Chapter 6 Building the Ultimate Fortress

Elliot grinned and said, "Alright, our interest rate is four percent. If you borrow seven hundred thousand dollars, you’ll need to pay back nine hundred eighty thousand dollars. Additionally, you’ll have to provide adequate collateral, such as your property, a factory, or even a car." Kenneth hesitated for a moment before pulling out his property deed. "My house is worth over seven hundred fifty thousand dollars. Using it as collateral should be enough, right? I also have a car valued at forty-five thousand dollars. If I can’t repay you, you can take both." Elliot was surprised by Kenneth’s readiness and quickly examined the deed. The property was worth at least eight hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, and with the car added, the deal was a surefire profit. Feigning dissatisfaction, Elliot said, "Mr. Kenneth, this property is worth, at most, five hundred fifty to seven hundred thousand dollars. Lending seven hundred thousand dollars against it feels risky." Kenneth, acting desperate, pleaded, "Mr. Elliot, please help me. I need this money urgently. If you can transfer it today, I’ll take six hundred thirty thousand dollars instead." Elliot and Marcus exchanged knowing looks. The more urgent the client’s need, the better they could exploit them. "No, this deal is still too risky for us." After some negotiation, they agreed on five hundred sixty thousand dollars. Kenneth demanded the funds be transferred immediately. Despite their unscrupulous practices, loan sharks excelled in speed. Soon after signing, Kenneth saw the five hundred sixty thousand dollars deposit in his account. That went way too smoothly, Kenneth thought, suppressing a laugh. Kenneth left with a satisfied grin, while laughter erupted inside the office. "That was almost too easy. He just took five hundred sixty thousand dollars and walked out," Elliot gloated. "This deal alone will bring in three to four hundred thousand dollars. We’ve already exceeded our monthly goals," Marcus added. "But boss," Marcus said cautiously, "could there be something wrong with his house? He was way too agreeable." Elliot, holding the deed, dismissed the concern. "The property deed is authentic. As long as it’s his house, we’ve got him." Confident with the deed and the written acknowledgment of debt, they plotted to seize Kenneth's house and more if needed. Elliot sipped his coffee, smiling coldly. "If we need to, we can reach out to foreign groups and see if there’s anything valuable we can sell off. We never lose money." Kenneth left the building, chuckling to himself. He glanced back and smirked faintly. "Such kind souls, just handing me free cash." For Kenneth, there would be no more dealings with Elliot or Marcus. Most likely, they wouldn’t survive the catastrophic cold wave looming a month away. Kenneth had approximately one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars at his disposal, enough to carry out his plans without concern. Driving his car, he arrived at the famous ValorGuard Security headquarters in Valkyrean. ValorGuard Security was a leading security firm in Sinovia, catering to the ultra-wealthy and high-profile celebrities. On occasion, even government officials relied on their services for secure travel arrangements. Kenneth selected them because he had learned in his previous life that ValorGuard Security constructed a state-of-the-art safe house for Rivervale’s wealthiest individual. That real estate mogul managed to live luxuriously during the apocalypse, thanks to the shelter designed by this firm. When Kenneth arrived, he explained his request to the receptionist, and a representative from the business department promptly escorted him to a comfortable lounge. A receptionist served him freshly brewed coffee. Shortly after, a muscular man with a buzz cut entered the room. His tailored black suit barely contained his imposing frame, exuding a mix of intimidation and reliability. "Good day, sir. I’m Warren Jett, the business manager. What can we do for you?" Warren said, sitting down beside Kenneth. Kenneth took a sip of coffee before replying, "I need a safe house designed to withstand a global catastrophe." Hearing this, Warren’s expression turned serious. Most people might dismiss such a request as absurd, but ValorGuard Security knew better. The richest and most powerful individuals were often the most fearful of death. Years ago, some billionaires had spent billions of dollars creating disaster-proof shelters. This trend had since gained traction globally. While some clients genuinely feared large-scale disasters, others sought protection due to numerous enemies. ValorGuard Security’s doomsday shelters became a premium solution for these concerns. Warren, realizing the magnitude of Kenneth’s request, adopted a more formal tone. Such high-value orders were rare even for their firm. "Mr. Kenneth, ValorGuard Security is equipped to meet all your security needs. Rest assured, we’ll exceed your expectations." He handed Kenneth a tablet. "Our services are fully customizable. You can select what you need from the list, which includes corresponding prices." With modern technology, communication was straightforward. Kenneth took the tablet and browsed the options carefully. The company’s expertise was evident. As long as the client could pay, ValorGuard Security could deliver almost anything, including underground bunkers three hundred twenty-eight feet deep or safe houses beneath the ocean. However, Kenneth deemed these options impractical due to his limited timeline of just one month.