Chapter 5
“Cut the bullshit. Are you going to pay up or not?” Cece questioned.
Even through the phone, I could feel Commander Bayer’s fury surging.
“Oh, I’ll pay! In fact, ten million dollars sounds a bit low, don’t you think? How about I pay you 100 million dollars instead? Tell me your location! I’ll have someone bring the money over right now!” he snapped.
Cece hadn’t expected Commander Bayer to have such a fiery temper.
She immediately shot back, “You senile old bastard. Who are you trying to impress by talking out of your ass? 100 million dollars? If you’ve got the guts to pay up, then I’ve got the guts to take it! We’re at Seacrest Pinnacle. And I want cash!”
After ending the call, Cece turned to Miles with a smug and satisfied look on her face. She was practically begging for praise.
I took in the scene before me. Unable to hold it in anymore, I burst out laughing right then and there.
“Mr. Grant, you really know how to pick a secretary. She even has the gall to pull a compensation scam when a Vermilion car involved. Honestly, even if I were to search the entire country, I’d never find someone as bold as her,” I said.
Cece snorted upon hearing this. She was clearly unfazed by my words.
She scoffed and said, “I don’t care what brand your car is. You’ve got less than ten minutes left.”
Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, “Look!”
Everyone turned their heads at this. More than a dozen armored bank trucks were rumbling toward us in formation.
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Everyone went wide–eyed at the sight. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Even Miles, who was a CEO, looked completely dumbfounded.
“Ms. Wallace, did our company apply for any bank loans recently? Why didn’t they just transfer the amount using our corporate account?” he asked.
Upon hearing this, Cece immediately forced a smile, stepped forward, and asked, “Mr. Capone, you’re in the wrong place. Grant Enterprise hasn’t taken out any loans recently.”
Victor Capone, the bank manager, didn’t even glance at her.
Clearing his throat, he loudly called out, “Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Evie Jackman? I’m under executive order to personally deliver 100 million dollars in cash to Seacrest Pinnacle. Please sign to confirm receipt.”
The moment those words landed, every pair of eyes at the scene turned toward me in unison.
Cece looked utterly dumbfounded as she stared at me in disbelief.
Sneering, I slowly stepped forward. “Seacrest’s banks are impressively punctual, must say.”
Victor looked up at me impassively. Then, lowering his head, he said, “It’s an honor to be of service to you, Ms. Jackman.”
Seeing this, Cece couldn’t help blurting, “Mr. Capone… Are you perhaps mistaken? She’s just some country bumpkin. Why would someone of your position personally show up for her?”
Victor gestured toward the Vermilion parked behind me. “Ms. Wallace, you took a phone call about 20 minutes ago, didn’t you?”
Cece nodded reflexively.
“Then, there’s no mistake. This 100 million in cash is compensation to you from Commander Bayer for the damage to
Hearing this, Cece visibly trembled, and her expression changed dramatically.
your car.”
“Mr. Capone, we’ve known each other for many years now. Given our long–standing ties, could you give me even a tiny hint about who she is?” she pleaded.
“No comment,” Victor replied swiftly and curtly.
This short exchange left Cece drenched in cold sweat.
x
Seeing his secretary being put in her place, Miles clearly felt his pride taking a hit,
“Mr. Capone, I’m the CEO of Grant Enterprise. Surely I’m entitled to know who she is,” he asked. Victor sighed lightly at this. With a troubled look, he answered, “Mr. Grant, at your current level, I’m afraid that’s
S
not possible.
