Chapter 13: Extra Payment

Gazing at the Maserati idling outside, even though the window was up and he couldn't see who was inside, Dustin still flinched. He hunched over and scurried to Katie, plastering on a sycophantic smile. "President Norman, it's you. You're here to collect a payment. Was it really necessary to come in person? A phone call would've done. No need for you to make the trip!" The over-the-top flattery stopped Katie short. She thought, "What on earth? Weren't these guys supposed to be thugs and bullies, the scary kind? Why were they buttering her up?" Even after serving as president for quite a while, she had never seen anyone grovel so shamelessly. Dustin's men had scarred faces, yet those notorious thugs were strangely courteous in front of her. The more deferential they were, the more off balance she felt. All the lines she had prepared suddenly became useless. "Oh, are you Mr. Dustin? I'm here to collect a payment," Katie managed. "Collect a payment? That's great! President Norman, please come in. I've had the money ready. Even if you hadn't come, I was planning to send it over. Sorry you had to come here yourself for this!" Dustin babbled, still bent at the waist, ushering Katie inside like a fawning lapdog. Katie grew even more bewildered. Weren't they supposed to be the type who forced deals down people's throats? Why did they cave the moment she showed up? Puzzled or not, she had no reason to refuse money. She glanced back at the Maserati. Even if Wesley was her fake husband, having him there made her feel bolder. She followed them into the lobby. Dustin knew better. Faced with such a stunning woman and worried that Wesley might take offense, he didn't dare invite her upstairs. He decided to settle it right there in the lobby. "Come on, serve President Norman some tea, bring my best oolong tea." "What are you standing around for? Go get the check." He fawned over her even as he kicked his underling into action. His subordinate caught on and hurried off. "No tea necessary. Just give me the money you owe," Katie said. She was inside the lion's den, and although her heart thudded, she kept a calm composure, her face serene. "Damn, this woman is too beautiful!" Staring at her ice-cold demeanor, Dustin's mind was racing. Her beauty was jaw-dropping. But she was Wesley's woman. He didn't dare entertain improper thoughts. That day, when Wesley just let a bit of his menace show, Dustin had felt terror sink into his bones and had nightmares for three days. Soon, an accountant stepped out and handed the check to Dustin. Dustin trotted over and offered it to Katie. "President Norman, here's what I owe you. Please accept it. I'm really sorry to have made you come all this way for this." Katie took the check, glanced down, and froze. The figure wasn't one million dollars. It was two million. "Mr. Dustin, this is too much. You only owed one million," she said quickly. "Not too much!" Dustin waved it off. "Here's the thing, President Norman. Your company's product quality is rock solid, and I'm delighted. The extra is a down payment on our next order. We plan to keep using your products, so we paid in advance." "A down payment?" Katie grew even more confused. People said Dustin was ruthless to deal with, but to her, he seemed fine, easygoing, even friendly. They had put down a down payment. She couldn't very well refuse to continue working with them. Besides, although it was called a down payment, it was practically the full payment. With that much sincerity, any further hesitation would sound unreasonable. "In that case, Mr. Dustin, our Pearl Group will repay your trust with even better products and quality. Thank you for your trust. I'll have someone send over the contract later," Katie said, rising to her feet. "No rush, no rush. Even without a contract, it's fine. I absolutely trust you, President Norman."  Dustin escorted her out, laying on the praise, his men filing after him. Katie reached the doorway, glanced back, and felt that this crowd was actually pretty decent, nothing like the rumors. "Mr. Dustin, no need to walk me out. Looking forward to working together." She held out her hand. Dustin wiped his palm and started to extend it. Midway, his eyes landed on her hand, smooth as porcelain, and he yanked his own hand back. No way. Shake hands with Wesley's woman? He wouldn't dare. If he actually did it, he feared Wesley would kill him. Katie smiled, let it pass, turned with grace, hips swaying, her figure elegant as she left the courtyard. "Take care, President Norman!" the men called, still waving. Only when he saw Katie slip into the Maserati and the car pull away did Dustin wipe cold sweat from his brow and breathe out. "Finally, we got her out of here." Offending Wesley might still leave room to maneuver. Offend his woman, and he might die without even knowing how. Dustin feared Wesley deep down. To give off that kind of lethal vibe, how many lives had he ended? He knew that even though Wesley spared him that day, if he chose to kill him, it would be as easy as crushing an ant. "How did it go, honey? Did you get the money?" Wesley asked from the driver's seat. "I did. They even gave extra!" Katie said, delighted. With that money, she didn't think her uncle would still have the nerve to try to remove her as president. "See? I told you. You don't know until you try," Wesley said with a smile. "True. I didn't expect them to pay so readily!" Katie beamed, buoyant with excitement. After a while, it hit her, and the thought nagged at her. So many people had gone to collect with no results. Why did they pay the moment she showed up? If it was because she was pretty, she didn't buy it. Many women in the PR department were attractive, but none of them got the debt. So what had made them so quick? "Could it be because of him?" She glanced at Wesley. But that couldn't be right. Wasn't he just a delivery guy? Could he really scare Dustin? If he had that kind of clout, why would he be delivering packages?