Chapter 464: The Game (7) – The Under-the-Table Deal

Martina was furious at Hannah's words. Always arrogant and condescending, she was accustomed to ordering senior staff. Surprisingly, Hannah refused to comply.

Martina gritted her teeth. "You just want the money, right? I told you it's insignificant to Sawyer Group. I don't care about the transfer timeframe. We can get the funds ready. Don't obstruct us, and don't try to shift blame for your marketing failures."

Hannah, packing her documents, replied, "No worries. As long as Sawyer cooperates, I'll take full responsibility if the marketing plan fails. Now that you have no further questions, please initiate the transfer to the specified account next Monday."

Hannah departed confidently, leaving Martina consumed by envy. Martina immediately called her brother.

"Charles, Hannah wants the money. I'll send you the funding plan."

"Okay. I'll get back to you."

"Okay."

Martina considered her brother an omnipotent problem-solver.

At City Hall, Charles hung up and went outside to the smoking area. Lighting a cigarette, he ensured privacy before calling Henry.

"Yes?"

"Do you have the one billion ready, as discussed?"

"Capital flow is smooth. You can apply for a loan through the formal process."

"Formal process? Are you kidding me?" Charles exploded. He'd mortgaged everything except his Sawyer Group shares, a risk he couldn't afford.

"Banks are strict now; they require extensive documentation for large loans," Henry explained.

"I don't care! Figure it out!" Charles demanded, "Get me that one billion!"

Henry hesitated.

"Henry, remember we're in this together. I have evidence of your involvement in Susan's accident. Reveal that, and we're both finished."

Henry gritted his teeth, recognizing Charles's true, ruthless nature. He regretted ever associating with him.

"Call me back by 5 pm!" Charles hung up, confident Henry would comply.

Henry, a long-time Phillips Bank employee, could easily arrange an under-the-table loan. However, he was reluctant to risk it for Charles. He had no choice.

Henry maneuvered discreetly, delaying his final decision.

At 5 pm, Charles called. "Have you decided? You were supposed to call back!"

"Mortgage your real estate, if you won't risk your shares," Henry suggested.

"Damn it! I already did!" Charles was desperate, having mortgaged all his properties.

"I can inflate the value of your properties—maybe half a billion, even if they're only worth one hundred million—to secure the loan. But it's risky. If discovered, we'll face consequences. Pay it back within six months; they usually don't scrutinize repaid loans."

"I have no more property to mortgage!" Charles raged. Sawyer Group's finances were teetering.

"Forge property certificates," Henry stated bluntly. "I can bypass the review and grant the loan directly."

Charles, seeing it as his last chance, agreed.

"Come tomorrow morning. Fewer people around on Saturday," Henry advised.

"Okay."

"I'll wait for you."

"Okay."

Charles forged two fake property certificates, each representing a property worth over three hundred million in a high-value area, totaling around one billion.

Saturday morning, Charles, Lee, and Martina met Henry.

Henry swiftly processed the loan, then called Edward. "Mr. Chairman, Sawyer Group needs a one-billion-dollar emergency loan for an e-commerce project. They've mortgaged properties on Panket Island, valued at approximately one billion. The loan term is six months. I've completed the paperwork. Please approve."

"When did Lee buy two houses on Panket Island?" Edward mused, surprised but nonetheless approved the loan without hesitation. "Okay. Process it. I'll review it." The strategic cooperation agreement with Sawyer Group eased his concerns.

Henry, anxious about his first fraudulent act, addressed the Sawyers. "The loan will be granted after Edward’s approval. Repay it within six months. We’ll be held accountable if discovered."

"Don't worry. It’s for temporary capital. We'll repay within three months at most. It’s for international e-commerce," Charles assured.

"Keep that in mind," Henry cautioned.

"Let us know when the loan is approved. We have to go," Charles impatiently dismissed Henry.

Watching them leave, Henry mused that the Sawyers would either profit enormously or lose everything.