Chapter 59 The Fallen Aristocrat
After rescuing Olivia, James didn't linger at the scene. He gave a few instructions and left with Samuel to have dinner.
He had planned to go to a casual street food stall, but Samuel insisted on treating James to a nice meal, so they ended up at the WH Group Restaurant.
James also called Mary, hoping she could join them for dinner, but she was stuck at work and couldn't make it. Thus, it was just him and Samuel.
Samuel looked like a nouveau riche, but in fact, he was a very smart man.
He saw the scene of Austin Bell and others' deaths, but he didn't say a word more, nor did he ask James what had happened.
When they were almost at the WH Group Restaurant, Samuel took out a bank card and handed it to James.
Samuel said, "James, there's twenty million dollars on this card, my entire fortune. Please give it to Mary to help her out. I wanted to give it to her earlier, but the funds only cleared these past few days. Also, tell her I'm sorry I couldn't help more. She saved me once, and I wish I could do more for her."
It was clear that Samuel had been concerned about Mary's financial troubles.
James was surprised that Samuel had gone to such lengths to raise money. He was moved, and the bank card was pushed back.
James said, "Keep your money. Mary's financial issues have been resolved."
To reassure Samuel, he added. "I had Jacob help out. He spoke to Hundred Flowers Bank, and the loan was arranged."
"It's settled." Samuel was initially stunned, then overjoyed. "I knew it. With James around, Mary's problems were sure to be solved."
He had seen Jacob's respect for James that night and believed Mary's issues were indeed resolved.
Samuel said, "Still, keep the twenty million dollars for Mary. It's always good to have extra funds."
Samuel thought for a moment. "She really has it tough."
James shook his head. "You keep it. She may have it tough, but at least she has me to share the burden."
"Besides, you'll need capital to make a comeback."
"A comeback?" Samuel gave a bitter smile. "Before, with twenty million and my connections, I thought making a comeback would be easy. Even if I couldn't reach the heights of before again, I could have returned to high society. But reality brutally crushed those thoughts. Those who mocked me don't give me a chance to turn things around. They fear my revenge if I rise again and prefer to keep someone to look down upon. Since I went bankrupt, I've started seven or eight businesses, all sabotaged, losing over ten million. The ones who targeted me weren't just my opportunistic stepmother but also friends who once called me brother and the girlfriend I loved. Sad, isn't it?"
Samuel continued, "So I've decided not to do business anymore, nor do I want a comeback. Now, I drive for a living. They're at ease, and so am I. I can make two thousand dollars a month."
Samuel spoke freely, but James could see the sadness in his eyes. The despair of a small man unable to contend with the powerful.
"I've been busy lately and need someone trustworthy to help me. Come work for me." James clapped Samuel on the shoulder. "Be my driver and assistant for now. When the time is right, I'll give you a chance to rise again. It's up to you whether you believe in me or not."
With BH Pharmaceuticals, the clinic project, and other dealings, James believed there were opportunities suitable for Samuel.
Samuel was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily. "Alright, from now on, I'm with you."
James opened the car door. "I'm just a son-in-law who came knocking. Are you really going to follow me without looking back?"
Samuel also got out of the car. "That night at the party, I knew you are no ordinary man."
He stopped abruptly, his gaze freezing as he looked ahead.
James followed his gaze and saw six or seven women walking towards them, laughing and drawing attention.
Tall and statuesque, petite and exquisite, curvaceous and alluring, slender and elegant, short-haired, long-haired with flowing locks, it was truly a gathering of diverse beauties.
Their revealing outfits offered a feast for the eyes.
One woman stood out in particular with her melon-seed face, phoenix eyes, and long legs, exuding the aura of an internet celebrity.
James nodded towards Samuel and asked, "Do you know her?"
"I do." Samuel didn't hide it. "My ex-girlfriend, Ella Martinez. We were in love for four years. I loved her deeply, and she liked to cling to me, but she also hurt me the most. When I went bankrupt, she not only took my savings of half a million and mortgaged my car but also collaborated with my stepmother to trick me into signing documents that saddled me with a lot of debt. Her betrayal earned her a million dollars, nearly sending me to jail."
Samuel's voice was tinged with emotion.
James smiled and asked again, "Do you hate her?"
Samuel replied, "I used to, but now I've let it go."
Samuel smiled openly. "Holding a grudge is the most powerless thing. If you're really upset, you take revenge."
"As of now, I'm just trying to keep my head above water. Revenge has yet to be an option. She currently holds a position as a procurement manager at BH Pharmaceuticals, pulling in a yearly salary of a million, not including bonuses. On top of that, her new beau, Stephen Green, is a supplier in the medicinal industry, a high-flyer akin to Stanley Sullivan. The Green family has a firm grip on the majority of Rosewood City's medicinal market and maintains a tight-knit relationship with Skylar, the CEO of BH Pharmaceuticals."
He was straightforward. "I can't afford to stir up trouble with them right now."
He didn't say it, but Stephen and Ella had harassed him several times, and he had no choice but to swallow his pride.
"Is BH Pharmaceuticals that impressive?" James chuckled. "Isn't it just a company valued at a billion dollars? For a city full of pharmaceutical companies, that's nothing."
"Don't trivialize BH Pharmaceuticals," Samuel warned seriously. Though it might seem insignificant, it's supported by the formidable Hundred Flowers Bank and the powerful Sanders family, with impressive sales and substantial profits. It's said that Skylar's personal quest for improved health drove the inception of this pharmaceutical company, prompting her to put together a team dedicated to seeking out medicinal ingredients."
Samuel added. "A single stock turned into a billion-dollar enterprise. How impressive is that? And that's with Skylar deliberately holding back. Just a little push with bank resources or market influence, and it could easily reach a valuation of ten billion dollars."
James nodded thoughtfully.
BH Pharmaceuticals might seem unremarkable, but it had huge potential, especially with the backing of Hundred Flowers Bank, which was always poised to become a top pharmaceutical company.
At that moment, Samuel glanced again at Ella.
This glance was caught by the group of women, who immediately rolled their eyes.
"Who is that fat guy? Looks like a loser. Why does he keep staring at us?"
"He's such a creep. Look, he's staring at my chest. How can we face anyone after being seen by him in these clothes!"
"Exactly, such shameless people. We're still virgins!"
"Disgusting!"
"Pervert!"
The women's chattering criticism suddenly made Ella Martinez, who had been texting, look up.
"Oh, isn't this Samuel?"
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