10x Cashback: Your Wealth Is Mine

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With Jenny finally gone, I turned back to my now-cold dinner.

Jenny had tried ruining my mood and dinner with her usual threats and belittling. Well, it was a good thing I was always on my toes and ready for a verbal spar.

Sighing, I placed my plate in the microwave, watching it rotate and heat back up. The sound of the microwave filled the room as it worked, providing background music to my thoughts.

When the microwave finally beeped, I took the plate back to the table and sat down to eat.

Or, at least, that was the plan. Again.

Just as I lifted my fork, my phone buzzed, rattling on the table. Of course. Rolling my eyes, I checked the screen. It was an unknown number.

For a second, my mind pulled out the idea of letting it go straight to voicemail out of spite but curiosity got the better of me. I picked it up. "Hello?"

"Nico?" A woman's voice said. A familiar voice.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Quinn?"

"Yes, it's me. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time." She said.

"No. No. You're not." I said without appearing too eager.

"I was wondering if we could meet." She said and my brain went into overdrive.

She wanted to meet in person? This was an unexpected but not unwelcome opportunity.

I glanced at my food. Why go far when you can bring it closer? "Actually," I said, "why don't you come here? I'll text you the address."

I sent her my address and set my phone aside. Perfect timing.

Judging by why she'd come here, Jenny had probably wrecked their friendship bridge. And now that the news about Abstract Capital's investment in Sunset Inn had probably reached Quinn, she would feel cheated.

She'd think Jenny's lies had robbed her of a perfect investment opportunity. All I needed to do was present a chance to her. But if she really wanted in, I wouldn't make it too easy for her.

I sat back, enjoying my dinner with even more satisfaction than one would have from a simple dinner. Things were falling into place. Just as it should.

I finished my meal in peace and just as I was clearing my plate, the doorbell rang. I finished up with the plates before checking the screen to confirm who it was.

Quinn stood there, looking a little hesitant but determined. Like she had something she had to do.

I grinned to myself before pressing the button and opening the door for her. I waited as she made her way inside, greeting her with a smile. "Welcome."

"Thank you." She replied as she entered, glancing around with curiosity written on her face. "Your place is… impressive, to say the least."

I chuckled, gesturing for her to follow me into the living room. "Appreciate it. But I'll pass on your compliment to my father if I ever see him."

"He had to create the perfect cage to stash his son away from the world so why not make it impressive." I shrugged, sending her a grin.

She paused, looking at me with something between sympathy and curiosity. "That must be… frustrating."

"You get used to it." I said, shrugging as I took a seat across from her. "But it has its perks, I guess."

Once we were settled, I looked at her, getting straight to the point. "So, I have to admit, I didn't expect to get a call from you."

She looked slightly embarrassed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I got your number from Noah at the club and I, uh… I wanted to apologize."

"For what?" I asked, genuinely curious, even though I had my suspicions.

"For… believing what Jenny said." She admitted, glancing down at her hands. "I trusted her and I didn't even question what she told me about you. I was too quick to judge." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Hey." I gave a small, understanding smile. "It's not your fault, Quinn. Jenny was your friend. You had no reason to doubt her."

"Still." She said, looking up to meet my gaze. "I feel like I should have done my own digging. I was too quick to assume… too quick to dismiss you. So, really, I'm sorry."

I nodded, letting a moment of silence pass between us. I had to make a show of accepting her apology even if I didn't care in the first place.

She wasn't here to apologize. She was here for something else and this meant I had to play along and close this chapter in order for us to get to the main subject.

After a moment, she spoke. "I heard about Abstract Capital. Congratulations, by the way."

I nodded modestly, accepting the compliment. "Thank you. I met your brother at the Global Elite Hospitality Forum in Monaco, and he saw the potential in Sunset Inn. We'll soon sign the agreement."

She shifted in her seat as she stared at me. "Why Oliver?" She asked, the question carrying a hint of personal investment. "Why did you approach him?"

I shrugged in answer. "Why not Oliver? I needed not just the money but also someone with strong connections in the real estate industry and your brother fit the bill perfectly."

She was silent, ruminating on what I'd said. She opened her mouth and then, finally, she asked. "Why not… me?"

There it was. I leaned back, feigning surprise.

"Quinn, think about it. Why would I approach you when I knew Jenny would go out of her way to stop me?"

She didn't say anything. We both knew the answer to that. If I had approached her, it would've reinforced whatever Jenny had told her of me being a scammer.

"How about now?" Quinn asked abruptly, looking up to meet my eye. "What if I want to become your primary investor?"

Bingo!

I paused like I was giving the question the consideration it deserved before answering.

I stared at her seriously. "If you want to become my primary investor, you'll have to beat Abstract Capital's offer." I said.

I had originally planned to ask her to invest ten million dollars but with Jenny and Oliver, the situation had changed.

Sunset Inn was no longer just an idea. It was now a business.

"The agreement with Abstract Capital is scheduled to be signed in a week." I said. "If you can bring in one hundred and twenty million for the same twenty percent stake before then… I'll accept your offer."

If she actually did come up with the money and we signed the agreement, Sunset Inn's valuation will shoot up to six hundred million.

I watched as a spark of excitement lit up her face and she seemed to sit up straighter. "So, if I come up with that amount by next week…?"

"Yes." I nodded, keeping my tone level. "This is the same offer I'm giving to all interested investors. You're as much an investor as any of them."

I could see the effect of my words on her. She stared at me with a pleased smile on her face and her eyes blazed with purpose.

"Then… I'll be back." She said. "I'll be the investor for Sunset Inn."