Chapter 1924

The fact that Nash even asked this question made one thing clear. He knew the Mason Corporation’s current situation inside and out.
Even if Vera wanted to deny it, she couldn’t.
She was in a tough spot.
The factory was still there, but without workers, it was useless.
Her original plan had been to use the remaining money to rehire some of the old employees.
But how many of them would actually come back?
After all, when the company collapsed, many had lost their jobs overnight.
Worse, they were still owed a full month’s salary.
A lot of people. A lot of money.
Vera had no idea how she was going to handle it.
She had been relying on one simple thought-take it one step at a time.
Things had to work out somehow.
She took a deep breath and pushed down the flicker of pride rising in her chest.
Now wasn’t the time for ego.
“Just the funding will be enough,” she said. “I’ll take care of the manpower.”
The assistant’s eyes flickered with approval.
He had expected more hesitation, maybe even outright refusal.
For someone from a wealthy background, admitting they needed help-real help was never easy.
When Nash had brought it up, even the assistant had thought it was a bit much.
But now, he saw Vera differently.
She wasn’t just another pampered socialite she knew when to swallow her pride.
And with that kind of mindset, she could succeed in anything.
“Understood,” he said with a polite nod. “I’ll relay the message. If there are no issues, the funds should be
in your account by this afternoon.”
*
That afternoon, true to his word, the money arrived.
One million dollars.
Enough to finally pay the workers their overdue wages.
Without wasting a second, Vera took the money straight to one of the factory’s former managers-Stanley Scott.
He had worked for the Mason Corporation for years.
Back when her father was in charge, Stanley had been a loyal and hardworking foreman.
But when the company collapsed, he lost his job too.
And at his age-just a few years from retirement-finding work had been nearly impossible. Now, his family relied entirely on his wife’s salary.
Their financial situation was dire.
Their son was in high school. Their daughter was in college.
Both needed money.
And to make matters worse, the Mason Corporation still owed Stanley over $3,000 in wages.
To a wealthy person, that sum was nothing.
But to his family?
It was everything.
Yet, Stanley had never asked for it.
His wife, however, was furious.
“Are you serious?” she snapped,
waving an old bankbook in his face. “If you had just gone to get that money earlier, we wouldn’t be in this mess!
“Our son’s allowance is due next month-$400.
“Our daughter’s tuition is coming up-who’s paying for that?”
She pointed to the balance in their savings account.
“This is all we have left. So tell me what are we supposed to do?!” Stanley frowned.
He knew she was right.
But some things weren’t about money.
“The Mason Corporation helped me when I was injured,” he said firmly couldn’t afford the hospital bill back then remember? It was Mr. Mason who covered it.
“Now he’s sick, his company is gone,
Is struggling. I and demand
from them?”
His wife threw up her hands in frustration.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered, shaking her head.
At that moment-
The doorbell rang.
can
Stanley’s wife opened the door, still muttering under her breath-only to freeze in shock.
Vera stood outside.
She looked calm but serious.
“Mrs. Scott,” she said politely. “May I come in?”