Chapter 220 The Lewis Family's Desperate Situation
They were all over each other, making out like there was no tomorrow. Then, bam, someone knocked on the door.
They jumped apart like guilty teenagers caught by their parents.
Larry yelled, "Who the hell is it?"
He was seriously pissed. Who had the nerve to interrupt them when they were about to get down to business?
Maria's voice came from outside, shouting, "Open up! Victor's calling a family meeting, and everyone has to be there."
"A meeting? Now? Seriously?" Larry grumbled, looking super annoyed.
Meanwhile, Chloe was already getting dressed at lightning speed. Before Larry could even blink, she was fully clothed. She gave him a shy smile, her cheeks all rosy, "Next time, let's just go to a hotel."
What could Larry do? He just sighed and started getting dressed too. In no time, they were both ready and headed out.
"What took you so long?" Maria snapped as soon as they stepped out. She gave Chloe a once-over and noticed her flushed face.
Maria's eyes narrowed. She pulled Chloe aside and hissed, "Did you hook up with that loser?"
Chloe looked flustered, like she'd been caught. She shyly lowered her head, unsure how to respond.
Maria was fuming. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?"
Larry, still annoyed, said, "Can we just go to the meeting already?"
Chloe hurried towards the door, with Maria following, hands on her hips. Scott gave Larry a sympathetic look and said, "Let's go."
The family headed to the Lewis mansion. On the way, Maria kept chewing out Chloe.
She knew Chloe hadn't slept with Larry yet and had always told her to keep it that way. If they ever split, Chloe could still marry rich. But once she slept with him, those options would vanish.
Maria couldn't believe Chloe had ignored her advice and kept scolding her, while Chloe stayed silent, lost in the memory of Larry's touch.
She couldn't help but smile, thinking about how electrifying it felt when Larry held her.
Soon, they arrived at the mansion. All the big shots of the Lewis Family were there, like Harry's Family and Jack's Family.
As Chloe's Family walked in, Hazel Franklin, Jack's wife, sneered, "You're always the last ones."
Hazel was feeling smug because Jack was the chairman now. But thanks to Chloe, the Lewis Family was on the brink of bankruptcy, and Hazel couldn't stand her.
"Mom, chill," Adam, standing next to Hazel, whispered.
Victor was on the sofa, smoking. Once everyone was there, he finally spoke, "We're in deep trouble. I didn't call you here to point fingers but to figure out how to fix this mess."
Victor's words hung in the air. Everyone's eyes turned to Chloe.
Oscar said coldly, "It's all Chloe's fault. She offended the Carter Family and embarrassed them, so they're getting back at us."
"Yeah, all the big pharma companies are boycotting Everjoy Company. No one's giving us orders."
"Grandpa, Chloe's a liability. If we don't kick her out, our family's doomed."
"Even if we kick her out, she still needs to make up for our losses."
The family members all chimed in. Chloe was clueless about the family's current situation. She only knew her Everlasting Group was done for, with no money to keep it afloat.
She asked, "Grandpa, what's going on with Everjoy Company?"
Victor shot her a look, "You've got the nerve to ask? Because you embarrassed the Carter Family, they retaliated. Now, Legion Lord and Everlife Group have canceled their contracts with Everjoy and are suing us for quality issues. Everjoy's shut down, and the bank's breathing down our necks for debts. The Lewis Family's business is at a standstill, and we owe billions."
Hearing this, Chloe's face got all serious. She hadn't realized just how deep in the hole the Lewis Family was.
"So, what do we do now?" Victor asked, looking around at everyone. Bankruptcy seemed like the only way out.
For decades, he'd busted his butt to get the Lewis Family into high society, building up a fortune over a billion dollars. Now, it was all slipping away.
At eighty, he was worn out. He didn't have the energy to keep fighting or even care anymore.
He'd called this meeting to see if anyone had a miracle solution. If not, they'd have to throw in the towel. Everyone stayed quiet, scared of the Carter Family's wrath.
With Legion Lord and Everlife Group backing the Carters, getting the Lewis Family back on its feet seemed impossible.
Seeing no one speak up, Victor sighed and stood up, leaning on his cane. "If no one's got any ideas, let's just declare bankruptcy. I'm done. You all need to figure out your own lives."
This time, Victor didn't even bother scolding Chloe. He knew it wouldn't change anything. It was just bad luck. The Lewis Family never made it to the big leagues.
"I'm really old."
Victor leaned on his cane and slowly started walking upstairs. He seemed to age ten years in that moment.
Larry watched, frowning. Victor had always seemed so tough to him. Despite his age, he'd always had this fighting spirit that made him seem full of life.
But now, that spirit was gone. He was just an old man, worn out and defeated.
"Maybe there's still a shot," Larry said.
Everyone turned to look at him, his voice echoing in the room. Even Victor stopped and looked back, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
Chloe gently tugged at Larry, signaling him to shut up.
The Lewis Family was in deep trouble: Everjoy Company was shut down, the money was gone, and they owed a ton. How could there still be a chance?
Under everyone's gaze, Larry said, "I heard the Epoch Group has an investment company. We could try to get them to invest in Everjoy. If they do, we might get through this."
Victor's flicker of hope dimmed.
Harry glared at Larry and said, "Do you even know what you're saying? Everjoy's shut down, and we owe billions. Why would Epoch Group invest in us?"
Jack chimed in, mocking, "Larry, do you even get how bad things are? Without five billion, we're toast. Who's gonna throw that kind of money at a sinking ship?"
"He probably doesn't know squat about investments and is just talking out of his ass."
"If it weren't for this loser, Chloe wouldn't have broken off her engagement, and we wouldn't be in this mess."
As soon as Larry spoke, the family's anger exploded, blaming everything on him.
"I said it's possible, so it is," Larry said coolly. "How do you know it won't work if you don't try?"
"Alright," Victor said, staring at Larry. "If you can get Epoch Group to invest and save us, no one will ever bring up you divorcing Chloe again. And I'll accept you as part of the family."
"I'll give it a shot," Larry nodded.
Chloe was fuming. Larry was showing off again. The family's situation was beyond saving. Getting billions to save Everjoy was a pipe dream.
Any investment company would do a ton of checks and risk assessments before throwing money at something. Investing in the Lewis Family was a dead end.
Unless someone was crazy enough to spend billions to buy Everjoy Company.
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