When Vincent broached the topic of additional funding, a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. While Felicia was known as the daughter of Khogend's wealthiest family, the Fuller name had recently suffered a significant blow. Plummeting shares, consumer boycotts, and financial instability dominated the news. If the current trend continued, the Fuller family would struggle to even reach the top 50 in wealth rankings, let alone maintain their former status as the city's elite.
Felicia noted his concern and offered a reassuring smile. "I am me; the Fuller family is the Fuller family. Don't conflate the two. As for the additional funding, don't worry. I'll wire the money within three days. Same terms as before—I'll require equity in return." Vincent immediately instructed an associate to draft an additional investment agreement.
Once the paperwork was signed, Felicia leaned back, already strategizing how to raise further funds. Winter break began the next day, and the tourism project she had been eyeing in Alverton would launch after the new year. Everything seemed to be aligning perfectly. Vincent's voice interrupted her thoughts.
He began hesitantly, "Ms. Fuller, with the company's growth, I believe it's time for a rebrand. We're considering a new name to better reflect our future. Would you approve?"
Curious, Felicia raised an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well, we've been calling ourselves Hexagon because there were only six of us initially," he explained. "But now, the company has grown considerably. We want a name that reflects our ambition." Felicia took a sip of her tea. "Fair enough. What's the new name?"
"Jupiter," he said with a grin.
Felicia choked on her tea. She stared at him, incredulous. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?"
Vincent quickly offered her a napkin, laughing nervously. "Jupiter! The largest planet in the solar system. We believe it represents growth and scale. What do you think?"
Felicia wiped her mouth, still processing the shock. "Jupiter, huh? Well… it's perfect."
She needed no further consideration; it was more than perfect. As she stared at him, a realization dawned. She had met Vincent twice before but had never learned his name. Now, with everything falling into place, she finally asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
If her memory served her correctly, the CEO of Jupiter Group—the very company that had dismantled Fuller Group in her past life—was named Vincent McLaren.
Vincent adjusted his glasses casually, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Well, it's about time, Ms. Fuller. It took you long enough to ask." He paused briefly. "I'm Vincent McLaren."
A deafening mental clang echoed in Felicia's mind—the sound of inexorable gears meshing. Fate, it seemed, had arrived silently, bearing down on her with overwhelming force.
At that moment, Felicia knew the Fuller family's downfall was inevitable. She gasped for breath, the weight of the situation pressing down. Felicia tapped her fingers lightly on the table, composing herself. She inhaled deeply and smiled. So, this was how it would unfold.
The Fuller family was under intense pressure from rival companies due to Kayla's actions. It was only a matter of time before they were forced to cut their losses and sell off assets. Hopefully, by then, Jupiter Group would be in a position to acquire some of those assets and expand its reach.
Felicia instructed Vincent, "Keep my identity private. No one can know I'm an investor in Jupiter Group, let alone the largest shareholder."
"Got it!" Vincent nodded.
As Felicia left the building, she felt elated. Who would have thought? Her first investment had unexpectedly yielded a jackpot. The powerhouse that Jupiter Group had become in her past life was now hers.