Chapter 237: Change of Attitude
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Joe was a rare talent in the industry of underground businesses. He used to be in charge of the Opulence and had a ruthless style of doing things that made others submit to him. He was said to have become the new owner of Little Atlantis City recently and was in control of almost the entire industry of underground businesses in Orange County. His power and strength were absolutely not to be underestimated. A trivial lobby manager of a bathhouse like Perry was not fit to talk to him!
After learning that Joe had come to the Ocean Bathhouse, Perry had been incredibly nervous and had hurriedly instructed his subordinates to attend to Joe.
But why would such a big shot like him actually stoop so low in front of Lucas and respectfully address him as Mr. Gray?
Perry immediately had an ominous hunch!
“Is this part of the turf you manage?” Lucas asked calmly with a straight face, his emotions entirely concealed.
Joe hurriedly shook his head. “No, I just happen to be here to take a bath and discuss a business deal with someone. This bathhouse has absolutely nothing to do with me!”
Joe had always been smart and quick-witted. When he was behind the crowd, he had already heard of the conflict and knew that there must have been some dispute between Lucas and the manager. Thus, he had to draw a clear line between himself and the bathhouse immediately, lest Lucas took it out on him and thought that it was a result of his lack of proper management or that he had given them permission to do it.
Just half a month ago, Joe had pledged allegiance to Lucas of his own accord, and only then did Lucas let him manage Little Atlantis City. In fact, Lucas had put almost all the underground businesses in the city under Joe’s management in a bid to exterminate all businesses and industries related to the vices. Joe was tasked with a massive responsibility.
Besides, the Ocean Bathhouse had never had a clean background, so Joe was worried that Lucas might blame him for being incompetent.
Lucas nodded and suddenly said, “Since this place has nothing to do with you, go and get someone to draw up a contract for me now. I’m going to acquire this place.”
Lucas’s words immediately resulted in a drastic change in Perry’s expression.
He never thought that the young man dressed in ordinary clothes in front of him would say that he wanted to buy the Ocean Bathhouse. He was really generous!
But when he saw how subservient Joe was toward this young man, Perry suddenly doubted his previous thoughts as he wondered, Is this young man really a wealthy bigwig?
Perry was making wild guesses in his head, but he was just the lobby manager of the Ocean Bathhouse and didn’t have the authority to sell the bathhouse!
Things are about to get even more troublesome!
Perry frowned as the ominous feeling within him grew stronger and stronger.
As the lobby manager, he was well aware of what business was being run on the top floor of the bathhouse. He knew that this bathhouse couldn’t be sold!
He would be in deep trouble if his negligence and mishandling of the situation just now caused the Ocean Bathhouse to be acquired by someone else! The higher-ups would definitely not spare him!
Perry’s heart ricocheted in his chest. And while he was thinking about how he should deal with the matter at hand, he also decided that he had to send someone to quickly notify the general manager of the bathhouse upstairs.
After Joe heard Lucas’s plans, his eyes widened in surprise. He then hesitated for a moment before walking to Lucas and saying softly, “Mr. Gray, this is actually not just a simple bathhouse. The owner is the Taylors, one of the four major families of Orange County.
“Moreover, the business on the top floor of this bathhouse is actually not very proper… So you have to think this through!”
Joe wanted to let Lucas know that the Taylors were the owners of this bathhouse so that he wouldn’t accidentally offend them. And he also wanted to remind Lucas that they were running an illegal and improper business, so Lucas would have to pay an immense price to acquire it. In his opinion, the cons outweighed the pros.
Lucas was a little surprised to hear this. He didn’t expect to have ended up choosing a bathhouse with a fishy background related to the Taylors when he intended to just randomly pick one for William to have a bath in.
Not long ago, Scott Taylor had once gone to Lucas’s villa at Pearl Lake and tried to purchase it from him forcefully.
Now, the bathhouse that he was trying to acquire happened to be a property of the Taylors. It was truly fate.
Perry was full of regret now. This young man should be a powerful figure I obviously couldn’t afford to provoke. I was too careless with handling this situation!
Perry swallowed his pride and forced himself to smile as he scurried to Lucas, bent forward, and said apologetically, “Mr. Gray, I’m so sorry to have offended you. I already have a clear idea of the situation. It’s indeed the mistakes of our receptionists and security guards. I’ll definitely fire them and give you an explanation! In addition, I also apologize on behalf of the Ocean Bathhouse. Please be magnanimous and forgive us!
“And this old gentleman, I’m really sorry. You just said you wanted to take a bath, right? No problem. We will arrange a top-notch private jacuzzi room for your enjoyment and gift you with a supreme annual membership card free of charge. For a year, you can come to take a bath for free as and when you please!”
William froze for a while before he reacted, feeling surprised and flattered. He tugged Lucas’s sleeve gently and persuaded softly, “Lucas, let it go. Since they’ve apologized, let’s not pursue it any further!”
William was timid and conscientious by nature. Seeing the change in Perry’s attitude and considering the fact that he had apologized and even promised to give him a free membership card, William was no longer disgruntled. So he persuaded Lucas to let the matter go.
In his opinion, it was no big deal that he had been kicked, as he didn’t lose anything else. On the contrary, Lucas kicked the security guard leader of the bathhouse to the point of losing consciousness and being severely wounded. If the bathhouse pursued the matter, they would have to bear a greater responsibility.
So in his opinion, the bathhouse was being sincere enough to drop the matter and offer them an apology.
After all, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
But Lucas felt that the apology and compensation that Perry offered were insignificant.