The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 143

Marco raised his spoon and rapped it smartly against the rim of his wineglass.

A bright, ringing note sliced through the air, snapping heads around to face him. He cleared his throat, letting the hush settle. "Folks, I have some damn good news," he began with a wide, self-assured grin.

"I made a killing today, and I want to celebrate with all of you."

The crowd stirred, excitement flickering in every eye.

Florence straightened in her seat, practically brimming with curiosity. "Well, don't keep us in suspense, Marco! Spill it already!"

With exaggerated pride, Marco leaned forward. "I just sunk my entire fortune-one hundred million dollars-into a stock. In a week, that investment will shoot straight to a billion."

Gasps rose around the table. Jack nearly choked on his drink, eyes bulging. "A billion? Are you out of your mind?"

"Oh, I'm in my right mind,” Marco retorted, his tone smug.

"It's Vermont National Life Group-Vermont's top company. Jericho Kane owns it, and everyone knows him. This isn't some rinky-dink operation."

Florence nodded so vigorously her curls bounced.

"Of course we know it. Vermont might be another state, but National Life Group has made headlines everywhere. It's enormous. Pays hefty dividends, too-just as big as Kingston in Vancouver."

A faint buzz ran through the group.

Someone spoke up with uncertainty. "But isn't Vancouver under Kingston's state laws? As far as I know, Vancouverites can't invest in out-of-state companies."

Marco's grin widened, like a wolf that just spotted easy prey.

"Not anymore. Vermont National Life is about to open a branch here in Vancouver. They'll start selling stock locally for the first time. Right now, the shares go for only ten bucks a pop, but once the official launch hits, I'm betting on a tenfold-no, maybe twentyfold-jump."

Jack narrowed his eyes, still skeptical. "You sure about that?"

Marco, as if letting them in on a grand secret, lowered his voice.

after the announcement, "You know my ties to Charles Kingston, yeah? He just signed the approval papers for Vermont National Life to enter Vancouver. By tomorrow morning, it'll be front-page news. I threw in my entire hundred million. Believe me, those shares will explode in value."

A hush hung over the gathering, thick with tension and greed.

Jack finally broke the silence. "Marco... think you can help me get in on this?" Marco drummed his fingers on the table, feigning hesitation.

"Oh, I don't know. Normally, it's forbidden. But since I'm tight with Charles Kingston and Jericho Kane-two of the biggest power players around-they'll let me buy as many shares as I want

"If you want a piece of the action, I can sneak you in before the price goes through the roof. You'd be considered a new investor, and trust me, you'll be rolling in money when it all goes up."

That lit a fire under the group.

pleas as they jockeyed

in half a million!" Jack practically shouted, slapping his

million!" Florence's

me up for

scrape up everything

overlapped in a

fear of missing out took hold, turning rational folks into

clamor finally eased, Marco set his gaze on Sophia,

Sophia? Care to join the party? I can swing some extra shares for

Her hesitation was palpable.

the hard way never to

"I appreciate the offer, Marco. But I have to be cautious. My current dealings with the Kingstons- and the whole Chris Roland fiasco-have left me on edge. I can't

creeping in. "Don't compare Chris Roland's bumbling nonsense to Marco's business savvy. That's apples

seizing the moment, softened his

me-your money is safe. If this deal goes south, I'll personally give every cent back. Now, how much have you got on hand?

feeling the weight of

is company money," she said

less. Once the official news

"Don't be a fool, Sophia! This is the kind

on, sis,” Jack chimed in, nodding vigorously. “Mr. Ashford's looked

theatrical sigh,

believe in me, invest in National Life. If not, that's your choice." He

my own money. You

around, then exhaled. "Alright... I'll

herself it wasn't greed-she owed Marco for all his help, and refusing him now would have seemed like

face.

deal sounded genuinely

shifted like a hawk to Alex, who'd been quietly observing the

pie? Minimum buy-in's a million, but for Sophia's sake, I'll let you in with just a

sit on the sidelines looking like

didn't even blink.

flickered across Marco's face, but his eyes brimmed

Chapter 143

Don't have the cash? Or

see a good

face?"

interested

the festive buzz

the crowd glanced warily from Alex to

all wondered if Alex

hardened as though he