Chapter 33 Fifty Million Reasons

Even for an adult, fifty million was a staggering amount–let alone for a student.

“I know this bsounds /babrupt, but I swear–if you give me two years. I’ll pay Colton back, principal and interest. I can write a promissory note or sign a contract,” Eliza said, her voice steady. Then bshe /badmitted her biggest hurdle. “But… I’m a minor. I can’t apply for any loans.”

“Do you even know what the interest rate is for two years?” Nn’s tone was cool. “In two years, you’d owe Gray Corp at least five million in interest. That’s fifty–five million total. Gray Corp reviews a borrower’s qualifications and background before approving any bloan/b. Things like your reason for borrowing and personal profile. Just the fact that you’re underage means they’d never approve you.

“That’s why I need your help. I have to get that fifty million,” she said firmly, eyes full of resolve.

b“/bbAt /bthe very least, I need to bknow /bwhat the money’s for.”

“I want to start ba /bbusiness.”

“What kind of business needs fifty million?”

“Arge–scale one. Maybe even more than that,” she said quietly, then fell bsilent/b. That’s all I can tell you. This loan is extremely important to me. If you’re willing to help, I swear I’ll pay back every bcent /bin two years.”

“Words aren’t enough. This isn’t pocket change. I need time.”

“I don’t have time. I need the money within two months”

Three months from now was New Year’s. She needed everything set up before then.

If she waited too long, the flu outbreak would already be in motion, and by then, it’d be toote to start buying

“One month. Around the time of the mathpetition. I’ll get it done.”

Nn agreed on the spot–with no conditions. That surprised Eliza

She’d expected him to push for some kind of unfair deal

After all, she was the one desperate for money.

bAnyone /belse would’ve taken advantage of her by now.

“Anything else?”

Eliza shook her head, still processing it ball/b.

“Then go back to ss.”

During the next period, Eliza barely touched her test paper. Her eyes bkept /bdrifting to bColton/b.

So that was what the big secret was, Nn thought. Just borrowing money.

When the two of them walked back into ss, all eyes locked onto them,

A few ssmates beven /bbducked /btheir heads to stifle theirughter.

“bCan’t /bbelieve our coldb–/bbas/b–ice bboss /bis finally showing some warmthb./bb” /b

b“/bbYeah/b, who would’ve guessed?”

“He’s never been this nice bto /bbany /bgirl beforeb./bb” /b

A few students whispered among themselves.

At bschool/b, Nn avoided girls like

None of them had ever seen him take interest in any girl.

“Eliza, what were you and Nn talking about? Tell me, just between us.”

Henry could barely contain his curiosity.

He was dying to know what they’d discussed.

Colton didn’t ask anything, but his eyes flicked sideways toward Eliza.

“Uh… I was just asking Nn for a favor,” Eliza said.

“What kind of favor?”

“1… I’m short on cash. I asked Nn for a loan.”

“You need money? Why didn’t youe to me?” Henry asked, puzzled. “How much do you need?”

Eliza silently held up five fingers.

“Five thousand?”

She shook her head.

“Fifty thousand?”

Still shaking her head.

“Five hundred thousand?”

Fifty million,” she bsaid/bb; /b

Henry’s mouth dropped open. “Did you kill someone?!”

Fifty million–even foririch kids like them–bwas /banomical sum.

That kind of money belonged to their parents or their family bbusinesses/b, not to them.

“No.” Eliza said calmly. “It’s not a big deal, really. Don’t bask /btoo muchb” /b

“Not a big bdeal/b? What kind of trouble costs fifty million to get out of?”

Henry clearly didn’t believe her.

Even a murder charge wouldn’t need that much for bail.

Eliza didn’t exin.

Once she secured the money, she’d still need the Foster bfamily’s /bconnections bto /bacquire the masks and miracle drugs.

If she told them bnow /bthat there would be a massive global flu outbreak next year that wouldst an entire year, they’d think she’d gone mad.

Before long, midterin exams arrived.

As usual, after finishing her test, Naomi nned to use the btime /bwhile the papers were being collected to sneak into the office and swap hers with Eliza’s.

Aber all, Eliza had said even if they were in different sses, they could still switch papers in the office when no one was looking

bNaomi /bwas the only one in the office.

Seeing that none of the teachers had returned yet, she immediately began rummaging through ss Six’s test papers.