Chapter 706 Meeting Lawrence
"Dad, let this guy in! Don't be so cheap!" Anna, just four years old, acted all grown-up, mischievous and smart, grabbing Lawrence's hand right away.
Seeing the kid, Lawrence's face softened a bit. "Thanks, but no need. Your dad doesn't want me here."
"Why not?" Anna asked.
"Maybe 'cause I'm down on my luck right now," Lawrence replied.
Bentley almost choked, thinking, 'what's wrong with this guy?'
"Dad, why are you being so stuck-up?" Anna yelled at him, clearly annoyed.
"Our family isn't that stuck-up. Come on in," Anna shyly invited Lawrence, giving Bentley a glare as she spoke.
Bentley was fuming; just because of Lawrence's face, Anna was totally smitten.
Lawrence grinned, "You're way nicer than your dad. I like you."
"Really?" Anna asked, blushing.
Bentley felt like he was gonna explode. "Anna, what are you doing? Go inside!"
"Dad, let him come in as a guest."
After Anna went inside, Lawrence casually asked, "Where's her mom? I haven't seen you get married."
Bentley stumbled a bit as he walked in.
Lawrence noticed and thought Bentley probably didn't wanna talk about it. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Anna doesn't have a mom?"
"Why do you care?" Bentley snapped.
"I wanna know if there's something you want or someone you can't have," Lawrence said, figuring everyone had their weak spots.
Bentley paused, then seemed to think of something, his eyes narrowing at Lawrence.
After a moment, Bentley spoke in a low voice, "You said you wanted me on your side and asked if I had something I wanted? Fine, but you gotta help me find out something."
Lawrence smiled, "Shoot."
Bentley narrowed his eyes, "You know Melanie, Winnie's close friend. She's cousins with Ishara. Four years ago, Melanie was studying abroad and an accident took her memory for a year. I think only Ishara knows what went down, and you know how nasty she is. She's always teamed up with others to mess with Melanie. I want you to use your connection with Ishara to make her spill what she did to Melanie."
Lawrence frowned; if Bentley hadn't brought it up, he would've almost forgotten about Ishara.
He remembered Melanie; she was super helpful to Winnie.
He didn't expect Ishara to be such a snake, even to Melanie.
'But what's Bentley's deal with Melanie?' he wondered, keeping a straight face. "Alright, I'll take care of it."
"If you pull it off, this will be Mr. Rodriguez's way of making friends with me," Bentley said, leaving it at that.
Lawrence got the hint; this was the deal. He had to get Bentley on his side.
"Alright, I'm out," Lawrence said, heading to his car.
The secretary came up and said, "Mr. Rodriguez, next you need to go to The Ramirez Group to collect the debt they owe us."
Debt collection used to be handled by an outside company.
But now the Rodriguez Group couldn't afford so many people.
He rubbed his temples, glanced at the new secretary, and remembered Bryan was sent to find Jeremy.
He didn't have enough reliable people now.
"Let's go."
The car soon pulled up at The Ramirez Group's building.
Lawrence took long strides, reading The Ramirez Group's info as he climbed the steps.
The Ramirez Group was this small-time company that hit a rough patch earlier in the year. They borrowed $3 billion from a loan company under the Rodriguez Group. Bob was in charge back then and was pretty chill, so he approved the loan.
But now, more than half a year later, The Ramirez Group still hadn't paid up.
Out of nowhere, Lawrence bumped into someone.
He bent over to gather the papers scattered on the ground, his narrow eyes lifting, and was a bit shocked to see Winnie.
Winnie was caught off guard, too; she had this habit of reading documents while walking and ended up bumping into him. She looked up, all flustered.
Their eyes met, and both were surprised.
For a moment, it was dead silent.
Beside them, Melanie watched, stunned. In Lawrence's eyes, deep emotions seemed to overflow for Winnie. He quickly picked up the documents Winnie had dropped and spoke hoarsely, "Winnie."
"Melanie, why didn't you warn me?" Winnie muttered, annoyed, turning around, her small face embarrassed, which Lawrence noticed.
He thought, 'When she's not all guarded, she's kinda adorable.'
He couldn't help but smile, "It's not her fault. But, what are you doing here?"
"What I'm doing, does it concern you?" Winnie shot back, grabbing her documents and strutting to the other side of the steps in her high heels.
Lawrence's eyes lowered.
Melanie didn't dare say anything and followed Winnie.
They all ended up at The Ramirez Group's lobby at the same time.
The receptionist saw Winnie and immediately greeted her with a smile, "Ms. Blanchet, here to sign the contract? Please go to the president's office. Mr. Ramirez is waiting for you."
"Okay, thanks." Winnie turned and headed for the elevator.
"I'm here to see Mr. Ramirez, too," Lawrence said coldly.
The receptionist looked at the handsome Lawrence and blinked.
But her tone changed, "Is it Mr. Rodriguez? Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I didn't know I would need an appointment to collect a debt," Lawrence said, deadpan.
"What?" The receptionist pretended not to hear.
Lawrence turned around.
HIs secretary slammed the debt documents on the desk, speaking harshly, "Stop stalling. You're just a receptionist. You probably don't get it. Call Mr. Ramirez down! He owes the Rodriguez Group $3 billion and isn't planning to pay? Half a month ago, the Rodriguez Group called Mr. Ramirez, and he didn't answer. Now Mr. Rodriguez has to come in person."
"Sorry, even if Mr. Rodriguez comes in person, it won't help. The Ramirez Group is struggling financially, and we probably can't repay the $3 billion. Mr. Ramirez is very busy this afternoon, and Mr. Rodriguez, without an appointment, you'll have to wait in line. If Mr. Ramirez finishes with other clients and has time, he'll see you. If you don't have the patience to wait, then please leave today. Our Ramirez Group is a small company, and you standing here also damages your dignity. Although, we don't have much dignity left now," the receptionist said arrogantly.
"Mind you language. Mr. Rodriguez wouldn't have even stepped into your Ramirez Group if you didn't owe money. We wouldn't be here if you had repaid," the secretary snapped.
"It's really ridiculous. The old Rodriguez Group wouldn't have cared about $3 billion. If Mr. Rodriguez were generous, he wouldn't be chasing us for this money. We're all in business; Mr. Ramirez is really struggling now. Can't Mr. Rodriguez be a bit more lenient?" The receptionist said mockingly.
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