked at the contracts neatly arranged on the table before them – ones they had unwittingly signed while under Steven's influence, irrevocably transferring their shares to Elbert.
"Wait a minute!" one of the shareholders cried out, his voice shrill with panic. "This isn't right. We were… we were coerced! These contracts are invalid!"
"He's right!" another one chimed in, his face flushed with anger and fear. "We demand a retraction! This entire auction is a sham!"
Elbert, his expression hardening, turned to face the disgruntled shareholders. "Enough," he commanded, his voice low but laced with an icy authority that silenced the room.
"Let's dispense with the theatrics, shall we?" he continued, looking across their faces. "After Mr. Brown's unfortunate accident, FutureTech was left vulnerable, rudderless. And you, my esteemed colleagues, saw an opportunity to abandon ship; to line your own pockets while the company floundered."
His words struck a nerve. The shareholders, flushing with guilt and shame, averted their gazes.
"The only reason you're protesting now," he continued in mocking amusement, "Is because you're unhappy with the price. You saw a chance to squeeze out a few extra pennies, to betray this company for a slightly larger payout."
He leaned forward, his gaze piercing through their indignant act. "But I'm afraid you're all out of options. The deal is done. FutureTech is no longer yours to control."
He straightened, his voice regaining its icy calm. "Now, I suggest you leave. You're no longer welcome here."
The shareholders, their bluster deflated as they left the room with heads hung low. Deep down, they knew Elbert was right. They had been caught red-handed, their greed and treachery exposed for all to see.
Elbert then looked at Peter, who sat frozen in his chair with confusion and dawning fear.
He said in a low voice, "As for you, Mr. Sanchez, deliver a message to your superiors. Tell them Elbert will be paying them a visit very soon, and they won't want to miss it."
His mind still reeling from the rapid turn of events, Peter could only nod dumbly.
Elbert's suspicions were growing stronger by the minute. VitaCure Labs, with its vast resources and shadowy connections, reeked of Steven's handiwork. This went far deeper than a simple hostile takeover.
Lori's eyes were shining with gratitude and relief, approaching Elbert as her voice trembled with emotion. "Thank you," she whispered. "You saved us, Elbert. You saved our family's legacy."
"Don't thank me just yet, Lori," he replied, his voice softening slightly. "This is far from over."
He turned toward the door, his gaze resolute. "I intend to keep FutureTech, but the Brown family's involvement… well, that's a discussion for another time."
Lori's heart sank. Though unspoken, his words hung heavy in the air. The Browns, once the sole masters of their domain, were now at the mercy of their savior.
"What exactly are you planning, Elbert?" she asked, her voice apprehensive and defiant.
Elbert paused, smiling cunningly. "That, Lori," he said, his voice laced with an almost predatory amusement, "is for me to know and for you to discover."
He turned and left the room, leaving Lori to grapple with the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Mary and Susan, who had watched the entire spectacle with awe and trepidation, exchanged nervous glances.
Their initial perception of Elbert – the bumbling, lovestruck chauffeur – now seemed like a distant, absurd dream. This was a side of him they had never imagined, a side that commanded respect and instilled a healthy dose of fear.
They had mocked him, tricked him, even dared to imagine a future where they were above him. Now, the tables had turned; Elbert being their boss and master sent shivers down their spines.
A chilling thought occurred to them. They remembered a conversation from weeks ago, back when Elbert had rescued them from the clutches of the underground casino.
"How much money do you have, Elbert?" they had asked, their voices arrogant.
Elbert's reply, at the time, had seemed like the ramblings of a delusional fool.
"Enough to buy the Brown family," he replied in a casual, almost bored voice. "Though it might take a few more months to gather the necessary funds."
Back then, they had laughed it off as an absurd joke. Now, as they stared at the empty doorway where he had stood moments before, they realized the terrifying truth.
He was dead serious, and they were about to discover just how serious he could be.
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