First, he has to get back his dignity, he has been humiliated too much in front of his classmates. Else, how is he going to raise his shoulder high in the presence of his classmates after being beaten twice in a row by Chris?
Just as he thought of getting back his dignity, there came a loud noise in the front of the hotel.
They all looked to the direction it came from.
Coming from that direction, were some young thugs, tattooed and armed with baseball bats, galvanized pipes, and other weapons. Their mere presence sent discomfort all over the room.
When they saw them coming in, they were all scared, most especially Griffin and his fiancé, Lilian.
And out of the gang of thugs, came their leader. He took a glance around the Hall, and when his eyes found Griffin he pointed at him, "why didn't you come say hello to us before opening such a big business? Do you look down on us?", He asked.
Lilian was terrified but struggled to smile, "why are you guys here?", She asked.
Truly, before the restaurant was opened, Lilian was told that some people in the place usually collects protection fees and that the last owner who refused to settle them had his restaurant destroyed by these thugs, and so had to vacate the place for their sake.
But Lilian felt that the place had advanced beyond such thuggery, and so she went ahead to purchase the place at a low price and agreed to manage it.
She never expected that these people would come and do such!
"When doing such business in this place, we settle brother Bones. We really don't take much, just 20% of your profit is what is
require. We are in charge of protecting you, nothing will happen to you under our protection", the thug said.
"And if you refuse to cooperate, don't blame us for shutting the door of this business today!", the thug added coldly.
When they heard this, Griffin and Lilian were not at ease.
20 percent? Isn't that too much?
This is the modern era!
"I'll give you a minute to think about this!", He added.
Just then, Phillip saw this as an opportunity to gain back his dignity, so he stepped forward.
"Who do you guys work for?", Phillip asked.
"Who are you that I should answer to?", The thug replied.
"Hmmmm, my father has contacts in all over the Hillsprings, I'll call the leader of this development zone and ask", Phillip said.
"So you know the leader of the development zone?", the thug said in fear as he looked at Phillip.
"Yes I do! And I demand you leave here if you don't wish to die!", Phillip replied.
On hearing this, the thugs expression changed to a frown, "if you truly can find someone to talk on your behalf, I'll not set my feet in here again, else, you'll see my rude side", the thug replied.
"Brother Phillip please, help us make the call, please!", Lillian begged.
Phillip gave a faint smile and said, "Don't worry Lilian, I will make the call!"
Besides his father was in charge of the Axel Group's projects in the development zone, so the leader of the development zone is in close contact with his dad, and knows him as well.
Phillip immediately made the call, and as soon as the call was answered, he deliberately raised his voice and said, "Uncle Linc, why are thugs here in the development zone collecting money for protection? They came to my classmate's restaurant and are harrasing us!"
"Calm down, what's the matter?", Linc asked.
"Some thugs came to the opening ceremony of my friend's restaurant demanding for a protection fee, so I decided to call you sir, the district mayor",he added.
After pondering a little, Linc said sounding slightly embarrassed, "I am sorry but I have to hang up now, such matters are not of interest to me, and besides I am in a meeting."
Not even a second was delayed before he hung up on Phillip.
Phillip was shocked.
What just happened? Was the district mayor not the one who always wants to please his father so he can get more investments from the Axel Group?
Why act this way now?
Little did Phillip know that the words of his father's expulsion has spread amongst the leaders in the Hillsprings.
to be continued......
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