Chapter 54 Retaliation
After a busy morning, James finally managed to finalize the paperwork for BH Pharmaceuticals.
Although he felt that ten billion dollars was an excessive gift, he couldn't decline the persistent insistence of Patrick and his wife and ultimately accepted their generous offer.
This meant that their interests were now closely intertwined.
Regardless, James was pleased with this outcome.
He now had his own business, and he believed that starting the clinic would make both Michelle and Mary very happy.
As dusk approached, Mary called, asking James to drive the repaired red BMW to TG Company.
James swiftly retrieved the car and drove to the company's entrance, where Mary was already waiting with her assistant, Isabella Jones.
Isabella glanced at James with a hint of disdain, clearly aware of his status as the Smith family's son-in-law.
Isabella was an attractive woman, especially noted for her long legs, which exuded a youthful appeal that caught many eyes.
James couldn't help but take a few extra glances, which only increased her disdain.
Mary pulled Isabella along and got into the car. "I was busy with the loan issues this morning and then had to oversee production at noon. I didn't have time to catch up with you."
Once they were both seated and buckled in, Mary started the conversation. "Now, can you tell me what happened this morning?"
James smiled. "What happened?"
"How did you come to know Patrick Sanders?" Mary rolled her eyes at James, but her tone was softer and tinged with curiosity, unlike her usual scolding manner.
James could easily attribute saving Sophia to his medical skills as luck, and his success in debt collection as good fortune. His actions towards Jared Sullivan and Joseph Garcia might be interpreted as leveraging Olivia Lee's influence. Nevertheless, Mary found it perplexing that James garnered such high esteem from Patrick Sanders, leading to the dismissal of a bank manager and a director, as well as the acquisition of a two-hundred-million dollar loan for him.
Hearing James mention Patrick, Isabella was momentarily taken aback but quickly dismissed it as probably pity from the other side.
James thought for a moment and replied, "Olivia introduced me."
"I knew it was her," Mary snorted. "If not for her, you wouldn't have had access to Patrick. Offering unsolicited favors usually means there's a hidden agenda."
James deflected. "What does it matter? As long as it helps. And look, your loan issue is resolved."
"You know Patrick, which I can understand, but how did you get him to take you seriously?" Mary pressed on, eager to understand the dynamics of their relationship.
Mary said, "He wouldn't demote a bank manager and a director for someone he barely knows."
James's influence slightly took Isabella aback, but then she remembered Mary's mention of Olivia. She scoffed with contempt, thinking to herself, 'Another freeloader?'
"Don't change the subject. How did you gain Patrick's favor?" Mary's eyes were filled with doubt. "The Sanders are famously proud."
James initially wanted to mention his medical treatment for them but decided against it, thinking Mary wouldn't believe that. Instead, he said, "Skylar, Patrick's wife, was almost hit by a car once, and I just happened to pull her back in time."
"That makes sense," Mary realized, accepting this as the most plausible explanation. She had doubted James could genuinely impress Patrick."By the way, TG Company took out six loans last year. Is the business not doing well?" James quickly changed the subject.
"If there are any difficulties, you can tell me. Maybe I can help." He knew that if TG Company were running smoothly and collecting its dues on time, there wouldn't be a cash flow issue.
Hearing this, Isabella almost burst out laughing. She thought, 'Who do you think you are? Solving the company's problems? Even if Ms Smith couldn't figure it out, it's not something a freeloader like you could handle.'
Isabella mocked James in her mind.
Mary's smile faltered, then she spoke softly, "There are some minor issues, but I can handle them."
The company was indeed facing challenges, barely managing to stay afloat. Like Isabella, Mary didn't believe James could be of any help.
"Can you handle them?" James pressed.
Mary nodded, "Sure."
Even if she couldn't, she didn't want James's help, which would only increase her indebtedness to Olivia.
"Alright, as long as you can handle it," James sighed in relief. "But if you can't, don't just bear it alone. Tell me, and I'll find a way to help."
Isabella scoffed internally at James's pretentiousness.
Suddenly, three vans blocked their path at an intersection, and a business van sealed their retreat. Mary and Isabella's faces tensed, unsure of what was happening.
Doors opened, and a dozen thugs with baseball bats emerged, surrounding them. Piper and Douglas also appeared from one of the vehicles.
"Scumbags!" Mary's face darkened at the sight of them. "Resorting to such low tactics."
James narrowed his eyes, recognizing it as a move for revenge by Douglas Brown.
Isabella was extremely nervous. "Ms. Smith, what do we do now?"
"Call the police," Mary instructed as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "I'll go and hold them off. My status will protect me. They won't dare touch me. James, stay in the car. Don't come out."
She was certain they were targeting her.
Isabella nodded frantically, trying to dial for help, only to find there was no signal.
"You don't have to go," James said, opening the car door with a smile. "They're here for me. I'll handle this."
"How will you handle it?" Isabella snapped. "Just listen to Ms. Smith and don't mess things up, or we're all doomed."
Isabella thought, 'It's one thing for James to put on a show all the way, but if he pretends to be clueless at crucial moments, he will be done for.'
James said, "It's nothing. They're just a mob. I can handle them."
James recognized a few familiar faces among the crowd, his lips curling into a sardonic smile.
"Handle them?" Isabella laughed out of frustration. "Do you think you're Bruce Lee? Stop joking and come back..."
James closed the car door behind him.
"Ms. Smith, what kind of person is this? So presumptuous!" Isabella stomped her foot in frustration, knowing Douglas's background in high-interest loans made him dangerous.
"James!" Mary didn't think much further. Seeing James step out, she, too, got out of the car.
Feeling helpless, Isabella picked up her phone and followed after Mary. "What is he made of? He's going to get us all killed," she mumbled under her breath.
At that moment, James was already confronting Piper and Douglas.
Douglas, leaning on his cane, said with a face full of resentment, "Brat, what a coincidence. We meet again."
James didn't waste words. "Are you looking for trouble?"
"Looking for trouble?" Douglas looked at James and sneered, "I think, today, you're the one looking for trouble."
Douglas shouted, "When I act like a gentleman, everyone can bully me. But once I become a devil, I become your nightmare. You've messed up my plans, cut off my income, and even fired me. Today, I won't let you go."
Piper also looked at James with a contemptuous gaze. "Now, Mr. Sanders is useless."
She taunted Mary, "Once we decide to show our true colors, no one can save you."
Mary was about to explode but was held back by Isabella, urging her not to provoke the irrational Douglas and his crew.
James smiled faintly. "Whether Mr. Sanders is useful or not, I'll still deal with you."
"Deal with us?" Piper laughed disdainfully. "Try slapping me now if you can."
James stepped forward and sent Piper flying with a slap.
The scene fell silent.
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