Chapter 1613: Everything could never be like before again.
“Why is it you today? Where’s your store manager?”
As a regular, Old Lady Qu knew the staff in this shop like the back of her hand. The store manager had a tall build and was also her personal trainer. However, only the two of them were aware of this.
“The s-store manager has something on, so I’m standing in for him.”
The waiter stammered as though he were not the employee here but this old lady, instead.
“Here is your tip; take it.”
She generously removed several red notes from her snake-skin wallet and stuffed them into his vest’s pocket. He declined yet had the urge to keep it.
“Madam, our shop has rules that…”
She saw through the handsome lad’s façade right away, and her face quickly turned cold. “If you refuse to accept the money, I’ll tell your superiors about it.”
The waiter felt that this elderly woman was a good person.
Upon hearing her threat, he dared not decline further. He noticed that n.o.body was looking in their direction, while their angle was on other’s blind spot, so he kept the money in the end. He would not refuse this for all his tips for the day combined could never amount to what she had just given him.
It seemed that there were several thousands in this.
This coffee shop was posh; furthermore, this elderly woman was a regular customer, so the staff would not dare to offend her.
If not, they would be at odds with money.
She left the coffee shop with a dark expression, and the moment she got in her car, she took out her phone and dialed an unsaved number. Other than herself, n.o.body knew who this was.
The call was quickly connected, and a male voice was heard.
“Go investigate the background of Ji Group’s Ellie.”
Her voice sounded ruthless and left no room for questions.
“Sure, no problem, but…”
A man’s deep chuckle was heard.
“What’s wrong? Got a problem?”
She frowned and was confused.
“There surely isn’t, but I’m currently tight on money. I’m unsure if madam can part with a bit more money to let me live a few additional days of comfort.”
It was evident that the seven figures before were no longer able to satisfy the person’s voracious appet.i.te as he had stooped to using those shady deals between them to threaten her until he sucked her dry.
“How much do you want?”
She was very calm; it was not the first time that she had been blackmailed this way by the man, after all.
“Not much; eight figures should do!”
“10 million yuan!”
She could no longer sit still and remain calm. This amount exceeded her limit, and even the car she was riding was priced only at eight million, while the man on the other end was demanding that much at once.
“If you think that the sum is a lot and can’t give, it’s fine. I’ll just find another employer. There’ll always be someone who will be willing to part with that amount for my service. For instance, there’s that Ji Ziming, the so-called richest man in the capital, who may be willing to pay me that much once I seek him.”
There was a hint of excitement in the man’s voice since he had completely grasped Old Lady Qu’s bottom line. As long as he did not threaten her, she would agree to almost any of his conditions.
“You’re threatening me!”
Her eyes were filled with viciousness. Even the chauffeur was frightened upon observing her expression through the rearview mirror and hurriedly faced forward.
“Madam, you’re truly funny. Why could I dare to threaten you? I am really at my wits end and merely want to get some more living allowance from you.”
The man’s enchanting voice made the elderly woman feel sick, but she had to accept this disgusting fact.
“I don’t have that much on me, but I can give you all at once in a few days’ time. If you want money, finish the task I’ve entrusted you with first.”
She was not someone to be trifled with, either. After many years of experience, she had ways of dealing with this man.
“Madam, you drive a luxurious car and carry branded bags. Plus, all your clothes are worth a lot of money; how is it possible that you’re unable to part with that small sum? If others were to learn of this, they would think that Qu Group or Ji Group is about to go bankrupt.”
The man’s booming laughter made her hair stand on end.
“You should think of your end before threatening me.”
She said maliciously that even a rabbit at its wits end would bite, too, let alone her, who had numerous ways of dealing with pesky people like him. Since they were the same kind of people, she naturally knew what he wanted deep down.
“I’m not threatening you. Humans die in pursuit of wealth, while birds die in pursuit of food—this is a normal thing for me to do. If you’re unable to pay me my asking price, I’ll just find another employer for my service. Anyway, we’re involved in shady dealings, and those employers won’t mind it as long as they have the money.”
Want to threaten me, old woman? Hah! I’ve climbed up from a blood-soaked ground, so I of course have a few trusted followers, too. If I am really driven up to a wall, I don’t mind fighting it out since I nearly died once before.
“I’ll transfer ten million to you all at once tomorrow. You just have to help me find out Ellie’s ins and outs today; how about that?”
Old Lady Qu was now suppressing her anger, waiting for a chance to get rid of this person once she had gotten all she wanted. When she dealt with him, it would just be as easy as following his wishes. She would get rid of him completely before he even understood what he had gotten himself into.
This was her way of doing things.
“Great. I like people like you. I’ll send details of that woman to your email before tomorrow night. Please remember to check it then and don’t forget to transfer your payment to me.”
After saying that, the busy tone was heard by Old Lady Qu.
She threw her phone onto the seat in her fury. Her newly curled waves became slightly messy as a result of her violent action.
On the other end of the call, the man was standing with the wind blowing at him as he extinguished his cigarette. A thick puff of smoke escaped from his mouth. Having been in this industry for a long while, he began to reminisce about the times when he still had principles.
Everything could never be like before again.
Meanwhile, in Pei Ge’s room, Ji Ziming, who was enjoying the scenery seen from the window, suddenly laughed.