The Formidable Son-In-Law: The Charismatic Lucas Gray Chapter 1385 - Chapter 1385: Compensate My Brother

What on earth had they just heard?

Jeffrey had actually declared his intent to team up with Lucas?

And even more shockingly, he planned to join forces with Lucas against them?

Had Jeffrey lost his mind all of a sudden?

Lucas was obviously the Arnaults' foe. He had just slain a long-time subordinate of Jeffrey's and publicly slapped him repeatedly until his teeth flew out!

Was Jeffrey out of his senses? Why would he abruptly seek an alliance with Lucas now?

Amid the crowd's stunned stares, Jeffrey approached Lucas with a grin and inquired, “Mr. Gray, I’ve offended you before. Are you still open to allying with the Arnaults to crush the turmoil before us?”

Gone was Jeffrey's earlier overbearing arrogance. He now humbled himself, bowing a bit, seemingly terrified of Lucas turning him down.

The onlookers were utterly flabbergasted, gaping at the astonishing sight.

Lucas eyed Jeffrey intently before breaking into a smile. “Mr. Arnault, you're too polite. Since you're proposing an alliance, how could I refuse your gracious offer?” This signaled his acceptance of Jeffrey's alliance proposal!

“Hahaha, excellent!” Jeffrey burst into booming laughter. He then slung his arm over Lucas’s shoulder and proclaimed, “From now on, Lucas is my brother. Whoever dares to make things difficult for him will be making things difficult for me, Jeffrey Arnault! Do you hear

Lucas smiled too, looking every bit like he and Jeffrey had truly buried the hatchet and become sworn brothers.

Rayson’s heart pounded wildly, his face draining to a ghostly white.

To win Jeffrey's favor, he had turned against Lucas, repeatedly yelling to kill him. Yet now Jeffrey had allied with Lucas and dubbed him brother. What was he supposed to do?

Lucas was bound to get his vengeance!

No, I can’t let Mr. Arnault ally with Lucas Gray! If that happens, I’m done for!

“Mr. Arnault, don’t fall for this scoundrel’s tricks! He’s nothing but a greenhorn without any power or backing. How dare he call a great figure like you his brother? You mustn’t!”

“Get lost!” Jeffrey furiously booted Rayson to the floor. “You coward, you wouldn’t budge earlier. Now you’re trying to drive a wedge between Lucas and me. Are you courting death? Fine, I’ll grant it to you!

“By eight tonight, compensate Lucas with five billion dollars and then scram from DC with the Williams family. You’re forbidden to ever come back! Disobey, and I’ll lead the Arnaults’ experts straight to the Williams manor to wipe your family off the face of the earth!”

Rayson was terrified out of his mind.

He never imagined Jeffrey would threaten to annihilate the Williams for Lucas’s sake!

Unable to hold back any longer, Rayson dropped to his knees with a thud and pleaded, “No, Mr. Arnault, please spare the Williams and don’t banish us from DC! I… I wronged Mr. Gray. It’s all my fault. I’ll make it right. I’ll pay Mr. Gray five billion or even six billion dollars. Just please don’t force us out of DC!”

The Williams’ entire foundation lay in DC. Exile would spell their doom!

“Fine, six billion dollars then. Deliver it to Lucas before eight tonight. Fail, and don’t blame me for storming your doors and obliterating your clan!” Jeffrey declared resolutely.

While Rayson sighed in relief, his heart ached terribly. Six billion dollars gone just like that! He hated parting with it for Lucas, but Jeffrey’s pressure left no room for negotiation. His face twisted in agony, on the verge of tears.

The other helmsmen grew jittery and fearful, dreading similar punishment.

And their worst fears came true. Moments later, Jeffrey turned to them and commanded, “You lot are no different. You opposed Lucas and angered him greatly. Each family must cough up two billion dollars as compensation!

“Like the Williams, if the money doesn’t reach Lucas by eight tonight, the Arnaults will dispatch our experts to pay you a visit! Got it?”

Two billion dollars!

Numerous faces paled, vision blurring.

Though they hailed from DC’s eight premier families with assets in the tens of billions, two billion equaled a full year’s profits!

Greg balked at the sum but knew resisting was futile, so he tested the waters. “Mr. Arnault, isn’t two billion excessive? Could we lower it? We never actually harmed Mr. Gray—”

“Greg Steele, if you find it excessive, just pay him four billion dollars as compensation! Dare to raise any protest, and I’ll make it double! Let’s see how bold you are to haggle with me!” Jeffrey declared icily.

Greg’s sight blurred, nearly causing him to collapse.

He had believed two billion dollars was outrageous and tried to negotiate a smaller sum, yet it jumped to four billion dollars more!

More words bubbled up in him, but remembering Jeffrey’s threat to double it upon objection, terror drained the color from his face. He clamped his mouth shut, utterly silent.

Witnessing the Steeles’ dire predicament, the remaining helmsmen—who harbored plenty of gripes about the two billion figure—held their tongues.

They’d clench their jaws and accept it. Far preferable to shelling out four or six billion dollars!

With no dissent from the helmsmen, Jeffrey pivoted to face Lucas, grinning broadly. Seeking praise, he asked, “Lucas, does this ruling please you?”

Lucas grinned back. “Perfect. Thanks, Jeffrey!”

“Hahaha, spot on!” Jeffrey boomed with laughter, scanning the helmsmen before him. He bellowed, “Why linger? Scram and wire the cash to Lucas now! Hear me: fail to transfer by eight tonight, and don’t fault me for the fallout!”

“Yes, we’re going!” Terrified to delay, the helmsmen fled with their kin.

What in the world occurred today?!

Total chaos reigned. No gains for them, just massive blows to their families. Lucas alone pocketed twenty billion in unearned compensation. Utterly maddening!

Once all had departed, Jeffrey beamed at Lucas. “Lucas, with the issue settled, I’ll head out too. Drinks soon!”

“Sure, catch you later, Jeffrey.” Lucas smiled, eyeing Jeffrey’s exit. The moment he vanished, Lucas’s face hardened abruptly.