The moment Lily Lohan heard the task, her mind went blank. Her body stumbled back several steps, fear flooding her face."I'm not doing it. Are you out of your mind?"For years, Lily Lohan had struggled with severe depression. Her worst nightmare was standing in front of a crowd and speaking. Northgate Group was a rising star in the industry, employing over two thousand people across every department. Making her read a self-criticism in front of that many people would be more humiliating than anything she could imagine. She couldn't do it. She absolutely refused.The image formed instantly in her mind: rows and rows of coworkers looking at her while she stumbled through every line. She could already feel the heat rising in her face and hear the silence that would follow a mistake. She had spent years learning how to make herself smaller when attention became overwhelming. Sales work was difficult, but it usually let her approach clients one at a time. A stage before t

Nine million dollars for the land by the artificial lake? Lily Lohan was certain Robert Depp had lost his mind. That plot was worth at least twelve million dollars. A gap of three million. Why would anyone agree to sell at that price? This wasn't just difficult. It was impossible, a task designed to fail.Her thoughts spiraled. She realized now that Robert had been doing this all along, piling impossible challenges on her desk one after another. The last time, he'd demanded she lead Mia Bennett and the other interns to close four million dollars in sales. At least then she'd had time, a fighting chance to scramble and push. But this? Buying a twelve million dollar property for nine million? There was no room to maneuver, no leverage to exploit. It was hopeless.She knew the parcel near the artificial lake. It was one of the better plots named at the banquet, well positioned and valuable enough that owners would have no reason to accept a discount. Nine million dollars was

Raymond Lohan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. I'll find a way to speak with Mr. Gold. Leave the rest to me. When the time comes, I'll arrange for you to sign the contract directly with him. We absolutely must secure Mr. Zero's project."Though Raymond was getting on in years and nearing retirement, his heart still belonged to the Lohan family. He wanted nothing more than to see the family flourish. If they could partner with Mr. Zero, Lohan Group would reach an entirely new level.The project had become more than a business opportunity in the family's eyes. It was a chance to restore momentum, strengthen their standing, and show that the Lohans could still secure the most important deal in the city. Raymond understood that a direct conversation with Mr. Gold carried risk, but he also knew that leaving the land to chance would be worse. He measured the request carefully before agreeing to make the call.Austin Lohan clapped Adrian Lohan on the shoulder,

"Adrian, have you said enough?" Lily Lohan could no longer suppress the anger surging in her chest. She forgot entirely about the curious stares from nearby customers. Rising from her seat, she faced Adrian Lohan head-on, refusing to back down. The humiliation of the failed negotiation still clung to her like smoke, and now he had followed her here to mock her further, as if he wouldn't be satisfied until she was completely crushed under his contempt."Not even close." Adrian Lohan kept both hands shoved deep in his pockets, his expression dripping with disdain. "At the banquet, you people gifted Mr. Zero a tube of lipstick. And now? Now it's even more pathetic. You tried to lowball a property worth twelve million with a nine million dollar offer. You're all just broke nobodies pretending to be players. Pathetic."He raised his voice deliberately, making sure everyone within earshot could hear him clearly. "If you're that strapped for cash, stay in your little corner of No

Old Man Reed let out a hearty laugh, his face practically glowing with satisfaction. He circled his small car, patting the body like he was showing off some priceless treasure."My son-in-law just bought this for me. Nothing fancy, just a hundred thousand dollars or so. Gets me where I need to go." He deliberately turned toward Brit Lohan, his tone laced with smug intent. "I saw your son-in-law head upstairs just now, didn't I? How come he hasn't gotten you a car? You ride that electric scooter every day, rain or shine. Must be exhausting."Brit's expression tightened, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face. Still, she refused to back down. "It's just a hundred-thousand-dollars car. Nothing to brag about."The moment the words left her mouth, the neighbors gathered around shifted their attention to her. Someone immediately chimed in, "A hundred-thousand-dollars car is still more than what you've got.""Exactly. That's a gift from his son-in-law. You've got one