Chapter 767
“Oh? What’s the scoop?”
Seeing Odie’s curiosity, Sophie leaned in, her expression serious. “From what I’ve gathered, the Cloude family is hanging by a thread. They’re drowning in debt, and the interest is sky–high. Three hundred million won’t even make a dent in their troubles. He’s likely to use all of it to pay off debts to S
Corporation. By then, not only will he fail to pay you back, Mr. Odie, but that three hundred million will just end up in S Corporation’s pocket. Wouldn’t that be a huge loss for Minton International?”
“You seem to know a lot about S Corporation’s business.”
Odie leaned closer, scrutinizing Sophie’s eyes for any sign of deceit. “I thought you left S Corporation? How are you still in the loop about their secrets?”
Sophie didn’t flinch under Odie’s suspicious gaze. “I might’ve lost the job, but my connections are still solid.”
“So, what do you think I should do?”
“Ricardo’s got big dreams but little skill. If it were me, I’d ignore him. There are always other partners out there, right?”
Sophie tried to sway Odie, who responded calmly, “You’re right, but I think you’re worrying for nothing.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve known about Ricardo owing Blake a hundred million for a while now. That’s a high–interest loan. I also know that if Ricardo got those three hundred million, he’d rush to pay Blake back. Even if the Cloude family got back on its feet, it’d take years to make up that three hundred million. I’m not dumb enough to loan money to someone who can’t handle it.”
Odie’s casual tone suggested he had it all figured out.
Sophie was stunned. “So, you never planned to lend it?”
“I might have, but I’m not as generous as Blake. Ricardo couldn’t handle my
interest rates.”
Sensing the gleam in Odie’s eyes, Sophie felt a chill run down her spine.
1/2
14:43
If Odie loaned Ricardo the money, Ricardo could end up cornered, forced to hand over the Cloude family to Odie as collateral. That would wreck all of her and Booker’s plans.
“From what I know, Ricardo doesn’t have the final say. Even if the Cloude family was mortgaged to Minton International, it wouldn’t be worth three hundred million…”
Before Sophie could finish, Odie cut her off. “You don’t want me to lend him the money, do you?”
Odie’s bluntness caught Sophie off guard, but she admitted, “No, I don’t.” “Why not?”
“I can’t stand Ricardo. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“There’s always a reason behind hate. Spill.”
Odie pressed on, forcing Sophie to explain. “Because Ricardo used to like Nichole and helped her against me. Does that satisfy you, Mr. Odie?”
Odie looked genuinely puzzled. “Who’s Nichole?”
Sophie thought he was faking the confusion. “You don’t know Nichole?”
“Is she someone important? Have I met her?”
Sophie was momentarily speechless, then clarified, “Nichole is James‘ fiancée.”