Chapter 93

In a private room at the Everleigh Restaurant, located in a mall, Gilmore, Benjamin, a middle-aged woman, and a man in a suit sat at a table. A waiter served them each a glass of water. Besides the water, several dishes of snacks were already on the table. After serving the water and snacks, the waiter left and closed the door.

"Gilmore, please help yourself to the snacks," Benjamin said warmly.

Gilmore, having eaten nothing yet, picked up a dessert plate and ate as if he were at home. The others followed suit, picking up their knives and forks.

"By the way, I forgot to introduce these two," Benjamin said while eating.

Gilmore, still eating, mumbled without looking up, "Introduce them then."

Benjamin felt a surge of annoyance at Gilmore's indifference, but suppressed it, remembering his desire to buy Evermore Diner. He gestured to the middle-aged woman on his left. "This is Ms. Patterson, General Manager of Gastronova Ventures."

Ms. Patterson, heavily made up, smirked and said to Gilmore, who remained focused on his meal, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Reed!"

Gilmore merely replied, "Okay," without looking up. Ms. Patterson's smirk vanished.

Benjamin, also slightly offended, continued, "And this is Mr. Alex, our chief lawyer at Gastronova Ventures."

Gilmore finally looked up lazily. "I see. A general manager and chief lawyer from your family business. I presume the 'big business' you mentioned is purchasing my Evermore Diner?"

The other three were surprised. They couldn't guess that he'd used his "God's Eye" to see their intentions while eating. He'd also seen Benjamin and his father's plan from the previous night: Benjamin intended to become engaged to Claire again by buying Evermore Diner, replacing Gilmore, and thus gaining access to the Carter family's wealth. A ruthless ambition, Gilmore thought. He decided to keep his knowledge secret and manipulate Benjamin.

Chapter 93 (Continued)

"What? Did I guess wrong?" Gilmore feigned surprise.

Benjamin reacted after a moment, then smiled. "No, you're very smart. You figured it out before I even told you. You're right, I want to buy Evermore Diner. Name your price."

Gilmore picked up a steak. "Mr. Palmer, why are you interested in my small restaurant? Your family is a major player in the catering industry."

Benjamin smiled. "Your Evermore Diner has character and charm. We'd like to open a restaurant just like it."

"But Claire and I own this restaurant together. I'm afraid I can't sell it to you," Gilmore said, feigning hesitation.

"Don't worry. Just sell your shares secretly, and she'll never know."

"But my parents want to keep this restaurant; they enjoy it"

"That's fine. Even if you sell, your parents can still work there."

"But Evermore Diner is becoming very popular online, and business is excellent."

"Yes, of course! That's why I'm willing to pay more than your shares are worth. Now name your price," Benjamin smiled.

Gilmore sipped his tea. "Well, you can have it if you can afford it. I'm not keen on being a restaurant owner anyway."

Benjamin thought, As expected, a poor country boy who can't resist money. "So, what's your price?"

Gilmore held up one finger.

Benjamin, Ms. Patterson, and Mr. Alex exchanged glances. Ms. Patterson, heavily made up, forced a smile. "Mr. Reed, is that a million dollars?"

Gilmore gave her a withering look. "My restaurant earns $100,000 a day. Are you kidding me?"

Ms. Patterson looked embarrassed. Only a fool would sell such a business for a million dollars.

Mr. Alex's eyes lit up. "Mr. Reed, you mean ten million dollars?"

Gilmore replied, "No!"

Mr. Alex and Ms. Patterson looked disbelieving. Is he asking a hundred million for that small restaurant?

Benjamin frowned. "You mean one hundred million dollars?"

Gilmore smiled. "Yes, one hundred million dollars."

Benjamin's face twitched. A hundred million for a small restaurant? Is he crazy? Gilmore added, "US dollars!"

Chapter 93 (Continued)

Benjamin's face turned blue; Ms. Patterson and Mr. Alex were astonished. They barely restrained themselves from attacking Gilmore. One hundred million dollars! How dare he! Is this a joke?

Gilmore, however, considered it a reasonable price. His serious expression conveyed that his offer was not a joke, and he wouldn't negotiate.

After a while, Benjamin calmed down. "It's too expensive! How about seventy million?"

Ms. Patterson and Mr. Alex thought even seventy million was excessive.

Gilmore remained firm. "Then forget my restaurant. It's small, but Claire and I are bonding over it. If we marry, the Carter family's assets will be mine—far more than a hundred million. Now, do you think one hundred million is too high?"

Benjamin was stunned. Gilmore had revealed his secret—his desire to marry Claire for the Carter family's wealth. He hadn't expected Gilmore to have the same plan!

Benjamin, furious inwardly, forced a smile. "Gilmore, it's not that simple. Mr. Carter won't let you marry Claire. You're not wealthy; he'd never let his granddaughter marry an average man."

Gilmore nodded. "You're right. That's why I want a good price for Evermore Diner. If I can't get the Carter family's wealth, at least I'll have a good payout."

Benjamin breathed a sigh of relief. Gilmore didn't seem overly attached to Claire. This might work in his favor.

"Gilmore, I'll give you eighty million dollars."

"You're not the decision-maker. Talk to your father. My offer is one hundred million, and that's final!" Gilmore, full and ready to leave, picked up a toothpick and stood.

Benjamin was dazed. He knew Gilmore was right—he wasn't the decision-maker, and one hundred million was beyond his reach. "Alright, I'll think about it."

Gilmore said, "Okay. Get back to me soon." S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Fɪndηovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.