"Clement?" a middle-aged man with a huge belly stepped out and called out when he spotted Clement.


    "Oh, Vernon. Are you having dinner here, too?" Clement forced a smile and kept his tone polite, though he actually could not stand the sight of the man.


    Vernon Parker had been one of hispany''s veterans. After he took over when his father passed, he quickly discovered Vernon''s shady dealings behind the scenes. If left


    unchecked, those schemes would have eventually bankrupted thepany. So, Clement had fired him without hesitation.


    Life had a twisted sense of humor, though. Vernon''s nephew had struck it rich, which meant Vernon was now doing quite well himself. He would use his new power to undermine Clement''spany whenever possible.


    As Vernon walked over, his smile dripped with contempt. "Drop the act. We both know where we stand."


    Clement maintained hisposure. "Whatever happened, you were still one of our first employees. It''s only right that I show you proper respect."


    Vernon sneered, gesturing toward his private room. "I heard you''ve been desperate for loanstely. Well, let me tell you something. I''m dining with several bank lending directors right now. They''ve made it clear that no bank will touch your real estatepany." Leaning in closer, his voice became thick with mockery. "But for your father''s sake, I''ll make you a deal. Come to my office to kneel and apologize to me in front of all my employees, and I''ll make your loan problem disappear."


    Vernon then silently thought to himself, "That little punk! How dare he think he can fire me right after taking over? Let''s see how he likes living on the streets."


    "No, thanks!"


    The door closed, and Vernon was left fuming at Clement''s refusal. He immediately pulled out his phone to call his wife. "Honey, ask your friend if she can find out through Willow who Clement''s dining with tonight." -A few minutester, the answer came by text on WhatsApp.


    "He seems to be someone from Concord Bank who can help with loans, isn''t he?" Vernon smirked. "Hah! So, that''s why he won''t kneel. He''s found a glimmer of hope. Well, watch me crush it."


    After slipping the waiter a hundred-dor bill, Vernon returned to his room where five men were enjoying their meal while chatting happily.


    "Mr. Lotman, are you absolutely certain Clement''spany can''t get a loan from your bank?"


    Dous Lotman, who was wearing wire-rimmed sses, was the lending director at Concord Bank. It was a position of considerable influence. Normally, someone of Vernon''s status couldn''t even dream of dining with him


    But thanks to his well-connected nephew, certain doors had opened. "Absolutely! Don''t you trust my word? Given hispany''s situation, no bank would approve a loan. I''ve already blocked his number."


    Vernon thought for a moment before adding, "Clement''s in the room across from us. I hear he''s meeting with someone from Concord Bank who ims they can help with the loan." Dous'' face darkened as he stood up. "Is that so? Then, let''s go pay them à toast. I''d love to meet whoever from Concord Bank that is making such bold promises."


    It was a matter of pride. He had just dered loans impossible, and now, someone was saying otherwise. If he did not handle this, he would surely be aughingstock.


    Vernon eagerly raised his ss and followed, his grin spreading from ear to ear. He thought, "Oh Clement, I''ll totally destroy you this time! I''ve been waiting for this day for so long."