Chapter 59: The Opportunity Approaching

“Come to my office…”

George, who hadn’t even eaten lunch, returned straight to his office. Compared to the files in his hands, a thirty-nine-Sol steak couldn’t distract him.

Two minutes later, a well-dressed middle-aged man with a lawyer’s badge pinned to his chest walked in.

Any law student who graduates and obtains a lawyer’s license earns such a starter badge.

Though it’s just a starter badge, even the top federal lawyers wear it daily. It symbolizes their status and a unique form of prestige.

“Naff, look over these documents!” Besides the two pledge agreements Lynch had proactively given him, George found copies of other files, which raised his impression of Lynch.

There’s a saying: everyone has opportunities, but not everyone can seize them, nor is everyone ready to face them.

Most people know they can’t always seize opportunities—95% remain mediocre. In their ordinary lives, chances to change fate appear but go unseen and untouched.

People grasp the first part but miss the last: sometimes seizing an opportunity feels like a turning point—indeed it is.

But only when you’re prepared does the opportunity bring corresponding wealth, status, and reputation. For such people, opportunity is like a gentle woman.

If unprepared, opportunity hits like a train smashing your skull. Many stories tell of people whose lives were ruined after seizing opportunities.

Opportunity always changes destiny—sometimes for better, sometimes worse.

Lynch was ready and could create opportunities. George had met a few like him through his status, encountering local and regional elites. He saw their reflection in Lynch.

Ambitious, vigilant as a hidden hunter ready to strike anytime—such people rarely fail. That’s why George was willing to give Lynch a chance.

No one minds having too many valuable connections; living in society means unavoidable relationships.

Naff is part of the legal team at Sabin City’s Golden Exchange Bank. The bank faces many lawsuits yearly, so instead of hiring outside lawyers each time, they maintain an internal legal team to save costs.

Naff studied the documents carefully, missing no detail. He took notes and marked key points.

After over half an hour, he sighed, organized the papers by review order, placed them on the desk, and looked at George.

“Any issues with these documents?” George offered one of two plain-colored pens. Naff thanked him and took it.

As he opened the pen, he replied, “No problems. These pledge agreements build upon our current loan agreements with some added clauses.”

“Two clauses stand out. First, if the borrower fails to repay shortly after signing, they must forfeit the collateral and still repay principal and interest.” A faint, strange smile appeared on his face. “This seems to be a new practice from external financial companies—they never used this before.”

Naff’s expression was disdainful; he looked down on those finance companies, as did George.

Previously, when Mr. Fox extended aid, people mostly signed IOUs. Street residents might not even need that. Lynch’s arrival changed all that.

George nodded. Naff continued, “I noticed a line in their additional clauses…” He pointed it out for George to see. It stated the agreement was signed voluntarily without coercion, witnessed by a third party whose name and signature appear.

“That’s a clever clause, but from my perspective, it’s problematic. When someone desperately needs money, they’ll sign any agreement.”

“Legally, that’s coercion or undue influence, but it still holds legal effect. You can feel the contradiction, but you can’t ignore it. Whoever created this idea is talented.”

When a person urgently needs money, they are in a passive, vulnerable position—what I call ‘coerced’ or ‘dominated’ isn’t inaccurate.

Those people will do anything to get money quickly, including signing such statements. Subjectively, this clause tries to cover up facts unnecessarily.

But legally, it matters because judges won’t consider the borrower’s thoughts then. Lawyers won’t ask if a weapon was used. They’ll only check if the person was clear-headed and aware of what they signed… so it’s valid.

“You mean we could add this clause to our agreements?” George asked. Naff nodded. “Good. Report it to headquarters for review.” He paused. “Continue.”

After setting down the two pledge agreements, Naff picked up other documents. “The rest are official and legally effective, but in the additional clauses where Gatner Finance entrusts Dyson Asset Management with full control of assets, there are countermeasures…”

He pointed out several and briefly explained. Both knew these lacked real value—financial companies don’t usually drag disputes to court.

Their value is legal only, not enforceable. Perhaps the financiers’ enforcers are more effective.

“Are you saying Dyson Asset Management’s control over these agreements and contents is legal?” George asked again, despite prior explanation.

“Yes, sir. Before the counterclauses take effect, Dyson Asset Management legally owns these assets.”

George asked, “Including pledging these agreements as collateral?”

Naff paused, then understood why the credit manager had him review these papers. After a few seconds, he nodded. “At least under state law. If you need other states’ laws, I can request legal aid from headquarters.”

George waved it off, stood, and extended his hand. Naff followed, buttoning his jacket, and shook hands.

“No need. Thanks for taking the time.”

“My duty.” Seeing the handshake, Naff took his leave.

After sending Naff off, George closed the door, smiled slightly at the papers.

According to Lynch, he had millions’ worth of pledge loan agreements—or countless loan agreements. Once Lynch secured funds, Gatner Finance would have the money.

What does a finance company do with money? They lend it to needy citizens, creating a snowball effect that grows ever larger.

The bank manages risk well; ending the power period before counterclauses activate avoids risk, leaving two parties to bear it.

One is Dyson Asset Management as intermediary, the other Gatner Finance, the “frontline company.” The bank, including Lynch, faces minimal risk.

The real danger lies with Dyson Asset Management. From the finance company’s view, the agreement can’t stop debt collection, but it makes bad debts for asset management and allows tax evasion by hiding large sums.

But that didn’t concern George. He stared out the window a moment, then calmly returned to his desk and picked up the phone.

“…What’s the reward for the best performance this year at headquarters again?”