Walter and Melissa hurried to the Bureau of Land Management clinging to a desperate sliver of hope that they could salvage the property at Stonefield before it officially changed hands. Thatnd wasn’t just prime real estate. It was the future lifeline of both the Edwards and Foster families,

The moment Walter stepped out of the car, he barked. “Zachary who’s behind this? Who snatched ournd?”

Zachary, who had arrived moments earlier, looked utterly defeated. “Eric won’t tell me who the buyer is. I’ve been camping out here to bfind /bout.”

Walter’s jaw tightened, his words seething through clenched teeth. “Whoever it is, we’ll take thend back–no matter what.” “Dad… we don’t have enough money,” Sandra, standing timidly behind Zachary, reminded him in a low voice.

The new buyer had paid an eye–watering $300 million in bcash /bupfront. Even if they managed to block the sale, they couldn’te close to matching that sum

“How much can your family pull together right now? Walter asked, his mind racing. He was prepared to beg, borrow, or bleed to make this work. In three months, thatnd will be worth bten /btimes this. Three hundred million bes three

billion

“$120 million–at most,” Zachary replied, frustration and rage written all over his face.

Walter fell silent at the mention of the figure. He knew all too well the gravity of the situation.

He was aware that if he emptied every ount, sold every asset, and squeezed every resource he could muster, the Edwards family mighte up with $90 million. Originally, his n was to sell Debra’s inheritance for $60 million, and have the Edwards and Foster bfamilies /beach contribute $150 million.

But now, with this unforeseen setback, he considered letting the Foster family shoulder more of the burden to secure the deal.

Instead, the Foster family could only stretch to 120 million dors, leaving a ring 90 million–dor gap. Walter was left scrambling for a solution, but the money just wasn’t there. There was no way he could raise that much money in such a

short time.

“Zachary, talk to your father, Melissa interjected, her tone dripping with urgency. “See if he can stretch it further. We’ll bcover /b30%, and you guys can take 70%. Future profits will be split three to seven.”

Even a 30% share would mean $1 billion for the Edwards family a windfall that would ensure their futurefort and prestige.

“I already asked. He said no. There’s no more money to give, Zachary said, shaking his head wearily.

The value of the property at Stonefield was no secret to the Foster family. Thanks to multiple insider connections in Lunova, they knew thend’s price would skyrocket in just bthree /bmonths.

Zachary had been counting on this deal, believing it was ball /bbut guaranteed. All he needed was the money. That was why he had tried to expedite his marriage to Amelia–to tap into Debras inheritance band /bsecure the funds

Who would’ve thought Amelia would escape, and now thend is gone, tou? If my father finds bout/b, he’ll punish me for sure -maybe even strip me of my inheritance, Zachary thought, panic washing over him, feeling more cornered and powerless

than ever.

“Mrs. Kingsley, this way, bplease/b,” ba /bpolite voice suddenly called ca.

Walter spun around, startled. It was Aaron. He was standing by a sleek ck car, respectfully holding the door open as

Amelia stepped out. She wasposed and expressionless, her petite frame radiating an unshakable determination. Together, she band /bAaron made their way toward the Bureau of Land Management.

89%

Walter’s stomach sank. A terrible realization dawned on him, and he bolted toward them, blocking their path. “Amy? What are you doing here?”

“Buyingnd,” Amelia replied tly, her icy voice devoid of warmth or hesitation.

“Buying bwhat /bnd?” Sandra demanded, rushing over with wide eyes, her tone frantic.

Just then, the owner of the property, Eric Brown, arrived, his cheerful demicanor lighting up the tension in the bair/b. He greeted Aaron with a friendly smile. “Mr. Hall, it seems byou’ve /bbeaten me here.”

Aaron nodded with the poised confidence of someone who always bhad /bthe upper hand. “Mr. Brown, allow me to introduce Mrs. Amelia Kingsley. You can proceed with the handover directly with her.”

Eric froze momentarily, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. However, he quickly recovered, his expression shifting to bone /bof courteous warmth. “Mrs. Kingsley, a pleasure.”

“Mr. Brown, the pleasure is mine. Amelia’s frosty facade melted into a polite smile as she stepped forward with Eric, herposure like a shield as she prepared to finalize the transaction.

“Wait a minute.” Sandra suddenly grabbed Amelia’s arm, her voice trembling with barely contained outrage. “bWas /bit you? Did you steal ournd?”

“Steal?” Amelia’s coldugh sent a bchill /bthrough the air as she brushed Sandra’s hand away. “It’s called a transaction. My deal with Mr. Brown is none of your concernb.” /b

“That was ournd. We negotiated for months.” Sandra’s voice grew shrill, her finger jabbing usingly at Amelia. ‘Cancel this deal immediately. Do you hear me?”

Eric, startled by bSandra’s /baudacity, immediately interjected in a panicked tone, ‘Ms. Edwards, Kingsley Group has already paid in full. This transaction is final.”

Sandra’s indignation