Chapter 201: The Brookes’ Choice
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Bruce emphasized once again loudly.
This time, the disaster was because Logan had thought that Lucas was just a n.o.body not worth mentioning and had provoked him. This led to many other issues in the aftermath.
From this incident, Bruce also deeply realized what Lucas had mentioned before about the importance of family education.
After having been taught a ma.s.sive lesson, the Hales were full of regret, and they frantically nodded in agreement. “Yes!”
At the same time, many people couldn’t help but think of the culprit who caused all the trouble, Logan.
Since the time Jordan had beat up Logan and severely injured him at the baby shower, Logan had been in the intensive care unit of the hospital. When the military took them away that day, it didn’t take Logan along.
“Grandpa, what about… Logan?” Connor asked cautiously.
Bruce’s face twitched a few times with some reluctance, but he eventually gritted his teeth and said ruthlessly, “Inform the hospital to give up treatment on him and have someone prepare his funeral!”
Then Bruce turned around and hobbled away.
The Hales left in the hall were stunned. Bruce was undoubtedly announcing Logan’s outcome.
All of them had mixed feelings, but they understood the reason for his choice.
They knew that Logan had to pay the price for being the culprit of the trouble!
It wasn’t only to give an explanation to Lucas but also a warning to all of the Hales.
——
Soon, Lucas caught wind of the news that the Hales had given up on Logan’s treatment.
He was sitting on a couch in the chairman’s office on the top floor of the Stardust Corporation office building with a smirk on his face. “Seems like Bruce Hale may be old but not muddled.”
Leaning sideways on the other couch, Jordan was quickly twirling a fountain pen between his fingers. “Lucas, aren’t you afraid that the Hales will secretly be up to mischief while pretending to be respectful toward you on the surface, just like the Brookes?”
Lucas smiled. “As long as they still have brains, they won’t do that.”
Beep. Beep.
The intercom rang. James Denning said respectfully, “Mr. Chairman, Aston Brooke of the Solar Corporation is here. He says he wants to see you for something.”
Jordan snorted with laughter. “Hah, speak of the devil. That brainless fool is here.”
Lucas smiled and said to James, “Bring him up.”
Soon, Aston, dressed in a suit, walked in through the door.
“Haha, Lucas Gray, it’s been a long time since we met. How are you doing lately?” As soon as Aston entered the office, he greeted him with a smile. But the fact that he called Lucas by his full name showed that he was acting all high up in the air, and he didn’t hide the gloating look in his eyes at all.
Immediately afterward, he sat straight down on the couch opposite Lucas with one leg crossed over the other in a roguish manner.
Lucas watched Aston with a cold gaze in his eyes, but he wasn’t angry. Instead, he asked with a playful expression, “What are you here for today?”
“Of course it’s for something important. First, I want to see how you and your company are doing. After all, the news on the internet is spreading like wildfire. And as a friend, I of course would like to show some concern. Second, I also want to talk to you about the cooperation between us,” Aston said slowly and leisurely.
“Oh? What’s there to talk about regarding the cooperation?” Lucas asked, pretending to be confused.
Aston smiled. “Lucas Gray, let’s just be straightforward and honest. Previously, the Brookes only agreed to let you have an advantage on account that you were related to the Huttons. That’s the only reason we decided to give you forty-nine percent of the shares of the Solar Corporation’s Orange County branch.
“But now that the Stardust Corporation has separated from the Huttons and has even become their enemies, we’ve changed our mind. Furthermore, the general manager of your company has now been arrested and is even embroiled in a huge scandal. This has caused the Stardust Corporation’s stock prices to plummet, resulting in heavy losses. Do you still think that you’re qualified to cooperate with the Brookes now?”
Lucas raised his eyebrows and said derisively, “Oh? What do you want then?”
Looking as if he was taking pity on them, Aston said, “The Brookes aren’t the type to kick others when they’re down. How about this? I’ll give you two options. One, return all the shares of the Solar Corporation’s Orange County branch to us and compensate us with three million dollars in cash for the breach of contract. Our cooperation will then cease.
“As for the second option, well… The Stardust Corporation might go bankrupt, but we’re willing to invest four million dollars into the Stardust Corporation. However, we have to own sixty percent of the shares and enjoy all the decision-making rights!”
“Haha!” Jordan, who had been sitting quietly in the corner of the office, couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
“What are you laughing at? I’m talking to Lucas Gray. Do you have any manners at all?” Aston berated in displeasure. In his eyes, Jordan was just Lucas’s subordinate whose status was akin to that of a bodyguard.
Jordan said with a playful smile, “I’m just laughing at how thick-skinned you and your family are! Your branch company is just an empty sh.e.l.l, and it only got a firm foothold in Orange County because of Lucas. But you still have the cheek to ask us for three million in compensation for breach of contract. You’re really shameless!
“Also, the market value of the Stardust Corporation is several billion dollars. You want to use four million to exchange for sixty percent of the Stardust Corporation’s shares? Fancy you having the gall to say that! Utterly shameless!”
Jordan clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth while staring at Aston as if he wanted to seriously see how thick-skinned he was.
Aston’s face turned gloomy, and he glanced at Jordan in disdain before saying to Lucas, “Lucas Gray, your subordinate is really ill-mannered. You ought to take him in hand!”
Lucas smiled calmly. “He’s like my brother. His words are exactly what I mean.”
“You!” Aston was immediately rendered speechless. After a while, he sneered. “It seems you have an issue with the options I’ve offered. I’ll make things clear beforehand. Now that the Brookes are still willing to invest in the Stardust Corporation, it means we still think you’re somewhat capable!
“If you go up against the Huttons, you’ll just be fighting a hopeless battle, and it definitely won’t end well. Sooner or later, the Stardust Corporation will be destroyed and go bankrupt! If I were you, I would be smarter and get rid of the Stardust Corporation before it’s too late. That way, you can at least get some money to survive!”
Lucas looked at Aston like he was an idiot and suddenly smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that I wanted to cooperate with the Brookes.”
Aston narrowed his eyes. “Oh? Looks you’re choosing to draw a clear line with the Brookes, huh? That’s fine. I just said that as long as you return all the shares of the Solar Corporation’s Orange County branch and compensate us with another three million dollars in cash, we will go separate ways and no longer have anything to do with each other!”
Lucas smiled and shook his head. “No. I’m not going to return the shares to you. I’m not going to give you a single cent.”