Sixty grand in cash wasn't a small sum for the six of them.

It wasn't that they really couldn't afford so much cash. But rather, they didn't think that it would be worth it to spend so much money just to get their jobs back.

Adrian had long expected them to react this way. He snorted coldly. "All of you were senior executives, so you have to consider things long term! It's just sixty grand from each of you. Once we return to the office, I promise you can earn this sum of money back within two months. Even surpass it!

"Think about it. Franco is such a powerful person, so how can we hire him without enough money? Franco is not only impressive, but he even has the Taylors to back him up. Do you think random gangsters who charge a cheap price can get the job done well?"

Hearing this, everyone was speechless.

Indeed, hiring gangsters at a cheap price to block the warehouse definitely wouldn't work. But the cost of hiring such a powerful person like Franco was too high for them!

In case things didn't work out in the end, they would have made ducks and drakes with their money.

But if it worked out, they would be able to get their jobs back. And according to Adrian, he could give each of them a five-figure monthly salary. That would make their investment worth their while, as the returns were very promising!

They were all caught in a dilemma as to whether or not to fork out the sixty grand each.

Adrian deliberately let out a long sigh. "In fact, I can very well afford the full sum of 450 grand on my own, but I just thought that I should count you guys in on this since we're friends after all. If none of you are willing to fork out the money, just take it that I didn't say anything today!

"However, I want to make things clear beforehand. If I come up with the entire sum of money and gain the position as general manager, don't be envious of me once I make loads of money every day!"

Then Adrian put down his teacup and stood up to leave.

"Wait! Adrian, count me in! Damn it. It's just sixty grand. I'll go all out and take on this gamble with you!" Jimmy stood up and exclaimed while gritting his teeth.

If it didn't work out, he would lose at most sixty grand. But if it did, he would be able to make several times that amount within just a year. So he was willing to give it a shot!

Everyone was hesitant and conflicted at first. Now that someone took the lead, they seemed motivated too. So they made up their minds, and one of them said, "Fine, I'll join you guys too!"

"Well… I'll come up with sixty grand too!"

"Forget it. I've decided not to buy the new car I was saving for. I'll join you guys!"

...

Soon, all six of them agreed to come up with sixty grand each to support Adrian's plan.

Adrian patted his chest and said righteously, "Great. Brothers, since you have so much faith in me, you have my word. I guarantee that I won't let you regret your decision!"

He was the only person who knew what his true intentions were.

By the afternoon, all six of them had transferred the total of $360,000 to Adrian's bank account.

Adrian looked at the account balance shown on his mobile banking app with derision in his eyes. He then grabbed his bank card and drove to Snowflake Entertainment.

In a luxurious private room on the fifth floor of Snowflake Entertainment, a burly man with a buzz cut and a square-shaped face covered with some scars was leaning comfortably against the backrest of a soft and cozy couch while enjoying the service of a beautiful, scantily-clad woman feeding him grapes.

He casually spat out a grape seed and said to the person in front of him disinterestedly, "You crook, what are you here for?"

This muscular man with scars on his face was none other than Charlie Franco.

Adrian smiled and stood in front of Franco respectfully. He said courteously, "Mr. Franco, I came here today because I have a favor to ask of you."

Franco narrowed his eyes. "You need a favor from me? That depends on whether you can afford to pay the price! I'm sure you know what my rules are."

Adrian hurriedly said, "I naturally do! Don't worry. It's just a small favor, and there won't be any bloodshed, nor do I need anyone killed. I just need to borrow your reputation and a few of your underlings. I can offer you this much money."

Adrian stretched out five of his fingers.

When Franco heard Adrian say that there wouldn't be any bloodshed or murder involved, he knew that it was definitely a trivial matter. He reckoned that Adrian just needed him to appear and deter Adrian's insignificant rivals.

Such a trivial task wouldn't cost much money.

Just as he was about to turn Adrian down, he saw Adrian's fingers.

It naturally couldn't be just five grand, so he reckoned that it should be fifty.

If he could earn fifty grand just by taking a few of his subordinates out for a spin, it would be quite a good deal.

Franco reached out and pushed away the beautiful girl beside him.

When only the two of them were left in the room, Franco said leisurely, "You want me to do you a favor for only fifty thousand? You're belittling me! Give me three hundred thousand, or you can forget about it!"

Adrian was the one asking him for a favor now, so he naturally had to play hard to get and bargain for a higher price.

Adrian cursed in his heart before pretending to be put in a difficult spot. "I'm naturally willing to pay such a high price for a favor from you, given how famous you are. But I'm now in trouble, as I just got fired from my job. I really can't afford to come up with so much money…"

"If you can't afford it, cut the crap! Are you wasting my time?" Charlie spat onto the ground and glowered at Adrian menacingly.

Adrian was frightened and hurriedly said, "No, no, no, I wouldn't dare to do that, Mr. Franco. I mean, I only have fifty thousand in cash now. But as long as you help me out this time, I'll pay you the remaining two hundred and fifty thousand once I return to the company and become the general manager. What do you think?"

Franco said in annoyance, "Wait for you to become the general manager? God knows when that'll happen!"

"Mr. Franco, don't be impatient. You'll understand after you hear me out."

Adrian smiled and briefly told him the plan that he had told the six senior executives previously. "The plan is simple. I just need you to take your subordinates with you to the large warehouse of the Solar Corporation's Orange County branch office and stay there for a day or so. Then tell them that you'll leave only if I'm there. That good-for-nothing William Carter will have no choice but to come and beg me. As soon as tomorrow, I'll be able to become the general manager of the company. When the time comes, I'll definitely transfer the two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to you from the company funds. You can use the money for a feast!"

Adrian's eyes were full of confidence and certainty.

Franco glared daggers at Adrian for a long time before laughing out loud. "Hahahaha, like I said, you're a crook. You're really full of evil ideas! Okay, I can accept fifty thousand from you upfront and deal with that fool for you. But once the job is done, you have to give me another five hundred thousand!"

Before Adrian could respond, Franco said, "Don't try playing games with me. That money is going to come out of your company's funds. You don't need to fork out a single cent from your own pocket. I'm already doing you a favor! What do you think?"