Rags to Riches: Becoming A Billionaire After Divorce

Chapter 8

"Are you finished? If so, I need you to leave the company immediately," Ethan said, exhaling sharply and rubbing his face, his gaze cutting sharply across to Tommy.

He was well aware of Tommy's incompetence and had anticipated the overpriced contract, but Tommy signing for 30 million dollars was a shock even for him.

"I'm leaving right now," Tommy said, his victorious laugh echoing as he headed for the door.

His gaze swept arrogantly over the employees. "You all heard what's going on. I've been your boss for a long time. Don't say I didn't give you a choice." He held up two fingers, "Either come with me and there will be plenty to go around, or stay here and flounder with Ethan until this company collapses."

But no one responded. The employees knew who truly led Grande Company. They understood the stark difference in character and capability between Ethan and Tommy.

Ethan turned to face them, his expression cool and steady. "You all know my capabilities. If I dared to take over Grande Company, why worry about 30 million dollars?"

The employees glanced at each other, a flicker of hope in their eyes. Slowly, they stepped aside, opening a path.

Tommy's face turned a shade of pale green. He knew he wasn't well-liked at the company, but he hadn't expected that absolutely no one would follow him out.

"You're a bunch of blind fools; you think he's some kind of savior? Just wait and see how you all sink with him at the wheel!" He spat angrily as he stormed out.

After a moment, an employee ventured, "Ethan, can we really handle the 30 million dollars? We all know the company's finances; this project could bankrupt us. Maybe it's better to cut our losses now—we'd all understand."

"Yeah," others quickly agreed, "If you pull out of Grande Company now, you could save more assets and start a new company—we'd still follow you."

Ethan looked at his worried employees and chuckled, waving his hand dismissively, "Don't worry. This project won't just break even. It will be profitable! I'm not just continuing with it; I'm going to quintuple our investment!"

The office burst into murmurs of shock, and a veteran employee stepped forward. "Ethan, we all trust your skills. But a 30-million-dollar shortfall isn't something we can just smooth over!"

"At this rate, the company will collapse within a month!"

"We should pull out and minimize our losses!"

"Let's switch to a different project."

The concerns grew louder.

"Have I ever lied to you since I took over as your leader?" Ethan smiled confidently. "I'm nothing like Tommy. We're going to pause all other projects, and I assure you, the company won't fold."

Another employee still seemed skeptical. "But Ethan, even if the company stays afloat, when will we ever recover from Tommy's mess?"

Ethan's gaze was resolute as he swept over the employees, quieting the room instantly. "Trust me. In a few days, you'll be grateful that you stayed. You'll be glad you chose Grande Company, glad you chose me!"

***

That evening, in a rented house, Andrew sat on the sofa, his expression grave as he looked at Ethan. "Ethan, your acquisition of Grande Company was too impulsive. The Ghetto redevelopment project they just took on is big enough to sink the company."

After Ethan's call to buy the company, Andrew moved quickly, leveraging his connections and paying a 30% premium over market value to seal the deal swiftly.

But after reviewing Grande Company's status, he was concerned. Had Grande Company continued its profitable trends, the acquisition would have been just an expensive training exercise for Ethan, a necessary step for his return to the family with Ruby.

However, that contract was overvalued at 30 million dollars turning what should have been a savvy investment into a potential disaster. Grande Company was on the brink of bankruptcy.

"You're right, Andrew. I was rash," Ethan conceded. He hadn't foreseen the issues with the redevelopment project.

Andrew spoke with deep sincerity, "Your father sent me to aid you in hopes that you would grow and achieve something great. This would allow you to take over the family honorably and bring your mother back. But if the family learns about this fiasco with Grande Company..."

Thud, thud!

Ethan tapped the table lightly and smiled, "Who says I'm going to lose money?"

Andrew looked puzzled.

"He wants me to achieve greatness, right? That's why I took over Grande Company." Ethan's smile was confident, yet there was a trace of bitterness in his eyes. "After ignoring me and my mother for over twenty years, why should I care about losing a bit of his money?"

Andrew became anxious. "It's not just about the money! There's one billion dollars in your bank account; the amount isn't the issue.

The real problem is if you fail in this first major attempt and the family finds out, they will label you as incompetent. And that will make it even harder for you to bring your mother back into the family."

"The Ghetto project being overvalued at 30 million dollars was a surprise, sure. But I'm not the failure you think I am. Otherwise, how could I have climbed to vice president in just three years?" Ethan's eyes were steely."

"Tell him not to worry. I've been called a bastard for over two decades, and I've climbed my way to who I am today. I'll meet his expectations. I'll show him the excellence he's looking for! I'm not just going to succeed; I'm going to succeed so spectacularly it'll leave him speechless! This idea of him 'nobly' reintegrating my mother and me into the family and surrounding her with glory is ridiculous! She deserves that and more—I will make sure she gets it!"

Andrew sensed the deep resentment in Ethan's voice and was about to offer some soothing words when Ethan's next declaration stopped him cold.

"Grande Company won't fail under my leadership. The Ghetto redevelopment isn't just going to break even; it's going to turn a profit!" Ethan said, his smile confident as he raised three fingers. "Give me three days, and with a little help from you, Andrew, I'm sure I can turn this around!"

"Can it really make a profit?" Andrew perked up; he was visibly excited. He was there to assist Ethan, and a defeat in his first major endeavor would be difficult to explain to Ethan's father. But Ethan's assurance and decisiveness sparked a flicker of hope in him. "You just give the word, Ethan, and I'll do whatever it takes!"

Ten minutes later, after learning of Ethan's plan, Andrew left the house both stunned and elated.

After settling into his Rolls-Royce Phantom, he immediately dialed a number.

As soon as the call connected, Andrew shared his excitement. "Mr. Thomas, it seems we've been underestimating Ethan all these years. He has matured far beyond our expectations.

This acquisition, if executed as Ethan plans, is set to be a resounding success!" He paused for a moment then added with a sigh, "However, Ethan still holds some strong grudges about the past, and his resentment..."

Back in the rental apartment, Ethan was unaware that Andrew was briefing his father on the situation. His phone buzzed with a message from a friend he hadn't heard from for a while: [Ethan, I heard about your divorce from Isabella. Are you okay?]

Ethan looked at the message as a wry smile crossed his face.

His divorce from Isabella was bound to circulate among his friends sooner or later.

Given the Brown family's penchant for publicity, they wouldn't keep quiet about him being dumped. But what surprised him was that the first to reach out was her—Bella Ellis.

Bella was his old college classmate, and there used to be mutual affection, but circumstances had led him to marry Isabella instead.

Since then, Bella had moved abroad, and they hadn't kept in touch. 'Why would she suddenly reach out now? Is it because of my divorce?' Ethan wondered. He responded with a simple "Yes."

Within seconds, Bella sent another message: [Then I'm planning to return to the country.]