The Day My Name Bankrupted a City

003

Puzzled, Dawn asked, “Honey, who’s Forrest Smith?”

“Be quiet.” Johnny glared at Dawn. Then, he sheepishly came up to the security guard and asked, “So, it's Mr. Smith who wanted the club to be cleared out, right?”

“Yes.” The security guard repeatedly nodded his head. He whispered, “I believe it’s because Mr. Smith is intending to greet a very important person who will be visiting this club.”

A wave of gasps passed through the crowd. Johnny’s eyes widened with shock.

Who was Forrest Smith? To the outside world, he was a famous and successful entrepreneur, but to the underworld, a terrifying gang leader. He was ruthless.

To have a man of such status personally come and greet them, how magnificent of an existence the other party must have.

The guests were taken aback, silently debating the mystery person's identity.

I was also a little curious. But, I did not think too much about it. I pulled out my phone and glanced at the time. The 20- minute mark was approaching. My assistant should be arriving soon.

“Mr. Smith!”

“Sir Forrest!”

“Greetings Mr. Smith!”

Suddenly, the entrance of the club was full of respectful greetings.

Forrest walked out of the club, his gaze calmly swept through the crowd. “Apologies, everyone. I’ll treat you all to drinks later.”

“It’s no big deal, Mr. Smith. How can we be mad over such an insignificant matter?”

“Mr. Smith is very kind. He actually came out to explain it to us.”

“Mr. Smith, we completely understand. Please, don’t make a fuss over us.”

People's angry expressions vanished, replaced with pleasant smiles and words dripping with honey. They began flattering Forrest.

Forrest nodded his head. He walked to the entrance of the club and stood by the door.

It seemed like he was waiting for that person to come. He appeared to be looking forward to greeting them. It was a sign of deference; a sign of that person's significance.

Everyone’s interest was piqued. They were not in a hurry to leave and chose to stay. They wanted to see that person's identity for themselves.

The crowd shifted, not wanting to block the club’s entrance. Johnny and Dawn caught sight of me sitting on the curb as they moved.

“Gael, why are you still here?” Dawn scowled at me.

I glanced at them and coldly said, “Waiting for someone.”

“Waiting for me, right? Hehe, still hung up on me? Poor and shameless." A look of disdain and contempt appeared on Dawn’s face. "Want some heartfelt advice?" she whispered, eyes crinkling into a crescent moon shape as she leaned in close. "Give up."

I was speechless. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not waiting for you.”

“Oh? Someone’s in denial. Aw, did I hurt your fragile ego?” Dawn sneered. “You disgust me, Gael.”

Johnny gave me a cheeky smile as he stared me down. “It's unfortunate that you've run into me again. Get down on your knees and start begging for mercy," he mocked. "I'm in a foul mood right now, or do you want to be thrashed once more?”

Get down on my knees? Fuck off.

I clenched my fists. Just as I was about to react, someone in the crowd shouted.

“Look! Someone’s coming!”

I turned my head. Nearby, a black luxury car pulled in at the front of the club.

The waiting Forrest grew agitated, he took a couple of steps toward the car and respectfully lowered his head.

The onlookers were flabbergasted.

“My god, Mr. Smith is actually lowering his head to the other person.”

“Unimaginable!”

“Who’s in the car?!”

The crowd began whispering and chattering amongst themselves. Johnny and Dawn turned their attention to what was happening.

Dawn glanced at the pure black car. She frowned and asked, “What kind of important person drives a lousy Mercedes?”

“Fucking idiot.” Johnny angrily said, “That’s a Volcanus, a specially customized Mercedes-Maybach car. It’s considered first class. Did you actually believe it was a regular Mercedes?”

“Woah, so it’s well over a hundred thousand, isn't it?” Dawn’s eyes lit up.

Johnny curled his lips. “An ordinary Maybach car costs a hundred thousand dollars. The custom modifications are even more expensive than the car itself.”

Dawn became increasingly giddy, almost drooling. “Spending hundreds of thousands to customize a low-key car. So rich! If only I could find—” Dawn took a sharp breath, gulped and looked at Johnny. She did not finish her sentence.

Johnny did not really care. He, like everyone else, fixated on the luxurious black car.

Click!

The doors of the two BMW 7 Series that arrived with the Volcanus unlocked.

Eight sturdy young men dressed in black suits stepped out. They came to the sides of the luxury car. They were, without a doubt, the bodyguards. They were not ordinary bodyguards however. Their expressions were frosty, and they carried a chilling aura. Their hands must have been stained in blood.

Forrest took a step back, grimacing.

Even he, a seasoned fighter, seemed to be having a hard time coping with the oppressive aura brought by this group of killers.

The door of the black car opened slowly. A black high heel descended, delicately touching the ground.

Someone gasped in surprise. “It’s a woman?”

The woman who stepped out of the car was breathtaking. A young woman in her early twenties.

She wore an exquisite black suit, her slender long legs wrapped in black silk stockings, drawing everyone’s eyes.

Her thin waist was complemented by a large full bust and a seductive neckline.

Her complexion was light; Her appearance was like a painting, immaculate.

Her charming eyes, like the ocean, were clear and alluring.

Her enchanting face showed no visible emotion. She exuded a distant, icy aura, as if she were a queen looking down on the world, sharp and implacable.

Seductive yet cold. The hearts of men raced, but, no one dared to approach her, fearing to cause an affront to their goddess.

“Beautiful!”

“How can there be such a beautiful woman in the world?!”

“This... is the person Mr. Smith was waiting for?”

The crowd cried in amazement, their eyes staring at the club’s entrance, as if in a trance.

I looked over.

The woman who left the car was stunningly beautiful. Her looks and disposition were all perfectly in line with a male’s version of a goddess. That aloof, sacred aura stimulated a man’s desire to conquer and defile her.

Wait.

“Could she be the woman I talked to on the phone?” The thought suddenly came to me as I fixed my eyes on the woman.

“A pleasure meeting you, Ms. Glenn. I’m the Director of Voyage Real Estate. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Hearing Forrest’s greeting, I confirmed my suspicions. I saw him bow in front of Violet, his face solemn.

He looked like a subordinate greeting their leader. The majesty of an underworld boss was nowhere to be seen.

Violet glanced at Forrest. Her rosy lips drew back. “You’re not the person I’m looking for,” she stated coldly.

“I’m truly sorry Ms. Glenn. But, I must be shameless." Forrest bowed deeper before standing straight, looking at her with sincere eyes. "Since you arrived at Razor City, almost every influential corporation and group has been observing your every move. We mean no harm. We just want to cooperate with the Taylor Group, which you represent.”

“I have some power in Razor City," he added. "Please just give me a few minutes of your time, so that I may update you on the situation at Voyage Real Estate. The club’s been cleared. I can guarantee that no one will disturb us.”