My Second Chance Vol.2

Chapter 51: It's Good to Be Back

In Western legend, the devil is an entity that specializes in tempting human souls into corruption.

And when you make a deal with the devil, what you pay is always greater than what you receive.

Any person with normal thinking would not do such a thing.

Victor Jensen and his daughter Claire both thought Marcus Hale was being completely absurd. Claire was even worried that her husband had been driven senseless by anger.

However, Gordon Vance's reaction brutally shattered their worldview.

After a long silence, the wretched old woman asked, "Are you... really going to give me money?"

Marcus nodded. "One million for a finger. I can write you an IOU, and I'll transfer the money as soon as the bank opens tomorrow."

Gordon's eyes rolled around before she grit her teeth and said, "Didn't you... didn't you just say you wanted to chop off two fingers?"

Even Marcus's principles were blindsided.

The villainous old creature actually thought one million was too little and wanted another million.

"Gordon Vance!"

Victor finally saw his wife for who she truly was, shaking with fury. "You... you're not human! Laura is your own flesh and blood. How could you, for money, just... just..."

"You know nothing!"

Gordon was righteous in her stance. "Missing a couple of fingers isn't lethal, and it won't affect life much, but two million is more than you and he would ever earn in your lifetimes. Didn't the son of Old Grant in our building get three fingers crushed by machinery? After suing and fighting for two or three years, the factory only compensated one hundred and fifty thousand. Laura can trade two fingers for two million. This deal is definitely worth it! With that money, he can buy a house, get married, and no woman would care about his disability."

Victor was at a loss for words, feeling lightheaded and about to collapse. Luckily Claire was there to support him.

"Dad! Dad, are you alright?"

Victor clutched at his chest, gasping for breath. When he looked at Gordon again, his eyes were filled with nothing but deep disgust and hatred.

"Divorce... I want a divorce! Go live with your money. I'm divorcing you!"

Gordon was taken aback, feeling a subconscious twinge of reluctance, but it was quickly washed away by the joy of having two million to herself and disappeared without trace.

Seeing that his aim was achieved, Marcus gave a faint smile, then turned to ask, "Wife, may I chop off Laura's two fingers?"

"You dare!" Claire said irritably. "Stop messing around. I'm tired. Let's go home and sleep."

"Alrighty!"

Marcus turned and walked away.

"Hey hey?" Gordon got up and called after him. "What about the money? You haven't written the IOU."

"Oh, I almost forgot."

Marcus slapped his forehead, then dialed Leo Harding's number again. "Have you done it?"

"Just about to start. We've just grabbed the guy."

Amid Leo's voice, Laura's cries and screams could be clearly heard.

"Then leave it. My daughter-in-law, who is also his sister, doesn't agree. Just scare him and let him go! Each of the hardworking brothers gets two packs of good cigarettes tonight. Get reimbursed from Bryce, and don't you dare skimp, okay?"

Leo laughed heartily. "Working for Brother Marcus is so satisfying! Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person."

"Great. We'll have a drink when we have time."

After hanging up, Marcus shrugged at Gordon. "I'm not chopping off fingers, so naturally there's no money. You can try it yourself later. After all, one million per finger, no time limit. Young master keeps his word."

"Dad, why don't you come stay at our place for a while?"

Seeing her father visibly upset, Claire became worried about his health and tried to soothe him.

Victor indeed didn't want to face Gordon any longer, so he nodded in agreement.

Claire efficiently packed up replacement clothes and daily necessities for her father, and the three of them set out.

Once the door closed and quiet returned, Gordon finally felt the pain on her face and chest. Groaning, she struggled to her feet and muttered a few curses. Looking around, she suddenly realized that the previously cramped home didn't seem small at all.

"Marcus, Marcus, did you buy this?"

Downstairs, as Victor got into the car, he didn't recognize the brand, but the exquisite and luxurious interior told him it definitely wasn't cheap.

"A friend's. I was in a hurry after drinking, so I borrowed it."

As Marcus spoke, just as he was about to fasten his seat belt, Claire slapped the back of the seat. "You've been drinking and you're driving? Get out!"

Marcus gave a wry smile.

Since Quinn Vance's car was a Bentley Continental, a two-door four-seater, he had to get out first to push the seat forward. After Claire got in, he squeezed into the back.

Once Claire was seated and started the engine, she glanced at the pink water bottle in the cupholder and asked casually while driving away, "Is this Miss Shaw's car?"

"Haven't you seen Elena's car? This belongs to the daughter of Julian Vance, named Quinn Vance."

Claire raised an eyebrow. "You're that close with someone's daughter already?"

Marcus chuckled wryly. "Don't speculate wildly. Dad is listening. I'm on equal terms with Julian Vance. Quinn should call me 'Uncle.' Think of this as a younger person showing respect to an elder."

Feeling a bit embarrassed for being jealous in front of her father, Claire said awkwardly, "I've told you before, don't just accept these kinds of favors from people. It will be inconvenient to return them later."

"I was in a rush to get here! Don't worry. The company has arranged a car for me, and in a couple of days I'll buy one for you and Dad each. We won't owe anyone any favors."

"I carpool with Quinn every day. Why would I need a car? Just because you have some money, you're showing off. I'm warning you, don't waste it. We still need to buy a house."

Marcus laughed and said nothing.

This was an issue that couldn't be easily clarified. He would find a suitable time later to properly explain the scale of his assets to his wife.

"That Julian Vance you're talking about, why does his name sound so familiar to me? Is he a relative of our family?" Victor suddenly asked.

"Our family doesn't have such amazing relatives," Claire said with a laugh. "You probably find it familiar because you've heard about him on the news. You know about Pacific Group in the provincial city, right? Its CEO is Julian Vance."

Victor was startled and then remembered why the name sounded familiar.

Because just yesterday, city leaders had accompanied Julian Vance on a visit to his workplace, and he had caught a glimpse of the man from a distance.

At the time, he had thought that a person of stature had a certain presence that was different from ordinary people. Although they were the same age, Julian had looked so dignified and commanding, clearly not an ordinary man.

And now, his own son-in-law had not only been drinking with him but had driven his daughter's car and even had his daughter call him 'Uncle'?

Victor could hardly believe it, but the car beneath him was real no matter what.

Marcus used to be a gambling loser. When did he become so capable?

At that moment, Victor suddenly understood the ruthlessness with which Marcus had dealt with Gordon earlier.

The ways big shots handle things are indeed beyond ordinary people's imagination.

Thankfully, it was apparent that he still loved his daughter dearly.

That's what mattered. As long as the child could lead a happy life, it was more important than anything else.

It wasn't long before they drove into the residential complex, and Victor's doubts surfaced again.

If they were so rich and powerful, why were they still living in such a broken place?

While perplexed, his attention was drawn by several smartly dressed men and women, as well as the conspicuous sports cars parked in front of the building.

Claire had just parked when two men and two women quickly ran over.

"Sister-in-law... Claire..."

The greetings were all over the place, yet everyone asked in unison, "Are you okay?"

These four people were naturally Elena Shaw, Hannah Kane, Serena Blake, and Derek Chang.

Serena and the others were still in their formal attire, and Derek was even more flamboyant, sporting a lipstick mark on his cheek—obviously, he had rushed over from the Velvet Lounge.

Claire hurriedly got out of the car and gratefully said, "I'm fine! Thank you for your concern!"

"My goodness!"

Derek clutched his chest and leaned on Serena. "For the next month, I won't flirt with anyone, in thanks to the heavens for their protection!"

"Get lost!" Serena pushed him away, laughing and scolding. "Making such an indecent vow. Be careful the heavens strike you down!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

At this moment, Marcus and Victor also got out of the car, and Claire quickly introduced her father to them.

Seeing the scions of a major hospital and Summit Holdings bowing and calling him uncle, Victor felt as if he were dreaming. He lost his words and after a long pause managed to say, "It's getting late. Let's go upstairs for some tea."

Serena and Derek exchanged glances, wondering if the old man was also a kindred spirit who liked to stay up late.

Polite refusals were made by everyone, saying they didn't want to disrupt their rest and would soon be on their way. So Claire gave the house keys to Victor, telling him to go upstairs first.

Marcus told the others to continue chatting while he went toward someone not far away.

Because there stood Quinn Vance.

Both Elena and Hannah couldn't help but curl their lips.

"Why are you here?"

"Naturally, I came to get my car! I need to thoroughly check if it's been scratched or dented."

Quinn stood with her hands behind her back, chest pushed out, eyes and the sequins of her black dress combining into a field of stars.

Marcus smiled. "Doesn't the Continental feel too greasy for a young lady?"

"What car do you think I should drive?"

"If you're driving for others to see, then even a little hatchback will do because no matter the car, it all pales in comparison to you. If you're driving for yourself and want speed, then it's McLaren, and if comfort, then Porsche. Both brands suit your temperament quite well."

"What if I want both speed and comfort?"

"Are you the 'why' girl?"

"When giving someone else advice, one should be prepared for follow-up questioning."

As a young woman, she sure was a tough cookie.

Marcus shook his head. "Just buy the brand that comes to mind."

"I want to hear you say it!"

Quinn stepped forward, nearly pressing her chest against him, seemingly determined to pin him down for an answer.

"Aston Martin."

Having said this, Marcus immediately stepped back and turned to wave at Claire. "Claire, come here. Let me introduce you."

Claire walked over, and Marcus wrapped his arm around her, proudly saying, "This is the sunshine in my life, the goddess of my dreams, the angel who saved my soul, my beautiful and adorable wife, Claire Jensen."

Claire flushed with embarrassment under the praise and couldn't help but jab him in the side with her elbow.

Marcus grinned, casually pointing at Quinn. "And this is the girl who lent me her car, our niece, Quinn Vance."

"Miss Vance, hello! Thank you for your generosity tonight!" Claire extended her hand. "Marcus likes to fool around. Please don't mind him."

Quinn clasped her hand, with a proud twist at the corners of her mouth, shockingly saying, "I like his fooling around!"

Eight pairs of eyes shot over simultaneously.

Elena and Hannah both wore incredulous expressions, while Serena and Derek were visibly excited, inwardly fanning the flames of gossip.

Claire was stunned for a moment, then lifted her head to see her husband's open, smiling face and immediately felt relieved.

"Miss Vance is refreshingly straightforward. It seems my beloved performs quite well outside. I'm very gratified."

Quinn tilted her head. "Didn't I make myself clear just now? I like him! Mrs. Jensen, doesn't that bother you?"

Claire smiled confidently. "Isn't that perfectly normal? I can hardly hope for my husband to be disliked by the whole world. If everyone likes him, his career will be more likely to succeed and it will also prove that I have exceptional taste. In any case, it's all good news."

Not only did this statement stun Quinn, but Serena and Derek also opened their mouths in surprise.

A moment later, the two closed their mouths, exchanged glances, and clearly saw the envy, jealousy, and resentment in each other's eyes.

"How come Marcus has such good fortune? When will I ever meet a woman like that?" Derek couldn't help but exclaim.

Serena nodded. "Before, I didn't understand what a fortune-enhancing woman was like, but today I've truly gained some insight. If I ever come across one, I mustn't hesitate for even half a minute. I must marry her immediately!"

"Don't daydream!" Elena, feeling irritable inside, couldn't help but throw cold water. "With the way you two hang out in bars and nightclubs every day, you won't meet such a good woman even in the next life."

On the other hand, Quinn, having regained her composure, looked somewhat more solemn.

"I understand now. The person I need to defeat is not you, but Marcus—ouch!"

She couldn't finish her words because Marcus gave her a noogie. "Call me uncle!"

Quinn bit her lip and called out "Uncle" in a voice no louder than a mosquito's hum.

"Mischievous kid, not doing anything proper, always pondering nonsense! Have you finished your homework? Hurry up and roll back home to sleep!"

Marcus assumed the full air of an elder, stern both in voice and manner, making Claire worry that he was being too harsh on the girl.

After all, that was Julian Vance's daughter.

However, Quinn was not angry at all. She even gave a respectful bow to her and Marcus, bade them goodnight, and then headed for her car.

Watching the Continental slowly drive away, Claire's heart finally started to feel heavy.

Because Quinn was clearly different from Elena and Hannah. She was an opponent more aggressive and more difficult to handle.

She lifted her face to look at her husband and thought: Maybe it's time I moved back in?

After a few more idle exchanges, Serena and the others bid their farewells and left. Claire did not follow Hannah.

Back at home, after washing up and getting into bed, she leaned against the headboard and looked around the very familiar bedroom, yet she felt a trace of inexplicable strangeness.

Perhaps the very decision to live apart was a mistake at the outset...

As she wrestled with these conflicting thoughts, the door swung open, and Marcus walked in holding a keyboard.

"What are you doing with that?" she asked curiously.

Marcus stood obediently beside the bed like a model student. "We don't have a washboard at home. Is this a suitable replacement?"

Claire chuckled at that, then deliberately put on a serious face. "Why? What did you do wrong?"

Marcus pouted. "If you ask me what I think now, it's regret, immense regret! I shouldn't have shown off just for a bit of business benefit at the dinner, and I shouldn't have paid attention to Quinn Vance. Knowing that girl is crazy but still provoking her, that was a serious violation of husbandly conduct. Please punish me, my dear wife."

Claire couldn't hold back anymore and fell onto the bed giggling.

"You... how can you be so silly? And 'husbandly conduct,' such smooth talk. Where was this husbandly conduct when you were out gambling?"

Marcus sat on the bed with a sheepish look. "Isn't that because I was enlightened by the compassionate radiance of you, my dear, and came to realize that 'thing' afterward!"

"Am I very old?"

"Not old at all. Every time I see you, I feel the urge to turn myself in, even wanting to wear a sign around my neck that says: Don't shoot! My wife is of age!"

Claire was laughing heartily and, at some point, had softened entirely into Marcus's arms, her face pressed against his chest, and she murmured softly, "Husband, it's so good to have you back!"

"Yes!"

Marcus tightened his embrace around his wife, gazing out at the night sky, and murmured, "It's so good to be back!"

---

Chapter 52: Old Enemies

Two homecomings, different spans of time—one two years, the other twenty.

But before a couple who had weathered trials and found their way back to each other, that hardly mattered.

The next morning, Claire woke from a deep sleep to the sight of her bedside table. She stared blankly for a moment before remembering this was her home. Turning her head, she found the bed beside her empty and couldn't help feeling a touch of loss.

Getting up and going outside, Victor was reading the newspaper. Seeing her, he gestured for her to come over and asked softly, "Has Marcus always been the one cooking?"

"Ever since I got pregnant, it's basically been him. He says pregnant women can't stand the smell of cooking oil. Whenever he has time, he also makes soup and delivers it to my company, which is such a hassle. I always feel like he's making too much out of it."

Claire's tone was complaining, but her heart was sweet.

"You used to be so sensible as a child, but you've become so unreasonable after getting married. He's so good to you, and still you're not satisfied? How high-maintenance can you be? Let me tell you, a man's enthusiasm is hard to sustain. You need to encourage him appropriately, occasionally giving him some sweetness. That's the only way he'll stay motivated. You can't take everything for granted. Marriage is about mutual support, you understand?"

As he tapped his daughter's forehead, Victor looked toward the kitchen door and sighed, "Your mother's words really cannot be taken seriously. When I first met him, I felt that aside from not being very grounded, this young man had no real problems. He was quite good. But all these years, with your mother's nagging in my ear, I also thought he had become worthless, and I worried a lot on your behalf. Fortunately, it doesn't matter whether a man can achieve great things. As long as he knows how to cherish his wife, he's a good man. Oh, by the way, he's not gambling anymore, is he?"

Her father's rambling made Claire feel like she was back sitting on the rear seat of his bicycle during her childhood, the happiest time in her memories. She couldn't help but lean gently on Victor's shoulder.

"He's not gambling anymore. He swore to me, and these days he's been treating me better and better. Dad, you can rest assured."

During their talk, Marcus came out with a tray.

"I didn't expect Dad to come over. The fridge just happened to be empty yesterday, so I bought breakfast from outside, just made some porridge and fried an egg. Dad, you'll have to make do with this for now. When you come back tonight, I'll cook up some good dishes, and you and I can have a drink."

Victor sat down at the dining table, first looked at the obviously purchased buns and twisted crullers, then took a spoonful of porridge, and his eyebrows shot up immediately.

The rice grains were completely softened, the porridge was thick and fragrant, the shredded meat was incredibly smooth without any hint of gamey taste, and the seasoning was just perfect, intimate and stomach-warming.

Victor could cook himself, so he knew to make the porridge this creamy required constant stirring—not difficult, but demanding patience.

Is it an intentional show because I came? Or is it always like this?

After pondering, he nodded and said, "This porridge is expertly done. If it's made like this every day, Marcus must be very tired, isn't he?"

"Huh?" Claire bit into her bun, looking puzzled. "Is it hard to make this porridge? I feel it's just slightly better than what my mom makes. How difficult can it be?"

"It's not hard. Dad might just be really hungry. I'm just lucky."

Marcus laughed and picked up another twisted cruller for her. "Eat slowly, there's still time before work. It's quick to take a taxi. No need to rush."

"All you think about is taking taxis. Do you think money is that easy to earn..."

Watching the couple bicker naturally, Victor finally let go of his worries.

Cooking can be faked, but these kinds of spousal interactions cannot be feigned.

No matter the past, at least now his daughter's happiness was real.

After breakfast, Claire ultimately was still coaxed by Marcus into taking a taxi to work, even though Victor had been using public transport for half his life and couldn't be persuaded otherwise.

"Dad, what kind of car do your leaders drive?" Marcus casually asked while waiting for the bus.

"Our leaders aren't at a very high level. They just drive a Passat," Victor replied.

"Just a Passat?"

"What, you look down on that? That's a car worth two or three hundred thousand," Victor said with slight displeasure. "Marcus, you're a good kid, but you lack one thing, and that's being down-to-earth. To run far, you first have to run steadily. It's no good to have your head in the clouds and your feet off the ground, understand?"

Marcus gave a bitter smile, thinking to himself that it wasn't that he looked down on the Passat, but he wanted to buy a better car for his father. However, with so many rules in government agencies, he was worried if his father's car was better than the leaders', it might invite petty actions against him.

Still, the older generation always liked to educate, and as the younger one, it was just as well to listen. It wasn't as if it would cost him a piece of flesh, and only a fool would talk back.

Victor felt Marcus's respect, and just as the bus arrived, he patted Marcus's shoulder with satisfaction and left on the bus.

Pulling out his phone, Marcus dialed Serena Blake's number.

"Do you have any friends or brothers who sell cars? I want to find a car for your sister-in-law to get around with."

"The car I won from Wet Crotch has been gathering dust at home. You take it for your sister-in-law to use."

"No way. That car is too big, not convenient, and also looks old-fashioned. Driving it feels like being a chauffeur."

"Oh right, then find William. His family owns a car dealership that specializes in top-of-the-line luxury cars. They've just received a batch of supercars at the port, perfect timing to get one for your sister-in-law."

"Are you out of your mind?" Marcus laughed and scolded. "You want your pregnant sister-in-law to drive such a stiff car? Forget it, just give me William's number. I'll talk to him directly."

"Alright, I'll send it to you right away. Speaking of which, the company has recruited a few executives, and Elena wants you to find some time to meet them. Also, she especially emphasized that you must wear formal attire. No slouching around in casual clothes again."

Marcus was speechless and glanced at his watch before saying, "I'm going to William's place soon. I'll be at the company by two-thirty."

After ending the call, he went home to change into a suit and, having called William, took a ride to Premier Auto Gallery located in the city center.

The dealership's name was a play on words—My Car, rendered as Premier Auto in English.

As soon as he walked in, a young salesperson approached him respectfully and said, "Good morning, sir! May I help you with anything?"

Since he had worked through the owner, naturally he felt it unreasonable to waste the salesperson's time for no reason, so Marcus asked, "May I just look around first?"

"Of course, that's no problem at all," the salesperson stepped back immediately, the polite attitude unchanged. "Feel free to look around, and if you need anything, just let me know."

William's staff training wasn't bad at all!

Marcus nodded and started to wander around the dealership.

The car dealership was large, with two stories covering an area of at least a thousand square meters. The first-floor showroom was mainly supercars, colorful and flashy, which didn't meet his needs, so he headed straight for the second floor.

The second-floor showroom had even more cars on display—Phantoms, Mulsannes, Cayennes, and other luxury vehicles lined up side by side, the scent of money wafting in the air.

Sports cars weren't suitable for pregnant women, sedans were too business-like, and SUVs were just too greasy. Marcus walked around for quite a while without finding a suitable car, and couldn't help worrying. He thought: Maybe I should bring my wife over at noon and let her choose for herself?

While he was indecisive, a flash of blue caught his eye from the corner. Just as he was about to walk over, a woman's voice came from behind him.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! You're supposed to be selling things, but you left your customer alone for so long. What kind of service is this?"

Marcus turned back in surprise and, upon seeing the woman's face, was first taken aback, then his expression quickly darkened, and a surge of murderous intent roiled within him.

The woman was clad in a dark green knee-length dress with a brown belt, which made her look fashionable and attractive.

She was also very pretty, the only flaw being the slight upward tilt at the corners of her eyes, which gave her a somewhat mean appearance.

Of course, the murderous intent Marcus felt had nothing to do with her looks, and not even with her as a person.

After graduating from college, his good brother from their dorm invited him to start a business together. The ambitious Marcus agreed without a second thought.

For this, he did not hesitate to go into debt, even keeping daily living expenses with Claire under thirty dollars, toiling and struggling for over a year. Finally, the company stabilized with regular supplies and customers and got onto the right track.

Just when it seemed that the hardships were about to yield to sweet outcomes, just when he was about to fulfill the happy promises made to his wife, his good brother suddenly planned to go abroad and proposed to withdraw his investment.

Although Marcus was very dissatisfied that the other party had applied for a visa without telling him and only brought it up when he was almost leaving, Marcus still gave all the company's funds to him and held a farewell banquet.

What he didn't know was that this was just the beginning of a nightmare.

The supplies had long been shipped out, with suppliers constantly urging payment, but the customers' payments kept being delayed. Marcus found it strange and went to the customer's location himself, only to be dumbfounded.

It was a shell company that had rented a space in a residential area and the boss had long absconded.

With no other recourse, Marcus had to file for bankruptcy, selling off his wife's dowry jewelry and his parents' relics just to barely clear the debts.

During that time, he faced rejections in every job search and lived off his wife Claire's salary, facing immense mental pressure every day.

During a chance online chat with an old classmate, he was told that the good brother's ID card had been altered and that his actual birthplace was Shen City.

And Shen City happened to be where that shell company was located.

Marcus was struck as if by lightning, recalling how it was his good brother who had convinced him to abandon their reliable old clients for the new client that offered a higher price, even vouching for them to send the goods first and receive payment later.

He immediately dialed his good brother's overseas number.

Unsurprisingly, it was no longer in service.

The so-called entrepreneurship was just a scam.

The so-called good brother had simply used him as a tool to gather funds to go abroad.

Yet, he had no evidence to support his suspicions, and going to the police was useless.

From then on, his pride shattered completely, and he became reckless, gradually turning into a hopeless gambler.

It can be said that Claire's tragic death, his imprisonment, and all his fate in his previous life were gifts from that good brother.

In this life, although his fate had changed, the hatred in his heart had not diminished in the slightest.

And the woman in front of him was his former university classmate, as well as the wife of that good brother.

"What are you looking at? Can't you understand human speech? I want to make a complaint..."

The woman suddenly paused, stepped forward for a closer look, and her eyes gradually widened. "You... you're Marcus Hale?"

Marcus had an expressionless face. "Long time no see, Holly Cross."

"Yeah! It's been three or four years, hasn't it?"

Holly's expression initially showed some excitement, but then she sized him up and asked suspiciously, "You're not really working here, are you?"

"All my assets were taken abroad by you two to enjoy yourselves. Is it strange for me to work here?"

"I warn you not to talk nonsense!" Holly's face changed instantly. "The company's bankruptcy was due to your incompetence. When my husband was there, everything was on the up and up."

"Indeed," Marcus sneered. "If it wasn't on the up and up, he surely wouldn't have left with five hundred thousand after investing only fifty thousand."

"That's because my husband is capable. The moment he left, the company went under. Instead of looking for faults in yourself, you're here slinging mud around. As expected of a complete loser. Marcus, you're destined to be a waste in this life."

Holly spat contemptuously, and then her eyes lit up as she waved toward someone behind Marcus.

"Husband, husband, come here quick. Guess who I've bumped into?"

Marcus turned around and saw a man in a smoky-grey suit striding towards him. It was his "good brother" Wesley Park, whom he had dismembered countless times in his dreams in his previous life.

Seeing him, Wesley's steps momentarily paused, and then his expression turned playful. As he brushed past Marcus, he put his arm around his wife's shoulders and then, with a condescending laugh, said, "What a coincidence."

"Marcus, I've heard you've taken to gambling in your spare time these past two years. So what, did you get lucky and strike it rich, so now you're here to buy a luxury car?"

"Bullshit buying a car," Holly snorted disdainfully. "Didn't you see what he's wearing? He looks exactly like the salespeople here."

It was as if Wesley had only just noticed, and he exclaimed dramatically, "Oh! My apologies! I just couldn't imagine that the once self-important campus celebrity would be here selling cars. No question about it, given our relationship, I must give you my support. How much commission do you make for selling one car? Forget about the previous salesperson. We will count this sale as yours."

"Oh, honey! You're too kind."

Holly looked aggrieved and resentful. "You remember your old classmate and take the initiative to help him increase his business, but he just pinned the blame for his company bankruptcy on you!"

"Is that so!" Wesley frowned. "Marcus, that was wrong of you. Back when we were in business together, we never had any trouble and even parted on good terms. I know you care about face, and it doesn't matter what you say to others. I don't mind, but to say such things to my wife, isn't that going too far?"

Marcus couldn't help but laugh.

The words "shameless" might as well have been written on the other's forehead, and trying to reason with him was just a waste of time.

Back when Wesley was overseas, Marcus couldn't reach him, but now that he was back, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle scores.

Reasons are always best given after you've knocked your opponent to the ground.

Shaking his head, Marcus turned to walk away, but Wesley clearly had no intention of letting him go just like that.

"Stop right there!"

Wesley's tone became serious. "Marcus, out of respect for our old classmate relationship, I can forgive your rudeness. But now we are customers, and as a service employee, if you don't provide good service, we will file a complaint against you."

Marcus turned around, his gaze icy. "Are you sure you want to 'enjoy' my personal 'service'?"

Wesley had never seen such a look in someone's eyes before. A flicker of fear instinctively rose within him, which immediately made him feel embarrassed and, as a result, he became furious.

"Very good! Excellent! I actually felt pity for you and didn't want to make a fuss, but since you're asking for it, there's nothing more to say. Back then I could take every penny out of your pockets, and today I can make you lose your job. As long as I, Wesley Park, am in Westlake for one day, you're fucking doomed to starve!"

Marcus's eyebrows quirked slightly. Something felt off.

Logically, in the incident back then, he was the victim, and Wesley was the victor.

It was normal for a victor to gloat in front of a victim, but Wesley, grinding his teeth, looked as though he had been the one wronged by Marcus.

That was the taste of hatred.

Wesley hated me.

But why?

"Mr. Park, Mrs. Park, I'm truly sorry. I just took a call, and it distracted me,"

At that moment, a short and plump man hurried over, apologizing to the Park couple with nods and bows.

"Cut the crap!"

Wesley pointed at Marcus arrogantly. "This employee of yours has a bad attitude, and he dared to insult us. I'd like to know, is this the kind of service your dealership provides?"

The short plump man turned around, looked Marcus up and down, and then burst out scolding. "Are you new here? Not wearing a name tag during work and daring to be rude to customers. Do you have a death wish? Get out! Get out right now! You're fired!"

Marcus was speechless.

Dammit! Do I really look that much like a salesperson? This suit was my wedding outfit!

---

Chapter 53: You Shouldn't Have Come Back

Marcus was not fond of wearing suits, so he did not have many at home. The clothes from his early entrepreneurial days had long since disappeared, and now he was left with only two sets.

One was a newly purchased set, the same one he wore a few days ago to negotiate with the community representatives, which he had sent to the dry cleaners.

The other set was the wedding suit he was wearing.

It had only been a few years, and naturally the style was not so out-of-date, but it was just ordinary and cheap. Yet couldn't even the employees at the car dealership recognize that?

Marcus couldn't help but laugh and cry, and he asked the fat man, "Do you recognize me?"

The fat man became even more aggressive. "Do I need to recognize you? Get the hell out of here, did you hear me? Don't make me call security!"

After saying that, he turned back to Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Park with an apologetic smile. "Mr. Park, Mrs. Park, I'm really sorry! The newcomer doesn't understand the rules. You two are respected figures. It's beneath you to take notice of trash. Come on, didn't you mention just now that you wanted to see the latest model of the CEO car? Please follow me. Our dealership happens to have a new car available. It's been less than two weeks since it was imported, perfectly matching your taste and requirements..."

He didn't finish his sentence when he felt a slap on his shoulder, and just as he turned around, his plump stomach took a kick, making him stagger three or four steps backwards and sit down on the floor with a thud.

Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Park were startled, retreating in unison, while Holly Cross hid behind her husband.

Marcus acted as if they weren't there, merely looking indifferently at the fat man.

"Considering that you're trying to woo customers for business purposes, I'll give you a chance. Apologize to me right now, and we can turn the page on this incident."

The little fat man, either dazed from the pain or unable to understand how someone would dare hit him, just sat there dumbfounded, without any reaction.

Wesley's heart, however, was throbbing with excitement.

He loathed Marcus. How could a mere dismissal satisfy him? The more arrogant Marcus was, the happier Wesley became naturally.

"An employee dares to assault his boss? This is mutiny!"

His face was filled with righteous indignation, yet his words were deliberately incendiary. "Overseas, an employee who engages in such violent behavior would, at the least, serve a year or two in prison, and also face financial ruin. Too bad, the environment here doesn't work that way. No respect for the law, no human rights."

Marcus frowned slightly, glancing at him askance. "Just a couple of years abroad and you've started to talk with a twang. I'm not surprised at all. Wesley Park, let me tell you responsibly: you shouldn't have come back. Because you will certainly die in this place that nurtured you, yet you look down on. Of course, before that, I will make sure to have my fun with you. Financial ruin will just be the appetizer. The breakdown of your family will simply be the beginning."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Holly's face. "If you still have any sense, I advise you to get a divorce sooner rather than later."

Wesley could never have expected that upon his triumphant return, face to face with Marcus, who was in such a pitiable state working as a salesperson, not only did he not gain the upper hand, but he was also threatened.

How could he stand it?

The old hatred combined with his current humiliation and rage made the veins in his eyes turn red, his fists clenching and unclenching, as if struggling with whether to rush up and punch Marcus.

Seeing this, Marcus's expression of disdain deepened. "You've even lost the valor you had in school brawls. It seems you've been quite content being under the thumb of the white men these past few years."

"Fuck! You... you dare to hit me?"

Finally coming to his senses, the little fat man got up with gritted teeth, his eyes filled with fury. "Son of a bitch! Wait and see. If I don't break your legs today, I'll take your surname! People! Security! Where the fuck did you all die off to?"

"What's all this noise? I could hear that lousy voice of yours hollering from downstairs. Are we slaughtering pigs here? If you don't want to work, just get the hell out!"

An annoyed voice came from the stairs, and a young man clad in luxury brands appeared, quickly scanning the room and accelerating his pace.

"Brother-in-law!" the chubby kid shouted, pointing at Marcus. "This guy's not working properly, offending the customers, and even hitting people. Be careful, you little bastard..."

But he couldn't finish his sentence because a shoe sole kicked his face hard.

It was the young man who kicked him. "You looking to die? Go outside and get hit by a car. Dare to spout crap again and I'll cut out your fucking tongue!"

After cursing vehemently, the young man turned around, immediately bent at the waist, and put on a smiley face. "Marcus, look at the scene this has turned into. He's my little uncle. Doesn't know shit. If you're upset, I'll take the beating and the blame. It'd be beneath you to bother with trash like him."

Upon hearing this, the fatso and Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Park were dumbfounded.

Why was the car dealership owner being so polite to an arrogant salesman?

Marcus quickly gave them the answer.

Tugging at his clothes, he asked, "William, do I look like a sales consultant to your family?"

The young man was naturally one of Serena Blake's unruly friends, William Grant, whom Marcus had contacted when he arrived.

The Grant family was the largest parallel importer of cars in Westlake, and in the past two years they had also begun to dip their toes into the second-hand luxury car market, expanding their business significantly.

But because most of it was financed through loans, with banks owning the lion's share, even though William's family appeared to have assets worth over a billion, he was still more like a little brother in Serena's circle of hedonists.

Ordinarily, when Marcus showed up, the most William could do was say hello to get acquainted.

A couple of days ago, he heard Derek Chang bragging about investing five hundred thousand with Marcus and receiving fifteen million back in less than a week.

Jealous and envious, he was desperately figuring out how to curry favor with Marcus to get a piece of the profitable action.

Today, he suddenly got a call from Marcus, sensing the opportunity at hand, pushed away the girl in his bed and hurried to the dealership without a moment's delay.

And when he finally arrived, before he could even attempt any flattery, he overheard his little uncle about to call Marcus a bastard, infuriating him. He felt like he could kill someone.

But no matter how upset he was, he had to apologize first and show the right attitude.

If he couldn't take care of Marcus properly, not only could he forget about making money following the God of Wealth, but Serena and Derek might tear him apart too.

"Ah! Marcus, you're really funny. The moment I saw you, I wanted to ask, is your outfit a new release from some niche luxury brand? It's understated yet tasteful, ordinary but with a touch of class. The more I look at it, the more comfortable it seems. I've got to get myself a set too, bask in some of Marcus's radiance—that'll make those idiots green with envy."

The flattery was nauseating but somewhat witty, and since Marcus wasn't there to make trouble, he naturally had no interest in pursuing the matter relentlessly.

And after all, William was also unfairly implicated.

Faking a kick, he laughed and scolded, "Isn't that disgusting? Save that bullshit to charm the girls. All the clothes I'm wearing today don't even add up to two hundred bucks. No fucking 'niche luxury brand.' But I am a bit puzzled. My clothes don't look that similar to your store's staff uniforms, do they? Plus, I'm not wearing a name badge. Customers making a mistake is one thing, but what's with your little uncle's eyesight? He hasn't even seen me before and wants to take me for a staffer and give me a lecture. I'm very angry and I kicked him. That won't make it awkward for you in front of your sister-in-law, will it?"

Upon hearing this, William instantly breathed a sigh of relief and said hatefully, "She dares! I gave her that face! It's only because you, Marcus, have a good temper. If it had been me today, breaking her legs in three places would've been the least of it."

Still not feeling it was enough, he turned around and kicked the fatso again. "Are you dead, you little bastard? Waiting for me to prepare your coffin? Aren't you going to come over and apologize to Marcus right now?"

The little fatso felt he was being terribly wronged.

You're someone who even my brother-in-law has to carefully attend to, so why dress like an individual entrepreneur from some small town? Incognito or something? Isn't this just setting people up?

Of course, these words dared only be thought, not said aloud at the risk of death.

He vigorously wiped away the blood from his nose, then got up bowing with his body bent so much that the back of his head was visible.

"Marcus... Marcus..."

Smack!

William slapped him on the back of the head. "Marcus is who you call? Call him Mr. Hale!"

The little fatso, on the verge of tears, pleaded, "Mr. Hale, I'm sorry! I was blind and didn't see your greatness, and I have offended you. Please be magnanimous and let this incident slide. I won't dare to do it again."

"What else could I do if not let it slide? Am I really like your brother-in-law said, going to break three of your legs?"

Marcus shook his head with a smile, turning to William. "This brother-in-law of yours apologizes like a primary school student. He must have been called to the principal's office a lot in his life, hasn't he?"

"You're actually right about that. This youngster has been trouble since childhood, and my wife has worried about him a lot. If he weren't so useless, would he be causing trouble for me here?"

"It looks like both you and your wife are quite fond of him, so let's just leave it at that."

Marcus waved his hand dismissively, then said to the little fatso, "Remember, as a salesman, it's okay to please the customers, but you need to use your brain. You can't just take whatever people say at face value. Earning a deal can fetch you a profit of a few hundred thousand at most, but if by chance you offend someone you shouldn't have, that few hundred thousand might not be enough to smooth things over. Understand?"

"Understood, understood! I've got it all down. Thank you, Mr. Hale, for your guidance." The little fatso nodded and bowed repeatedly.

It was only then that William turned his attention to Wesley and his wife, asking, "Who are these people?"

Wesley and Holly came back to their senses from their shock and speculation about Marcus's identity, their expressions turning grave.

The little fatso whispered a few words into his ear, and after listening, William furrowed his brows and then smacked him on the head again.

"You're really quite the fool. It's just a high-ranking executive of a company, and what's more, they're newcomers from out of town. Do you really have to serve them as if you were their father? Open your damn eyes and look at their attire. They probably have to take out a loan even for a seventy- or eighty-thousand-dollar car. Why didn't you lead them to the second-hand showroom? Do we have any cars that cheap here? Are you going to clean the floors if they get dirty?"

This was a clear case of reproach through insinuation, so the little fatso wisely kept his mouth shut, but Wesley and his wife's faces alternated between red and pale, filled with embarrassment and rage.

It must be said, William's skill in reading people was quite fine-tuned. They had indeed come today intending to buy a second-hand luxury car.

It's just that Wesley had intentionally dropped the name of the corporate headquarters group and mentioned America repeatedly, fooling the little fatso.

Now, with their pretentiousness called out to their faces, compared to street beggars, the couple dared not speak out in anger and obviously had no face to stay any longer.

"As expected, our countrymen are still so crude and trashy!" Wesley glared at Marcus, full of hatred, spitting out his harsh words. "You just wait. I'll..."

"Wait for shit!"

William cursed loudly. "Don't go outside and ask around about the Grant family's name. Dare me if you don't want to wait. Just do what you should be doing. I want to see if you're really a tough guy who crossed the river!"

For someone to have developed such a large parallel import business inland, it was impossible not to have strong connections. Wesley was no fool and certainly understood this logic.

The couple hurriedly took their leave without daring to make another sound, disappearing in disgrace.

"Did that couple have a grudge against Marcus? Should I have someone teach them a lesson?" William asked Marcus.

"Your eyes are sharp."

Marcus smiled faintly. "No need. It was just a minor unpleasantness from a few years ago, not worth mentioning."

"Big of you, Marcus!"

After flattering him a bit, William then said, "Brother, what do you think of the cars you saw just now? Did any catch your eye? If not, no problem. Our family is well acquainted with car dealers in the surrounding area. You just name the model and style, and I guarantee we'll have it for you within two weeks."

"There is actually one."

Marcus led him to a corner and pointed to a sleek blue station wagon, asking, "Did it come with the optional air suspension?"

"Wow! Marcus knows his stuff!" William patted the car's body and exclaimed. "This baby is claimed to be the strongest grocery-getter in the world. Without the air suspension, it would ride as hard as a supercar, which would be a waste of all this space."

The Audi RS6—Marcus had owned one in his past life and was deeply impressed by its suspension tuning.

As a performance version of the A6 Avant, it didn't lose to most supercars in sport mode, but in comfort mode, it was even more comfortable than the regular A6.

It had all-wheel drive, so it was safe. The V8 engine wasn't lacking in power. It had more space than a typical SUV, and most importantly, its understated but not unattractive look was as if it had been custom-made for his wife, Claire Jensen.

"This is the one. Write up the bill!" Marcus immediately decided.

William, however, was stunned. "Marcus, if you think it's unique, just take it for a spin for a couple of days. With your status, even if you like to keep a low profile, isn't this car a bit unsuitable?"

"It's not for me. It's a purchase for my wife."

"So it's for the sister-in-law. Then, Marcus, please don't mention money. I'm afraid Serena and Derek would beat me up if they heard."

William waved his hand to instruct his brother-in-law. "Hurry up, arrange for someone to take the car downstairs, sort out everything including the temporary license plates, and make it fast!"

"Don't."

Marcus stopped the young man, speaking seriously. "William, we're friends. It's fine to spend however we want when we hang out, but business is business. Even in a good relationship, there's no reason not to pay for what you buy. If you do this, how will I have the face to take your money later when we invest in projects together?"

Seeing Marcus wasn't just being polite, William shook his head. "Nowadays, when people make friends, they might as well engrave 'take advantage' on their foreheads. There's a reason you're the boss. Honestly, the car is good, but because it's too low-key, not many are willing to spend one hundred sixty or seventy thousand on a car that looks like it's only worth fifty or sixty thousand. Sales are poor, and this one has been in the showroom for half a year without selling. Since you like it and it's for your sister-in-law, I'm not going to haggle with you. Just pay the original price, one hundred and thirty thousand, and not a penny more, or I won't sell it."

Even though he finally offered it at the original price, which sounded slick, the truth was that this original price was just the base price of the car, and didn't include extra options like the air suspension.

In other words, William was giving Marcus at least a discount of around two hundred thousand.

It wasn't a large amount, and if Marcus still refused, it would clearly show he wasn't interested in deepening their relationship, which would be damaging.

While the young chubby man was processing the paperwork, William invited Marcus to his office to have tea.

After some small talk, Marcus took the initiative to say, "There haven't been any quick money-making projects lately, and I've been spending like water. So tell the brothers to be patient a little longer. If nothing unexpected happens, there should be a good opportunity in about a month. Have the funds ready. One or two million will do. The profits might not be as much as before, but earning seven or eight times the investment shouldn't be a problem. Also..."

He looked up at the cracks in the corner of the office's ceiling and continued, "If you trust me, move all the cars and valuables out of here before dawn the day after tomorrow. Even if you can't move everything, there absolutely, absolutely can't be anyone in the shop. Remember this!"

---

Chapter 54: The Private Equity Queen

William was puzzled and asked, "Why is that, brother?"

Marcus said, "Although your dealership's renovation is very upscale, this building clearly has some years on it, and it has been hollowed out to make a showroom. A slight tremor could lead to an accident. In any case, it's always good to be cautious. I'm sure all the property here is insured, no worries, but whatever happens, there absolutely cannot be anyone in the store before nine o'clock the morning after next."

William was initially skeptical of his mysterious advice, but remembering the incident from the underground racing night, a shiver ran through him. After pondering for a moment, he nodded, "Okay, I'll remember that."

Marcus wasn't exaggerating. Just now, he suddenly remembered that around 8:30 the morning after next, there would be an earthquake in the Westlake area. It wouldn't be big, just magnitude 4.

But the reason he remembered this event was that a downtown old building had collapsed, killing three people.

And that old building was William's Premier Auto Gallery.

His family's luxury cars were insured, so the financial loss wasn't significant, but those three lives still made a considerable impact.

As the incident escalated, some unsavory details from the early days of the Grant family's fortune were exposed, and it took quite a bit of money to settle the matter.

William wasn't a terrible person and he did have principles. Even if it were just for the sake of those three lives, Marcus felt it was his duty to give a warning.

Before long, all the paperwork and temporary plates were sorted, and Marcus bid farewell to William, then drove to Verdant Design.

"Mr. Hale, good to see you! Eh? You're empty-handed today. Aren't you afraid Designer Jensen will be disappointed?"

Knowing him to be easy-going, the receptionist now dared to tease.

"Do you think I'm a househusband with the time to make soup at home every day? But..."

As Marcus spoke, he flipped his arm, revealing a bunch of fiery red roses. "Who says this young master came empty-handed? Heh heh, and remind your boyfriend that it's okay to be lazy when courting a girl, but he mustn't be half-hearted."

Watching the boss strut into the company, the receptionist let out an envious sigh. "Put in effort? Easier said than done. It would be rare for my boyfriend to even think of me during a break from gaming!"

In the design department, Claire had just finished drawing a blueprint on her computer. She closed her eyes and imagined her design coming to life piece by piece in the house, inevitably breaking into a smile.

How wonderful it would be if it were her own home!

Suddenly, a strong scent of flowers entered her nostrils, and the chatter of her colleagues seemed to fade away. All was quiet.

She opened her eyes, puzzled, only to be greeted by a sea of fiery red and, beyond the flowers, that cheeky yet endearing smile she could never get enough of.

"Hello! Are you Claire Jensen, Mrs. Jensen?"

Marcus squatted beside her, asking with mock seriousness, "A customer has ordered this bouquet of roses to be delivered to you, along with one kiss scented with fragrance. Please sign for it."

Already husband and wife, she felt both joy and embarrassment as her husband played these games in front of everyone.

She gave him a look, took the flowers into her arms, and asked, "Are you sure it's a 'fragrant' kiss, not a stinky one?"

"The customer might be stinky, but I definitely smell great. I just ate a durian candy before coming here. It tastes amazing. Want to try?"

"Stop it!"

Claire couldn't help but laugh, pushing away the big face he leaned towards her, and said bashfully, "Don't mess around. My colleagues are watching."

"So what? I'm flirting with my own wife. Not even the mightiest can tell me off!"

"Flirting, my foot!"

Claire stood up, pulling Marcus towards the door. "What are you doing here today? I'm hungry, and you didn't bring any food. Do you think now that I'm willing to stay at home, you no longer need to win me over?"

"Look who's talking. Do I seem that shallow to you?"

Marcus blocked his wife, who was heading to the pantry out of habit, and wrapped his arms around her waist, leading her out.

"I have a gift for you. After you see it, we'll go out to eat."

"Spending money recklessly again."

She complained verbally, but as she walked away under her colleagues' watchful eyes, her face beamed with the happiness evident even to a blind person.

Once, in her colleagues' eyes, she was just a pitifully beautiful woman who married a worthless husband, wronged more than anyone deserved.

Several male colleagues had shown their interest openly and covertly, and even the cleaning lady wanted to set her up with someone, urging her to escape her misery as soon as possible.

But though her heart ached, she only began to contemplate divorce after her husband told her she was pregnant.

She believed that no matter how decadent Marcus was, his love for her hadn't changed at its core. If it weren't for the child, she could have tolerated anything.

Fortunately, heaven saw her perseverance and blessed her with a better, more loving husband.

What did two years of hardship count for then? It was worth it.

Ding.

The elevator door opened and Claire snapped back to reality, only to be startled to see she was in the underground parking garage.

"Did you press the wrong button? Exiting from here would mean a long detour."

"No mistake. Your gift is right here."

Marcus covered her eyes, walked slowly forward for about ten meters, skirted around a pillar, then let go.

"Ta-da! In gratitude for my wife finally coming home, I present you with this little car. Please, madam, accept it with a smile!"

Claire was stunned.

Although she didn't recognize the RS6, the four rings logo was very familiar, and she knew this was a luxury car, with even the cheapest costing three to four hundred thousand dollars.

The sleek and rounded body of the car, the deep blue paint—it was so beautiful she didn't know how to describe her feelings.

By the time she came to her senses, she was already sitting behind the steering wheel.

"Do you like it?" Marcus asked.

"I like it! I really like it!"

She murmured a response, then finally came to her senses. "Where did you get the money for such an expensive car?"

"Eh?" Marcus was extremely surprised. "You know this car is expensive?"

"Nonsense! Do you think I'm stupid? I don't recognize Audi? This one obviously looks better than our leader's A4, and hers is almost four hundred thousand on the road."

Marcus breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, do you remember the disturbance with the residents in the shanty area? I handled it well. Consider this a reward."

His words were ambiguous, so even if the truth came out later, it wouldn't be lying.

"You..."

Claire hit him in frustration. "That's four to five hundred thousand! That's enough for a down payment on a house in a good school district. How could you just buy a car like this? It's something we can't eat or drink. What will we do about the kid?"

Marcus caught her hand and kissed it, saying with a smile, "You underestimate your husband too much. It's not like this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If I can earn four to five hundred thousand today, tomorrow it could be four to five million. Don't worry! I know how to spend money, but I also know how to make it. You just relax and enjoy yourself as you should. I'm not working hard so that my pregnant wife has to tighten her belt. It's just a house. I swear we'll have one before our baby is born, or else let me be hit by a car as I step outside..."

His mouth was covered. Claire spat "ptui ptui ptui" several times.

"What nonsense are you spouting? If you do this again, I'll really be angry."

"Alright, alright, no anger. Madam, it's already noon, and the baby must be hungry too. Would you deign to be the driver and let's go have lunch!"

"You and your ways!"

After giving her husband another pair of 'clean' balls, Claire allowed herself to smile, started the engine, and slowly drove the car out of the parking space.

Although she was a bit uneasy about the money, how could she not be happy if her husband was spending recklessly just for her?

At this moment, she wished time could stand still, preserving the taste of happiness forever in her heart.

In the afternoon, Marcus arrived at the company and brushed past a woman with a desolate and downcast expression at the entrance.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned around. "Is that you, Victoria Marsh, Ms. Marsh?"

The woman turned around, looked at Marcus, and showed a look of surprise. "Yes, that's me. May I ask who you are...?"

"Hello, hello!"

Marcus stepped forward to shake hands with her and said vaguely, "My surname is Hale. We met once at a dinner party."

"Oh, hello Mr. Hale."

Victoria Marsh clearly wasn't in the mood for socializing at the moment, her expression indifferent.

As if oblivious to this, Marcus asked familiarly, "Does Ms. Marsh have friends at this company?"

"No, I came for a job interview."

"Really! How did it go?"

Victoria shook her head with a bitter smile. "Although this company has just started, it is very powerful, and the requirements for the management are very high. I still have a long way to go."

Marcus frowned and said displeased, "It seems the HR decision-makers of this company don't have good judgment!"

"Please don't say that, Mr. Hale."

Victoria said earnestly, "I was personally interviewed by the Chief Human Resources Officer from Hale Investment Holdings."

"Even though Miss Shaw looked very young, she was very sharp and clear-headed in her speech and behavior. She covered every aspect with just a few simple questions, definitely the talent of an elite education. I didn't pass the interview, which only means my own abilities are insufficient. I still need to work harder."

Well, not blaming the loss or being discouraged by defeat, but it's quite different from that famously aggressive businesswoman portrayed by the media in the past. Too gentle indeed.

After thinking it over, Marcus scoffed, "They've all rejected you, and you're still being so polite? In my opinion, this company has already caused a group incident right after its debut and has offended a local leader like Dominion Group. It's clearly not far from death."

"Be careful of what you say, Mr. Hale!"

Victoria's expression turned very serious. "Anyone with even a little inside knowledge should know that the so-called group incident was instigated by someone with an agenda, and besides, Hale Investment Holdings dealt with it very well. Not to mention other things, just by looking at how quiet the market has been until now, Dominion Group has already lost."

At this point, she suddenly realized she was speaking too candidly to a stranger and instantly regretted it deeply.

"Excuse me, Mr. Hale, I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye!"

"Is the matter urgent? There should still be time to sign a contract!"

"What?" Victoria was bewildered, thinking she had misheard.

Marcus revealed a smile and extended his hand again. "Sorry! I haven't introduced myself properly: Marcus Hale, Chairman of Hale Investment Holdings."

Victoria was stunned. She looked at his completely shapeless suit, feeling incredulous, and promptly turned her head to glance at the company's reception desk.

The front desk was very perceptive and immediately said with a smile, "Ms. Marsh, this gentleman is indeed our chairman."

"Ah! I'm sorry, I... I..."

Victoria quickly took Marcus's hand, finding herself at a loss for words and not knowing what to say.

"Let's talk more in my office," he said.

Marcus turned, and Victoria naturally followed suit.

Before coming, she had also inquired about Hale Investment Holdings. Due to the scarce information, besides buying land and the group incident in the shantytown area, she only learned the name of the boss and nothing else.

So she never expected that a company leader, who had boldly challenged the local leader in her debut and was adept at her craft, would be so young.

Thinking of herself already in her thirties and only a client manager at a securities company, she felt completely defeated after being rejected for the position of investment department team leader.

She hadn't walked far into the company when she ran into Elena Shaw coming out of the meeting room.

"Ah, my grand boss, you've finally decided to come to work? I've never seen anyone like you, running off as soon as the company starts up, you..."

Halfway through her complaints, Elena caught sight of Victoria Marsh behind Marcus, frowned, and stopped talking.

"I was just chatting with Ms. Marsh at the entrance," Marcus took the initiative to say. "I think she has a keen eye and good foresight and judgment. As it stands, she should be quite capable of handling the job of investment analysis specialist. Oh, by the way..."

He turned back and apologized, "I'm sorry, I made the decision without asking Ms. Marsh if she wanted the job. Would you like to be the first investment analysis specialist at Hale Investment?"

"Yes! I would! Thank you, Mr. Hale! I will work hard and live up to your trust!"

Victoria was overjoyed.

She had come to apply for the position of team leader in the investment department's project evaluation group, and this project evaluation group was under the investment analysis specialist.

Which meant that even before she started, Marcus had effectively "promoted" her. How could she not want it?

"Alright then. Elena, have someone from your team take Ms. Marsh to complete the onboarding procedures."

Elena looked very displeased, but she did not object on the spot and ordered her assistant to lead Victoria away.

"Come with me!"

The girl turned around with an unfriendly tone, and Marcus touched his nose, following her into her office.

"Close the door!"

"Hey! I am your boss, not your secretary. If you talk to me like that again, I'll dock your pay."

Elena suddenly leaned in close, startling Marcus into quickly closing the door.

"Watch it, this is the office. You wouldn't want the staff to think you got to be a leader by slipping through the cracks, would you?"

Elena grabbed his tie and pulled him close, gritting her teeth. "I am very angry right now. You better take this seriously!"

Marcus flicked her forehead, took the opportunity to break free, and sat down on the sofa.

"What's there to be angry about? Angry that I hired someone you had just rejected, embarrassing you?"

"I couldn't care less what others think." Elena sat beside him, puffing with anger. "But you made a decision about the investment analysis specialist position without even discussing it. That is highly irresponsible. Moreover, in my opinion, Victoria Marsh is already over thirty-five and her experience thus far has only been as a fund client manager at a securities firm, not even qualified to be our investment project evaluation director."

"So why do you think I not only hired her but also made her an investment specialist?" Marcus asked in return. "Do you think I fell for her and wanted to 'dive in' with her?"

Unable to hold back, Elena giggled and punched him. "Stop it! I'm talking about something serious right now. Don't make me laugh!"

"Just look at you, the well-fed who never understands the hungry." Marcus grimaced. "Just because you're pretty, you look down on the charm of an ordinary woman?"

Victoria Marsh certainly looked quite average, but to say that she had charm wasn't a lie.

The future "Queen of Private Equity" in the investment world, after all, with a miraculous track record of over three hundred percent returns over five consecutive years.

To put it bluntly, if it weren't for the sake of friendship, and Marcus could only choose one of them to be his senior executive, Elena Shaw would be the one crying very loudly.

"Can you stop beating around the bush? If you don't explain this to me clearly, do you believe I'll find an excuse to fire her in a few days?"

---

Chapter 55: Tragic, Deserved

Marcus shook his head and sighed.

"I really regret letting you get involved in company management now. I should have just given you dividend rights. Among the four shareholders of Hale Investment, I only emphasized the importance of obedience to you, but what's the reality? Serena is just blindly loyal. Hannah might grumble a bit, but it's only you who always argue with me nonstop, needing everything explained in great detail. If I had known it would be like this, I would have..."

His words came to an abrupt halt because Elena's eyes were already reddening, an "I'm about to cry in front of you" look on her face.

"Oh, I was just teasing you! Don't take it seriously. If I were really dissatisfied with you, I wouldn't talk to you like this."

Elena sniffled. "Even if you're not dissatisfied with me yet, you must surely find me annoying."

Marcus scratched his head. "Annoying, not exactly. It's just that we've known each other for less than a month, and you dared to invest a hundred million to go into business with me. Why do you still always seem so distrustful of me?"

Elena bowed her head, fell silent for quite a while before speaking. "I don't distrust you. It's just... it's just that I want to understand your way of doing things as much as possible to keep up with your pace. I don't want to be like Serena and Hannah, just followers of yours. I want to stand at the same height as you and be regarded by you as an equal!"

That was a bit difficult to respond to.

The meaning in her words could be interpreted as admiration, or even fondness, but either way, it wasn't quite appropriate for either side of their relationship.

Although Marcus never thought of himself as a good man, having been a scoundrel enough in his previous life, this life he wanted to love his wife for a lifetime, making up for the grave sins he had committed.

After pondering for a moment, he laughed and said, "And here I thought it was something serious. Wanting to realize your self-worth is easy. You're just too impatient. At the moment, our company is just starting, and there aren't many things to do, so that's why you seem like subordinates. Tell you what, when we grow and expand in the future, not only you, but Serena and Hannah as well will each have a big chunk of responsibilities. By then, I'll make decisions on the grand scheme of things at most. The rest will have to be managed independently by you lot, and there'll be no opportunity to slack off, understand?"

Having said that, he didn't wait for Elena's response before getting up and heading for the door.

"Also, if you're really not at ease with Victoria Marsh, find a time to talk to her. Don't ask those routine recruitment questions. Ask her opinions on the investment market, the future financial trends, and which industries have greater potential for development. Trust me, she will definitely give you answers that surprise you."

As his words trailed off, he was already outside the door. Elena opened her mouth as if to call him back but eventually gave up.

The timing was still too soon. If she were to pierce through the window paper now, it might mean they couldn't even remain friends anymore, and the company could fall apart.

Wait a little longer... No, that's wrong. I specifically called him to meet the senior managers.

This bastard, just by showing up, he's left everyone's heart in a mess, and I've forgotten the main issue.

Elena cursed under her breath and got up to follow him.

The girl had recruited three professional managers who would be taking over as heads of the legal affairs, finance, and administration departments respectively.

All experienced veterans in their fields, Marcus also trusted Elena's judgment. After a brief chat with the three of them, he made the hiring decisions on the spot.

After all, the functions of the three departments were more supportive, unlikely to affect his habit of making unilateral decisions.

Next, Marcus went to find Serena Blake in the logistics department, which had the full complement of staff, chatted for a bit, made plans to drink with a bunch of dandies in a few days, and then planned to go home to cook dinner in preparation for the evening's drinking appointment with his father-in-law.

Just as he left the office building, his phone rang. The caller ID showed Julian Vance.

"Marcus, are you free tonight? Sir Duncan is hosting a dinner and specifically asked for your company."

"Ah, that's really unfortunate." Marcus apologized. "The father-in-law has recently come to stay at our place, so tonight, as a son-in-law, I need to give a good performance."

Julian laughed heartily. "What's the rush? You're not a newly welcomed son-in-law. Sir Duncan is leaving the day after tomorrow. The opportunity is rare. If you really can't pass up the chance to impress, why not bring your father-in-law along?"

"Ah? Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it? It's just a casual meal and chat. He is about the same age as us. He shouldn't feel uncomfortable."

Marcus still felt it wasn't right, and was about to refuse again when he suddenly remembered the purpose of Duncan Hale's visit to Westlake, which his father-in-law might indeed be related to, so he agreed.

"Alright then. Give me an address, and I'll pick up my father-in-law. His workplace is quite far from mine, so we might make you wait a bit longer."

"Where does your father-in-law work?"

"At the Harborview Bureau."

"That's not far from where we are dining. Here's what we'll do: Don't bother making the trip back and forth. I'll have my secretary pick him up. You just give a heads-up."

Marcus thought it over and, without further ado, provided his father-in-law's name and then ended the call.

Victor, in his youth, worked on the docks carrying and unloading ships, commonly known as a port worker. After the dock reforms, he naturally transitioned into a waterfront worker.

He was somewhat pedantic and of a weak disposition, not skilled in networking. Diligently working for over twenty years, he had only managed to attain the position of a foreman.

It was only thanks to an underling whom he had once helped, who later became a leader, that he was transferred to an office in logistics.

Though it lacked lucrative perks, he didn't miss out on any benefits he was entitled to, and the younger clerks did most of the work, which was a rather decent arrangement before retirement.

The sunset light reflecting off the river shone through the window into Victor's eyes.

He glanced at the time, seeing it was almost time to get off work, he closed the report in his hands, took off his reading glasses, and began stretching.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Picking it up, he saw it was his son-in-law, and his mouth curved up subconsciously.

"Marcus, I'm about to get off work. What's up?"

"Well, Dad," Marcus said, "I suddenly got a dinner invitation, and the host is quite an important person, so I won't be able to cook for you tonight..."

Victor chuckled. "What's the big deal? You go ahead and do what you need to do. When can't we grab a drink? There's no rush."

"That's not something you can say. No one is more important than you! If Claire found out I ditched you for a drink with others, she would probably relegate me to the sofa for the night. So, I decided to take you with me to the dinner. The host has already sent a car for you. Just wait in your office."

Victor was initially pleased with the flattery from his son-in-law, but upon hearing the latter part, he immediately became anxious.

"Ah? A big shot invites you to dinner, and you want to bring this old man along? That's not right. It's nonsensical!"

"So what should we do? The secretary is already on the way. Should I call them back? That would be even more inappropriate!"

Victor thought about it and realized Marcus was right. It would be impolite and too much of a hassle to send them back, so he sighed, "You kid, why are you always so impulsive!"

Marcus laughed. "If you want to scold me, you can do it when we see each other. That's how things are. Just wait there with peace of mind."

"Don't hang up yet. Exactly who are we dining with?"

"They are senior business associates, roughly your age, so you don't need to worry about running out of topics to talk about. Right, one of them is Julian Vance. You know him."

"Julian Vance?"

Victor stood up in shock, causing the others in the office to lift their heads and look over at him.

The call ended, and Victor stared blankly at his phone screen, feeling as if he were dreaming.

"Hey! Old Victor, who wants to take you out for dinner? Could it be Julian Vance?"

A colleague teased him. "Look at you, making it big without a peep. A billionaire boss inviting you to dinner. When are you going to share some of that good fortune with us?"

"Eh, why do you think Julian Vance would invite Old Victor? Could it be the big boss has some contraband he wants to smuggle in? If that's the case, rather than finding Old Victor, it would be better to ask Old Zhang who watches the warehouse. At least there's a small dock there."

"You're thinking too small. What kind of private goods could the big boss have? I bet it's because the big boss wants to rejuvenate himself and has taken a fancy to Old Victor's pretty daughter. In the future, Old Victor will be the big boss's father-in-law. You all should show some respect, got it?"

No sooner had these words been spoken than the office erupted into cheerful laughter, clearly Victor was often the butt of jokes amongst these old slickers.

Victor was furious and slammed his hand down on the desk, shouting, "Bullshit! The person who just called is my son-in-law, and he has a good relationship with Julian Vance. He was invited out to dinner tonight, couldn't refuse, and also felt sorry for me, not wanting me to be home alone, so that's why he's taking me along."

As his words fell, there was a moment of silence in the office, which was then followed by an even louder burst of laughter.

"Hahaha... Old Victor, even if you're going to boast, at least come up with a believable excuse! Your son-in-law, as long as it's one of the old-timers from our unit, not one of them doesn't know he's a foul-smelling gambler and a waste."

"Exactly! Someone like that probably can't even write the words 'Julian Vance'... Hahahaha..."

"Last week, I ran into Old Victor's daughter-in-law at the market, heard her cursing her son-in-law worse than dogs and pigs, even talking about getting her daughter to divorce him and snatching the house from him. Now all of a sudden, your son-in-law is fond of you? Turns out your wife didn't give birth to the same daughter, huh!"

"Hey! Don't talk nonsense. Maybe we all misunderstood. Old Victor didn't say that 'Julian Vance' is the same Pacific Group boss who visited our unit the other day. Maybe it's a gambling buddy his son-in-law met at the gambling table. What's wrong with having a meal together? It's perfectly normal!"

"You... you all..."

Listening to his old colleagues' clamorous discussions and ridicule, Victor's face flushed with anger, his heart pounded violently, but he was so tongue-tied that he didn't know how to retort at all.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and a portly, balding middle-aged man walked in, asking with a chuckle, "What's so funny? What are you all talking about that's making you so happy?"

Most of the office staff were old-timers just killing time, so they weren't nervous even when the boss showed up.

A plump woman with a face full of wrinkles spoke up. "We're laughing at Old Victor! He just boasted that his son-in-law is taking him to dinner, and the host is Julian Vance. Section Chief, tell us, it's something you wouldn't dare even dream of, and he had the audacity to say it so brazenly like we're fools, right? Haha... it's killing us..."

However, the section chief not only didn't laugh, but his previously smiling face instantly vanished, and there was even a hint of anger in his eyes.

"I think you're the fools, all damn senile! All day long with nothing better to do than to gossip about colleagues. You might as well retire and look after your grandchildren at home. Make room for the young ones!"

The office instantly fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. Victor's colleagues all had their smiling faces freeze, not understanding why the boss had suddenly become so furious.

Under normal circumstances, in front of these senior employees with little actual authority, leaders, both old and new, liked to show off their amiable and approachable side, chatting about family matters and the like.

After all, no one wanted to be criticized for disrespecting their elders or having too much pride.

Therefore, situations like the one that had just occurred were not unheard of, but they might not happen even once a year.

So they were all extremely astonished and wanted to ask about it, but feared getting on someone's bad side, so they all kept their mouths shut and heads down, pretending to be very busy.

The section chief didn't bother lecturing any further, quickly returned to a smiling demeanor, and briskly walked over to Victor, shaking his hand and saying, "Old Victor, don't mind those old fools who haven't seen the world. After all, you have several years left before retirement, and, based on seniority, you should be in line for a promotion. We'll talk about the future when it comes."

All the colleagues were shocked, and Victor was also baffled. "Section chief, do you mean..."

The section chief didn't bother explaining, just laughed heartily, then added, "I've already informed the gate security. When Mr. Vance's secretary's car arrives, they will let it through directly. Just wait for a call before heading downstairs."

"Oh my! How come the leader is troubled because of this. I'm truly sorry."

"It can't be helped! Social vehicles simply can't enter our premises at will. Mr. Vance is a big shot. He's a stickler for rules, so it's necessary to give a heads-up beforehand!"

With that, the section chief patted Victor on the shoulder again. "A relative just sent me some Oolong tea, and I've heard you're quite the tea connoisseur. Why not come to my office for a tasting? We're free anyway!"

Victor did indeed have some knowledge about tea, but even he could tell that this was just an excuse. While expressing his gratitude, he followed the section chief out.

"By the way, I've heard that Mr. Vance is interested in investing in the port area. Since your son-in-law has a say in the matter, you should try to gain some benefits for our logistics department. After all, you're part of us here..."

The section chief's voice gradually faded away. The air in the office became increasingly quiet, even a bit heavy, making it difficult to breathe.