Page 29 of Bully's Second Chance
“Mr. Levy?” the translator asked.
I dug my cell phone out of my pocket. “Yes?”
“Mr. Zhang wants to know when you’d be available to meet with us before you leave.”
I pulled up a blank text to Lily. “I’m free anytime between now and the end of the week. Let them know that they have that long to make their decision.”
“But, Mr. Levy—”
I looked up at the translator. “Miss…?”
She cleared her throat. “Liu.”
I nodded. “Miss Liu, this is my third trip to Shanghai. This is my tenth meeting with these same people. My credentials and my portfolio speak for themselves. Now, if I were doing business with you guys, I’d abide by your customs. But, you guys are seeking business with me, and I’m not Chinese. I’m American. And while I understand that your customs are to get to know business individuals like family before you strike a deal, that isn’t how it works where I’m from. So, let your men know that they have until the end of the week before I move on from this venture.”
Then, I dropped my eyes back to my cell phone and shot a text off to Lily.
Me: One more thing I forgot to mention: I have a camera system set up in Dad’s room so that I can check on him from time to time. I wasn’t sure if I wrote that down anywhere. Just wanted to let you know.
She quickly texted back, and I wondered if she had already been staring at her phone or if she was on her lunch break.
Lily: Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate it.
“Mr. Levy?”
I tucked my phone away. “Yes, Miss Liu?”
“Mr. Zhang says he and his team of associates will look over your contract and get it back to you as soon as possible.”
I stood to my feet. “Wonderful. Thank them for their time and let them know that whatever they’d like to do for dinner this evening is on me. I look forward to enjoying more of their time while they show me around the city. But, I have a family emergency, and I need to place a couple of phone calls. It’s for my father.”
She bowed to me. “Yes, yes, of course. Family always comes first here. I’ll let them know why you’re leaving.”
I bowed back. “Thank you for your hospitality and the good work you’re doing here.”
I made my exit from the room and didn’t even make it back to my hotel before my phone rang. It was a Shanghai number, and as I picked it up, I figured it was probably bad news.
However, when I heard Miss Liu rattling away in her native language, I paused.
“Miss Liu?” I asked.
“Yes! Mr. Levy, hi. I, uh… hold on.”
I heard more people spouting off as I walked my way up to the penthouse.
“Miss Liu, is everything all right?” I asked.
She giggled like a little schoolgirl. “Mr. Zhang wants to know where he needs to send the signed contract.”
I paused just beyond the penthouse door. “He’s already signed it?”
“Yes! I told him that you had a family emergency and needed to go, and he admired that greatly. He likes doing business with men who have their priorities in line. I have the signed contract ready to go. I just need to know where you’re staying so I can get it to you.”
As if I didn’t feel fucking guilty enough. “How about I meet everyone for an early dinner? I’m starving, and this calls for a celebration.”
She spoke quickly as I walked into the penthouse, but it seemed weird… empty.
“Mr. Zhang says he’ll come by in an hour to pick you up. He says to text me the name of your hotel, and he’ll send a car. He has a special place he wants to take you. They have the best sushi this side of the country.”
