Lucy Lu and Joy Zheng found a place to sit down. After Victor Zhao’s words just now, everyone’s gaze toward Lucy carried a new sense of respect.
Even Victor Zhao wouldn’t dare provoke Lucy Lu’s husband, Charles Chen. For the rest of them, they were even less qualified to try.
Neil Kong and Sharon Chen looked especially sour-faced. Neil, in particular, eyed Joy Zheng with a complicated expression.
As for Sharon Chen, when had she ever suffered this kind of humiliation?
She’d already cursed Victor Zhao out in her heart, but she’d never dare say such things to his face. Otherwise, when Sharon got home, Grandpa Chen would surely give her a lecture.
“Lucy, what exactly has your husband Charles Chen been up to lately? I didn’t expect even Victor Zhao to show him such respect. He must be doing pretty well, huh?”
Someone in the crowd finally asked.
The moment that person spoke, everyone turned to look at Lucy Lu.
"He’s just a small manager, nothing special. Besides, Brightsea City’s such a big place—there’s only so much anyone can do." Lucy smiled casually.
If she’d said this before, people might have believed it. But now, it just sounded like a humble excuse.
Still, seeing that Lucy didn’t want to talk about it, nobody pressed her for details.
"Class Monitor Kong, I heard your company landed a big deal recently?" Sharon Xiao asked carefully, glancing at Neil Kong, who was still fuming and fishing for a way to change the subject.
"Yeah, just a small contract. The total profit’s only about twenty million, and it’ll take half a year to get paid out. Business isn’t easy these days." Neil Kong took a deep breath, making sure everyone heard the “twenty million” figure.
He didn’t really understand Victor Zhao’s attitude, but one thing’s for sure—money talks.
"Twenty million in pure profit is a ‘small’ deal? Looks like Class Monitor Kong’s doing way better than we thought!" Stella Cui clicked her tongue in amazement.
"It’s alright, I guess. Last year, we closed a deal that made over fifty million in just two months. You all know how tough foreign trade is now—back in the day, a hundred million was nothing." Sharon Chen snorted, scanning the group. "Just like when I met Old Man Su earlier—the Su family can pull in over a hundred million on any random project. That’s real success."
"If Victor Zhao were here, Old Man Su wouldn’t even look at him. Even if Wansheng Wang himself showed up, he’d barely get a word in. Unless River City’s new richest man Sawyer Summer came personally, maybe then Old Man Su would chat for a bit."
As she said this, Sharon Chen turned to Lucy Lu. "So Lucy, since even Victor Zhao wouldn’t dare touch your husband, I guess he’s got some skills. But honestly, Victor Zhao’s nothing special. I won’t hold a grudge over what happened before."
Sharon Chen put on a show of generosity. If Grandpa Chen were here, she wouldn’t need to say a word.
After all, the Chen clan’s tomb-guarding family had built up huge wealth over the years through their skills and business. But since they’re based way out in Oceanport, their influence here is limited.
"Not hold it against me? Or do you still want to settle something?" Lucy Lu shot back, her eyes playful and full of disdain.
Just as the tension started rising again, Derek Zhang’s phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, paused in surprise, then brightened and answered, "Hello? Kevin Shao, right? It’s me, Derek Zhang. Yes, that’s right."
"Yeah, I’m right here at your White Dragon Mountain Resort! I just tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up, so I figured you must be busy."
"That lobby manager Henry Zhang is way out of line! I brought some VIP guests today—he can disrespect me, fine, but he’s got to put the customers first!"
Derek Zhang was all righteous indignation, his tone full of outrage.
He deliberately spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, instantly drawing the crowd’s attention.
"How did someone like him get promoted? With that kind of attitude, he’s the lobby manager? At the high-speed rail station, he just drove off before the guests even got in the car!"
"Who does business like that, huh? Isn’t he wrecking the White Dragon Mountain Resort’s reputation?"
Derek Zhang raised his head, clutching his phone, face serious as he listened to the voice on the other end. Then he nodded and said, "Alright! I’ll give you ten minutes. I’ll be waiting by the pool behind the resort! You’d better handle this properly!"
With that, Derek Zhang hung up.
"Derek, who was that?" Sharon Xiao asked curiously from the side.
Derek Zhang looked over at Neil Kong and Sharon Chen, stood up, and gave a formal bow.
Neil Kong and Sharon Chen were a bit confused by the gesture, but deep down, they felt pretty pleased.
"Mr. Kong, Mrs. Kong, sorry about that. The call was from my old subordinate Kevin Shao—he’s now the general manager at White Dragon Mountain Resort, in charge of everything there, including Henry Zhang. It’s all under his control."
Derek Zhang paused, then continued, "When we arrived, Henry Zhang didn’t show you proper respect. That was his mistake! People like that need to be taught a lesson!"
"Don’t worry, since you’re here as my guests—and Sharon Xiao’s too—I’ll make sure Henry Zhang comes over and apologizes to you in person!"
Derek Zhang’s words rang out, full of confidence.
Before coming, Derek had tried to contact Kevin Shao, but Kevin was away on business, so he’d ended up reaching out to Henry Zhang instead.
He hadn’t expected Henry Zhang to be so disrespectful—clearly siding with Lucy Lu and Joy Zheng. Now that Kevin Shao had called back, Derek was over the moon.
It was like getting a pillow when you’re sleepy. If he could force Henry Zhang to apologize to Neil Kong and Sharon Chen, Derek’s status in their eyes would skyrocket.
"Thank you, Derek. Much appreciated." Neil Kong coughed and nodded approvingly.
"People like that really do need a good lesson! Arrogant types who don’t know their own limits are bound to trip and fall sooner or later." Sharon Chen said coldly, glancing deliberately at Joy Zheng and Lucy Lu.
"Class Monitor Kong and Mrs. Kong are absolutely right." Stella Cui chimed in with a smile.
Even Chen Ren, who’d been crushed earlier, perked up and lifted his head again.