Chapter 278

Maria glowered at Jenny icily and snapped, “I was speaking to your boss, not you! Don’t act so high and mighty when you’re just a subordinate!”

Jenny was made of tougher stuff, so she smiled and kept quiet.

“We’re not the ones asking for a loan here,” Phoebe said angrily, her patience running thin. “What gives you the right to talk down to any of us?”

Maria did not back down. “Who the hell do you think you are? Is this the way you speak to your elders? Didn’t you ever learn basic manners at school? With that attitude, I’m surprised you’re on the honor roll at Riverland University at all!”

“You…” Phoebe was so furious that she was shaking, her eyes brimming with tears.

“What? Cat got your tongue? It’s not like you own this loan company or anything!” Maria carried on viciously, extremely pleased to see how riled up Phoebe was. “Keep quiet, your opinions aren’t wanted.”

Maria had never lost an argument before. She had far too much pride to let some young lady speak to her so condescendingly.

As the vicious words rang in Phoebe’s ears, she looked down and let her tears fall.

Christine gently squeezed Phoebe’s hand and said soothingly, “Don’t cry, Phoebe. We won’t be doing business with them!”

Maria raised a brow. She was about to admonish Christine when Wanda said, “I believe we’re done here. We won’t be doing business with you, and that’s final.”

“Fine, then! See if I care! It’s not as if you’re the only loan company in Riverland, Maria spat, emboldened by her temper as she smacked her palm on the table.

“Will you tone it down?” Gerard snapped, glaring at Maria.

There were plenty of loan companies in Riverland, indeed, but the loans they offered came with an extremely high interest. SwiftFunds Financial Investment offered loans at half those rates.

Besides, the other loan companies were only willing to approve loans of up to 200 thousand. Gerard

would have to seek out multiple loan companies if he wanted to make up the remaining 300 thousand he

needed.

More importantly, these loan companies were run by those in the underworld. One of Gerard’s friends had jumped off a rooftop after failing to repay the high–interest loans taken out from one of those companies

SwiftFunds Financial Investment was a licensed moneylender, and the interest rates it offered were lower than those offered by the loan sharks.

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Windex Corporation was in desperate need of funds. If Gerard didn’t improve his own company’s financial situation in time for the upcoming project, he would have to kiss a huge business opportunity goodbye.

Maria was expressionless as she gritted out, “I’ll leave you to talk to them in private. Excuse me while I

use the restroom.”

Gerard heaved a sigh of exasperation. “I apologize for my wife’s rude behavior, Ms. Thompson. I have no objection to the terms you proposed for the loan. Shall we proceed accordingly?”

Wanda repeated calmly but firmly, “Mr. Zahn, I’ve made it clear just now that we don’t want to do business with you.” She turned to Jenny and asked, “Ms. Robson, would you mind getting the check?”

“On it,” Jenny said with a smile. She took her purse and made her way to the front desk to pay for the

meal.

“Allow me to get the check,” Gerard said, hurrying to his feet to block Jenny’s way.

“Oh, no, it’s bad form if we stuff you with the check after a deal falls through, Jenny said pleasantly. “The

meal’s on us.”

“No, I insist. These young ladies are my nephew’s friends, and I should be the one getting the check. I’m older, after all,” Gerard said.

He knew he wouldn’t stand a chance at getting his loan from SwiftFunds Financial Investment if he let these young women pay for the food.

“Well…” Jenny glanced over her shoulder at Wanda.

“Ms. Thompson, please give me another chance,” Gerard pleaded: