Chapter 4. Help Offer

Sunlight streamed in through the windowpane of the spacious room. A man was curled up on the bed; he didn’t move an inch, even though the alarm was very loud that morning.

The bedroom looked messy, with cigarette butts scattered everywhere. Plus, some items were placed out of place. The room was exactly like a warehouse now, as if there had just been an uproar last night.

Harry squirmed, slowly blinking his eyes and squinting from the glare of the incoming sunlight. The man turned his head towards the ringing cell phone, grabbed it, and turned off the alarm. A moment later, his bluish eyes bulged.

Harry was startled.

“Bloody hell, it’s nine o’clock! I’m late for work!” he exclaimed with a panicked expression on his face, hurriedly getting out of bed. However, the next second, he realized something.

Harry froze as his feet were about to step out of the room; his intelligent brain then worked normally.

His lips parted, and his eyes glared left and right. Then he let out a long breath.

“Stupid, I’m unemployed now!” he cursed to himself.

Harry turned around and went back to bed, flopping down on it.

“I’ll sleep all day, enjoying my miserable fate,” he muttered.

Just as Harry was about to embrace dreamland, Harry’s cell phone suddenly rang. He opened his eyes and attempted to turn off the alarm again.

However, it turned out that the ringing did not come from an alarm but from a phone call.

“Uncle Arnold?” mumbled Harry with a subtle frown on his forehead. He got up and took a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Hello?” Harry answered as his finger swiped across the green icon on his phone screen.

“Hello, Harry. How are you?” asked the man on the other end of the line, a middle-aged man who had been friends with Aslan Waston, Harry’s biological father.

Harry didn’t know what Arnold was calling him for, nor had he seen the man in a long time.

“Yes, it’s like this, Uncle.” Harry smiled sadly, feeling sorry for himself. There was no way he could tell her that he was doing well when he was under so much stress.

There was a small laugh on the phone: “I understand, Harry. I’ve heard.”

Harry smiled bitterly. Had people heard about his bankruptcy? Were they talking about his misfortune? And were the people who had disliked him now partying and laughing at his defeat?

Harry let out a resigned sigh.

“Have you heard much?” he asked, his voice sounding pitiable, as if Arnold was feeling sorry for him now.

“Ah, not really, Harry. Nevertheless, I’m sorry to hear it.”

Harry paused.

“I know, business competition is getting tougher now. Not a few are in decline, but not a few are currently on the cusp of glory,” Arnold explained, while Harry just listened.

“Your company has been around for decades; it was founded by your late father, who fought tooth and nail to succeed. I don’t want to blame you for this misfortune, because I also know you’ve done your best.”

Harry let out a long sigh.

“I witnessed how persistently your father fought for the company until it became as big as it is now. I was your father’s best friend, Harry, one of the people who smiled happily when I saw your father’s success.”

The conversation became a little blue.

“So… when I found out that the company was in trouble, I was saddened. Your father is a good person, and I even owed him a favor when I was going through my worst times.”

“So, the point of me contacting us this morning was to offer my help. That is, if you’re willing and able.”

Harry’s head that was down then looked up, and what the man on the other side had just said made Harry gasp in disbelief.

What is this? For the past few days, he has had difficulty finding help from friends in the profession, even occasionally begging for someone to lend a hand.

The man struggled to find someone willing to help, until finally Harry just gave up because, of the many people he contacted, none of them welcomed his request for help.

“How about it, Harry? I don’t have any intentions; don’t think I’m offering help in return. I’m not like that. This offer I’m making is purely because I just want to help and also because you’re the son of my best friend.” Arnold spoke again, reassuring the son of Aslan Waston.

Harry took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. Opportunities don’t come twice; if he ignored this offer of help, he might not get it again tomorrow. Therefore, Harry must really consider it.

“How about it, Harry?” Arnold asked again because the young man did not answer his offer, and Harry was still thinking.

“I’ve thought about it, Uncle.” Harry’s voice spoke. “I accept the offer.”

The dark-haired young man spoke with confidence and firmness in his chest; his face now looked so serious, and the look in his eyes also implied a stored anger and resentment.

Yes, after this, Harry was confident that he would be back to his old self. His company will prosper again, and his life will be better after this. although there was no longer love in the man’s heart. Harry didn’t believe in true love anymore.

“All right, Harry. What kind of help do you want? Some form of cooperation, or are you willing to be part of my company?” The man on the other side continued his offer of help.

Harry stood up and took a slow step, a look of serious thought on his face. The man was considering it.

“Cooperation or working with Uncle Arnold?” asked Harry, considering the offer carefully. He was confused now.

His footsteps stopped; Harry had already decided.

“I have decided, Uncle.”

“What is it?” asked Arnold curiously.

Harry took a deep breath and said, “Lend me the money; I’ll use it to restart my business.”

“What?” Arnold was surprised to hear Harry’s answer, as it was not an option.

“How, Uncle?”

Arnold didn’t answer right away; did the man object? It seemed like the position was reversed for Arnold, who was thinking and considering it carefully.

“Aren’t you willing to help me?” Harry seemed to demand a promise from his father’s friend.

“Yes, Harry, I know. But it’s definitely not a small number if I lend you the money.” Arnold got straight to the point.

Hearing the man’s answer made Harry a little disappointed. It looked like he wouldn’t be able to get any help this time.

“But come to my office first; we’ll talk about it there.”

Harry’s face lit up at that moment, and he smiled widely with happiness.

“Yes, Uncle! I’ll be there!”