The creditors who hade to collect their debts were now pale and on edge.
With Horatio''s temper and sheer brute strength, he had probably been torn to
pieces by now.
Whatever the Ackermann family owed, they no longer dared to ask for it.
Just then, Abel, the ever-polished CEO of Ackermann Pharmaceutical, finally
appeared. He strolled in with a perfectlyposed smile, his gold-rimmed
sses perched on his nose. A sleek designer suit framed him in that carefully
curated image of a high-society professional.
The moment he appeared, he smiled apologetically. "Sorry, everyone, I''mte! But
rest assured, the Ackermann family will repay what we owe-everyst cent."
However, no one answered. The creditors kept their heads down and avoided eye
contact, unwilling to challenge the man behind that gentlemanly mask.
Abel was quite pleased with the effect. As he slowly adjusted the cuffs of his crisp
white shirt, he added with a gentle chuckle, "Now, let''s be honest here. It''s not that
we''re refusing to pay.
"It''s just that, perhaps, some of you have been a bit... aggressive. Thepany
is going through a rough patch-a matter of life or death, really. Yet here you are,
choosing this moment to demand repayments. Isn''t that a bit like pushing our
family off a cliff?
"We''re all part of Blumedale''s businessmunity, after all. We see each other all
the time. And frankly, I think some of you are being unfair to the Ackermann
family."
A broad-shouldered man with a square jaw could not hold it in anymore. He
barked, "Mr. Ackermann, only you know whether the Ackermann family is truly
struggling! When you borrowed the money, it was all in ck and white, signed
and sealed!
"Now you ghost us, make excuses, and even let Mr. Horatio harm people. That''s
just-"
Abel cut him off mid-sentence, still smiling. "Just what, Mr. Kirk? I''d be careful with
your words. I''ve always been polite and respectful to you. But Horatio... well, we
all know he''s not quite right in the head.
"He''s got a diagnosed condition. You rile him up, and even I can''t control what
happens. No one walks away happy."
Anthony Kirk froze; the words caught in his throat. He did not dare speak another
syble, but the fury burning in his eyes said it all.
The Ackermann family brothers simply were not human. They were not trying to
repay anything. They were using threats, violence, and dirty tricks to scare
everyone off and dodge every debt.
Suddenly, the sounds of fighting and furious shouting from inside the office
stopped.
Abel let out a cheerfulugh. "Well then! Why don''t we all go in and see Horatio
together? He''s the one who handles most of the finances anyway. I''m sure he''s
had his fun and is in a great mood now. Maybe he''ll even give you what you came
for if you ask nicely."
No one moved they were all trembling with fear.
Seeing this, Abel''s face showed a hint of coldness and disdain.
What a bunch of cowards. They actually thought they coulde here and collect
their debt?
Not from the Ackermann family.
The brothers'' good cop, bad cop routine had been tried and tested countless
times with perfect sess.
"Sigh, forget it! Mr. Kirk, let''s go. We''ll
consider that three million as
charity! And who knows if that guyzin
there is even still breathing... It''s only
a matter of time before karma
catches up with those two o
Ackermann monsters."
Another chimed in, "You heard that
noise earlier, didn''t you? Those
screams nearly ruptured my
eardrums. That kid''s probably not
even alive anymore."
Most of them were ready to give up and walk away, hearts crushed and heavy.
But deep down, they were still curious-what had be of the man inside?
Just then, the door to Horatio''s office creaked open.
Everyone froze mid-step and even the ones who had turned to leave stopped
dead in their tracks and turned around, eyes wide.
The fat woman by the door grinned wickedly, and Abel''s expression lit up with
anticipation.
Abel stepped forward, smiling.
"Horatio, had your fun? Perfect.
timing. There''s still a crowd outside
that wants a turn. Come out and join
us."
To their surprise, Andrew stepped into view, grinning from ear to ear. "I don''t know
about Horatio, but I sure had a good time."
The smile on Abel''s face vanished instantly, reced by stunned silence. "Y-
You''re still alive?"
The rest of the group stood frozen, jaws dropping one by one.
Not only was this guy alive-his clothes were not even wrinkled, and he even
looked fresh and rxed.
What the hell just happened in there?