Chapter 243
“Exactly. She’s up to no good p>
Brayden Knox agreed, leaning against the wall.
“How can a woman like that even exist p>
Rachel shook her head, thoroughly disgusted.
She had raised her own son without a father, working grueling hours as a maid at the Mercer estate to provide for him.
“Elara, why don’t you let me be your godmother? I’ll help pay for your college tuition p>
“I couldn’t ask you to do that p>
Elara hesitated, looking to Mira for guidance. Mira had always been her anchor.
She trusted Mira’s judgment above anyone else’s.
“Rachel, you still need to help Mason buy a house and get settled,” Mira pointed out gently.
Mira didn’t want to add to Rachel’s burdens. Raising a son on her own was hard enough without taking on Elara’s college expenses.
While Elara was a close friend, Mira’s first instinct was always to protect Rachel. Ultimately, it was their decision to make. She was just offering perspective.
“I should talk it over with my dad first,” Elara said softly.
As it was getting late, Mira handed over two older smartphones that belonged to the Iron Wolves. “Here. Take these. One for you, one for your dad p>
It would make staying in touch much easier, and if they were ever in danger, they could call the police immediately. The only downside was the monthly cell bill.
“Thank you both so much. How much do I owe you for them?” Elara asked.
“They’re on the house. Just take them,” Brayden waved her off.
But Mira knew Elara despised taking charity.
“Just give them a couple of bucks each,” Mira suggested.
Just to make it an official transaction.
Even as hand-me-downs, the phones were high-end models in perfect working condition. They were easily worth a couple hundred dollars, so this was clearly a massive favor from the bodyguards.
At school the next day, Harvey Rivers approached Mira. “My dad agreed to sell the building, but he wants to roll the entire payout into equity in EcoRide.” fo
“No deal. The board won’t accept that. This is equity in the parent company; it’s extremely valuable.
“I sounded them out yesterday. The most they’ll entertain is trading half the building’s value for shares.
“If you’re on board with that, we can sit down and negotiate.
“Honestly, if they didn’t really want Rivers Plaza, they wouldn’t be giving up any equity at all p>
“Let me think about it,” Harvey said.
“Are you going to ask your dad, or is this your call p>
Mira arched an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
“My dad gave me the building to practice my investing. And right now, my top picks
are the two ventures under Solflare p>
u)
The Rivers family was certainly generous with their capital. That kind of financial backing made Harvey bold and decisive traits that made him an excellent business partner.
Celine Ward’s family, by comparison, was far too conservative to ever take that kind
of risk.
By the time the final bell rang, Harvey had made his decision. He told Mira he’d
meet her at the EcoRide headquarters to finalize the transfer.
Mira was still processing his rapid response as he walked away.
It took Brayden clearing his throat to snap her back to reality.
Knowing better than to discuss high-level corporate moves in public, Mira waited until she was safely home to call Owen. She updated him on Harvey’s terms and told hims to get the lawyers and Master Ellis ready.
They were going to finalize the equity transfer and the deed to the building today.
Right after dinner, as Mira was heading out the door, her phone buzzed. It was Elara.
“Mira, save this number. It’s my new one.
“Also, my dad isn’t comfortable with the godmother idea. Could you please let Rachel know p>
Elara’s father was likely terrified of losing his daughter after everything her mother had pulled.
It was for the best. Rachel wasn’t wealthy. She still needed to secure a house for Mason, and their place out in the country was falling apart.
If Mira hadn’t helped her multiply her savings in the stock market, Rachel wouldn’t have even been able to afford a down payment.
Mira had been genuinely worried that if Rachel spent too much on Elara, Mason and his future wife might grow resentful, sparking unnecessary family drama.