Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 1228

Wesley Langdon, who hadn't been in the workforce for long, contributed an astonishing one billion.

He was currently employed at Solflare National Bank, and those billion dollars were exactly what he had earned working alongside Harvey Rivers during their Wall Street campaign.

Although Wesley was technically part of the official financial defense team, old habits died hard—he still preferred to place his capital directly in Mira's hands to manage.

As for the others—her classmates at Aethelgard, members of the arts and finance clubs, and countless students from other majors, some whom Mira barely even knew—almost all of them offered up whatever modest savings they possessed.

For most, it was hard-earned money from part-time jobs that they had been too frugal to spend.

But the most shocking contribution came from Luna Lance. She handed ten thousand dollars to their class representative to pass on to Mira, stating that she, too, wanted to do her part for the country.

Mira knew that Luna's current living expenses came entirely from working grueling shifts. As for going home—that was no longer an option for her.

Jocelyn Lance, driven insane by her festering resentment, spent her days locked in vicious brawls with Richard Lance. Yet, for whatever twisted reason, she refused to leave him.

Wherever he went, she followed.

Sending her to a psychiatric facility required a hefty sum they didn't have, and Richard was barely keeping them afloat by pawning off whatever valuables remained in the house.

Of course, Jocelyn had already liquidated most of their significant assets to pay off Lawrence's victims in a desperate bid for leniency, though it ultimately hadn't saved her son from execution.

Because of this, Luna had spent her entire winter break working as a cashier at Solflare Hearth & Grill.

She hadn't taken a single day off, not even on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

When Luna had initially applied for the holiday job, the branch manager had specifically reached out to Mira for approval, given their past conflicts.

Mira had only thought about it for a second before agreeing. "If she genuinely wants to turn over a new leaf, we can give her a chance. But just to be safe, don't put her in any position where she handles food."

It was a matter of social responsibility, not bleeding-heart sympathy. When people were pushed to the absolute brink of survival, they often turned to crime and became a danger to society.

This was especially true for teenagers.

Between the three of them, they amassed a staggering one hundred trillion.

Just as Grandma Eleanor had said—if the money vanished into the void, they would just earn it back. After all, they were still young.

Reviewing the finalized figures Mira submitted, Dominic chuckled. "The people under your Solflare banner alone have put up half the country's treasury."

"It just proves the Solflare team has top-tier dedication," Mira said, happily patting herself on the back.

According to her connections, Lacey Quinn Mercer and the Mercer brothers had each donated several million as well.

Mira didn't care. Estranged was estranged, and whatever the Mercers chose to do had nothing to do with her.

What did catch her by surprise was when the property management company of her residential estate handed her a massive list of names along with a pooled fund. "This is from the residents in your neighborhood. Almost every household chipped in, and they specifically demanded the funds be placed in your hands."

Mira knew that their willingness to hand over their money was partially rooted in their deep trust in her. But ultimately, it was driven by an unyielding desire to defend the Mavarian economy when it mattered most.