Chapter 22
"Tom, I make it. Exactly twenty minutes. I'm not late.” Samuel had an ingratiating smile on his face and bowed slightly in a reverent manner. If the Scott Family saw this, they would be too stunned to believe their eyes.
Tom looked at his sweaty face and said thoughtfully, "Look at your sweat. I'm so sorry to put you in such a hurry. You won't be angry with me, will you?"
Samuel hurriedly shook his head and said in a fluster, "of course not! How could I be angry with you?"
"Really?"
"Positively no!”
Tom chuckled and sipped his coffee languidly.
Samuel also ordered a cup of coffee and then said cautiously, "Tom, do you call me because you have something to talk with me?”
Tom kept him dangling for almost a minute before nodding gently. It was humiliating for Samuel but he hid his anger well, afraid of offending him.
"Actually, it's not a big issue. I just forgot to bring money and hope you can kindly pay my bill.” Tom said delightedly.
Upon those words, the smile on Samuel's face froze, and a burst of rage rushed up from his chest and straight to his head!
He had never ever been humiliated like this before and was always treated with great respect throughout the whole H City. He almost lost his temper, but the sneer on Tom's face sent a shudder down his spine and he suppressed his fury.
Tom was not the Tom he used to be. He couldn't afford to mess with him.
He took a deep breath and pinched his thigh hard to keep himself calm. He squeezed out a smile and said, "So that's it. No problem. I'll pay your bill right away.”
After he stood up, Tom asked, "After 50 billion dollars vanished all of a sudden, how has your life been in the Howard Family?"
Samuel paused, fury and indignation flashing across his face. "Tom, what happened four years ago was our fault. We wronged you and have been regretting it ever since. We have always wanted to find you back and make it up to you."
He was really good at making a show of looking repentant. He even had tears in his eyes. If Tom hadn't known him, he would have bought it.
Tom was dismissive of him in his heart but pretended to be moved, "Uncle, do you really think so? Can I really go back to the Howard Family?"
Seeing Tom rise to the bait, Samuel gloated secretly, despising Tom as a credulous fool. On the surface, he offered sincerely, "Of course! You are my brother's only son. You have the Howard's blood in you. You're welcome to come home anytime!"
However, Tom looked as something struck him and the joy on his face was replaced by rue. "But I... In order to retaliate against the Howard Family, I donated the 50 billion dollars that I inherited from the grandpa in anger. I can't help the Howard Family."
"What?!" Samuel flared up because of his words. He jumped to his feet, his eyes wide open, his face flushing with anger, and his body trembling. "You-you donated all the money? You bastard, you bastard! I..."
Seeing Tom sitting there calmly and smiling at him wryly, not rueful at all, Samuel instantly realized that he was fooled.
For a moment, he stood there and cringed.
"Uncle, it seems that there are other reasons why you want me back." Tom said sarcastically.
In his heart, Samuel called Tom a bastard and cursed him violently, but he didn't say a single word, just smiling awkwardly.
Tom had achieved his goal. He didn't want to waste any time with Samuel and said directly, "It's not impossible for me to go back to the Howard Family. I'll be upfront. Four years ago, you framed me for harming grandpa and expelled me. I am not over that. If you play nice and allay my anger, I may come back."
Samuel breathed a sigh of relief. Things would be much easier as long as Tom was willing to come back. "Tom, what compensation do you want? You can have anything we have!"
Tom took a sip of coffee and didn't answer immediately. After a while, he said, "ZQ Media is valued two billion now, right?"
"Yes." Samuel nodded. He didn't understand why Tom mentioned the company. The Howard Family had an array of industries in various fields. That company with a market value of two billion dollars was just an unremarkable one among them.
Tom said, "Since you're so sincere, I intend to buy the ZQ Media for 2.5 billion dollars, 500 million dollars more than its market value. What do you say?"
Although Samuel couldn't make heads or tails of Tom, he definitely wouldn't refuse money. Moreover, now that the Howard Family was in a financial crisis and the capital chain was broken, with this 2.5 billion dollars, it could have a respite.
"It's a deal!” Samuel agreed. "When do we sign the contract?"
"Now. Also, I don't want the Howard Family to gossip around about my identity.”
"Understood! I'll see to that!"
Samuel was very efficient. After less than half an hour, the transfer process was completed. From now on, Tom was the biggest shareholder of the ZQ Media, holding 60 % of its shares.
There were two reasons why he acquired the ZQ Media. First, his father founded this company, and it had been his wish to buy it back. Second, Mr. Cook, who wanted to get Phoebe laid, was a manager in this company.
Rumors said Mr. Cook was rich and powerful, so he wanted to see for himself.
"Phoebe, I said I would protect you, and I will keep my word!" Tom clenched his fists and determination flickered through his eyes.
After the transfer process, Samuel immediately informed the top executives of the news and warned them to treat their new boss carefully. He revealed that Tom had a strong background and was extremely rich! It put lots of strain on the top executives and they were all nervously waiting for the coming of the big boss.
The self-styled beauties in the company, including female staff and stars, all dressed themselves with scrupulous care in case that the big boss got an eye on them.
The male leaders in the company also racked their brains to get the new boss like them.
Mr. Cook, as the manager of the ZQ Media, was completely confused when he heard the news. He knew the company was on the wane and its profits were shrinking because of too many rivals. Why would someone acquire a company like it?
Regardless of the new boss's lack of business acumen, at least one thing was certain: he was super rich!
He must treat such a man carefully.
And an idea struck him when he thought of the beautiful woman who would spend the night with him today.