Chapter 179: Finn Drake

Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Finn Drake

With the shares in hand, Felix Faulkner felt confident.

He was sure of it.

These shares were worth a fortune. It wouldn’t even matter if his asking price was a little too high this time, resulting in a failed auction with no bidders.

He had already put the word out that he was selling his shares. If any of the industry’s hidden titans were interested, they would naturally contact him.

Selling them really wouldn’t be an issue.

At the same time, he also wanted to see if the Drake Family and Julian Faulkner were willing to buy this portion of the shares from him for a price above market value.

The Drake Family had already made a bid. Although it was only his opening price, Felix Faulkner was still very satisfied. He immediately turned to Julian Faulkner, his interest piqued.

Julian Faulkner noticed Felix’s gaze but couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him. Instead, he turned to President Ward, apparently to ask for his opinion.

"President Faulkner, the company’s current cash flow probably isn’t enough. Besides, the price for these shares is somewhat inflated. If you were to win them..."

President Ward was not very supportive.

But then again, he didn’t want the company’s shares to fall into the hands of the Drake Family. Who knew if they, upon becoming major shareholders, would start meddling in the Faulkner Group’s future development?

After all, the Drake Family had considerable power of its own.

"I know what I’m doing."

Julian Faulkner saw the expression on President Ward’s face and knew what he was worried about. After speaking, he raised his bidding paddle.

His bid was just a fraction higher than Sylvia Drake’s.

Sylvia Drake was a little surprised. Turning to look at Julian Faulkner, she raised her bidding paddle again and said, "Julian Faulkner, my apologies."

"Even though we’ve known each other since we were children and are friends, this time, I am determined to get these Faulkner Family shares. Even if you want a bidding war, I’m just going to keep raising the price."

"The Drake Family has deep pockets. You should think carefully."

Sylvia Drake flashed a sweet smile at Julian Faulkner.

Her expression was somewhat enchanting, but Julian Faulkner remained unmoved. The very instant Sylvia put her paddle down, he raised his again.

It was the exact same increment as before, no more, no less, as if he was determined to stay one step ahead of Sylvia.

"..."

Sylvia Drake frowned, slightly displeased. Just as she was about to raise her paddle again, the door to the banquet hall suddenly swung open.

"Oh, my apologies, I’m late. Has the auction already started? Sylvia, you’re already bidding?"

A man with short hair walked in. He looked to be around the same age as Julian Faulkner, was equally handsome, and had fair skin.

However, his features weren’t as sharply defined as Julian’s. His face was softer, and he had a pair of charming, almond-shaped eyes.

Even when he wasn’t smiling, he seemed very approachable.

Judging by his tone, he seemed to know Sylvia Drake quite well.

Sylvia Drake, who had been about to continue bidding, saw the man enter and frowned with a hint of disdain. "Finn Drake, what are you doing here?"

’Finn Drake?’

Vivian Lowell had a vague recollection of the name. ’Isn’t he Sylvia Drake’s brother?’

Before the auction started, Felix Faulkner had asked Sylvia if he could arrange a yacht for her and Finn Drake to take a night cruise on the Krystan River and enjoy the scenery.

But Sylvia had refused.

Sylvia had even said that Finn, that playboy, had probably run off to hit on girls along the bar-lined streets, and it was doubtful he would even come home that night.

Besides, Sylvia didn’t want to hang out with Finn anyway!

She hadn’t expected Finn Drake to actually rush over to attend the banquet!

He wasn’t even wearing a suit, just suspenders, looking every bit the devil-may-care playboy.

"Oh, the Master sent me."

Finn Drake finished with a grin and walked right up to Julian Faulkner’s side. "Julian Faulkner, long time no see!" he exclaimed. "The Master sent me here today. He..."

As Finn spoke, his charming eyes roamed, glancing first at Julian Faulkner, then at President Ward and Vance Wyatt, before his gaze finally shifted to Vivian Lowell.

In that moment, just like Felix Faulkner and Sylvia Drake when they first saw Vivian Lowell, Finn Drake was also stunned, and the surprise on his face was even more pronounced.

Julian Faulkner sensed something was wrong. He shifted slightly, blocking Vivian Lowell, who was seated behind him, from view.

Only then did Finn Drake snap back to reality. He continued to smile at Vivian Lowell, his eyes crinkling. "My apologies, Julian. It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen such a beautiful young lady."

"Miss, what’s your name? I’m Finn Drake. It’s a pleasure to meet you. If you don’t mind, could we be friends?"

Finn Drake certainly was forward.

’With that face and his gentle voice,’ Vivian thought, ’young girls with no dating experience would probably fall for him in a heartbeat, wouldn’t they?’

Unfortunately for him, Vivian Lowell wasn’t buying it at all.

Even if Finn Drake’s looks were decent, they were nothing special compared to Julian Faulkner’s.

Vivian Lowell spent her days and nights with Julian Faulkner, even sharing a bed with him... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!

Vivian Lowell nearly choked on her own thoughts.

In short, Vivian had already grown accustomed to Julian’s good looks. She was completely immune to Finn’s advances and had, it could be said, no reaction at all.

Vivian’s tone was flat as she replied earnestly, "Sorry, not interested."

"..."

Finn Drake didn’t seem to expect such a direct and blunt rejection. The smile on his face nearly faltered.

It was Sylvia Drake at his side who couldn’t watch any longer. "Alright, that’s enough," she said to Finn. "Stop messing around. Today is important, so don’t waste time on this nonsense."

"And let me tell you, she is Julian Faulkner’s woman!"

Sylvia practically spat out that last sentence through gritted teeth, clearly very unhappy.

Hearing this, Finn Drake was slightly surprised. When he looked at Vivian Lowell again, there was a hint of regret in his eyes. "Ah, so you’re Mrs. Faulkner. No problem. You may not want to be friends with me, but Julian and I grew up together."

"By extension, that means we basically grew up together too. Mrs. Faulkner, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

Vivian Lowell desperately wanted to grab the water glass beside her and splash it right in Finn Drake’s face.

’This man is so annoying!’

’His name might be Finn, but it should be Pest!’

Just as Vivian finished her internal tirade, Finn Drake suddenly said, "Sylvia Drake. I just told you, I came here today on Master Drake’s orders."

Sylvia Drake was confused. She asked hesitantly, "Master Drake? What does he want?"

Vivian knew that the "Master Drake" Sylvia mentioned was the current head of the Drake Family, whom outsiders referred to simply as Master Drake.

Previously, Master Drake had shown little interest in acquiring the Faulkner Group’s shares, and he felt the price Felix Faulkner had proposed to the Drake Family was too high.

Master Drake didn’t want to buy them, but other members of the Drake Family did!

Therefore, Sylvia Drake’s parents, who took tonight’s banquet very seriously, had sent her to bid and had even prepared ample funds.

Although the current price had already exceeded the amount her parents had initially set aside, Sylvia felt it was worth it!

She just never expected that Master Drake, who had originally shown no interest in these shares, would actually send Finn Drake here!

’Could it be that Master Drake wants to make a move himself?’

The color drained from Sylvia Drake’s face.

If that were the case, the Faulkner Group shares would fall into Master Drake’s hands, and her parents would most likely be cut out of the matter entirely.

Any future plans the Drake Family had for the Faulkners would likely never come to fruition.

However, that was not the case.

Finn Drake sat down lazily beside Sylvia, lacing his hands behind his head. "Nope," he said. "Master Drake wanted me to tell you something."

"If members of the Faulkner Family are here and they bid to buy back the Faulkner Group’s shares, you are not to compete with them. This is the Faulkner Family’s business to begin with. Our Drake Family is not to interfere."

!?

Sylvia Drake’s eyes instantly widened, and she stared at Finn Drake in disbelief.

At that moment, Finn Drake’s smile vanished. He sat up straighter and said gravely, "Sylvia. You know Master Drake’s temper."

"The fact that he sent me to deliver this message means he does not want you to continue fighting with Julian Faulkner."

After hearing this, Sylvia Drake bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with bitter frustration.

’Why?!’