Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Tyler said plainly, "Seth? To be honest, I don't know you, and I definitely don't remember ever having a drink with you. So please, don't make up stories like that."

He was still polite about it, but the message was loud and clear.

Seth's face flushed with heat. Tyler had not yelled at him, but his tone made it obvious he wanted Seth gone.noveldrama

He was not even acknowledged, let alone remembered, and the drink? A total lie. His attempt to show off had backfired hard, and the shame burned worse than any public embarrassment.

Nonetheless, Seth did not have the guts to argue back. All he could do was step aside awkwardly, watching as Tyler turned his full attention to Aspen.

Tyler said respectfully, "Ms. Stevens, your new company in Blumedale recently opened a corporate account with our bank, correct? A transaction just hit that account earlier today, and I felt this matter was serious enough that I needed to confirm it with you personally."

Aspen frowned, thinking it over. The new transfer must have been from Andrew, the devil himself. He probably sent more money to help her expand the business.

She nodded and smiled. "Yes, I was expecting a transfer. I knew one was coming in advance. But Mr. Jones, it's really not necessary for you to come all the way out here. Did something go wrong?"

Tyler's expression turned serious. "No, nothing's wrong. But I had to come because the amount transferred was simply too massive, and I couldn't sit still."

Aspen's eyes widened. "Too massive? I actually don't know the exact figure. Mr. Jones, could you tell me now?"

Andrew had only said he had transferred more funds, not mentioned a number. Aspen had not bothered asking before, but now that Tyler had brought it up, her curiosity kicked in.

Tyler took a deep breath and said heavily, "It was 40 billion Not a penny short. A clean, precise 40 billion dollars. According to federal regulations, a transaction of this size has to meet strict criteria, and your transfer passed every single one.

"The money landed in your account without a single flag or violation, so I had to come in person. Ms. Stevens, your company is now one of our bank's top-tier clients."

Even bank presidents did not always get to sit behind a desk all day. When it came to VIP clients, the kind who moved billions like pocket change, they had to hustle.

And standing in front of Tyler now was exactly that kind of client.

Aspen stood frozen, completely stunned. Her mind went blank. Back when Andrew had wired her ten billion to launch her company in Blumedale, she was already floored.

IMS

But now? He had followed up with another 40 billion, bringing the total to 50 billion.

She wondered what Andrew was trying to do. Was he trying to shake up the region's entire financial structure or playing some high-stakes power game?

Aspen could not figure it out. All she knew was that her palms had started to sweat

uncontrollably-Andrew was far more terrifying than she had ever imagined.

If Aspen was shocked, Seth was downright shaken to the core. The mysterious

man backing Aspen had casually wired 40 billion dollars.

What kind of monster had that kind of money?

Even the Haywood family could not just toss around that kind of cash to set up a company in a completely new market.

In the next second, Seth's heart

began to race with wild excitement. He had to win Aspen over-no matter what. If he could get this woman, then everything had would belong to him, and there was no greater jackpot in the

world than this.

Seth was practically buzzing with joy.