Chapter 245
Was this girl a business prodigy?
Just how incredibly blind was Adrian Mercer to cast out a brilliant daughter like this for a useless brat like Mara?
And Wesley Scott was utterly clueless. Sadly, his own foolish daughter was dead set on the boy. There was nothing he could do but keep a closer watch on her.
In truth, keeping Mira’s ownership of Solflare a secret was nearly impossible. With thousands of employees, no matter how tight the security protocols were, leaks were inevitable.
Anyone who dug deep enough would eventually uncover the truth.
The only reason it had stayed buried this long was that even if someone screamed it from the rooftops, no one would believe it.
A teenage girl pulling the strings of a multi-million-dollar empire? Preposterous.
If the Rivers men hadn’t just signed legally binding contracts in her presence, they wouldn’t have believed it either.
With both legal teams expediting the process, the paperwork was quickly finalized.
The twenty-story high-rise, boasting sprawling floor plans of tens of thousands of square feet per level, was valued at nearly a hundred million dollars. It was now Mira’s personal property.
The Rivers family used half of that valuation to purchase six percent equity in EcoRide, with Mira, Owen, and Master Ellis each diluting their own shares by two percent.
“Can’t you spare a little more p>
Harvey held the massive fifty-million-dollar check for the remaining balance, looking at it like it was toxic waste.
“No. As you can see, we were reluctant to part with even six percent. We only agreed because the office building is a critical strategic asset,” Mira replied with a laugh.
Mira replied with a laugh.
Back when they first launched, Owen and Master Ellis had each fronted about sixteen million dollars for a twenty percent stake.
Now, offloading a mere two percent netted them roughly the same amount—a clean tenfold return on their initial investment.
And that didn’t even factor in the massive thirty million dollar payout they each got from the stock market maneuver, plus last month’s staggering dividend checks.
“What if I use this fifty million to buy equity in Solflare Entertainment?” Harvey pressed.
“Absolutely not. I’m not diluting my shares in the entertainment division p>
Solflare Entertainment was currently valued at half a billion dollars. It might not have the sprawling geographic footprint of EcoRide, but it was a blue-chip asset with immense upside.
“Since you’ve already secured equity in EcoRide, why don’t you use this fifty million to start your own venture?” Mr. Rivers suggested to his son.
Mr. Rivers suggested to his son.
“I don’t have a solid business plan right now. Mira’s ventures are the only sure bets p>
“You know, I think you and my Harvey make quite a striking pair,” Mr. Rivers said, turning his gaze to Mira.
Mr. Rivers said, turning his gaze to Mira.
Before she could even open her mouth, Master Ellis rumbled, “She’s too young. We are not discussing romance p>
His protective tone made it sound like someone was trying to steal his most prized treasure.
But despite his gruffness, Master
part
Ellis quietly advised Miragestures of goodwill for securing thesture”
a small slice of equity as a
building.
Deepening their alliance with the Rivers family would provide crucial political cover in the future.
Mira was rapidly expanding into new industries, and no empire was ever built by a single person in isolation.
Ultishe agreed to sell the
Rivers family a ten percent
remaining fifty million. the t Solflare Entertainment feet
“However, I’d appreciate it if my role as Chairwoman remained strictly off the record, Mr. Rivers p>
“Say no more. We understand perfectly p>
With the paperwork finalized and a little time left before the evening rush, Mira and Owen headed out to inspect the renovations at solflate
Hearth & Grill.
In the car, Owen glanced at Mira. “Does that kid have a thing for you? He was looking at you differently p>
“Into me? I seriously doubt it p>
Even though Harvey had once jokingly proposed to her, Mira never mistook it for genuine romantic interest.
He was entirely unpretentious and never crossed the line into actual flirting. He treated it like a casual observation.
It felt more like a calculated corporate merger than a romance.
“Good. You’re in a critical phase of your education, and running these companies is already draining your energy.
“Getting tangled up in teenage romance now is a mistake you’d regret for the rest of your life p>
“I know, I know. No dating in high school,” she recited mechanically.
“It ruins your grades, costs you a spot at an Ivy League, the relationship inevitably crashes, and your life is ruined forever.
“And in my case, it would tank my businesses, which is an even worse ROI p>