As Leo took his seat, Austin was the first to speak:
"One hundred million! That's the latest offer. Owe less, serve fewer years!"
But Leo, whose worldview had already been reshaped by Augustus, now looked at Austin and chuckled.
This guy wasn't some cunning mastermind—he was just cautiously tiptoeing his way out of being a corporate wage slave.
Looking around the room, Leo took in the sneering Benjamin by the door, Clint who had already been knocked out of the game, Alexander from Virginia Bank, and Leopold from Morgan Bank. They all had one thing in common:
Corporate Lackeys.
And Leo? A capitalist worth tens of millions!
None of these men, even combined, could match his net worth.
What right did they have to sit at the same table as him?
Leo cast his gaze toward the room behind them—the true decision-makers were waiting in there.
Those were his real peers.
As Leo remained silent, casually glancing around with a relaxed posture, Austin grew uneasy.
"So? Leo, have you made up your mind?" Austin pressed.
At this critical moment, the opponent's impatience only confirmed to Leo that Austin wasn't nearly as formidable as he had imagined.
Leaning back in his chair, leg crossed, Leo gave Austin a piercing look and said:
"Fewer years? What, are you still planning to let me live once I'm in prison? You think you'll sleep peacefully while I'm still breathing?"
"Still putting on a brave face? Leopold, make the announcement! Let's see if he can still smile then!"
Of all the people present, Clint hated Leo the most. Generations of hard work had been destroyed by him.
Clint had already hired an assassin—just waiting for Leo to be imprisoned.
Leopold cleared his throat.
"Mr. Valentino, I regret to inform you that our bank will be terminating loans to your two companies. Per Article 135 of the contract, this constitutes a lender breach. Therefore, in addition to repaying the principal and accrued interest within seven days, you are required to pay a $50 million penalty."
Before Leopold could continue, Benjamin blurted out smugly:
"Combined with Virginia Bank's demand, you owe $530 million! That's over 13 times your net worth! What will you pay with? You're finished! And you had the nerve to call yourself the American Dream? Ha! You're about to be a penniless nobody!"
Crude as Benjamin's words were, none of the so-called gentlemen stopped him.
Instead, all eyes were on Leo—waiting to see his reaction.
"I want to review the documents," said Toussaint beside Leo.
Leopold passed them over, and the lawyers began a meticulous review.
A short silence fell over the room.
Across the table, the conspirators exchanged smug looks.
To them, Leo's calm demeanor was just resignation.
"You're a capable man, Leo. Just never learned to bow your head," Austin said.
"Funny, Robert from Lamb Company said the same thing. Where's he now?" Leo replied with a smirk.
"Leo, we've reviewed the documents," Toussaint finally said.
"They're flawless. No loopholes."
The others let out a collective sigh.
Clint sneered, "This guy never learns to respect the rules. Go ahead, Benjamin. Notify the press. By tomorrow, Valentino's companies will be worthless."
Leopold stood and smiled.
"Mr. Valentino, if you have no objections, please repay your debts on time. Though I doubt you can. Now, kindly leave. Guards!"
A squad of security guards, ready for this humiliating moment, sprang into action.
Benjamin laughed, "Throw this soon-to-be-bankrupt beggar out!"
"Wait!" Leo's commanding voice froze the guards in place.
"What are you afraid of?" Austin sneered. "After tomorrow, even you'll be higher than him. Throw him out!"
"Leopold, this is still Morgan Bank, isn't it? All these people speaking on your behalf—how about letting me, the supposed failure, make a phone call?"
"What for? He's just stalling!" Clint said.
"Even if he calls the President, Truman won't pay off half a billion in debt for him!"
Just then, a side door opened, and Harry stepped out.
With so many voices in play, everything boiled down to Leopold's decision.
And Leopold, oddly enough, agreed with Leo—he should be the one making decisions.
Pushed to the limit, people are easily manipulated.
He slid the phone toward Leo.
"Mr. Augustus, yes, I'm here. Okay, I'll hand the phone to Mr. Leopold."
At the sound of that name, Leopold's face turned ashen. He picked up the phone reluctantly.
"Yes sir. I understand. I will comply with company orders."
As everyone watched, Leopold's face shifted from green to red to pale white.
Harry, recognizing who it must have been on the call, exclaimed:
"Augustus Morgan has lost his mind!
That kid isn't worth billions!"
Harry had far more perspective than the others.
He knew this move from Augustus was tantamount to declaring war on the powerful figures behind the adjacent room.
But why would he go this far for some small-town punk?
"Ah, Harry, what a shame. This is a world of chance," Leo said.
Just then, Augustus's secretary Norton entered, nodded at Leo, and handed two documents to a slumped Leopold.
"I don't even need to read them, Norton. The Virginia branch of Morgan Bank I spent five years building is yours now," Leopold muttered, eyes closed.
"Thank you for your cooperation," Norton replied.
Then, turning to Alexander from Virginia Bank:
"Mr. Valentino's debts at your bank will be fully transferred by tomorrow. I'll personally oversee it."
Alexander nodded and quickly left the room.
He had been the most reserved of the group—an observer.
Now he knew: their scheme had failed.
He needed to get back and plan his retreat.
Clearly, today's reversal wasn't going to be the last.
Watching his CEO flee, Benjamin—who knew the least—was utterly confused.
"Mr. President, where are you going? Isn't this matter settled?
Who is this Augustus guy?
Who would pay $500 million for this trash?!"
Just minutes ago, mocking Leo had felt so satisfying.
Now, looking at his own foolishness, Benjamin realized the weeks of effort had gone to waste.
And worse, it would cost a fortune to clean up the fallout.
"You're fired!" Alexander snapped before walking out.
Benjamin froze. He looked up—right into Leo's eyes.
Leo gave him a cruel smile.
"You've lost your value, Benjamin.
You're in danger."
Benjamin trembled. He suddenly remembered all those news articles about the brutal "Godfather of Richmond."
With a scream, he fled the meeting room.
"Gentlemen, kindly escort the irrelevant parties from our bank," Leo said, turning to Austin and Clint.
Austin left quietly, looking defeated.
Clint wasn't as calm—his family's last hope was crumbling.
As he began to speak, Leo waved at the guards.
"Take him out."
Now only Harry remained, standing by the side room door.
Leo slapped his forehead.
"Almost forgot you were still here."
He approached the door. Harry stood in his way, panicking.
"You can't do this, Leo. Those people inside—driving them out like this would humiliate them. And I'll take the fall!"
"Ha! Harry, I thought you were just ruthless. But turns out, you're forgetful too.
Didn't I tell you at the Lynchburg Hotel?
You have no face in front of me!"
Leo turned to the guards.
"Escort the governor out. This is private property."
Harry was dragged away.
Leo pushed open the side room door.
Inside were four men—an old man and three middle-aged ones. All strangers to Leo.
But from Jesse's intel last night, he could identify them all.
They had clearly heard everything that had just happened.
That Leo dared walk in personally still surprised them.
"Young man," said the silver-haired elder, tapping his lion-headed cane.
"We are clients of Morgan Bank. We're just sitting here for a bit—we'll leave soon.
And Clint was right—you have no real ties to Morgan Bank.
If anyone's going to make us leave, it'll be Mr. Norton, not you."
They couldn't allow Leo to embarrass them here.
It would shatter their carefully crafted public personas and invite more troublemakers like Leo.
Leo recognized the man—Evan Stanley, leader of the Chicago Syndicate.
The man's net worth was $150 million—three times Leo's.
But Leo was confident that by this time next year, he would surpass that.
So what was there to fear?
He called for Norton.
"Norton, would you kindly introduce me to these gentlemen?"
Norton nodded.
"Gentlemen, the man before you is the Vice President and Board Director of Morgan & Co., responsible for all Virginia operations.
He is also the Vice Chairman and CEO of JP.W Financial & Real Estate.
Therefore, within these walls, he has full authority to make any decision."