Chapter 229 Why Not?
Isaiah's eyes lit up, but she still held onto Noah's arm. Then, standing on tiptoe, he suddenly kissed Noah on the cheek.
The unexpected kiss made Noah frown even more.
"What are you trying to pull?" he asked, looking at Isaiah with a blank expression.
"I just need a favor," Isaiah said, shaking Noah's arm and biting his lip, looking shy and gentle like a bashful girl.
Isaiah wasn't dumb. If she needed help, she knew she had to offer something in return. Her soul, her body—anything, as long as he could save her family's business. Besides, she was confident in his looks. If she made the first move, any man would fall for him. Especially Noah, who was young and energetic. How could he not be moved by such a beautiful woman being so forward?
But Noah's response was cold and indifferent. "If you have something to say, just say it. Don't act like this. It's really off-putting."
Isaiah's heart skipped a beat at Noah's icy tone and emotionless gaze. He felt a sudden fear. How could Noah not react at all to her intimate gesture? Looking into Noah's eyes, Isaiah saw no other thoughts or feelings. Disappointment surged through her. Was she not attractive enough for Noah?
"Let go of me and tell me what you want," Noah said again.
"Okay, okay," Isaiah said, withdrawing his hand and becoming more serious. "Noah, you're loaded. Can you help me out? My family owns over a hundred chain supermarkets in Oceanbridge City, but we're facing a cash flow problem. We need about fifty million dollars. Can you help us cover this gap?"
"Cover the gap?" Noah's eyes flashed with understanding. Isaiah had been cozying up to Alexander, who was nearly fifty, clearly trying to get him to cover the fifty million dollar gap. But now that Alexander was arrested, Isaiah had turned his target on Noah.
"But what do I get out of helping you?" Noah asked. He wasn't interested in helping without something in return.
Isaiah bit his lip, a faint blush appearing on his face. "In return, I can spend a couple of nights with you. And once our supermarket business improves, we'll repay the fifty million plus interest. Noah, it's a win-win."
Her blush deepened, making her look even more attractive. Any man would be tempted.
"Son of bitch! Offering to sleep with him so blatantly!" Grace, who was watching, gritted her teeth in anger. "I have feelings for Noah too, but I would never be so forward. Isaiah is so shameless!"
"Sleep with you?" Noah rolled his eyes. "I'm not interested in you at all. And two nights for fifty million dollars? You're overestimating yourself. Plus, if I give you fifty million and you can't repay it, what then?"
He continued, "I could put fifty million in the bank and earn over a million in interest with no risk. Investing in your family's business might mean losing everything. I'm rich, but I'm not stupid. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Isaiah was stunned. Noah was right. Fifty million wasn't a small amount. Putting it in the bank would earn a safe, substantial interest. But investing in Isaiah's supermarkets might mean losing the principal.
"Noah, I promise, if you invest fifty million to help our supermarkets, I'll give you five million in interest after a year," Isaiah said with a solemn face. "And don't worry about the risk. Supermarkets are essential. So my family won't lose money."
"Won't lose money?" Noah sneered, "If that's true, why are your supermarkets having cash flow problems?"
Isaiah was taken aback. He hadn't expected Noah to be so sharp and thorough in his thinking.
"It's because of my dad, he got addicted to gambling and lost most of our assets, several million dollars," Isaiah said, shaking his head. "That's why we're having cash flow problems. If we don't solve it soon, our supermarkets will go bankrupt in a few days."
"A few days? That soon?" Noah's eyes flashed.
"Yes, the suppliers are pressing for payment. Several supermarkets are already out of stock, and customers can't buy what they need. In a couple of days, we might have to declare bankruptcy," Isaiah pleaded, "Noah, we really need that fifty million. Please help us!"
Noah stroked his chin, deep in thought. After a while, he said, "I may help you."
"Really? Noah, whatever conditions you have, just let me know. I'll do anything I can," Isaiah said, his eyes lighting up.
"I need to see your supermarkets' profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets for the past three years," Noah said calmly.
"No problem!" Isaiah nodded, not surprised. It was normal for Noah to want to demand for the financial statements. If they showed losses, only a fool would invest.
"I'll add you on Facebook and send you the financial statements," Isaiah said, "I promise our supermarkets have been profitable for the past three years. It's only recently that we've started losing money because of my dad's gambling. If you invest, you won't lose your principal. Trust me please!"
Noah nodded and added Isaiah on Facebook.
"I'll go prepare the statements now," Isaiah said happily before leaving.
After he left, Grace approached Noah. "Mr. Anderson, that guy is so forward with you and wants you to invest fifty million. You're not really going to do it, are you?"
"Don't worry, I have my plans," Noah said with a smile. If his plan succeeded, his second company would be well on its way to going public.
After spending some more time at Noah's barbecue restaurant, Noah went home around ten.
The next morning, Noah received a message on his phone from Isaiah. It contained sixteen files titled "Evergreen Market Financial Statements."
"Noah, these are our supermarkets' financial statements for the past three years. They're completely accurate. Every account matches up. Take a close look!" Isaiah sent a voice message. "If you agree to invest the fifty million, I'll do anything you want!"
The voice message ended with a shy emoji, making her intentions clear.
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