Chapter 65: Chapter 65 - Chance Encounter
Ace Randall felt like death was preferable after ending the call.
"Mr. Logan, what’s wrong? Isn’t your father the vice mayor..." Nola O’Connor whispered, her voice trembling.
Ace glared at Nola, murderous rage filling his eyes. He wished he could slaughter her right where she stood.
"Clean this woman up and throw her back to the O’Connor family!" Ace commanded coldly.
"Yes, Mr. Logan." Several men stepped forward immediately, grabbing Nola and dragging her toward the waiting car.
Meanwhile, the Hill family’s market share continued its downward spiral, with capital reflux hitting major obstacles.
"Mr. Hill, our cash flow situation has become critical," Carter Hill’s secretary reported with a heavy sigh.
Carter stood silently by the window, his expression stone-cold.
After a lengthy pause, he finally spoke. "It’s fine. The loan I applied for should be approved soon."
"But...our market share keeps dropping," the secretary reminded him gloomily.
Carter remained quiet, turning the Soul Nourishment Pill over in his hands, lost in contemplation. He never imagined such a tiny pill would inflict such massive losses on his company.
What Carter hadn’t realized was that Mabel Sean had already anticipated the Hill family’s funding shortage and loan approval. That explained why she’d introduced me to Chuzzle Bank’s president. Everything was unfolding exactly as Mabel had predicted.
"Where are we headed, Mr. Raymond?" Victor Green asked as we arrived at the bus station.
I smiled at him. "Shiglance City."
Though Jack Schultz had suggested bringing his wife to River City, she was too ill for such travel. I had declined that option.
Standing at the entrance, Victor and I purchased two tickets for the journey.
"Why not buy yourself a car, Mr. Raymond? Taking the bus seems unnecessarily modest," Victor grumbled as we waited in the station lounge.
I rolled my eyes. "I’m just a regular person. What’s wrong with riding buses?"
"That’s not my point," Victor clarified. "You’ve got money now. Why go through the hassle..."
His unfinished sentence conveyed his meaning clearly enough.
I nodded slightly. "True, I’m not short on cash anymore, but money should go where it’s most needed."
Buying a car wouldn’t yield much return on investment for me—certainly less than the benefits of public transportation. Besides, I wasn’t vain enough to need a car as a status symbol.
About ten minutes later, we boarded the bus bound for Shiglance City.
I had barely settled into my seat when someone tapped my shoulder. Turning around, I found myself facing an elegantly dressed young woman studying me intently.
"Are you...Mason Raymond?" she asked uncertainly.
I examined her features carefully before recognition dawned. "Wait—Jessica Pauley?"
"Yes! It’s me, Mason! Never thought I’d run into you here!" Jessica exclaimed, her voice carrying surprise and delight.
Jessica had been my high school classmate—the only person I’d had a decent relationship with back then. We shared similar backgrounds: both orphans since childhood, both overlooked by our classmates. She hadn’t been invited to the last class reunion either.
"It’s been over ten years. You’ve changed so much," I remarked, taking in her appearance.
I remembered Jessica as an ordinary-looking girl who never bothered with fashion. Now she’d blossomed into a beautiful young woman.
"So have you," Jessica replied with a hint of shyness.
"Are you working in Shiglance City now?" she asked.
I shook my head. "I’m going there to treat someone."
"Treat?" Her eyebrows rose in surprise. "You became a doctor after all these years?"
I merely smiled without elaborating.
During our conversation, I learned that Jessica, aware of her humble origins, had studied diligently and earned a master’s degree from a prestigious university. With a good job, her future looked promising.
We chatted throughout the journey, sharing stories until we reached Shiglance City—and still had more to tell each other.
Before parting, Jessica handed me her phone number. "Let’s stay in touch. Once I’m settled at work, dinner’s on me."
I laughed. "It’s a deal."
Jessica left in a taxi while Victor and I waited at the station for Jack Schultz’s car.
About ten minutes later, an Audi A6 pulled up in front of us.
Inside the car, Jack’s son Connor frowned. "Dad, are you serious about letting this Mason Raymond treat Mom?"
Jack sighed deeply. He obviously didn’t trust me, but Mabel Sean’s intentions were too clear. This was a compromise he felt forced to make.
"If Raymond is smart, he’ll stay out of it," Jack muttered.
"What if he insists on getting involved?" Connor asked worriedly.
Jack’s face tightened with concern. "For your mother’s sake, I’ll have to risk offending the Sean family," he said through gritted teeth, apparently having made a difficult decision.
Then Jack stepped out of the car and approached me.
"Mr. Raymond, please get in," he said politely.
I greeted Jack and climbed into the vehicle with Victor following close behind.
