FROM BANKRUPT TO BOSS

Chapter 11: The scammer

Even before Fred turned, he already recognized the voice, and the familiar sound made his heart burn.

Then he turned, his expression reformed instantly, forming something ugly the unlimited shape of anger and repulsion. His fist curled tight at the side, fingers digging crescents into his palm.

A young woman, face glammed up, her lips red with lipgloss like a vampire that'd just sucked, she blood stood in front, her lips curled slightly to the side in a mocking expression. She donned a crimson designer gown, and a limited edition heel sat beneath her heel. A gold necklace sat on her neck like a relic, catching the roof light and throwing it across the room like a rainbow.

Claire.

Beside her, arms linked with hers, was a man dressed in a custom made suit that immediately announced its worth without even trying. His presence reeked of arrogance without effort.

Alexander Ridge.

A silver watch glistened on his wrist that probably cost more than Fred's entire life all together.

"You b*tch." Fred snarled, his throat burning with fury. "You scammer! You took everything from me and bailed! I ended up on the street because of you Sly!!"

Fred yelled without caring about the luxury environment. Heads turned to his voice.

Claire scoffed, her expression carrying mock indifference. "You're barking, Fred," she said casually, tossing her head behind her back.

"Who is this dude?" Alexander glanced at Fred and looked away from him the way you look away from a spoilt food.

"He's one of my Pesterers." She waved it off casually. Meanwhile the actual truth was that Claire and Fred were once in a relationship. A relationship that only lasted six months. Claire had told him about an investment scheme that would yield ten times in just two months. Fred, unsuspicious of her ulterior motives and trusting Claire, emptied his account and put everything in the investment. That day was the day he last saw Claire. She vanished.

Claire took a step close to Fred, smirking.

"You know that's a major accusation. Fraud. I only wanted to help you set your life on the line, but unfortunate people will always be unfortunate. It didn't work out. That's collateral damage. It happens. You don't get to vent on me for your loss."

Fred let out a sharp bitter laugh. "Loss?" He repeated, eyes burning with fury. "Then tell me why you suddenly vanished after you took everything if you're clean. I called into the same number I do call you every time before the investment, yet your number was invalid repeatedly. You con me of everything. Because of you I ended up as a vagrant!" Fred's voice rose with fury, his fist trembling at the side as the frustration of losing everything and the suffering he'd gone through afterwards rushed back.

Kane understood what was happening now.

"Relax, Fred," Kane held his hand gently, "we'll deal with her later. Not here."

"Hey, you don't talk to my woman like that." Alexander Ridge stepped forward, casting a disdainful look at Fred. "Who the hell even allows you people to enter this place? What kind of policy does this place follow now? My father needs to do something about this." He said, shaking his head in disappointment. His father was the general Manager of the Imperial kitchen.

Fred took one step forward, his gaze fixed on Alexander.

"Listen to me, dude if you have enough to waste, give it out to better people." His finger snapped to Claire. "This thing here is a gold digger!"

Claire threw her hair backward as she burst into a sardonic laugh.

"Adjective for broke losers." She said, "simply put it as 'you can't afford my lifestyle.' "

She didn't stop there.

"You got lucky you were only kicked to the curb. But I'm a generous person." She reached into her purse and took out a crisp $50 note then tossed it at Fred. The money landed to his chest then to the floor. Fred's cheek flushed, his fury skyrocketing. His jaw clenched. "You maggot!!" He barked, his hand about to shoot out to smack Claire in the face, but Kane caught his hand and pulled it to his side.

"That's the biggest cash you've scrapped today, you should be grateful." Claire said mockingly, clicking her purse close.

Fred stood there, his chest heaving, fury burning inside. He felt like bashing Claire's face, but Kane held his hand still at the side.

"Allow me to handle this." He said gently and stepped forward, his expression turning cold the moment he turned to Claire.