Darkstone Code

Chapter 1203 - 1021: Bankruptcy Countdown

The man and woman found a second-hand car dealership near the city center, where the man had previously dealt with the owner.

As soon as their cars stopped, the dealership owner knew business had arrived. He came out of the room wearing a cowboy hat and immediately called out the man’s name.

While scrutinizing the two cars, he asked, "Long time no see, planning to buy something this time?"

He actually knew they came to sell cars, but he still "mistakenly" said "buy something."

He’s been in this business for many years and knows well how to say the right things to compliment different people. He even introduced a convertible suitable for young people!

"Just thirteen thousand five hundred bucks, and you can take it home. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, they will love this!"

Standing beside a dark blue convertible, he proudly stroked the newly painted car, "I’m the only one with such high-end stock in the whole city!"

Convertibles are indeed rare; they’ve only been around for a short while, and the main sales targets are those with indoor garages who own more than one car.

After all, it’s hard to drive these cars on rainy days. No one finds sitting in a four-wheeled bathtub on the street amusing.

If this happened yesterday, the man would be interested in this car. Judith sometimes drives her mother’s car, sometimes rides a bike.

Her classmates and now colleagues often pick her up, so she hasn’t bought a car yet.

It’s indeed beautiful, but now they can’t afford it.

"No, you misunderstood. We’re here to sell a car," the man squeezed out a wry smile. It truly was a misunderstanding, but it made him feel somewhat better.

In their eyes, he’s still a wealthy man, his personality and self-esteem satisfied.

Actually, he doesn’t know that the dealership owner is the real wealthy one here, richer than him.

But... smart people are like this; they don’t let those trading in used cars realize how profitable he, as a dealership owner, really is. He won’t wear a thick gold chain studded with jewels or clothes worth thousands.

That would make sellers feel their asking price is too low, and buyers think the dealership’s offer is too high.

This somewhat unkempt look seems more suitable for his current job.

The dealership owner appeared to be stunned by his mistake, he paused and clasped his hands together, "Sorry, I misspoke. So you’re planning to..."

He looked at the two cars, "Which one are you dealing with?"

He knew from the start, driving two cars here, what else but to sell?

Seeing his wife’s somewhat reluctant gaze, the man patted his own car, "I want to sell my car. How much is it worth?"

...

On the way back, the inside of the car was very quiet. While waiting at a traffic light, the woman suddenly spoke while driving, "Thank you..."

The man smiled, "It’s nothing, no need to thank me. My car is worth more, so we can get more money."

He touched his pocket; a thin wad of cash replaced his car, priced much lower than he imagined.

The new car he bought cost nearly thirty-five thousand bucks, but now selling it, it only fetched six thousand five hundred.

He knows, with a simple refurbishing, his car could sell for at least over ten thousand bucks, but he can’t do it himself.

At night, Judith came back from outside. As soon as she entered, she saw the long-time family maid leaving with her belongings, crying.

She was a bit puzzled and walked into the living room where her parents were waiting in the dining room.

"It’s been a long time since I cooked, come try my cooking skills," she took off her apron, sat at the table expectantly looking at Judith.

Judith looked confused at her father, then at her mother, and slowly sat down, "What happened to the maid?"

The man casually replied, "She has some family issues to deal with and needs to be away from us for a while. Your mother and I think we don’t need to replace her for now; she’ll be back after a while."

Judith nodded, "Indeed, she’s reliable and clean. Let me taste Mom’s cooking; I miss it!"

A very warm dinner, aside from Judith, only the couple knew what had happened.

They decided to dismiss the maid to save costs, even if her expenses were the cheapest, costing over three hundred bucks monthly.

Before, this money was like a quarter, twenty-five cents, to the ordinary person’s pocket, but now it has appreciated in value.

The next day, no ship could dispatch goods, the man was completely desperate. He had already explained the situation on the other side and was willing to compensate actively according to the breach of contract terms.

He tried to garner the other side’s understanding with a good attitude, thereby avoiding holding the company accountable. Then he would only need to pay a breach-of-contract fee.

The woman was also cleared out by the board; she cost the company a big order and became a joke in the industry. Because of potential involvement in fraudulent evaluation, several orders are temporarily suspended.

The board told the woman that if the investigation proved she colluded with the evaluation company to alter evaluation results, the company would hold her accountable and demand compensation.

Before that, she needs to pack her things and get out.

Although labeled as senior partners, they are essentially high-ranking tools.

Perhaps their income is indeed high, but so is the risk.

Judith, who had been busy outside all day, came back a bit earlier than usual in the evening. During dinner, she asked her father where the car had gone.

The man of the house smiled and said it had been borrowed by someone. Judith didn’t pursue the question further and went back to her room after dinner, contemplating what resources she could use for herself.

A few days later, the goods were successfully loaded onto the ship. Watching them board, the man crouched and cried in the port restroom.

When he returned to the company to explain the situation and had already settled the penalty with the representatives sent by the other party and signed the memorandum of understanding, the company fired him.

Without the slightest room for negotiation, in such a simple and straightforward manner, they fired him.

They didn’t even need to give him a penny of severance pay!

At night, the couple lay in bed, sleepless until late.

But they were awakened by a hurried knock on the door at eight o’clock the next morning.

Judith opened the door, and outside were five impeccably dressed individuals, whose professions one could almost guess instantly.

Some held brown calf-leather briefcases, others with document folders, leaving Judith confused, standing by the door.

The first person at the door handed over a business card. "I am from the legal department of Golden Exchange Bank... here’s my card," he introduced himself.

He then introduced his colleagues and asked if the girl’s parents were home.

At this moment, both the man and woman of the house had changed their clothes. They looked extremely haggard, making Judith find it hard to believe they had aged so much... literally overnight.

"What’s the matter?" The man of the house, who used to be consistently optimistic, energetic, and loved talking about adventures, now seemed like a startled deer.

He was cautious, fearful, and powerless.

His voice trembled as if he were afraid.

"We noticed that you and your wife were recently relieved of your duties, and our assessment department has reevaluated your household. We believe you are no longer capable of servicing further loans and paying back your credit loans."

"So we are here to discuss several loan issues..."

Judith widened her eyes, looking incredulously at her parents, while the man of the house could only smile bitterly, gesturing them inside, still maintaining his politeness.

"I’m so sorry you had to make the trip; you could have called me, and I could have gone to the bank..."

The five only maintained their smiles; they were used to these situations, their hearts hardened more than alloy.

The woman of the house suggested that Judith go to work or take a walk outside or return to her room, but Judith snapped.

She didn’t comply, standing in the living room instead.

The bankers didn’t soften because of her golden hair, pretty face, or good figure.

They only became more resolute.

"We noticed your savings have fallen below the warning line, and we also know you’ve lost your jobs. If you can’t find a new job with a monthly income over 3,500 yuan within fifteen days..."

The lawyer took a document from the briefcase and handed it over, "Then according to the agreement you signed with the bank, we have the right to freeze all your assets before potential enormous losses arise."

"Including but not limited to real estate, cars, jewelry, antiques, artwork, and all the furniture here."

"We’re here today to inventory these items and document them. You each can choose to keep two sets of underwear, two current seasonal outfits, and two winter outfits."

"We will not record these, but everything else will be documented and tagged..."

He then produced a small tag with a number and a clip.

After showing it, he handed it to the person next to him, "Are the three of you clear on this?"

"If you need, you can now contact your lawyer to discuss with me, or you can refuse this, but we will immediately apply to the court for some countermeasures."

"Can I let my colleagues start working now?"

The man of the house bowed his head, looking at the document, very focused, with the lawyer not urging him.

When he had slowly finished reading the last page, he nodded silently.

Then three staff members quickly began their work, tagging everything visible, writing down numbers, and recording them in their notebook...

Judith couldn’t help but ask, "What if we take some of these things..."

Before she could finish, the lawyer smiled and said, "Then we would prosecute you for theft, ma’am, and you surely don’t want that, do you?"