Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Pledge allegiance?” Andrew scoffed. “If he can represent the Huttons or join the family in the future and let us be bound to him, it would be a great opportunity for us. However, he only has one company in Orange County now, and yet he wants to go against the Huttons. I bet he doesn’t know any better. He wants us to pledge allegiance to him? Is he worthy?”
Full of disdain, Andrew thought, He’s just a greenhorn in his twenties, but he has such a massive appetite. He wants to take over the Brooke family? He ought to consider his own abilities before thinking about it!
“Grandpa, does that mean we’re going to turn down cooperating with him?” Aston rubbed his hands.
In fact, ever since Lucas raised that request, the Brookes had three choices.
If they chose to agree, the Brookes would be subordinate to Lucas, and they would have to stand on the same side as him. Furthermore, they could also open up a vast market and expand their businesses into Orange County with his help. If he gained control over the Hutton family in the future, the Brookes would benefit too.
If they refused, the Brookes would no longer have anything to do with Lucas in the future, and it would be even more difficult for them to expand their businesses to Orange County. They would have no choice but to look for another market.
Of course, there was a third option. And that was to look for the Huttons in Washington DC and try to cozy up to them by disclosing Lucas’s plans to them so that they could deal with him. However, this option would mean making enemies with Lucas, and they might not necessarily gain benefits from the Huttons. This option would really do more harm than good.
Actually, Aston was inclined to reject the first option, as Lucas was about the same age as him. He was definitely unwilling to let the entire Brooke family pledge allegiance to Lucas and be subordinate to him. So what if he was the chairman of the Stardust Corporation? It was given to him by the Huttons.
But to Aston’s surprise, Andrew shook his head and said, “No, you go and tell him that the Brooke family is willing to submit to him.”
“Grandpa?” Aston looked at Andrew in bewilderment. “Didn’t you just say that he isn’t worthy?”
With glistening eyes, Andrew said, “We’re just going to tell him that to let the Brookes develop well in Orange County and gain a firm foothold. When he goes against the Huttons in the future, we will sit it out and reap the spoils. If he wins, we will really submit to him. If he doesn’t, we’ll have nothing to do with him!”
It suddenly dawned on Aston what his grandfather’s plan was. Indeed, elders are sharper and wiser! If we submit to Lucas Gray on the surface, the Brookes won’t have anything to lose, and we can even profit greatly! He will only become our tool!
If Lucas is really bold enough to go against the Huttons in the future, he will be courting death, and the Brookes will be able to retreat unscathed without any losses. If he wins by chance, we will have a bright future as his great helper!
It was a perfect decision that would bring no harm to them!
“Grandpa, what a wonderful move! I take my hat off to you!” Aston said with heartfelt admiration.
“Hahaha, I’ve lived for many more years than you have after all. Just take your time and learn from me.” Andrew smiled proudly while stroking his beard.
Suddenly, Aston’s phone rang. It was a call from the person in charge of his business in Orange County. “What? Really? That’s great! Okay, follow up closely and draft all the contracts to be signed with them. I’ll sign them when I return!”
With fervor, Aston hung up and turned to say to Andrew, “Grandpa, good news! Our people in Orange County have just received invitations to cooperate with several companies! Previously, these companies all rejected us, but now they’ve extended an invitation to cooperate with us. Seems like we’re going to expand our businesses into Orange County soon!”
After thinking about it, Andrew immediately understood the catch to it. “It seems that Lucas Gray is quick to take action. He’s expressing his sincerity and showing us what he’s capable of!”
It took Aston a long while to recover from his shock and realize that the contracts came about because of Lucas!
The companies that had rejected the Brookes before had naturally done so because of Lucas’s influence. And now that Lucas intended to take the Brookes under his wing and wanted to show goodwill to them, they would definitely offer to cooperate with them. Lucas Gray is indeed powerful!
Seemingly interested, Andrew said, “It seems that this kid is indeed a bit interesting. Since he’s smart enough to know what to do, we shouldn’t let his good intentions go in vain. Aston, go back to Orange County now and set up the Solar Corporation branch in Orange County. Invest five million dollars and give Lucas Gray a portion of the shares. However, the Brookes must own 51% of the shares and possess the right to operate and make decisions, got it?”
After thinking about it for a while, Aston understood Andrew’s intentions. He smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I will definitely make the most out of him!”
——
That afternoon, Lucas received a package of documents that Aston asked Davis to send him. It contained several contracts and equity transfer documents. It stated clearly that 49% of the shares of the Solar Corporation branch in Orange County would be transferred to Lucas.
“Mr. Gray, it seems that the Brookes are smart enough to know what to do. They’ve given you nearly half of their company’s shares. They seem to be sincere,” Davis said.
“Hehe, do you really think they’re generous enough to give me such a big gift for no reason?” Lucas sneered and slammed the documents against the table.
Davis was puzzled as he flipped through them before asking, “Is there… anything wrong with the shares?”
Lucas said, “There’s nothing wrong with them, but this company is just a newly established shell company. There’s nothing valuable except the registered capital. The Brookes are merely trying to use us to secure a foothold in Orange County.”
Davis finally realized that the Brookes seemed to be giving Lucas a huge present on the surface. But in reality, they were just trying to make use of the power of Lucas and the Stardust Corporation to bring more profits to them.
“That sly old fox Andrew Brooke must have been the one who came up with this idea! They made themselves look magnanimous on the surface but are out to reap all the benefits. It seems the Brookes aren’t that honest.” Lucas sneered. “Since they’ve already made their choice, they shouldn’t blame me for being unkind to the Brooke family in the future.”
