Chapter 63: Only Those Who Know Gratitude Can Gain More Friendship

“Total amount… three million two hundred forty thousand!”

In George’s office, he stared at the statistics report in his hands, surprised. When Lynch told him there were several million in collateral, George had thought it was an exaggeration—common in finance.

Installments, discounted redemptions, and other adjustments usually make it hard to trust numbers quoted verbally. Lynch, however, had given him a pleasant surprise.

George set the report down and shifted in his seat. “Impressive figures, but you know I can’t lend based on the full valuation. At most, fifty percent—no more.”

He flipped through the report with a hint of regret. “These aren’t prime assets. The bank’s risk is still high, so…” He shrugged and looked back at Lynch.

The bank’s professional appraisers found no highly liquid valuables like gold or jewelry—things that could be quickly sold. Instead, most collateral were everyday items and assets like houses and cars.

Sabin City isn’t a major city, nor a state capital or federal center. Property values aren’t stable. Most mortgaged homes are from ordinary neighborhoods—not middle-class or upscale districts.

In smaller cities, valuable real estate usually means middle-class or elite areas with the best locations, views, and facilities. Those homes sell quickly at 10–15% below market price.

Homes in common or poor neighborhoods don’t sell easily. Developing real estate there, especially housing, is a slow, thankless task that often bankrupts developers.

Squatters often break into unsold houses, causing trouble. Some states’ laws grant ownership to occupants after a certain period, encouraging people to move into unsold or abandoned homes.

The chaotic environment and street culture in poorer areas suppress property value appreciation—not that the properties are worthless, just hard to realize their true value.

Cars were mostly ordinary brands, some old, some possibly stolen and abandoned, according to appraisers.

The path to liquidating these assets is difficult; recovering even the principal is uncertain.

If Lynch only wanted this one deal, George would be cautious or refuse, preferring no deal to risk.

But he understood Lynch’s plan: the money would fuel Gatner Finance Company’s ongoing operations, bringing more similar agreements as collateral to the bank, eventually rolling into staggering sums.

So he didn’t mind.

After some thought, George said, “I’ll give you at most one million six hundred thousand.”

He considered this safe. Lynch had no reason to object. On this deal alone, Lynch would earn at least 250,000, faster than exchanging small change and without paying bank interest.

Gatner would cover the interest by paying management fees to Dyson Asset Management, which would fully separate the bank from Gatner—enabling cooperation.

Lynch accepted without bargaining, increasing George’s goodwill. George smiled, “Do you want a check, promissory note, draft, or bank transfer?”

At present, federal banks have limits on checks, unable to issue million-level cash checks or transfers easily. Checks are easily forged, and technology limits large sums by check.

George implied small cash checks, but Lynch had other plans.

“I want cash!”

George froze—not that the bank couldn’t provide it, but large cash withdrawals require complex procedures, possibly police involvement.

Seeing George’s hesitation, Lynch frowned slightly then relaxed, as if casually asking, “Is that not possible?”

After thinking, George nodded, “Not impossible, just complicated. I need to prepare documents, send them to branch and headquarters, plus legal steps. At least four to five days.”

“I can wait!”

Lynch showed no hesitation. After a brief look, George agreed to expedite the deal.

Lynch stood. George rose, crossed the desk, and extended his hand. “Pleasure doing business.”

After Lynch left, George shook his head, smiling. He understood why Lynch insisted on cash.

Issuing a certified statement that Lynch withdrew 1.6 million cash lets Lynch mix in more cash—one, two, even more million—under this cover, thoroughly laundering the money. A clever move.

Signing this deal and subsequent cooperation lifted George’s spirits. That night, his three subordinates invited him to celebrate their sizeable commissions. But as credit manager, he declined to avoid suspicion.

Driving home, he stopped by the mailbox out of habit. People like him receive letters daily—from peers, foundations, financial institutions offering services.

After dinner with his wife and child and some TV, he went to his study to handle mail.

To his surprise, the first letter had no postmark, no sender or recipient, no words on the envelope.

Puzzled, he opened it carefully. Night light dim, his dilated pupils contracted sharply at the sight inside.

A check—thirty thousand Sol—still smelling of fresh ink.

Though the envelope was blank, he knew exactly where the check came from.