Chapter 40 Debts
“My father’s debts are taken over by Opulence Financial. Where are you from?!”
When she was in the bank, Jean looked through the information that Ben had sent. Opulence Financial was a debt collection agency founded a few years back. The head of the company had a large influence. Those in the same field called him Draco.
The agency first started with illicit dealings. But they have turned over a new leaf for a while now. They no longer use violence in their work but functioned the same as any other collection agency.
These men must have other intentions for approaching her.
While they were distracted, Jean reached into her bag. She took out her pliers, the one she packed before the competition, and held it fiercely towards them.
“Don’t come near me!”
The ruffians smirked. “She’s a fierce one. We didn’t come for nothing today.”
“Man, I’ve heard that she served at Luminance Villa a while ago. Must have been pretty hot.”
“Edgar Royden’s lucky. A feisty ex-wife, and now he’s with Gigi Reece, the woman with that great body.” They leered at Jean every now and then.
Jean gripped her plier, trying to stop her hand from shaking.
Her heart was pounding out of her chest.
The yellow-haired leader raised his hand. “Come on, boys. Remember, treat her gently.”
“Stay away! Don’t come near me!”
Jean was on edge as she aimed for the weakest one in the center. She clenched her jaw and sprinted towards the man with her pliers in hand.
Although she was relatively weaker, she dashed as fast as she could. The man was caught off guard.
She hit him in the abdomen before he could dodge.
He doubled over with a shriek. Jean took the chance and ran with all her might.
She couldn’t turn back nor stop.
As she went nearer the shops, tears began to flow down her face. The men gave up when she ran into the crowd.
Jean crouched in the middle of the street. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
She cried softly. Her fingers were bent, spasming out of fear.
Somewhere on the second floor.
Edgar stood next to a window wall. His eyes were fixed on the crouched figure.
His phone rang, and he picked up the call.
A man’s low voice came through the speaker. “It’s settled. Those kids are not aware of the rule. I have sent some men to give them a lesson. But it’s obvious that they were paid to do it. Should I continue investigating?”
Draco was the man talking to Edgar.
Draco wasn’t keen on social events and rarely made an appearance. Edgar acknowledged him in all circumstances. But those men that had attacked Jean were of low rank. They were not told of the specific rule.
Edgar had helped Draco in the past. Not only that, but they also had relations in business too.
Miles was instructed to hand over Jean’s debt collection to Draco’s agency.
Edgar averted his gaze and replied coldly, “Thanks for the help. There’s no need to investigate any further.”
Draco laughed. “Sure. I’ll report to you from time to time about the debt. There shouldn’t be a problem with your request.”
Draco hadn’t expected a high-status man like Edgar to worry over his former wife.
Miles approached Edgar after negotiating with the other side. “Mr. Royden, Mr. Jansen has arrived at the café downstairs.”
Edgar must head over to negotiate right away.
Edgar’s eyes were still fixed on the slim figure.
He replied after a while. “Get someone to protect her. Make sure she’s safe. And…”
Miles tilted his head and waited.
“Investigate the Reece family. See if there’s any unusual movement there.”
Miles was shocked. “Do you suspect that Ms. Reece is involved with the ruffians harassing Jean?”
As Miles finished his words, he quickly spoke again. “I apologize for being nosy, Mr. Royden. I’ll inform our men immediately.”
Edgar turned towards the elevator.
He hoped that Gigi wasn’t involved in it. If the Reece family had done something to Jean behind his back, he wouldn’t turn a blind eye toward them.
Edgar hadn’t considered them as family.
They would’ve violated his principles if they had secretly meddled in his affairs. Plus, with Gigi’s lie toward him, their marriage would be out of the window.
Miles followed Edgar into the elevator and felt the tense air.
Ms. Reece, don’t be foolish.
Back in the street, Jean stood up slowly. She took a deep breath.
Don’t be afraid. The worst time has passed. No one can stop you now.
She was still jittery when she reached her home. Her chest wasn’t as tight after she took a hot shower and drank cups of water.
Her phone rang.
Her heart thumped when she saw it was an unknown number.
The ringing stopped when she didn’t pick up. The phone began ringing again seconds later.
Jean bit her finger and accepted the call gingerly. “Hello?”
“Hello, Ms. Eyer. I’m Zane Garner, the customer service manager of Opulence Financial. I’ll be in charge of your debt from now on. If anyone approaches you about your debt, feel free to contact me anytime. Our agency will deal with any unscrupulous competitor of ours.”
Jean stayed silent.
“Ms. Eyer?”
She pressed the record button noiselessly. “What did you say earlier? The line was bad. I couldn’t hear you.”
The man repeated his words patiently. Jean racked her brain. “Do you mean if I’m harassed by those people again, your company will handle it for me?”
“Yes, one of our services is to guarantee our debtors’ safety.”
Jean thought it was reasonable.
If anything were to happen to her, there wouldn’t be anyone left to settle her family’s debts. Perhaps that was one of the struggles in the line of work.
She bit her lip. “Have you received the money I’ve sent today?”
“Yes, Ms. Eyer. We hope you’ll work hard and clear your debt soon.”
She felt that something wasn’t quite right.
“How much do I still owe you?”
“There’s 32.88 million left excluding interest.”
As Jean placed her phone down, she felt that her future was bleak.
While she was looking through job postings online, Ben called. “There’s a dinner in the evening, free of charge and buffet style. Do you want to come along?”
A free meal?
She glanced toward her empty kitchen. “Give me the address!”
At eight in the evening, Jean met the Ludwig family’s secretary at the front door.
He was wearing a neat suit and had a bag embossed with a designer clothing logo in hand. “Ms. Eyer, please change into this.”
“What is that?”
“This is the ticket for this evening’s reception,” he said in a low voice. If Mrs. Ludwig found out that Ben had brought Jean along, she would flip out again.
