Return of the Prodigy

Chapter 08: Do You Want to Die?

Knowing there was a pit ahead, Katie naturally didn't want to jump into it.

"Grandpa, I work in the engineering department. Handling accounts is the responsibility of the finance department," Katie tried to salvage the situation.

Peter immediately continued, sneering, "Cousin, capable people take on more responsibilities. You just said you are also a part of the Hartleys family, right? Don't you want to contribute to the family?"

"But I need to prepare for the holiday resort project. I don't have that much time..."

Dave waved his hand and interrupted, "This matter of the holiday resort will be handled by Peter."

"Grandpa, Mr. Byron has already designated me to be in charge of this project. How can you..."

Bang!

Dave's cane slammed onto the floor, his voice full of anger, "This is the Hartleys family, not  Byron's family. Don't think you can do whatever you want just because Chairman Byron favored you a bit. I'm the one who has the final say on every matter related to the Hartleys!"

"But, the Pierrot Group..."

"There's nothing to argue about. This matter is settled!" Dave decisively cut off any possibility of Katie refusing.

"Hehe, cousin, make sure to collect the payment. Our company just got a project, and we're waiting to use the funds," Peter said with a smile, walking up to Katie and swiftly taking the contract from her hands.

"No, I won't go. This is not my responsibility," Katie argued reasonably.

"You still wanna refuse? Think carefully before you speak. Don't blame me for forcing you. I'll give you two choices: either bring back the money or... never come back," Peter threatened.

"I can't believe you're throwing me under the bus as soon as you don't need me!" Katie was both furious and saddened, how could they do this? They just used her to secure the project, and in less than a second, they turned their backs on her.

And with such cruelty, forcing her to face death!

However, at this moment, Adam, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "Okay, we can go for the payment."

Katie was stunned and shouted, "Are you crazy?"

Peter was also taken aback. He hadn't expected Adam to agree so readily.

But then he thought again, Adam had just returned and probably didn't know the details of the Pierrot Group. Did he think he could recover the money just because he could fight?

Haha, naive!

Peter couldn't help but sneer inwardly. He was helping me without even knowing it. What a stroke of luck!

Peter smirked and said, "Alright, I'll be waiting for you to bring the money back. I'll personally celebrate your success."

Adam calmly added, "We can go for the payment, but I have a condition. If we recover the money, the holiday resort project must be handed over to Katie."

Peter furrowed his brows, feeling a sudden unease. Could this crazy person really recover the money?

Impossible! Peter immediately denied the thought. The Pierrot Group had owed this debt for over two years. Everyone knew they were trying to evade it. No matter who went to claim it, the result would be the same.

Those scumbags had already assumed the money belonged to them. There was no way they were giving it back.

If Adam dared to confront them physically, well, that would be even better! The forces behind the Pierrot Group were not something anyone could afford to provoke, not even the Hartleys family.

"Fine, I promise. However, if you fail..."

"If we fail, we'll pack our things and leave."

"Okay, that's a deal then!"

Peter felt overjoyed. This crazy Adam always helped at the perfect time. Unfortunately, you don't know there's a huge pit waiting for you ahead. I hope you won't regret it!

"Grandpa, let's go."

Supporting Dave, Peter left the meeting room, leaving behind a cold and malicious gaze.

"What are you doing? Who allowed you to agree? Don't you know what kind of place the Pierrot Group is?" Katie was both anxious and angry, how could they do this? Just after using her to secure the project, they turned their backs on her in an instant.

Adam said calmly, "It doesn't matter what kind of people they are. If they owe a debt, they should repay it."

"You... You don't understand anything! Don't follow me. I'm going back to beg Grandfather. Hopefully, I can change his mind." Katie prepared to head back.

Adam grabbed her fair wrist and said, "Can you trust me just this once? I can help you get that money back."

Seeing his unwavering confidence, Katie started to hesitate. She asked, "...Are you sure you'll be able to do it?"

Adam nodded without hesitation.

Katie gritted her teeth, mustered all of her courage, and said, "Okay, I'll trust you just this once!"

...

An hour later, Adam and Katie took a bus to the outskirts of Lisle.

In front of a factory area covering more than ten acres, various engineering machinery was parked, and three security guards were playing cards under the shade of a tree at the entrance.

"Hello, is this the Pierrot Group? We are from Hartleys Group, here to collect a debt," Adam politely said.

"Collect a debt?" The three security guards turned their heads, and when they saw Katie, their eyes lit up.

"Sure, go in."

Katie was a bit stunned. Was it this easy? Their attitude didn't seem as bad as rumored. She originally thought she would be directly kicked out today without seeing Dominick.

Could it be that they could really recover the payment today? A glimmer of hope rose in Katie's heart.

"Let's go," Adam accompanied Katie towards the office building of the factory.

The building where the office was located stood five stories tall. Adam and Katie followed the secretary and headed to the top floor, where the CEO was.

Opening the door, they found a spacious office with only one person inside. A shiny bald head, a face full of meat, left hand holding a string of yellow rosewood beads, right hand gripping a cigar.

"Mr. Pierrot, I am Katie from Hartleys Group. Today, I'm here to collect the debt you owe our company." Katie straightforwardly stated.

Dominick's eyes gleamed, shamelessly sizing up Katie. With her dedicated face, and enchanting eyes, she looked professional in her suit, outlining her graceful figure. Her slender legs, visible under the short skirt, were straight and alluring.

The most striking part was her natural beauty, without any makeup!

In just a moment, Dominick was already excited and his blood was boiling!

"Ah, Miss Hartley, was it? Sit down, please. As for the money, don't worry about it. Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable." Dominick hurriedly approached from behind his desk, extending a fat and greasy hand.

Katie smiled as she shook hands briefly, then Dominick eagerly fiddled with his fingers, impatiently ignoring Adam who was standing beside Katie.

"Secretary, go check how much we owe to the Hartley Group and bring the money here" Dominick instructed.

The secretary nodded and left the office.

A few minutes later, two burly men carried a nylon woven bag into the room.

Bang.

The nylon bag hit the floor, and as the zipper opened, a pile of green banknotes came into view, creating an impressive sight.

This... Katie was instantly stunned, surprised beyond belief. What shocked her even more was how readily Dominick handed over the money. It was so smooth, like a dream.

Seeing Katie's astonished expression, Dominick was extremely pleased. He loved this feeling of throwing money at people, especially women.

"Miss Hartley, the money is right here. You can take it anytime. As long as you agree to my conditions, I can even advance your construction payment for the next two years."

Dominick leaned in, waving his hand casually. Two burly men quickly approached Adam, saying, "Sir, please come with me. There are some formalities we need you to handle."

Adam's gaze turned icy, but to ensure Katie could smoothly retrieve the money, he chose to endure temporarily. Otherwise, judging by Dominick's gaze toward Katie, he would have been disabled by now.

Katie, who had just realized the situation, quickly said, "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Pierrot. I will report the cooperation to the company in the future. Today, I need to get back to the company to settle accounts. Adam, take the money."

Adam bent down to lift the woven bag.

Bang.

Suddenly, a foot stepped on the bag, and a burly man coldly said, "Can you take this money? Put it down."