Chapter 290 Dad's Here to Accompany You!
Houston was home to Phoenix Group's subsidiary, Phoenix Real Estate.
Right now, the place was in chaos!
They had banked on Maple Real Estate's press conference flopping today, hoping to swoop in and dominate the Houston real estate market.
Phoenix Real Estate has spent a lot of money over the past three days to make that happen.
First, with all the bad press surrounding Maple Real Estate, a lot of homeowners who had bought from them got scared and decided to sell. Phoenix Real Estate snapped up those properties, no matter the location or condition.
But that was just a drop in the bucket.
The real kicker was when Phoenix Real Estate dropped a whopping $4 billion at a city auction yesterday to buy commercial land, aiming to get a leg up in the market.
The plan was simple: once Maple Real Estate tanked, Phoenix Real Estate would see a massive surge in sales. Stockpiling houses and land would cement their status as Houston's top real estate company.
But things didn't go as planned. Maple Real Estate's press conference was a smashing success!
The Johnson family suffered a huge setback, and Phoenix Real Estate's reputation and public image also suffered.
Scandals like CEO Roy's office affair with Sandra and Phoenix Real Estate's shady business practices against Maple Real Estate were enough to damage their standing seriously.
Clients started complaining left and right. Potential buyers backed out of deals. Suppliers and contractors were pissed and thinking about cutting ties.
If it were just business setbacks, they might have had a shot at bouncing back.
But the real nightmare was the $7 billion loan Phoenix Real Estate had taken out. They'd mortgaged the company and signed a high-interest contract, with daily interest payments hitting $4 million!
Sandra and Roy had planned that once Maple Real Estate fell, Phoenix Real Estate would become Houston's top real estate company within a month. They'd pay off the loan with interest and still make a killing.
Now, they had less than $1 billion left from the loan, and even with the company's cash flow, they couldn't cover the principal.
The land and houses they bought were stuck. They couldn't sell them quickly, and even if they did, they'd take a huge loss.
The scariest part? They had to pay $4 million in interest every day! It was like working for the bank until they were bled dry, and eventually, the bank would take over the company.
"Damn it! This is all Sandra's fault, that bitch!"
Roy raged in his office, papers scattered everywhere.
He'd worked so hard to get to this point, and now, because he trusted Sandra, he was losing everything.
It wouldn't be long before the top execs at headquarters found out about his secret loan. Knowing them, they'd want his head on a platter.
"No way! I can't just sit here and wait to get screwed. I need to get out of here fast! Staying in Houston is a death sentence!"
With that, Roy quickly packed his things, slipped out the back door of the office, and took the freight elevator to make his escape.
Meanwhile, over at Houston's First Hospital...
In the hospital room!
Kyle was fuming, pounding the bed with his fist. "Why! Why did it turn out like this? I don't believe it. I don't believe it!"
This morning, he eagerly turned on the TV, expecting to see Maple Real Estate and Sarah crash and burn.
Instead, he saw Ryder as the president of Maple Real Estate, running a billion-dollar company!
And to top it off, rumors were flying online that the Platan Height No. 1 villa belonged to Ryder!
Now, Ryder was a top-tier, wealthy, and handsome guy in Houston!
All Kyle felt was pure, burning jealousy.
Karen paced back and forth, frowning deeply. "How did that loser Ryder become a big boss? He was so rich and powerful, but he kept it hidden from us. Damn Ryder, he's so cunning! He was so rich, yet he didn't spend a penny on me? He should have bought me a big villa!"
The more she grumbled, the more upset Karen became.
When she first heard the news, she was shocked and regretful. She wished she had treated Ryder better.
But then she remembered Ryder's retaliatory actions against her, and she quickly convinced herself it was all Ryder's fault.
If Ryder had money, he should have spent it on her. Why did he hide it?
Kyle asked, confused, "Mom! Ryder is so rich now; how are we going to get revenge?"
Karen sneered, "Kyle, don't worry! Being rich is nothing. No matter how rich Ryder is, he married Sarah! Legally, he should support me and give us a large sum of money to take care of us! Otherwise, no matter how rich he is, he's just a heartless businessman with no morals!"
"Mom, what do you mean?"
A gleam of malicious satisfaction flashed in Karen's eyes. "I guarantee you, within a week, we'll be living the high life, staying in a big villa, hiring maids, and traveling abroad!"
Kyle's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.
Then, Karen took out her phone, dialed Ernest's number, and said, "You idiot, where are you? Have you forgotten about us?"
Ernest replied quietly, "I'm at home. I went to the hospital several times before, but you kicked me out. I thought you..."
"Stop talking nonsense! Get to the hospital now; I have something to tell you!"
"What is it?"
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Just get here! If you're not here within half an hour, I'll jump into the river with your son and kill ourselves. There's no point in living anyway!"
"Okay, okay! Don't worry, I'm coming right now."
Houston, Police Station!
After the interrogation, the Johnson family members walked out dejectedly.
This defeat was utterly humiliating.
As they walked out, some sharp-eyed passersby noticed them.
"Oh my God! Isn't that the woman from the office scandal in the live broadcast this morning?"
"Is that Sandra? Wow! Quick, take a picture!"
"I'm taking one, too!"
Seeing the crowd starting to gather around them, the Johnson family members fled in disgrace.
As for Matthew, he had to bear everything himself. According to regulations, he needed to be detained first, pending further verification of the charges.
Seven people were held in the detention room.
At this moment, one person was crying while cleaning the toilet.
He was the lowest-ranking person there, always being bullied.
This person was Andy, who had been detained earlier because of the Sarah photo scandal.
The detention room door opened.
Andy turned his head and saw a police officer and Matthew standing at the door.
Andy's face lit up with joy, and he excitedly shouted, "Dad, are you here to save me? Get me out of here. I don't want to stay with these idiots any longer!"
To his surprise, the police officer pushed Matthew inside and locked the door.
Andy was utterly confused.
Matthew's old face twisted into a sorrowful expression as he said, "Andy, I'm here to keep you company."
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