62 Either Pay or Fuck Off

"Tell me, Mr. Lucas, how did you know there were casualties?" Jin Longwen casually asked Lucas as if he was asking about the weather.

Meanwhile, Lucas had turned rigid upon hearing Jin's question. Although he could still maintain the tranquillity of his expression, but his body reaction was a different story. He couldn't help but accidentally spoiling his honest response.

Jin Longwen continued to smile as he watched that split-second change on Lucas' side. On the other hand, Hiroto expression had already turned 180 degrees. A deep frown was etched onto his forehead. After all this time, it would be foolish of him if he still couldn't guess what was happening.

Because Hiroto was too focus on finishing this deal fast, he ended up loosing his awareness and neglected some important points. If Jin hadn't been here, he would have easily fallen into this trap just because of him being impatience.

"Well, Mr. Lucas?"

"It's all over the news, Mr. Jin. Since I have been paying attention to the development of this business, obviously I would have gathered some information," Lucas answered calmly.

"Indeed, since you're interested," Jin Longwen stated, however there was a hint of sneering in his tone.

"So, Mr. Jin-"

"My answer still stand." Jin Longwen stared intimidatingly at him and proceeded to repeat his previous answer, "No."

"Either you pay the amount that I wanted or fuck off."

Jin Longwen's reply immediately sent Lucas frowning. Lucas knew from the start what kind of man Jin Longwen was. Although he rarely appeared in any social events or business dealings, his name was renowned by literally everyone in Country S. Even among big international companies like his, knew of Jin's existence.

Lucas glanced at Hiroto. Akiyama Hiroto might have been the one who sat in the CEO office but really, the one who held the highest command was this man, Jin Longwen, who for unknown reason had been staying behind the scene all the while.

Due to this distant approach of his towards the public, nobody knew the length of power hidden in this man very existence because what appeared on the front with Hiroto running his business could only be considered as the tip of the iceberg. Hence, nobody was brave enough to engage with this uncertainty lingering in their head.

Lucas cleared his throat in an awkward manner. "Mr. Jin, can we talk about this more?"

"Mr. Lucas," Jin Longwen took another drag of his cigarette, "My patience is running low."

Gritting his teeth, Lucas tried to push his luck a bit more. "Mr. Jin-"

Click!

The sound was neither loud nor small but the significance behind that simple click had completely shoved every words back to Lucas' throat. He then proceeded to watch in utter terror as Jin Longwen tapped the revolver on his knee in a rather unhurried manner. Its safety had been unlocked.

"I gave you a chance to escape. Three times and yet, you ignored it." Jin Longwen blew a disappointed sigh. "Every time I give them a chance to scoot free, people seem to mistake it as an opportunity and push their luck. But, after I lost my patience, only then they beg for mercy. I wonder why is that?"

After complaining to no one in particular, Jin Longwen laid his predatory eyes on Lucas. "I'm no fool, Mr. Lucas, so stop treating me as one. On top of that, what I hate the most is being challenged."

"M-Mr. Jin," Lucas began to stutter as he elbowed his assistant. But, his assistant was already frozen on his feet the moment he saw the revolver being pulled out. It was as if everything had moved in a slow motion.

"Cause and effect. Every problem has its source." Jin Longwen continued to tap his revolver as though he was tapping his fingers.

"I'm sure you realize it already, there's no report on the injured since we've been trying to cover it up. But somehow, you know, either way I'll accept your reasoning where you explained you researched it on your own."

"However, this nonsense should have ended the moment you heard my rejection, Mr. Lucas. Yet, you continue to ruin my mood which wasn't exactly good to begin with."

"In addition, your terrible mandarin gives me a headache."

And then, suddenly Jin Longwen switched to English whereby his posh accent flowed smoothly sending shiver down Lucas' spine.

"So, let's stop this crap. Pay for what you've done including the compensation for those who had been injured in the process."

"Mr. Jin, what are you talking about? It's not me!" Lucas tried to deny it although his sudden high-pitched voice had completely revealed everything.

Jin Longwen clicked his tongue. "Mr. Lucas, just recently we've caught a rat and it's still trapped down in a basement. Surely, you don't wish to join him?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure we still have an empty space in case you want to. We provide amazing service that will not disappoint you, Mr. Lucas," Hiroto had a smirk dancing on his face as he joined the conversation.

Hiroto's playful remark instantly sent Lucas choking and his expression turned for the worst. However, he was clear by this point that his plan was already busted. Truth to be told, he had indeed intricately arranged everything in order to lower the stock price.

He knew he was gambling from the beginning, but he thought if he did so carefully, he would succeed. Yet, reality hit him hard.

"Many have tried and never once they succeed, Mr. Lucas," Hiroto told him as if he could guess his thoughts.

Lucas clenched his fists as he raised his head only to meet the demon lazily watching him. There was not a hint of amusement or interest in his eyes. Just pure indifference. Finally, Lucas lowered his head down in resignation.

"I don't have the money right now."

"Sign the contract first, Mr. Lucas. We will give you three days-"

"24 hours," Jin Longwen interjected.

Not only Hiroto but also Lucas, they stared in disbelief at Jin Longwen's order.

"Mr. Jin?" Lucas reflexively called out to him. He was testing whether he had heard it wrong.

"We will give you 24 hours to settle everything," Jin Longwen said decisively.

"Yo, why are you torturing the poor guy?" Hiroto curiously asked.

Jin Longwen frowned, turning his head to look at his friend. And then with a deadpan expression, he replied, "Because he pissed me off."

In that instance, all the people in the room turned speechless. But, Jin Longwen could care less as he raised from the couch and proceed to walk towards the door.

"Mr. Jin, wait!" Lucas exclaimed in panic. "I really can't settle it within 24 hours. It's too short. Moreover, there's a time difference as well."

Jin Longwen halted his footsteps. He turned around and raised an eyebrow while he asked, "You can't?"

"G-give me three days. No! T-Two days. I'll settle the payment. I promise."

"I don't believe in words alone, Mr. Lucas."

Hence, Lucas immediately snatched the contract from the table and signed it without a moment of delay. "I've signed it." He raised the paper to show off his signature.

"Okay." Jin Longwen nodded.

"Okay?"

"I'll give you two days."

Lucas breathed a sigh of relief and his heart cheered for a moment until all of the sudden, he felt an electrifying pain gnawing on his left shoulder. Lucas froze, staring wide-eyed at the revolver aiming at him.

"That's for pissing me off."

Afterwards, Jin Longwen put away his gun and left the private room.