Chapter 162 Discounted Purchase of Building Materials

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Ryder Clark and Sarah Johnson had just enjoyed a homemade lunch at Thelma's place.

Her culinary skills were as legendary as rumored. Even the most ordinary dishes had them planning their next visit.

Of course, they didn't take advantage of her hospitality without giving back. Following the company's shakeup and Paul's group of executives resigning, they took decisive action. Klay, defiant even after being given a chance, was being handled through legal means.

Then there were the striking, rumor-spreading employees—all let go according to company policy. The company was poised for a significant personnel overhaul, and employees like Thelma, who genuinely cared about the company, were due for a promotion and a raise. Rewards and consequences were the key to cultivating a thriving corporate culture.

Walking leisurely back towards SR Group, Sarah Johnson, who had been under severe stress for days, was finally taking a breather and returning to her usual composed self.

Out of curiosity, she asked, "How did you manage to provide those contractors with so much material? Can you share your secret now?"

She'd known Ryder Clark had a plan, but he hadn't shared the details, asking her only to provide him contacts of the train drivers supplying SR Group and not to worry about the rest.

Though she had immense trust in Ryder Clark, she couldn't help but feel anxious. Yet, he had pulled it off successfully in the end.
Facing Sarah Johnson's skepticism, Ryder Clark replied with a smirk, "Actually, those building materials are from SR Group to begin with!"

Sarah Johnson furrowed her brows in annoyance, "Stop joking around! How could I not know about SR Group's inventory?"

Ryder Clark's lips curled up in a knowing smile, "Change your perspective for a second. Who told you that SR Group's materials have to stay in our own warehouse? Just because they've been sold, doesn't mean they stop being materials, right?"

"Sold materials..."

Sarah Johnson muttered under her breath, then suddenly, her eyes lit up, "You mean, these materials were actually sold to Maple Real Estate before?"

"Exactly!"

Ryder Clark snapped his fingers and explained, " Maple Real Estate hasn't started their project yet, so I managed to borrow this batch from them! Those builders have been so fixed at SG but lacked flexibility; that's why they never thought of this possibility."

The realization dawned on Sarah Johnson.

Everything clicked into place!

She turned back to Ryder Clark, her voice serious and expectant, "But something this big—how did you pull it off? Don't tell me you did it all just as the head of security! And don't start with that story about your classmate helping out again! Even the deepest friendship wouldn't justify this kind of no-holds-barred assistance!"

"But... it really was my classmate who helped me out!" Ryder Clark insisted.

Crossing her arms, Sarah Johnson declared solemnly, "I don't buy it."

Ryder Clark inwardly groaned, "Great. I'm in trouble."

Sarah Johnson was getting harder and harder to fool.

What do I do now? Do I have to reveal my true identity?

Just when it seemed like a crisis, Sarah Johnson's phone rang out of the blue!

She checked it.

It was a call from Sophia Anderson, the vice president of Maple Real Estate!

Sarah Johnson quickly answered, "Hello, Vice President Anderson, how are you?"

"Miss Jonson, hello!" Sophia Anderson greeted.

"For the building materials loan, on behalf of my company, I want to express our sincere gratitude to your company. Whatever it takes, I'll get those materials returned to you as quickly as possible!" Sarah Johnson's voice couldn't hide her excitement.

Sophia Anderson chuckled and said, "Actually, this was all instructed by our boss, Mr. Clark
, who's abroad. I'm just following orders. Mr. Clark mentioned that it'd be best if you could repay at your earliest convenience within the payment period."

"Okay, okay! Thank you for your understanding, Vice President Anderson, and please convey my gratitude to Mr. Clark!"

"Mhm! Oh, and isn't Ryder Clark with you?"

"He is!"

"Tell him to get back to work ASAP. As the head of security, he's been MIA for days. If he doesn't show up soon, he shouldn't bother coming back at all!"

With a beep, Sophia Anderson ended the call.

Sarah Johnson pocketed her phone, her face etched with confusion.

Seizing the moment, Ryder Clark pressed on, "See! I told you my classmate took care of it. I'm just the messenger!"

"Alright!"

At this point, Sarah Johnson had no choice but to believe it.

There was a fleeting moment when she dared to dream. Could Ryder Clark be the fabled young CEO of Maple Estates that everyone spoke about? After all, there had been numerous coincidences lately, with Ryder Clark's transformation and her company being assisted by mysterious benefactors time and again.

But Sophia Anderson's recent call shattered that fantasy.

It made sense, though. If Ryder Clark really were the CEO of Maple Estates, why would he keep it a secret from her? Besides, she knew about his background—an impoverished kid from the countryside. The likelihood of him heading a real estate empire was slim to none. However, that mattered little. A genuine heart, after all, was far more warming than any noble title or wealth.

Ryder Clark spoke up, "Hey, Vice President Anderson just called and told me to rush back to work. So, I won't be able to accompany you to your company."

Sarah Johnson nodded in understanding, "Alright! The situation at my company has stabilized pretty much, and if there's nothing pressing, you don't need to stop by. I know your buddy hooked you up with that security manager gig at Maple Estates. Just do your job well. I have no patience for men without ambition or dedication to their work."

"Got it! See you tonight, honey!"

Ryder Clark hopped on a shared bike at the curb and pedaled his way to Maple Estates.

Watching his receding figure, Sarah Johnson's lips curled into a contented smile as she murmured softly, "Having you in my life... it's wonderful."

Half an hour later, in the executive office on the twentieth floor of Maple Estates, Ryder Clark grinned wryly, "Thanks for playing along with the act just now, Sophia Anderson. You did it seamlessly and just in time."

Sophia Anderson, standing across from him, modestly responded, "Oh, it's nothing, Mr. Clark."

In fact, Ryder Clark had instructed her the day before, once the SR Group had turned the tables, to give Sarah Johnson a call and help conceal his identity.

Even now, Sophia Anderson was unsure of Ryder Clark's motives, but as a professional manager, she knew better than to speculate on her boss's thoughts.

Ryder Clark continued, "How's the situation with Anton's construction crew?"

"They're in complete disarray!" Sophia Anderson replied. "With SR Group surviving the crisis, they're stuck with surplus building materials they can't offload, and their company accounts are too cash-strapped to fulfill the material purchase contract with SG. On top of that, the Windsor family and the Johnson family have made it clear they won't return any goods, leaving the suppliers both frustrated and helpless."

Hearing this, Ryder Clark leaned back, hands clasped behind his head, and stretched lazily, "Seems like it's our turn to make a move."

"What should we do?"

Ryder Clark's lips curved into an innocently mischievous smile, "We'll announce that Maple Estates is buying up the building materials, at a price that’s 20% below market value!"

Overnight Riches
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