Richard commented sarcastically, "Well, he's got his punishment. He's lost ten billion dollars."

The shareholders had heard the conversation. One of them mocked, "Haha. He deserves it. Luckily, we didn't listen to him and invest with the company, or we would be crying now."

​​

Frank's face had turned red with fury. Where are the bodyguards?! Useless!

He had lost his strength even to rebut. He felt defeated, thinking of the money he lost. He looked as if he had aged tremendously within just ten minutes.

"We are lucky. Thanks to Miss Nathalia Carter. If she had not rejected the proposal, we would have fallen into this trap." Nicolas was now even more impressed by Nathalia. She has foreseen it, thinking long-term. She's much more capable than Frank Carter, for sure.

"Yes, Miss Nathalia Carter is our goddess of luck. I have to thank her in person." Another shareholder said.

Richard sneered, "Frank Carter, didn't you mortgage your shares to the bank. You aren't qualified to be the president anymore. Shouldn't you resign?" Others chorused while thinking, he's nobody now. He's not part of the group anymore.

Frank was shaking furiously as he stuttered, "You. How can...how can you do this to me now?"

Anger had been brewing inside Nicolas. The company is falling apart, and you, the most responsible one, are hiding here, pretending to be sick! What the hell is wrong with you?! The most selfish scumbag!

Finally, he bellowed, "You are incapable. You aren't qualified at all. You've almost ruined the company."

"True! The stock price has dropped dramatically because of you! You should have resigned long ago."

"You've mortgaged all your shares. You are not part of the board anymore."

The shareholders voiced their opinions and resentment towards Frank frankly.

Frank suffered from a headache so violent that his body was trembling, and he had to lean against the bed. He pointed his shaking hand at them and shouted, "Get out! Get out of here. Assholes. Get lost!"

You are never grateful when I'm making money for the company, and now you just abandon me.

Richard looked at him, disdainfully and left.

Nicolas mocked, "You're so done! Hahaha. Goodbye, Frank Carter."

Maria was about to sneak out, following the group, but was caught by Frank. "Maria, stay." He stopped her.

Maria pouted her lips, sighed, and stopped. She turned around with a reluctant smile, "Frank, you don't look very well. Let me get the doctor."

Frank grabbed her hand as if that was his last hope and said, "It's ok. I will live. You won't leave me at this time, will you?"

Maria's lips twitched, but she forced another smile and said, "Of course not. Frank, you've been good to me. I won't be so ungrateful."

Frank heaved a sigh of relief. "Good. Now I need to borrow all the money you have."

"Huh?" The smile on Maria's face disappeared and was replaced by a frown. "I've got no money left. Don't you remember? I invested all my money in the European project. I've lost it all." Despite how much she wanted to hide her grudge, it was apparent. It was all her savings, a few million dollars all gone.

Frank frowned, thought about it, and said, "Mortgage the shares you have. Don't worry, as soon as I fix this, I will pay you back, one hundred times more."

"Well..." Maria didn't look pleased with it all, but she couldn't say no. "OK. No problem." She answered. She didn't want to cut the bond right in front of Frank.

Relieved, Frank said thankfully, "I knew I could trust you."

After a good few minutes of being yelled at, Sam left the room with his head down. When he saw Maria at the lift, his face lit up. "Maria, are you really going to mortgage your shares?" Sam and Maria got along rather well.

Maria sneered and said, "Impossible. That's the last bit I have. Money matters the most." Frank Carter has got nothing now. He's of no use. He will probably never get back on his feet again. I'm not stupid.

"But why did you say..." Sam was rather startled.

"Just to make him feel good. It doesn't cost." Maria rolled her eyes and said indifferently. Sam shrugged his shoulders, feeling inspired. True. We have to think about ourselves first.

The news traveled fast. Before long, Frank was bombarded with phone calls, asking him to pay back the money he borrowed. Pretending to be sick didn't work anymore.

He tried every way he could to get money, but no one trusted him anymore, and thus all rejected him. He went to the bank that he'd been a client for decades, but the bank was asking him to pay instead, or they would take what he had mortgaged. He went to his friends and business partners, but was, again and again, turned down.

The staff that worked for the company looked at him differently. They would either look down upon him or run away from him, instead of licking his shoes like they used to do.

The servants and maids had left except an old couple who had served the Carters for years and had no choice but to stay as they would not be able to support themselves elsewhere.

He tried calling Maria but never got through. She seemed to just disappear.

He had lived a life of fame and respect. How could he have expected such a change? In just a few days, he had lost everything. He felt hopeless, abandoned, rejected.

As he was walking home, he saw a few people sealing off the door. He yelled anxiously, "Stop! What are you doing?!"

"I suggest you not interfere, Mr. Carter. All your property has been mortgaged. If you can't pay then, naturally, the house and everything inside will be taken."

Frank clenched his fists as he shouted angrily, "Assholes! All of you. Cruel."

Standing at the door alone, Frank stared into the distance in desperation.

His phone rang. It was from Anne. Frank answered quickly as if he had finally seen hope.