Chapter 266
Mira’s main concern was that if she pushed them too far, Shane would panic and suspend trading entirely. If that happened, her sixty million dollars would be locked in limbo.
“Do you think their stock will plummet again tomorrow?” Master Ellis asked, genuinely curious about the financial warfare playing out.
“Based on the momentum, it’s possible,” Owen analyzed. “But three consecutive crashes is their absolute breaking point p>
Mira’s eyes gleamed sharply. “Shane and his executives are probably drafting the suspension paperwork right now. I have to move the second the bell rings tomorrow p>
That evening, Mira went home. Mason had the day off and had prepared a massive feast of his signature dishes.
“Mason, is the steakhouse finally getting a breather?” Mira asked as she sat down. With the poisoning case closed, the public felt safe eating vegetables again.
“We’re slammed from open to close,” Mason beamed. “Fewer people are buying our raw ingredients, but the dining room is packed every night p>
More customers meant more money, and Mason’s commission check this month was going to be astronomical.
Rachel suddenly chimed in from the kitchen. “Don’t go blowing all that cash. You need to save up for a house and a wedding. I’m getting old, and I’ve given everything I have to raise you. You’re on your own now p>
She started nagging Mason again, shooting pointed looks at Mira, silently begging her not to reveal how much money Mason was actually making.
“Rachel, give him a break,” Mira laughed. “With Mason’s current income, finding a great girlfriend will be a breeze, and buying a house isn’t far off p>
“Exactly!” Mason protested. “It’s not like I’m wasting my money p>
“Not wasting it?” Rachel scoffed. “You didn’t even hand over your bonus last month p>
Mason had only given her his base salary, proudly declaring that he had given his mother his entire paycheck, every last cent.
He thought he was being clever, but Rachel knew his bonus was worth ten times his base salary.
“Mom, you have my whole salary! What more do you want?” Mason groaned. “Can’t a guy have a little spending money? You’re bleeding your own son dry p>
He grumbled internally. If he gave it all to her, he would never see a dime of it again.
“Bleeding you dry?” Rachel slammed a plate down. “Your father died when you were young. Who scrubbed floors to feed you? If I had walked out on you like Elara’s mother did, you’d be begging on the streets right now p>
She was deeply hurt. She had practically begged Mira to give him this high-paying job. Dozens of highly qualified chefs would kill for his position. Now that he was finally making real money, he was hiding it from her?
“Mom, I know how much you sacrificed. I’m going to take care of you when you’re older, I promise,” Mason sighed, frustrated. It was just a little spending money, did she have to make it sound like a Greek tragedy?
Mira stepped in smoothly. “Rachel, Mason is an adult now. You can’t keep him on such a tight leash. If he takes a girl out on a date or hangs out with friends, he needs cash He can’t ask his mom for an allowance every time he wants to buy a coffee p>
Rachel was normally incredibly sweet; Mira couldn’t understand why she was so ruthless when it came to Mason’s finances. Perhaps she was reverting to the strict, authoritarian persona she used to manage the Mercer estate’s staff.
Standing by the wall, the Iron Wolves exchanged relieved glances. They were incredibly thankful they didn’t have overbearing mothers managing their bank accounts. They had generous time off, and they loved spending their hard-earned money on whatever they wanted.
After some gentle mediation from Mira, they reached a compromise. Mason would add a thousand dollars from his bonus to his monthly contribution, and Rachel finally backed off.
Rachel was simply terrified of poverty and wanted to build a massive nest egg for
his future. But Mason was young and wanted to enjoy the fruits of his labor. It was a classic generational clash.