BXBX NOVEL Chapter 424: An Odd Scene
Chapter 424: Chapter 424: An Odd Scene
Amidst the towering skyscrapers of this steel and concrete jungle, a somewhat dated, twenty-something-story building stands quietly at the edge of the financial center, its facade a muted yellow. Compared to the seventy- or eighty-story skyscrapers around it, this building seems like a tiny matchbox, insignificant and easily overlooked.
In the small parking lot in front of the building, a few cars are sparsely parked, and there are even a few rare bicycles. Unlike the grandeur and magnificence of the surrounding buildings, this place appears modest and desolate, with hardly any visitors.
However, stationed at the entrance of this unassuming building are two upright and meticulously uniformed white security guards, standing proudly at their posts.
This unusual scene might seem odd to the uninformed, but those in the know understand why. The reason lies in the granite plaque in front of the building, with black lettering on a gold background, simply inscribed with three letters and three key symbols: UBS.
When expanded, this acronym stands for one of the world\'s most enigmatic banks: "Union Bank of Switzerland," commonly known as Swiss Bank.
No one can accurately calculate the total assets of the Swiss Bank, no one knows the extent of the priceless treasures it has safeguarded from past to present, and no one questions its unparalleled authority in confidentiality—because it is unmatched.
A famous anecdote highlights this point: once, a wealthy individual went to deposit money at the Swiss Bank. The staff asked, "Sir, how much would you like to deposit?" The wealthy man, cautiously and in a low voice, replied, "Five million dollars."
The staff member generously smiled and said, "Sir, you don\'t need to be so shy. Although everyone here is wealthy, being less wealthy is not a fault."
Though this was just a humorous story, it underscores the extremely high threshold of the Swiss Bank.
4o
Zhonghai\'s Swiss Bank is the headquarters for the Swiss Bank in Yanxia. Despite its extraordinary background, it remains discreetly housed in an unassuming small building, much like the CIA headquarters in Washington, which contrasts sharply with its reputation.
It was just after the Swiss Bank had opened for the day, and the early morning light bathed the building in a gentle golden glow, making it look lazily enchanting. A red Bentley slowly pulled into the parking lot outside the building. A security guard politely approached the car, waiting for the owner to step out.
Lin Ruoxi, carrying a white Hermès shoulder bag, gracefully exited the car. She glanced at the Swiss Bank, which she had only visited once before, her expression complicated.
"Ma\'am, please allow me to inspect your belongings," the security guard, momentarily taken aback by her beauty, politely performed his duty.
Lin Ruoxi handed her bag to the guard. She disliked the myriad rules of the Swiss Bank, which was why she hadn\'t returned after opening an account and depositing money there.
After the guard finished the inspection, he gestured for her to proceed. Lin Ruoxi walked up the steps. At the entrance, electronic devices scanned her for any metal objects. Once cleared, she entered the building.
"Ma\'am, how can I assist you today?" A client manager in the lobby, a woman in her thirties with a refined appearance, approached Lin Ruoxi with a pleasant smile.
Because customers were extremely rare, every visitor to the Swiss Bank received personalized service.
Lin Ruoxi hesitated but steeled herself before speaking, "I would like to apply for a loan."
The client manager, initially impressed by the strikingly beautiful young woman, was taken aback by her request.
"Ma\'am, are you one of our clients?" the manager asked.
Lin Ruoxi nodded, rummaging through her leather bag to produce a black credit card with silver lettering. "I have an account and deposits at the Swiss Bank."
The client manager froze for a moment, recognizing the significance of the card. This VIP credit card signified a minimum deposit of $200 million. The young woman before her, seemingly in her twenties, was actually a multi-billionaire!
Immediately, the manager\'s demeanor grew more respectful. "I\'m sorry, ma\'am, but perhaps you are not aware. Swiss Bank does not offer loan services."
The manager was puzzled. Why would such a wealthy woman need a loan? And how much would she need? A hundred billion?
Lin Ruoxi, who studied business management and was well-read, knew very well that Swiss Bank didn\'t offer loans. But that man, he insisted that she could secure a loan here!
She touched the ring on her middle finger, a seemingly inconspicuous ring that Yang Chen had put on her finger. Its jade-like luster, metallic texture, and intricate patterns were all indecipherable to her.
Lin Ruoxi recalled the conversation she had with Yang Chen earlier that morning at the resort.
"Miss Lin Ruoxi, will you agree to my terms?" Yang Chen asked earnestly, looking deeply into her eyes.
Lin Ruoxi\'s eyes revealed no emotional fluctuations, as if Yang Chen\'s proposed deal was of no consequence. After a long pause, she asked, "If I agree, can you really come up with the 50 billion yuan we need to mount a counterattack?"
According to the precise calculations of the Athena Group, to defeat the prepared enemy when NASDAQ opened the next day, they needed at least 50 billion yuan. Normally, Yu Lei\'s internal funds and bank loans could cover this amount, but now, due to unknown forces, all banking contacts were blocked just when the company needed money the most. Lin Ruoxi couldn\'t think of any way to secure 50 billion yuan in one day.
"I may often make you angry, but I\'ve never lied to you, have I?" Yang Chen said with a smile.
Lin Ruoxi lowered her gaze, her beautiful face showing a hint of helplessness, but she still nodded. "I agree. As long as you can do what you say, I\'ll follow your terms."
Yang Chen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said with some reluctance, "I know this is cruel and unfair to you, but it\'s only for one year. If after one year you can\'t accept it, I\'ll give up."
"Tell me your method," Lin Ruoxi said coldly, showing no interest in hearing more about the deal.
Yang Chen smiled, took out a finely crafted but ancient-looking ring from his pocket, and gently took Lin Ruoxi\'s hand, sliding the ring onto her middle finger.
"Don\'t get the wrong idea. This is not a wedding ring, so it\'s not going on your ring finger," Yang Chen winked at her, smiling. "When we have our official wedding, I\'ll give you a diamond the size of a bull\'s eye."
A blush spread across Lin Ruoxi\'s cheeks. She had almost misunderstood, thinking this man was giving her an iron ring as a wedding ring.
"What use is this thing? Is it worth 50 billion?" Lin Ruoxi glared at Yang Chen, trying to shake off the awkwardness.
Yang Chen shrugged. "I can\'t say how much it\'s worth, but if you take this to the Swiss Bank, you can get a 50 billion loan."
"Do you even have any common sense? Swiss Bank? Don\'t you know they don\'t offer loan services?" Lin Ruoxi felt a surge of frustration.
Yang Chen smiled lightly. "Calm down. Normally, they don\'t offer such services, but for special situations, they make exceptions. Trust me, I wouldn\'t joke about this, especially knowing how urgent it is. Besides, you have no other way to get the money now, do you?"
Lin Ruoxi pondered for a long time. It seemed like she really had no choice but to trust Yang Chen\'s strange method. Looking at the ring on her hand, she sighed deeply.
In the bank\'s lobby, Lin Ruoxi\'s face changed several times. Eventually, she raised her head and said calmly to the customer manager, "I know there are no loan services available, but I have this."
Lin Ruoxi raised her hand, showing the ancient, dark-colored metal ring on her finger.
"What is this?" The customer manager was bewildered. She had no idea what the beautiful woman in front of her meant.
Lin Ruoxi silently cursed Yang Chen. That scoundrel, is he really reliable?!
"I want to see your bank manager," Lin Ruoxi said through gritted teeth.
The customer manager smiled helplessly. "Ma\'am, we really don\'t have any loan services. Although I don\'t understand why you are so determined to come here for a loan, you will be disappointed. Even if you see our manager, the answer will be the same."
"I want to see your bank manager," Lin Ruoxi insisted, having no idea how to explain. She could only keep demanding.
The customer manager had no choice. This was a VIP client she couldn\'t afford to offend. After looking at the name on Lin Ruoxi\'s credit card, she walked over to the phone and called the manager\'s office.
"Mr. Stephen, a lady wants to see you regarding a loan. I told her we don\'t offer loans, but she insists on seeing you. Oh, and she is one of our VIP clients. Okay, got it."
Before long, Stephen, who had just started his shift, decided to have the manager bring Lin Ruoxi to his office for a face-to-face meeting.
Lin Ruoxi sighed with relief but felt even more anxious. If even the branch manager didn\'t recognize this strange ring, would she have to go to the headquarters of Swiss Bank to see the president?!
Following the customer manager to the top floor, she unconsciously arrived at the manager\'s office door. Lin Ruoxi took a deep breath and braced herself.
No matter what, she had to trust that man\'s words for now. She hoped this little thing on her finger truly had the magical power he claimed.