113 Fence-sitting

John looked somewhat discomposed as he stepped forward and fixed his eyes on his father, asking, "I don't understand, are you saying..."

"To put it bluntly, I have no intention of paying off that debt! A hundred thousand Gold Coins is not a small sum, and I refuse to pay it." Lett was triumphant about his decision; he saw no need to waste a hundred thousand Gold Coins on a man who was on the brink of death.

"But, Father! I promised Mr. Tang that within four months, I would make up the payment... almost a hundred thousand Gold Coins! It is not a small sum." John felt as if his own reputation had been tarnished.

Lett snorted with disdain and then said, "Since when did our Augustin Clan start caring so much about 'promises'? Child, what we care about is always the benefit."

"Rather than the short-term benefit gained from defaulting, Father, I see greater long-term benefit in cooperating with Mr. Tang." John reminded his father.