Chapter 31 I Accept the Wager
Brittany’s final remark was intentionally loud, intended for Jessica to hear. Her aim was to ensure Jessica wouldn’t be naïve enough to be led astray by Daniel.
Jessica’s faced darkened as she asked, “Brittany, are you instructing
me on what to do now?”
“No, that’s not it at all, Jessica! You misunderstand! I was just telling Smiley Nick he can bet against that idiot if he wants, but he can’t involve TMO in the wager! Regarding the Windows Street property, if we were to sell, we would only do so at the current market rate,
certainly not the original price from three years ago!”
“I know what I need to do! You don’t have to remind me twice!”
Jessica’s response gave Nicholas, the wily fox, a whiff of opportunity. He quickly flashed his trademark Smiley Nick grin at Daniel.
“Daniel, even if Jessica herself disagrees, you can’t use the Windows Street property as a bargaining chip to bet against me. In that case, let’s forget about your intention to sell these three pieces of trash to me for two billion. After all, Ma’am Jessica doesn’t think highly of your chances – she’s already convinced you’re bound to lose!”
It was a crass attempt at goading
Nicholas wasn’t sure if it would
work, but since there was no loss to him, why not try?
Daniel glanced at Jessica and even cheekily winked at her.
“What are you winking about? Speak up if you have something to say!”
“I was just flirting wi….
Was this guy up to his antics again? Jessica quickly shot him a fierce glint to stop him.
“What?”
“Fly you an application!”
Jessica couldn’t help but snicker at his made–up phrase, saying, “You certainly have a gift for making words up!”
“So does that mean you agree?”
Agree to what?”
“Agree to have the bet with Smiley Nick! If we win, these three items can be exchanged for two billion, plus we can choose another item for free. And Smiley Nick will have to kneel and apologize to me!”
“And what if we lose?”
“How could I possibly lose? Trust me, I can make Smiley Nick willingly spend two billion to buy these items!*
“You talk as if you were some god. What if you lose?”
“If I lose, I’ll get lost right away, disappearing from your world, Jessica!
“Fine!”
Jessica actually agreed?
This left Brittany wearing an incredulous expression.
“Jessica, why would you let this fool mess around?”
“Do my decisions require your approval?”
“Uh… Of course not!”
Brittany dared not say more.
Jessica, of course, didn’t believe Daniel could sell the forgeries to Nicholas for two billion. Her agreement was a gambit – if Daniel were to lose the bet later, she intended to give him a harsh lesson.
Regarding the Windows Street property, the land price might indeed have tripled. But that property was problematic, and it was a hassle. she couldn’t resolve, rendering it essentially a junk asset.
Selling it at Nicholas’s proposed price might seem like a loss, forfeiting some interest, but at least Jessica would be recovering the cost. Not every transaction had to be profitable; if you lose, you just
have to accept it.
Right now, TMO needed to focus all its resources on the Healthy Land
collaboration project.