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.

chorus of eager pleas as they jockeyed for

half a million!" Jack practically shouted, slapping his palm on the

million!" Florence's eyes

up for four

for me-I'll scrape up

overlapped in a chaotic

of missing out took hold, turning rational folks into

eased, Marco set his gaze on Sophia, giving her a smooth, almost predatory

to join the party? I can swing some extra shares

Her hesitation was palpable.

the hard way never

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 afford another

Chris Roland's bumbling nonsense to Marco's business savvy. That's apples and oranges,

the moment, softened his

safe. If this deal goes south, I'll personally give every cent back. Now, how much have you

shifted, feeling the weight of all

million, it is company money,"

gleamed with triumph. "Perfect. Honestly, you'll only have it in there for a week-maybe less. Once the official news hits in three to five days, you sell, and

a fool, Sophia!

on, sis,” Jack chimed in, nodding vigorously. “Mr.

long, theatrical sigh, sounding both exasperated

in me, invest in National Life. If not, that's

a hundred million of my own money.

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

help, and refusing him now

face.

the deal sounded genuinely

moment, Marco's gaze shifted like a hawk to Alex,

"What about you, Alex? You want a piece of the pie? Minimum buy-in's a million, but for Sophia's sake, I'll let you

you to sit on the

didn't even blink. "I'll

but his eyes brimmed with

Chapter 143

matter? Don't have the cash? Or

dense to see a good deal staring you

face?"

crossed his arms. “Neither. I'm simply not interested

silence descended, the festive

and the crowd glanced warily from Alex to

the air, and in that moment they all wondered if Alex knew something they

he hadn't heard Alex correctly.