Chapter 201: Chapter 201: The Newly Rich Youngest Son

“If the compensation had been paid out in cold, hard cash, then your assumption would certainly be correct. However, the government did not settle the debt using mere paper currency. According to the official legal documents drafted back in those days, the compensation policy was specifically tied to the value of gold. Consequently, the modern state agencies were required by law to convert that ancient debt into physical gold bullion. And as you are well aware, the current market exchange rate for gold has soared to astronomical heights. Possessing that entire hoard of compensatory gold in one’s hands is more than enough to transform a ragged beggar into a multi-billionaire literally overnight.”

Upon hearing this explanation, Julian Sterling could not help but silently acknowledge the logic behind it. The current trajectory of the global gold price charts was indeed no laughing matter, showing a relentless upward climb that defied traditional economic expectations. It was no wonder that a person like Vince Sutton possessed such an insatiable, reckless confidence, going so far as to flaunt a massive gold necklace draped across his neck like a heavy, gilded dog chain. To Vince Sutton, that garish display was likely the ultimate symbol of his family’s sudden, meteoritic ascent into the echelons of the ultra-wealthy.

“But having said that, it is not entirely accurate to claim that his family’s wealth is solely derived from that single windfall of compensation.” Kian Foster added, clicking his tongue softly as he allowed a faint, contemplative sigh to escape his lips: “You see, the laws of the wealthy often dictate that money behaves much like water flowing toward a low depression in the earth. Once a person possesses a significant amount of capital to serve as a foundation, more money tends to gravitate toward them with an unstoppable momentum that no obstacle can truly hinder.”

“Why do you say that?” Julian Sterling asked, his curiosity piqued by the observation: “Is it possible that beyond receiving a staggering sum of compensatory gold, the father of Vince Sutton also happened to find several suitcases filled with hundred-dollar bills while taking a casual stroll down the street?”

“Hardly. That would be far too theatrical, even for a story like this. However, looking at the situation objectively, one must admit that the father of Vince Sutton is a man possessed of genuine, formidable talent. The previous generations of his lineage were nothing more than humble manual laborers who earned their living through backbreaking toil, but when it came to the generation of the father of Vince Sutton, he manifested an incredibly sharp and intuitive mind for business. It was a perfect alignment of timing, geography, and human effort. With the massive gold compensation serving as his initial investment capital, he possessed the financial freedom to pursue bold, high-stakes investments without fear. He is the type of individual who met his golden opportunity at precisely the right moment. Every sector he touched seemed to turn into a lucrative success. In just a few short years, he managed to build a sizeable corporate empire from the ground up. Now, money simply generates more money for him, and he no longer has to fear the traditional curse of wealth being depleted by the idle consumption of his descendants.”

As Julian Sterling listened to Kian Foster describe a talented self-made entrepreneur who had built a company from nothing, a spark of recognition flickered within his mind. He recalled several recent evenings when Ethan Caldwell, while sharing a quiet dinner with Julian, had offhandedly mentioned a few rising stars in the business world, companies that were demonstrating aggressive growth and a dominant presence in the sectors of food supply and consumer goods manufacturing. The products released by these companies were of remarkably high quality, and their distribution policies offered diverse, attractive commission rates for wholesalers. Ethan Caldwell had mentioned that under the vast umbrella of the Caldwell Empire, there were several major retail distribution chains currently in operation. The board of directors was in the process of evaluating these new suppliers to determine whose capacity was most stable and reliable, with the intention of selecting one to sign a formal, long-term contract as a primary supplier.

Julian Sterling remembered that in that specific list of potential candidates, there was a manufacturing firm whose owner carried the surname Sutton.

“Is the name of that company Mason Enterprises?” Julian Sterling inquired, seeking confirmation.

“That is correct.” Kian Foster replied, nodding enthusiastically. “That company has only truly emerged onto the market within the last few years. However, their daily consumer goods are exceptionally well-made and reliable. What is even better is that their pricing is incredibly reasonable, making their products a favorite among students living away from home like us. It is quite a shame, really. The business philosophy and the operational strategies of the owner are exemplary, but his methods for educating and raising his own children are an absolute disaster.”

The thick scent of disdain was unmistakable in the tone of Kian Foster, dripping from every syllable of his sentence. Julian Sterling felt his interest intensify, and he shifted his position to lean closer to Kian: “What makes you say that? Is his character truly that deplorable?”

“Well, the vibrant neon chameleon currently sitting at the back of the room is the most vivid, living example of that failure.” Kian Foster quipped.

“Pfft.” This time, it was the turn of Julian Sterling to be unable to suppress a sudden burst of laughter.

Kian Foster continued to provide more background information, eager to educate his friend on the local gossip: “The biological father of Vince Sutton is a man named Mason Sutton. When he founded his company, he was so proud of his own journey that he used his own name as the brand identity for the entire enterprise. He has a total of three children, consisting of two daughters and one son. By some stroke of fate, his only son also happens to be the youngest child, the very same Vince Sutton who is currently brooding over there. Because Vince Sutton carries the heavy responsibility of continuing the family lineage, he has been pampered and coddled like a precious gem since the day he was born. Mason Sutton raised him as if he were made of the finest porcelain.”

“Unfortunately, that environment bred a host of terrible character flaws. Vince Sutton genuinely believes himself to be the absolute center of the entire universe. Even back when his family was still struggling in poverty, he had already developed a haughty and overbearing personality. Now that his household has suddenly acquired immense wealth and social status, that arrogance has transformed into a supreme vanity. He has reached a point where he refuses to regard anyone else as his equal.”

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