MONARCH OF BILLIONS: CAPITAL CONQUEST

CHAPTER 5: INVITATION

“Impossible! It can't be!” Helene muttered as Christopher and his two friends walked out of the restaurant.

“One hundred thousand dollars, and that guy didn't even blink. Who was that guy just now?” Someone murmured.

“Not only did he pay his meal, he also paid fifty-six thousand for the next table. And he did it so casually!” Someone added

“Must be a low-key rich guy. Probably dressed like that to hide his wealth.” Another chipped in.

Hearing all these remarks, Helene couldn't stand it and immediately ran after Christopher.. with Robins right behind her.

Meanwhile Zander was beaming ear to ear as he hung his arm on Christopher’s shoulder, “Chris, did you see the look on Helene's face? Worse than eating a mouthful of flies.” He burst into laughter.

“And that Robins guy, he was just saying we'd be washing dishes, then the payment went through. Not only that, we even ended up being his benefactor. His face turned green.” Aaron said.

Christopher barely heard them, he was focused on the translucent panel in front of him.

«Ding!

Congratulations to Host on completing the side quest “Domination”.

Reward: 30% ownership of Pamela Pharmaceutical Company.

Legal paperwork has already been sorted out by the system, Host does not need to get flustered.»

«Ding!

Congratulations to Host on completing his first main quest “Spending spree”

Host has spent a total of $130,000 (Money spent on rival is not included. Only money spent meaningfully is calculated by the included).

Reward: 10× rebate on $130,000. Host has been rewarded with $1,300,000.

Bonus Reward: Legal ownership of Kingpine apartment #1. (The signed contract has already been sent to Host's lodging).»

Just then, Helene rushed out of the restaurant, “Christopher, stop right there.” Helene said in an authoritative tone.

Christopher and his two friends turned around to face her.

“Where did you get that money?” she asked, crossing her hands against her chest, expecting Christopher to grovel and explain, “You were with me for five years, you had to ask for household expenses. So explain to me, where did you get one hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars?”

Robins also perked up to listen. He was very certain of how his own system works, and he knew that even if Christopher’s system was different from his, surely he'd still have to complete tasks to receive rewards, right? And there was no way Christopher could complete a system's task that fast in just a few hours. Unless.. he suddenly sneered and pointed at Christopher, “Where else would it come from. Helene, I bet he's been stashing money behind your back.”

Helene felt like she's uncovered a secret, she turned to Christopher, “Chris, have you been hiding money behind my back?”

Christopher stared at her with a surprise expression on his face. He couldn't believe his ex-wife had become so dumb as to believe whatever came out of a stranger's mouth, “Helene, I can't even find a job. Everyday at home, am always taking care of your whole family. In five years, I haven't even bought myself a pack of cigarettes. You think I could hide money when I had none?”

Helene looked down for a moment, realizing he was indeed right, but her pride couldn't allow her to apologize, “Then explain to me, where did all this money come from?”

“And why should I tell you? Huh?” Christopher replied sternly.

At that moment, Robins swaggered over and place his arm around Helene's waist, “I bet he's afraid to say it. A live-in husband who left with nothing can afford to spend that much on a meal? Must be from a loan.”

Helene smiled, “Oh, is that so? I was wondering how you suddenly got rich. Turns out it's borrowed money. Are you trying to save your face, huh?” She played with her hair as she acted high and mighty, “Christopher, I didn't know you were still so hung up on me.”

See Christopher was quiet, Robins felt like he really uncovered the secret to how Christopher paid for the meal, ‘I knew there was no way he could have made any cent from his system yet. A fool trying to compete with me. I currently have over twenty to thirty million right now, and that took me a month to acquire from system tasks, who does he think he is?.’ thinking this he decided to kick him while he was still down. He brought out a black invitation card from his pocket. “See this? It's an invitation to the Oakville Banquet that'll take place tonight at the Oakville Grand Hotel. You know who's going?” he was all smug, “The top fifty entrepreneurs in the local business circle will be there. And you know what? Helene is about to secure an investment in that banquet, she's about to make it big. And me? Am already way beyond your league even with your helper, you're a late bloomer. You'll never be worthy of her in this lifetime, nor will you even be able to hold a candle to me in ten lifetimes.” Robins put the card back into his pocket.

“That's right Christopher,” Helene said with her chin raised high, “Whether you're rich or broke, that's your business, but don't act all high and mighty in front of us.” She then hooked her arm around Robins’ “Let's go Robins. Why waste time on someone like him.” They both walked towards a red BMW M8, with Robins opening the passenger door for Helene, before going over to the driver's side, and they drove off.

After they drove off, Zander spat on the ground, “What a jerk.” he turned to Christopher, “Chris, don't let it get to you. You're a thousand times better than that Robins guy.”

Christopher waved his hand, “Forget it, let's go.”

*

“Miss Mellah! Miss Mellah!”

Mellah had just returned to her office when her secretary burst in. It seemed whatever she wanted to say was very urgent and important.

“Carrie, what happened? Are the stocks tanking?” Mellah asked as she sat on her comfortable office chair.

“Quite the contrary Miss Mellah. Someone just bought thirty percent of the company's shares.” Carrie replied and handed her a tablet.

“Christopher Bond..” Mellah said, though it sounded more like a question.

Carrie gave a simple nod, “Yes Miss. Just few minutes ago, he bought out thirty percent ownership equity.”

“Is he among those attending the banquet?” Mellah asked, but her secretary simply shook her head. Mellah stared at the tablet for a few seconds, then handed the tablet back to Carrie, “Go through the document, find out exactly who he is, and send Sabio to personally invite him to the banquet. I want to see who this Christopher Bond really is.”

Carrie nodded once, “I'll get on it right away.”

Mellah watched her secretary leave the office, “I already own forty percent of Pamela Pharmaceutical, and this Christopher Bond just bought thirty percent at once. He directly became the second biggest shareholder of my company. I need to meet him in person.”

*

Meanwhile the person responsible for Mellah's distress, just casually walked into a hospital patient's room.

On the bed, black haired, with IV tubes attached on both arms, and an oxygen mask placed on her face, lay Allison Bond, Christopher's younger sister.

“Hello Ally” Christopher said as he sat on the chair beside the bed.

“I've got good news. Your brother is now rich. I've already paid off the hospital debts. You just need to wake up and your big brother will take you on a shopping spree. We can buy cotton candy again. Hahahaha, it's funny how you still crave cotton candy despite not being a kid anymore.. such a sweet tooth you are.” Christopher smiled and patted his sister's head, “I'll come spend the night with you tonight. Right now, I'll have to escort those two knuckleheads home. Do wake up soon.” He said and stood up, leaving the room, but not without glancing back.

“How Ally doing?” Zander asked as soon as they left the hospital building.

“Still the same, but the doctor said her condition has improved and she might wake up in a few weeks.” Christopher replied. “That's good news..”

But at that exact moment, three Mercedes Maybach S-class pulled up beside them. Men dressed in black suit walked towards them. The one leading them was a middle-aged man. He bowed slightly to Christopher as soon as he reached them.

“Excuse me, you are Mr Christopher, right?” He asked.

“Yes I am, and you are?” Christopher asked, a bit wary. He didn't trust Robins not to try anything shady. But to their surprise, the middle-aged man simply took out a gold invitation card from his pocket, and handed it over with both hands to Christopher.

“The Oakville Banquet committee. I am Sabio, the director. Our boss personally instructed us to invite you as our most honored guest to tonight's Oakville Business Banquet.” he said with full respect in his tone.

Zander and Aaron felt their jaws hang open in surprise.

“When is it?” Christopher merely asked.

“7pm tonight.” Sabio replied, “At the Oakville Grand Hotel. We'll send a car to pick you up.”

Christopher accepted the card, “No need for that. I'll go on my own.”

With his task complete, Sabio simply bowed and returned to the car, his bodyguard opened the door and he stepped in.

Only when the three cars have driven off did Zander found his voice once again, “Holy shit! Maybachs!”

“Three Maybachs! First time I've ever seen such car up close in person, such a grand display.” Aaron chimed in.

“Christopher, when did you get know such big shits!?” Zander said in high voice full of surprise.

“Who are you really?” Aaron asked jokingly.

“Am not sure myself.” Christopher said with a light chuckle. “Anyways, since I've been invited to that banquet, I can't show up in my scooter.” He said as he hung his arms around the shoulders of his two friends, “Come, let's go buy a car fit for this occasion.”