Chapter 216: Mr. Sloan Digs a Pit for the Sloan Family

Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Mr. Sloan Digs a Pit for the Sloan Family

The final lot at Mr. Lynch’s auction was a plot of land located in the southern part of Crestfall.

As a semi-developed commercial zone, anyone could see the value of southern Crestfall. The land was currently valued at around ten billion, but once the Keldon Business District was fully developed, it would be worth far more than that.

The fiercest competition for this land was between Mr. Sloan and Theodore Lancaster, who had recently returned to the Sloan family and was rumored to be their legitimate son.

The crowd held their breath, wondering whose hands the land would ultimately fall into.

Laura Jennings secretly located Nathaniel Sloan in the crowd and shot the butler a look. Understanding her cue, the butler approached Nathaniel. "Sir, Madam is looking for you. She’s over there. Would you... would you mind going over now?"

Despite the fact that Mrs. Sloan was his mother, Mr. Sloan acted as if he hadn’t heard the butler. "Spit it out."

The butler broke into a cold sweat. "Madam has something to discuss with you. She’s asking you to go over for a moment."

Nathaniel took a sip of his tea, his expression nonchalant. "I have nothing to discuss with her."

"But, but..."

"You ungrateful wretch!" Laura’s anger flared. Disregarding the large crowd present, she swung her hand down viciously for a slap. However, Nathaniel simply tilted his head slightly. She stumbled and fell onto a chair. "You dare dodge?!"

Nathaniel’s gaze didn’t waver in the slightest. "Ms. Jennings, you’re getting old. You don’t even have the strength to slap someone anymore. You should go get some maintenance done before it’s too late."

Laura was absolutely furious. What an ungrateful wretch indeed! Theodore was always so polite to her, but this Nathaniel Sloan was truly an ungrateful wolf cub that could never be tamed!

"Look at yourself! I’m your mother! Is this how you treat your own mother? It’s bad enough that you didn’t greet me when I walked over, but you didn’t even have the decency to stand up and offer me your seat. I’m your biological mother! You ill-bred thing!"

Nathaniel nodded calmly. "Hmm."

The man looked utterly unfazed. "I’m well aware that Ms. Jennings is my biological mother. My lack of breeding is simply a case of the apple not falling far from the tree. You reap what you sow, Ms. Jennings."

Estelle Lockwood was speechless. She couldn’t hold back. "Pfft..."

Laura choked on her words, unable to even catch her breath from sheer anger. But remembering her purpose for coming over, she gritted her teeth and lowered her voice.

"Nathaniel Sloan, I’m warning you. You’d better not pull any stunts at today’s auction. That land belongs to Theodore!"

The seats in the auction hall were spaced far apart and separated by privacy screens. Coupled with Laura’s lowered voice, the people around them couldn’t hear what she was saying. But judging by her tone, it wasn’t anything pleasant.

The onlookers held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Just then, Nathaniel slowly set down his teacup. The soft CLINK sent a tremor through everyone’s hearts.

The man’s eyes showed absolutely no emotion. He raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone mocking. "And?"

Laura fumed. "And so you’d better obediently give up that land. If you dare bid on it, I’ll make you pay!"

Nathaniel’s tone was profound. "In what capacity is Ms. Jennings ordering me around?"

"As your biological mother, of course!"

Nathaniel nodded slowly. "I see. I almost thought you were Theodore Lancaster’s biological mother. After all, you’re both cut from the same cloth when it comes to being useless."

Estelle couldn’t hold back once again. Looking at Laura’s forced endurance, she almost wanted to give the woman a round of applause.

"Nathaniel Sloan!!!" Laura was overwhelmed with rage. She subconsciously raised her voice. "Who the hell do you think you are? The Sloan family is supposed to—"

But before she could finish, Nathaniel calmly cut her off.

"Ms. Jennings, there are some things we both know perfectly well. The only reason I haven’t brought them to light isn’t out of some lingering familial affection. I just want to see how much more shameless the Sloan family can get. Do you understand, Ms. Jennings?"

A layer of cold sweat suddenly broke out on Laura’s back. For some inexplicable reason, she began to feel afraid.

What did... what did Nathaniel know? No, that was impossible. How could he know?! Everyone in the Sloan family knew he was an illegitimate child. Even if he suspected something, he had no proof! So he was definitely just trying to intimidate her! Great, what an ungrateful wretch indeed, actually threatening his own mother!

Still, the more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Unable to continue her threats, Laura turned and tried to scurry back to her seat.

But Nathaniel slowly spoke up. "Ms. Jennings.

"I am determined to get that land. Since the Sloan family and the Lancaster family are prepared to support Theodore Lancaster, then let’s see you try."

After returning to her seat, Nathaniel’s words kept echoing in Laura’s mind. He knew full well that both the Lancaster family and the Sloan family would help Theodore. What made him think he could still snatch that land away? Could it be... because that land was truly that valuable? So much so that he had a compelling reason to acquire it!

Ethan Sloan frowned and asked, "What did Nathaniel say?"

A sharp glint sparked in Laura’s eyes. "He refuses to yield. He said he’ll compete with the Sloan Group and the Lancaster Group to the bitter end. Ethan, it seems the benefits of acquiring this land are even greater than we imagined!"

Ethan had originally been a bit hesitant. After all, over ten billion was simply too astronomical a sum. It would be fine if they could secure it for just ten billion, but Nathaniel wouldn’t stop bidding. Competing with him meant the subsequent premium would be immense. But if it was truly worth it, then it wouldn’t be a loss!

Nathaniel was well aware of the liquid capital the Lancaster Group and the Sloan Group could muster. The fact that he still intended to compete despite knowing this could only mean one thing: Laura’s guess was right. The benefits of this land were far greater than they had envisioned.

Ethan made up his mind. "We bid! No matter the cost, we must win this land!"

Meanwhile, Estelle lowered her voice. "Mr. Lynch, so what exactly is the benefit of acquiring this land?"

Hearing her address him as ’Mr. Lynch’, a trace of helplessness flickered across Nathaniel’s brow. "There is no benefit."

Ever since Estelle realized that everything in the past was a misunderstanding and discovered that this man was also Mr. Lynch, she had felt much closer to him. Thus, fueled by curiosity, she simply asked whatever came to mind.

"No benefit... Then how are you so certain the Sloan family will take the bait?"

Nathaniel answered unhurriedly, "Because the Sloan family trusts my capabilities entirely too much."

At first, Estelle was shocked by this seemingly narcissistic statement, but then she immediately understood. For years, Nathaniel’s investments and acquisitions had been flawless. He possessed a shrewd eye, capable of miraculously turning even the most unpopular projects into massive hits. Therefore, even though Ethan and Laura constantly targeted and despised him, they never once doubted his judgment.

By outwardly portraying that he was determined to secure this plot of land, he was sending a signal to the Sloan Group: this was a property he, Nathaniel Sloan, had set his sights on. It would become Crestfall’s new benchmark, just like his previous investment projects. Consequently, the Sloan family had absolutely no suspicions and would spare no effort in snatching this land to support Theodore Lancaster.

But in reality...

Still, Estelle was curious. "But I’ve looked into that land. The geographical location is excellent. No matter how it’s developed, it won’t operate at a loss."

So, what did Mr. Sloan plan to do?