Ricardo began laughing, and soon, his guards followed suit. Even some of the guests sniggered. The young man might be a good fighter, but by his looks, he was definitely not wealthy.
“Is this guy drunk or delusional?” one of the regulars muttered. “Does he really think he can purchase a mall?”
“His clothing suggests he doesn’t even have a few hundred dollars!”
“I heard he spent all his life savings on booking a table. Now he thinks he can be the owner? What an ego trip of poverty!”
“Does he even have money to rent a toilet?”
“Are you out of your mind, kid?” Ricardo asked with a scoff. “Your father is a manual scavenger, and your house is a dog kennel. And yet, you claim to have enough money to purchase GlobeMall? Give me a break!”
More laughter followed from the crowd. Yara glanced at Tyler, this time with pity. Why was he so intent on humiliating himself in public? Was beating down Ricardo’s guards, not a big enough victory?
“Are you deaf or dumb?” Tyler retorted at the boss. His voice was calm and collected.
“I just told you to name the price of this place. Or are you such a lousy manager that you’d let a golden offer slide by?”
Ricardo jumped to his feet, his eyes bloodshot in anger. He swiped the table; glasses and condiment plates crashed to the floor.
“Enough of your nonsense, you wastrel! I won’t disturb the owner’s precious time whenever a homeless man comes over spouting nonsense! Get out of here! Go back to your penniless family!”
Yara decided to step in this time. “Mr. Ricardo… If I may… The owner, Mr. Frank Carlisle, is actually looking for bidders. There’s a sale notice outside for the same. Don’t you think you should at least contact him regarding Mr. Grant’s offer?”
Ricardo directed his anger at Yara instead. “Are you blind, woman? Don’t you see this pauper’s appearance? The Grant family is steeped in poverty, and he’s here causing a nuisance! He doesn’t have the funds even to purchase a loaf of bread! Why the fuck should I waste Mr. Carlisle’s time for him?”
Yara was persistent. “Regardless, the man has made an offer to purchase Globemall. If he is unable to pay, then his farce will be exposed. Why don’t we give him a chance?”
Ricardo trembled in exasperation. “Are you in cahoots with this wastrel to give me a headache? Don’t forget that you are my employee! My word is the final decision!”
Yara narrowed her eyes at Ricardo and then regarded Tyler for a second. Then she took out her phone and immediately sent an email.
Ricardo’s phone began ringing. He saw the number and then raised his inflamed eyes to Yara. “You little bitch…! What did you do…?!”
The beauty appeared calmer than expected. “I emailed Mr. Carlisle about a potential buyer since you were too emotional to do the same.”
“I’ll kill you right after I finish this call!” Ricardo barked before accepting the call.
“Hello? Mr. Carlisle!” he spoke into the phone in a submissive voice. He put it on speaker for everyone to hear. “How can I be of service?
“Ricardo… I just received an email from Yara that you’re turning away an offer to purchase GlobeMall. Who gave you the right?”
Ricardo gulped anxiously. “Apologies, Mr. Carlisle… But I know the man’s background, and he can’t afford it.”
“Shut the fuck up!” the owner scolded him. “Don’t you know GlobeMall is close to bankruptcy? That too because of your mismanagement! And now you dare to reject an offer? Are you a retard? I feel like strangling you right now!”
“I’m sorry, sir…” Ricardo squeaked. Frank Carlisle was one of the top ten billionaires in Sapphire City. He wielded enough influence to shut up a lowlife punk like Ricardo.
“Keep your sorry to yourself and give the phone to Yara!” The man did as he was told.
“Mr. Carlisle…” Yara said. “What are your orders?”
“Tell the potential buyer I am willing to sell GlobeMall for ten million dollars. To be honest, that’s two million above market price. However, I won’t budge even a penny at such short notice. Another condition is that he has to make the entire payment right now. Let me know what he says.”
Tyler, who could hear Carlisle over the speaker, stepped forward. “I agree to the price and the condition.”
Yara immediately summoned the accounts staff to bring over a terminal machine meant for larger transactions. Ricardo gaped at what was happening in disbelief. What the hell was going on? Did Tyler just commit to paying ten million dollars casually? There was a limit to madness!
Tyler handed over the GIB card to Yara. She accepted it willingly, swiped it, and entered the amount.
The beauty’s heart was racing. She had decided to support Tyler out of instinct. Something told her this man was meant for great things.
However, a few doubts clouded Yara. What if he turned out to be a fraud? Wasn’t that more likely, since ten million was no small amount! Even Mr. Carlisle, a seasoned businessman, wouldn’t dare to make such a vast investment casually.
If her instinct were proven wrong, not only would she get fired, but Ricardo would definitely kill her!