Chapter 30

Before settling the refunds, Nicholas noticed that Andrew had not mentioned anything about the other investors or asked for their money back. He paused, observing the crowd, when he saw Kelly looking perplexed at one side. Nicholas approached Kelly and dragged him to Andrew's house, with the others following, hoping to persuade Andrew to help them plead with Nicholas for their refunds as well.

Inside Andrew’s living room, both Margaret and Andrew heard loud voices from outside and decided to check what was happening. They saw Nicholas dragging Kelly out from among the group. Grabbing Kelly by the collar, Nicholas brought him in front of Andrew and asked, “Mr. Blackwood, do you know this man?”

Andrew, seated calmly, glanced at Kelly, who quickly pleaded, “Andrew, please! Tell Nicholas Smith we’re friends! Help me!”

Andrew snorted dismissively and replied, “I don’t know this person. Do whatever you want with him, but let him go when you’re done.”

Nicholas nodded in understanding and ordered his men, “Handle this guy! He’s been a nuisance!”

Kelly screamed in terror, “Andrew! I’m sorry, please help me!”

Andrew stared at Kelly coldly and said, “You have no connection to me, yet you’ve mocked me repeatedly. Now you want my help? Forget it!”

Kelly collapsed, begging, “Andrew, I’m really sorry, please help me!”

Seeing Andrew’s displeasure, Nicholas shouted to his men, “What are you waiting for? Get to it!”

Nicholas’s bodyguards, startled, quickly grabbed Kelly and began roughing him up. Kelly’s mouth soon bled, and several of his teeth were knocked out, but the rough treatment continued relentlessly.

Nicholas turned to Andrew with a sycophantic smile, “Mr. Blackwood, are you satisfied?”

Andrew nodded nonchalantly. “Good enough. I have to go now.”

Nicholas handed Andrew his card respectfully and said, “Mr. Blackwood, this is my number. If you need anything, call me anytime.”

Andrew pocketed the card and turned to Margaret, who was standing nearby, “Mom, it’s late. Let’s go inside.”

Despite her still-stinging face, Margaret smiled gleefully as she looked at the suitcase containing her money and the extra five hundred thousand dollars. She felt immense pride in her son-in-law, who had proven to be extraordinary.

As Andrew was about to leave and lock the door, the elders in the space surrounded him, their tones now filled with earnestness. “Andrew, we were wrong to underestimate you. You’re truly remarkable!”

“Yes, Andrew, you’re brilliant and capable. My son-in-law is nothing compared to you.”

“Could you help us get our money back from Mr. Harper? It’s all we have.”

Andrew frowned, annoyed, and replied coldly, “Why should I help you? You were so arrogant earlier. If you can’t get your money back, ask your own son-in-law.”

With that, he turned and started to leave, leaving the elders in regret and despair. They lamented their earlier mockery of Andrew, realizing too late that he was their only hope for getting their money back. Some slapped themselves, others crouched in a daze, and a few rolled on the floor, wailing in agony over their lost funds.

As he entered inside, Margaret asked coyly, “Andrew, how do you know Nicholas Smith? Why was he so respectful to you?”

Andrew replied casually, “I don’t know him. I just called a friend who has enough influence to make Steven refund the money.”

Margaret felt a tinge of disappointment, having hoped Andrew possessed some extraordinary influence. Nevertheless, she was grateful for getting her money back along with the extra five hundred thousand dollars. This outcome improved her opinion of Andrew slightly.

“Andrew, please keep what happened today a secret. I have my dignity,” Margaret requested.

Andrew smiled weakly and agreed, “Of course, Mom, I understand.”

The next morning, after resolving Margaret's issue, Margaret, clutching the suitcase happily, went to the bank to deposit the money, while Andrew headed to run some errands.

When Andrew entered the house in the evening, he saw Clara's shoes in the hallway, indicating she had returned home. He went straight to their bedroom.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw his wife just hanging up the phone, her face painted with surprise and excitement.

He asked curiously, "Dear, who was that on the phone?"

Clara shrieked excitedly, "It's my best friend, Loretta! Do you remember her?"

"Yes, I do," Andrew nodded and continued, "She used to study in Beverly Hills and was very close to you. In fact, if I recall correctly, she is the daughter of the wealthy Adrian family in Wastcliff, isn't she?"

"Yes!" Clara said, "Loretta's family is quite prominent in Wastcliff."

Andrew smiled and asked, "So what is it about? Is she coming to Beverly Hills for a visit?"

"Not just for a visit, she's coming to work here!" Clara exclaimed.

Andrew frowned, confused. "She is the daughter of a prominent family in Wastcliff. Why doesn't she work for her family's company but come to work here instead?"

Clara shrugged. "I don't know either. She told me that she is going to start working for the Blackwood Group. As for why she has come all the way to Blackwood, I'm not sure."

Andrew nodded in acknowledgment but there was a thought running through his mind. 'Although the Adrian family was not on par with the Blackwood family, they have a strong foundation in Wastcliff. Loretta has no excuse to ditch her family business and come to Beverly Hills to work with Blackwood.'

'Hmm, does she have another hidden agenda that I'm not aware of?' Skeptical thoughts filled Andrew's mind and he hadn't had a clue for the moment, so all he could do for now was to wait until Loretta joined the Blackwood Group and let Janet investigate her background and motives.

Meanwhile, Clara patted her forehead as if an abrupt thought struck her head and said, "Oh yes, Andrew, I have a meeting with Blackwood Group tomorrow, but I don't think I can make it. Could you pick up Loretta at the airport, please? Find a place for lunch too."

Andrew nodded. "Alright, I'll make some arrangements tomorrow."

"Find a nicer place while you're at it and don't mind the expenses. Here, take my card." She was grabbing her purse and was about to hand it to him when Andrew hurriedly stopped her. "Nah, it's okay. I have a friend who runs quite a decent restaurant, let me arrange for it."

Andrew took out his phone and was about to send a text message to Alessandro, asking him to reserve a table for him. On second thought, that place was a surprise for his dear wife, so it would be better to entertain Loretta at another venue.

Hence, he sent the message to the next person in his mind — Nicholas.

"I want to host a dinner to entertain a friend. Help me arrange for it at a high-end hotel, excluding any too extravagant."

Soon, he received a reply from Nicholas. "Mr. Blackwood, I own a place called The Grand Pavilion, it is one of the most exclusive restaurants in Beverly Hills that is comparable to any other high-end place. I'll reserve the best Diamond Suite tomorrow as well as the best feast for you and your guest. I'm honored to have you in my restaurant."

Andrew simply replied with an 'Okay'.

The next day, Clara spent the entire day at the Blackwood Group headquarters, dealing and arranging matters related to the project and their collaboration. Andrew called Janet and asked her about Loretta's job appointment.

Janet was genuinely surprised that Andrew knew about this. She told him that Loretta had applied for an administrative director post, which was a middle-level management position. After reviewing her resume, they found that she was an excellent candidate for the job. Hence, they decided to hire her and her first day at work would be in a few days' time.