Awakening The Hidden Dragon

CH 0009 THE GOOD NEWS

"Yes, Mother. It was one of the representatives of Gates Corporation."

At the mention of Gates Corporation, the entire room gasped heavily.

Byron's younger brother Nicholas, who'd been sitting quietly in the corner hoping to inherit everything, shot to his feet. "What do you mean? You're now lying to our faces?!"

"I am telling the truth." Byron pulled the folder from his briefcase. "I have been offered a partnership deal from Gates Corporation worth eighty million dollars!"

The whole room went into shock, many with their mouths wide open. Lady Morgan included. It took a moment before she became self-conscious and composed herself. The amount had shocked her so much that she became frozen for several long seconds.

When she recovered, her face twisted with disbelief and rage. "Have you lost your mind?!" she barked at Byron. "What gave you the audacity to cook up lies just to avoid marrying Emilia Martin! When you know the situation we are currently in!”

Byron sighed in disbelief. He was holding the paperwork in his hand, the Gates Corporation seal clearly visible, but his family thinks he's a joke.

"I'm not lying, Mum. I have the contract here with me. The paperwork. Everything."

"Spare us the bullshit!" Nicholas sneered from across the room. "We all know how desperate you are to avoid marrying into the Martin family! For all we know, you could have forged those documents and come up with such elaborate lies! You've always been the reckless one!"

"Then read it first, uncle - mum. At least before concluding," Byron insisted, bringing the paperwork forward and placing it on the table in front of her.

Nicholas and the others weren't buying it. They had so much doubt, considering how much the Voss family had tried in the past to get a contract or partnership deal with Gates Corporation and failed miserably. A year ago, Nicholas himself was given the task of securing a business deal with them and couldn't even get past the receptionist. To him, it would be the ultimate insult if Byron could easily strike a deal with them now when he'd failed so spectacularly.

"Don't believe him, Mother!" Nicholas said desperately. "Why would it be Byron that Gates Corporation offers the deal to, huh? When you've been running this company for decades?"

"Just open it, Mother," Byron said quietly.

Lady Morgan's hands trembled slightly as she opened the document. Her eyes scanned the first page, then widened. The Gates Corporation letterhead. The official seal. The signatures.

Her throat went dry.

This was real.

And just right then, Byron's phone rang, breaking the tense silence. He quickly pulled it out and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mr. Voss. This is Ivan Watson. I am calling to ask about your decision regarding the partnership deal."

Hearing this, Lady Morgan's head snapped up. Her eyes locked on Byron with an intensity she couldn't explain. She was now fully convinced that Byron wasn't bluffing.

Quickly, she reached across the table and snatched the phone from her son's hand.

"Hello! Yes, we accept the deal with Gates Corporation! This is Lady Morgan Voss, head of the Voss family." She responded with barely contained excitement in her voice, all her previous anger evaporating.

"Oh, that's wonderful news, Lady Morgan," Watson's professional voice came through clearly. "I'm glad the family has come to a decision. Of course, this acceptance includes agreement to the condition we discussed with Mr. Byron Voss."

"Condition? What condition?" Lady Morgan asked, confusion creeping into her voice.

Byron had been trying to tell them, but they'd been too busy doubting him and accusing him of lying. The whole room leaned forward, waiting to hear about this condition needed for the family to be eighty million dollars richer and take a significant step up the social ladder and influence in the whole of South City.

"The condition for the partnership with Gates Corporation is quite simple," Watson explained. "Byron Voss must call off his wedding with Emilia Martin—or any other potential marriage—for the duration of this partnership. The project requires his complete focus and dedication without the distractions that come with newlywed life. The partnership will last a minimum of eighteen months, possibly longer depending on project milestones."

Lady Morgan paused, her mind racing. She glanced at Byron, then at the contract on the table, then back at the phone in her hand.

Her brain started calculating rapidly. The Martin family's investment would have been substantial—maybe 20 million at most—but it came with strings attached. Emilia 's father would have significant influence over their business decisions. They'd be beholden to the Martin family for years.

But this? This was Gates Corporation. Eighty million dollars. Clean money. No family entanglements. No loss of control. And Gates Corporation's backing would open doors that had been slammed in their faces for years.

The social elevation alone would be worth more than any marriage alliance.

Byron marrying Emilia Martin would be a small victory—a desperate grab for survival. But securing Gates Corporation as a partner? That was a game-changer. That was resurrection.

Without wasting much time, Lady Morgan responded to Watson, her voice firm and decisive. "Yes, we accept the condition completely. Byron won't be marrying Emilia Martin or anyone else. You don't have to worry about that. The Voss family's word is our bond."