Chapter 106
Troy finally came to a realization, so he chased after Kai. Meanwhile, gratification crept onto Kai's features when he saw that the man had decided to go with him.
He patted Troy on the shoulder, assuring, "Don't worry. With me here, you won't suffer a beating!"
In response, Troy could only smile helplessly. Part of the reason he bit the bullet and decided to go with the man was to keep his job. They were in the same team, so he was afraid that the higher-ups would sack him if they learned that Kai went alone.
In no time, Kai and the others arrived at Dexter's company based on the address in the information. The company was small with only two floors, and the signage at the entrance was very old.
"Don't tell me this company has gone bankrupt? Will there still be people inside?" Hilda fretted as she stared at the signage at the entrance.
If the company has gone bankrupt and the debtor has taken off, this debt will be uncollectible!
"Let's go in and have a look." After saying that, Kai took the lead and walked in.
The moment they entered the building, a racket drifted into their ears. Thick cigarette smoke hung in the air, choking one so much that one could not quite breathe.
Seven or eight shirtless men with tattoos snaking all over their bodies were smoking and playing cards in the lobby, their eyes bloodshot.
At the sight of that scene, regret deluged Troy. He tugged at Kai's sleeve lightly. "Why don't we come another day, Kai?"
Hilda's face had also gone a touch pale. No matter how I look at it, this doesn't seem like a company at all! Instead, it appears to be more of a bandit's lair!
"Since we're here, we've got to at least meet the boss before leaving," Kai stated airily.
Right then, one of the men noticed them. He stood up and strutted over to them. "You three, what is your business here?"
"We're from Sentiment Chemical Limited, and we're here to look for Mr. Murphy," Kai answered placidly.
"To collect the debt?" The man instantly discerned the purpose of their visit. With a slight frown, he growled, "Mr. Murphy isn't in, so hurry up and leave. Don't disrupt our game of cards!"
Upon saying that, he headed back to the table to resume his game. Yet, just after he had taken two steps, a sultrily-dressed girl with heavy makeup sashayed down from the second floor. She was not that old, but her dressing and appearance made it clear that she had long since lost the innocence of a girl.
"Lux, Mr. Murphy wants to see them," the girl uttered to the burly man who stopped Kai and the others from going any further earlier.
The burly man nodded in acknowledgment and turned to the trio. "Go on up."
After saying that, he returned to his game of cards without a backward glance. Meanwhile, the girl studied Hilda for a bit before ordering, "Come with me."
Kai and the others followed her upstairs. Troy was so scared that he was trembling and almost tripped while ascending the stairs.
At the same time, Dexter was smoking a cigar in the office with both his legs propped up on the table as he hummed leisurely. Wads of tissue were scattered all over the ground, and a musty smell lingered in the air. At a single glance, one could tell what had transpired there earlier.
Soon, the girl led Kai and the others into the office. Dexter continued holding the cigar between his lips, but his eyes roamed all over Hilda.
"You're from Sentiment Chemical Limited?" he queried mildly.
"Yes." Kai nodded in affirmation.
"I've prepared the money I owe your company long ago." While saying that, he threw the girl who led the trio upstairs a look. Understanding his meaning at once, the girl promptly opened the safety deposit box at the side.
Stacks of bills were arranged neatly in there, the amount far exceeding a million.
Exhilaration swept over Troy and Hilda like a tidal wave when they saw Dexter's ready acquiescence. They did not expect things to be so smooth sailing. He doesn't seem to be as described in the information, refusing to repay his debt and even beating up those who come to collect it!
Kai, however, smirked slightly. He knew that the man could not possibly be so sporting to return the money.
Chapter 107
Sure enough, Dexter removed his legs from the table after revealing the stacks of bills. With his lecherous gaze fixated on Hilda, he declared, "I don't like dealing with men. If you want the money back, leave the woman and buzz off. I promise to repay the debt I owe to your company."
Hearing that, Hilda was so stricken that she darted behind Kai.
When Dexter saw how fearful she looked, he guffawed.
"It's only right and proper to repay one's debts. No matter who comes to collect it, you've got to pay up!" Kai asserted coldly.
At that, Dexter eyed him as though he was an idiot. "Right and proper? You must be new, eh? Didn't your colleagues tell you the consequences of coming here to collect my debt?"
"They did, but I didn't believe them. Thus, I wanted to come here and try my luck."
Kai nodded as he spoke.
"Hah! It's my first time meeting someone so bold throughout the years. Since you want to try your luck, I'll grant you your wish!"
While saying that, Dexter swung his fist at Kai's face.
Behind Kai, Hilda anxiously yanked at him when she saw Dexter making a move, hoping to pull him away so that he would not get hit. Conversely, Troy swiftly took two steps back, afraid that he would be caught in the crossfire.
Alas, Hilda could not make Kai budge. The man merely stared at Dexter smirkingly. When the latter's fist was only an inch away from him, he abruptly shot his hand out and grabbed it. In the next instant, the sound of bones shattering pierced the air.
Dexter felt as though a vise had clamped his hand before excruciating pain assailed him, the agony so intense that he wailed at the top of his lungs.
When the girl who led Kai and the others upstairs saw that, she spun on her heels and sprinted out. Her intention was as plain as day—to summon help.
"Troy, go and bag the money with Hilda. Don't take any extra, but make sure to take the exact amount he owes us, nothing short of it," Kai said to Troy after restraining Dexter.
Unfortunately, Troy had long since frozen in fear. Instead, Hilda hurried over to the safety deposit box after glancing at Kai and started bagging the money.
In the blink of an eye, there was a million in the bag. Hilda then urged Kai frantically, "Let's go since we've now gotten the money!"
Right after her words fell, a flurry of footsteps sounded. The seven or eight men with tattoos downstairs had already rushed upstairs and were blocking the door.
"Let Mr. Murphy go, you brat! You're courting death to make a move against him!" the burly man known as Lux bellowed upon seeing that Kai had restrained Dexter.
"Have your men clear a path!"
Ignoring him, Kai exerted slight force on Dexter's hand, upon which the sounds of bones snapping rang out once more.
By then, Dexter was already sweating profusely from the debilitating pain. Despite the fury blazing in his eyes, he had no other choice then and could only order in a booming voice, "Do as he says!"
In mere seconds, the men parted and made a path. Subsequently, Kai said to Troy and Hilda, "Take the money and go back to the office."
"A-Are you not leaving with us, Kai?" Hilda asked in puzzlement.
"You two leave first. I'll be right behind you," he replied.
Hilda regarded him worriedly, but Troy tugged at her. "Let's go quickly! We'll only burden Kai if we stay here!"
He ran out of the building while dragging her along. However, right after they made their escape, Hilda gave him the money and told him to take it back to the office. She, on the other hand, waited across the road, for she could not rest easy without seeing Kai leave.
Meanwhile, Kai dropped his hold on Dexter after Troy and Hilda left.
Having obtained his freedom, Dexter went off the deep end. "I'm going to kill you today, brat!"
