Chapter 201 Crying Poor
"I understand what you mean. But for now, just go along with with whatever he wants to do. If you notice anything suspicious, come find me."
After giving those instructions, York nodded and left.
Through the window, I saw Ivan approaching York. They seemed to be talking about something, and at one point, Ivan glanced toward my office.
The instant his eyes came my way, I dodged back. When I looked again, they were already gone.
I picked up my phone and was about to text York, but after a moment's thought, I decided against it.
With him tailing Ivan, nothing should go wrong.
I set the matter aside for the moment because I had something more important to do. I needed to collect the debt from Knox!
The legal department was ready. When I arrived, Mira asked whether we should start making the call. I nodded, and Mira quickly dialed Knox's office number.
As soon as he heard it was about debt collection, Knox's tone turned impatient.
"Alright, I know about this. I'll talk directly with Helena later."
Before Mira could respond, he hung up.
Hearing the busy tone from the receiver, Mira looked uneasy. "Ms. Lockwood, what should we do?"
I waved a hand. "It's fine. He'll probably call me."
Sure enough, Knox called back.
I let it ring for a while before answering.
"What do you want? Are you paying back or not?"
Hearing my cold tone, Knox went silent for a moment.
After a pause, he came to his senses and said helplessly, "Helena, we were together once. How does pushing me like this help you?"
"I've told you already, it's not that I won't pay, but the company really doesn't have any extra money. If I pay it back, the company will collapse!"
"We were a couple once. You can't just watch my company go under and see me end up on the street, can you?"
Knox started playing the sympathy card, but unfortunately, I wasn't buying it.
I said coldly, "Knox, I've already given you time to raise the money. What exactly do you want? Are you planning to keep acting like a deadbeat?"
Then I snorted. "If you keep acting like a deadbeat, don't blame me for not being nice!"
Hearing I was about to hang up, Knox hurriedly said, "Wait! It's not that I won't pay, but with so much money, the company really can't come up with it all at once. How about this? Let me take you to dinner, and we can sit down and discuss it properly."
Just hearing his voice made me sick. How could I possibly sit down and have dinner with him?
"Dinner won't be necessary. If you're sincere, come to the Lockwood Group now. I'll be waiting!"
Seeing that I had softened, Knox quickly agreed. "I'll come right now!"
He didn't keep me waiting long. Soon Knox appeared in the company lobby.
I told the receptionist, "Let him come up."
"Yes."
The receptionist pressed the elevator button for Knox, and soon he was standing in my office.
As soon as he came in, he flopped down on the sofa and looked around. "Helena, your office is too small. Why don't you apply for a bigger one?"
I crossed my arms and stared at him coldly. "Knox, I asked you here to explain the debt issue, not to criticize my office. Get to the point. I don't have time to waste on you."
"You!" Knox shook his head. "Helena, I've noticed since you started working, your temper has gotten much worse. Is work making you unhappy? Why don't I take you out for a nice meal to cheer you up?"
"You're the one making me annoyed. Hurry up and talk. If you don't want to, then go back."
Seeing me about to kick him out, Knox quickly said, "Wait! I'll talk, okay?"
He muttered, "Really, I say your temper is bad, and it really is bad. You're kicking me out before I've even started."
I glanced at him coldly. Sensing my hostile look, he finally shut up. "Alright, I know you want the money and the shares. It's not that we won't give them, but..."
He paused and looked up at me. Seeing that my expression remained cold, he continued, "We really don't have the money. As for the shares, it's not that we won't give them. You know Dad and I don't have many shares. The rest are in the hands of other shareholders. If we give them all to you, you're basically forcing Dad and me to our deaths."
"Why don't you think of another way to settle the debt?"
Seeing me glare at him, he quickly raised both hands. "Don't be like that. I'm just discussing it with you. If you insist on not backing down, then I'll have no choice but to go down fighting. Neither of us will benefit then."
Seeing him so determined, he must have come prepared.
I snorted. "Knox, what scheme are you plotting now?"
Knox quickly defended himself. "You're wrong. How would I dare to plot anything? I'm here to discuss this with you."
"Knox, we've been together for so many years. I can tell what you're thinking at a glance. You came up with a plan before coming here, didn't you? Fine, let's hear it!"
Seeing me call him out so bluntly, Knox grinned. "Helena still knows me best."
As he spoke, he tried to move closer. I glared at him. "If you want to talk, talk quickly. If not, I'll call someone."
"What are you doing?" Knox sat back on the sofa and frowned. "Why have you become so hot-tempered after breaking up? You're clearly starved for love. You were much gentler when you were with me."
His words really turned my stomach. I snorted. "That's because I hadn't seen your true colors. If I'd known how unfaithful you were, I would have slapped you long ago."
"Why bring that up again? I told you it wasn't my fault. Natasha seduced me."
Before Knox finished speaking, I raised my hand to cut him off. "Enough. Don't talk about the past. I don't want to hear it. Let's talk about the money."
Looking dejected at being interrupted, Knox said, "Fine, fine, I'll talk. I just wanted to tell you. First, use 5% of the shares to settle the debt, and pay back the rest slowly. Does that work?"
"Knox, are you treating me like a beggar?"
I glanced at him coldly. "When you borrowed the money, we agreed that if you didn't pay it back, you'd settle it with 15% of the shares. But now you're only offering 5%. Do you think I can accept that?"
Knox put on a worried expression. "Helena, I have no choice. Any more than that, and the company really can't afford it!"
"Stop pretending to be poor in front of me."
I said coldly, "I can compromise on the shares, but not 5%. It has to be 10%. If you agree, we'll continue talking. If not, see you in court!"