The CEO Nobody Knew

Chapter 6: The Rescue

Mac stared at the message on his phone screen, his blood turning to ice. "We have the girl." The three men surrounding him in the parking garage suddenly seemed like a minor problem compared to what this meant.

"Surprised, Mr. Clement?" The lead man's smile was cold. "You thought you were so smart, playing games with Thompson Bank. But we've been watching you."

Mac's mind raced. If they had Shirley, it meant they knew about their meeting at the café. They'd been tracking him more closely than he realized.

"What do you want?" Mac asked, keeping his voice calm.

"Mr. Thompson wants to have a conversation about your recent business activities. You've been causing problems for his bank." The man gestured toward a black car. "You're going to come with us quietly, and the girl stays safe."

"And if I refuse?"

The man showed Mac another photo on his phone. Shirley tied to a chair in what looked like a warehouse, her eyes wide with fear but clearly alive.

"Then Miss Chen's situation gets worse."

Mac looked around the parking garage one more time. Three armed men, blocked exits, and somewhere in the city, Shirley was being held by people who wouldn't think twice about hurting her.

"Fine," Mac said. "But if you've hurt her, "

"Save the threats. You're not in a position to make demands."

The ride took thirty minutes through industrial areas until they reached a compound with high walls. Mac memorized every turn, every street sign. He'd need to remember this place.

Inside, they led him to an office where an older man sat behind a large desk. This had to be Harold Thompson, silver-haired, well-dressed, and radiating the kind of quiet power that came from controlling people's lives for decades.

"Mr. Clement," Thompson said with a polite smile. "Please, sit down. I apologize for the dramatic way we brought you here, but important conversations require proper attention."

Mac remained standing. "Where is Shirley Chen?"

"Miss Chen is safe. She's in another part of this building, perfectly comfortable." Thompson gestured to a chair. "Please, we have business to discuss."

"What kind of business?"

"The kind where you stop interfering with my operations, and everyone goes home happy." Thompson opened a folder on his desk. "Golden Enterprise's recent termination of partnerships has cost my associates significant money. That needs to stop."

Mac studied the older man's face. "Associates?"

"Thompson Bank works with many businesses throughout Nixon City. When a major company like yours suddenly changes its partnerships, it creates... ripples."

"That's called free market competition."

Thompson's smile didn't change, but his eyes grew colder. "Mr. Clement, let me be very clear. Nixon City's business community operates on certain understandings. Agreements that keep things stable and profitable for everyone involved."

"And you think you can threaten me into following your agreements?"

"I think Miss Chen is a very nice young woman who doesn't deserve to suffer because you don't understand how business really works in this city."

Mac's phone buzzed. Marcus Webb calling. Thompson nodded for him to answer.

"Mac, where are you? I've been trying to reach you."

"I'm in a meeting, Marcus. What do you need?"

"The Emrand Enterprise situation is getting worse. Their stock dropped another twenty percent today, and three suppliers terminated their contracts. Jane's been calling our office every hour."

Mac glanced at Thompson, who was listening carefully. "Handle it however you think is best."

"Also, I have that information you requested about Thompson Bank. Should I proceed with the analysis?"

"Hold off on that for now. I'll call you back."

Mac ended the call. Thompson was still smiling.

"Smart choice. Now, here's what's going to happen. You're going to restart your partnership with Emrand Enterprise. You're going to stop any investigations into Thompson Bank. And you're going to remember that some people in this city are best left alone."

"And if I agree to this?"

"Miss Chen goes free, her father's legal situation improves, and you get to keep running your business without any interference from us."

Mac pretended to consider this. "I want to see her first. Proof she's unharmed."

Thompson nodded to one of his men, who led Mac down a hallway to a smaller room. Shirley was there, tied to a chair but clearly uninjured. When she saw Mac, relief flooded her face.

"Mac! Are you okay? They said they'd hurt you if I didn't cooperate."

"I'm fine." Mac turned to the guard. "Untie her. Now."

"Mr. Thompson said you could see her, not take her."

Mac's expression turned deadly cold. "I said untie her."

Something in his voice made the guard hesitate, then reach for the ropes. As soon as Shirley's hands were free, Mac helped her stand.

"Can you walk?"

"Yes, but Mac, how did you find me? Who are these people?"

"People who made a very big mistake," Mac said quietly.

They were escorted back to Thompson's office, where the older man was pouring himself a drink.

"Satisfied that Miss Chen is well cared for?"

"Very. Now let me make you a counter-offer." Mac's voice was calm, but there was steel underneath. "You release Shirley immediately, you leave us both alone, and I don't destroy Thompson Bank the way I destroyed Emrand Enterprise."

Thompson laughed. "Mr. Clement, I think you overestimate your capabilities."

"Do I?" Mac pulled out his phone and showed Thompson a screen full of financial data. "Thompson Bank's stock price, loan default rates, federal compliance ratings. Very interesting reading."

Thompson's smile faded slightly. "What are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting that if anything happens to Shirley Chen or her father, Thompson Bank will discover that Golden Enterprise has a very long reach and a very good memory."

"You're threatening me?"

"I'm explaining consequences." Mac helped Shirley toward the door. "We're leaving now. Don't follow us."

"Mr. Clement," Thompson called after them. "You don't understand what you're getting involved in. Miss Chen's father isn't just some unlucky accountant. There are things about his case that go much deeper than simple embezzlement."

Mac paused at the door. "What kind of things?"

"The kind that could get you both killed if you dig too deep."

Mac looked back at Thompson for a long moment. "I guess we'll find out."

As they walked to Mac's car, Shirley grabbed his arm. "Mac, what was he talking about? What things about my father's case?"

Mac started the engine, his mind already working on the next steps. Thompson had revealed more than he'd intended, there was definitely more to Robert Chen's situation than a simple embezzlement charge.

"I don't know yet," Mac said. "But I think it's time we found out."

His phone buzzed with a text message from an unknown number: "You think you won tonight, but this is just the beginning. Some secrets are buried for good reasons. Stop digging, or you'll find more than you bargained for."

Mac showed the message to Shirley, whose face went pale.

"Mac, maybe we should listen to them. Maybe some things are better left alone."

But Mac was already planning his next move. Thompson Bank had just made this personal, and they were about to learn that Mac Clement didn't back down from threats.

"Shirley," he said as they drove through the city lights, "how much do you really know about why your father was arrested?"