Chapter 2252

At that moment, Robert looked so worked up it seemed like he might choke.

He had gone through a great deal to uncover the news that this land would be taken over in the future. When that happened, its value would skyrocket beyond measure.

If he let it slip away now, wouldn’t he be handing that fortune straight to Nathaniel?

No. That wasn’t happening.

“Elena, Nathaniel—how about this? I truly want to show respect to our ancestors. I’ll add more on top of the original price for the land. What do you think?” Robert said.

Nathaniel lifted his gaze. “How could I do that? You’re my uncle. How could I profit from you?”

“What are you saying? Business is business. Accounts should be clear,” Robert replied quickly. “How about this—I’ll add ten million.”

Nathaniel simply looked at him without speaking.

The corner of Robert’s mouth twitched. He immediately changed his offer. “I was joking. Fifty million, then.”

Nathaniel still didn’t respond. His fingers tapped lightly against the table.

Robert’s thoughts were in chaos. He wanted to raise the price again—but it pained him to do so.

“One hundred million!” he finally blurted.

Nathaniel knew the moment had come.

He looked at Robert and said calmly, “Uncle, I didn’t expect you to care so much about honoring our ancestors. Alright, then—I’ll let you have the land.”

The tension Robert had been holding finally snapped loose.

Good thing Nathaniel agreed.

What was one hundred million? Compared to what he stood to gain, it was nothing.

“Since it’s settled, let’s eat,” Wren said, completely unaware of the undercurrent, as he called everyone to the table.

But Robert had no appetite.

He smiled at Nathaniel. “I’ve already eaten. Why don’t you come sign the agreement with me first?”

He didn’t want to drag this out—too many variables could change things.

Nathaniel looked mildly puzzled. “Why the rush? You don’t even have time for one meal?”

Robert’s expression tightened. “That’s just how I am. I don’t like leaving things unfinished. The sooner it’s done, the better.”

“Alright, then.”

Nathaniel said no more. He stood up. “I’ll get the contract signed with you now.”

“Good.”

Robert followed immediately.

Cecilia watched them leave and more or less understood what Nathaniel was doing.

Her husband had pushed his uncle hard.

By her estimate, Robert was about to bleed heavily this time. Nathaniel had already taken one hundred million—and that didn’t even count the land he’d bought at ten times the market price.

Knowing Robert was in a hurry, Nathaniel brought Ernest along as well.

He didn’t want Robert suddenly coming to his senses and noticing something off.

But Robert was too focused on profit to notice anything. He signed the contract with a broad smile, as if nothing was unusual.

“Nathaniel, now that we’ve signed, don’t regret it later,” Robert said, trying to leave him with a sting.

Nathaniel acted as if he hadn’t noticed. “Uncle, what are you saying? Why would I regret it? Even if this turns into a loss for me, I still wouldn’t regret it. You’re my uncle—you wouldn’t harm me, would you?”

It sounded sincere.

Robert listened without the slightest hint of shame or guilt.

“Right, right. I wouldn’t harm you.”

He took the contract and deed and left.

Nathaniel turned to Ernest. “The matter I asked you to handle—is it done?”

Ernest nodded firmly. “All taken care of. Don’t worry.”

Nathaniel didn’t say anything else. He went back downstairs to join Cecilia, Elena, and the others at the table.

They had all been waiting for him.

The moment he sat down, Elena couldn’t hold back anymore. “I know the land near the ancestral tombs is just rocky wasteland. It has no real value, right? So why would Robert spend that much money on it?”

Wren shot her a look. “My older brother has always been filial. That’s nothing new.”

At that, the others at the table almost burst out laughing.

Barely, they managed to hold it in.