The Trillionaire They Taunted

Certainty

“Oh my God!” Arya muttered, her chest tightening as she stared with wide eyes.

If she had her way, maybe she would have asked the Event Manager to wait for a while, so that she could get a grip on herself.

No one knew the reason why Ethan was about to announce the selected companies. No one except Brian.

The Event Manager held onto the tablet that had always been in his possession, flanked by two very important executives in Prime Tech.

One of them was Owen Adkins, the Deputy Manager.

A man who seemed unsymbolic because he had been sidelined by Charles Sterling.

Yet some of those who knew how intelligent he was were aware that he was the brain behind some of the major projects that had been carried out in recent times.

Dressed in a very simple but fitted black suit, he stood at Ethan’s right side, his expression plain and unreadable.

Ethan turned to him, and at his approval, he continued.

“I have here with me, the list of the companies that have been carefully selected for this multibillion-dollar project…” He paused, lifting an eyebrow as he looked up.

No one was smiling, not even Romeo who seemed certain.

Ethan scrolled through the screen for a while, and then he moved his head closer to the microphone.

“We have just three companies here, but the CEO of Prime Tech has decided in his magnanimity to add a fast-rising company as a way of support and encouragement.”

A round of applause erupted from several corners, heads nodding in approval.

“But that shall be an anonymous selection. The company shall be informed secretly at the end of this event.”

“The CEO must be a very kind person.” A young man said aloud, drawing a little attention to himself.

No one was certain of what he said, especially since there was no clue who the CEO of Prime Tech was.

The speculations didn’t seem like they were ever going to stop anytime soon.

Ethan waited patiently for silence to return before he lifted the tablet to his face.

Arya blew hot air, squeezing Brian’s hand tightly as though she was attempting to crush her nervousness.

Brian looked at her with a soft smile, and then he exhaled softly.

“She worries too much.” He whispered. Only to his hearing.

“The first but not the least company I have here…” Ethan made sure his voice was loud enough, reverberating from the expensive speakers mounted at several corners of the large room.

He blinked twice, his smile enduring as he moved his pupils slowly.

“Zenith Global!” He announced, and a loud gasp followed.

The CEO of the company sprang to his feet and danced to no audible music.

It took his companions a while before they could get him to return to his seat.

“I can’t believe this! My company has just been saved from bankruptcy!” He couldn't stop expressing his joy as he nodded to the congratulatory gestures he received from those who were happy for him.

The rest just stared in shock, their dissatisfaction visible across their veins.

Some went as far as whispering how they felt he didn’t deserve to be chosen for that kind of project.

“A whopping one hundred billion dollars thrown to a third-tier company. What does he know he wants to use the money for?” Someone seemed like she couldn’t hold her annoyance, and that person was Pearl.

She hissed several times, glaring at the CEO of Zenith Global.

“He doesn’t deserve this, Romeo. Someone better could have been given that opportunity.”

“I know…” Romeo scowled at the joyous CEO who didn’t even notice their hatred.

“But that shouldn’t be any of our bother. After all, we are going to be the first and second on the list.”

“I know, right?” Pearl returned her gaze to Romeo, and then she sighed heavily.

“I can’t wait to look that bitch in the face and tell her that she is a failure.” She sniggered at the thought of her intended action, mockery etched all over her face as she turned to look at Arya.

Their eyes met and she sneered at her.

Arya looked away, returning her eyes to the stage.

It was time for Ethan to announce the second company that was selected, silence taking over once again.

“No one is going to expect the second company that was selected for this huge project.” He stated, causing a tiny whisper to rise from a particular angle.

But everyone returned to silence the moment they noticed that he was ready to speak.

“The Second Company on this list that will receive the sum of One hundred and fifty billion dollars is…”

Ethan paused, scanning as though he was looking for the representative of the company he was about to mention.

His eyes moved to Pearl, his smile bright and lingering.

“I think he is about to call my company, Romeo!” Pearl chuckled, her heartbeat increasing.

“Yes!” She nodded when she saw that Ethan was still staring.

“I told you so,” Romeo remarked proudly, a smug smile taking over his visage.

“I will be next.” He said with a low but overbearing tone, eyes sparking with excitement.

“Everyone! City Global is number two on the list.” Pearl announced to everyone who cared to listen to her.

They saw her seated with the famous Romeo Jones, and they knew that the possibilities were very high.

“It’s all over, guys…” A young lady announced to her tablemates, then a sigh of despair left her.

“If City Global is announced second, then Apex Ventures will be top on the list.”