Vince Chen grinned.
"Great. Our interest rate is 40%. You borrow half a million, you pay back seven hundred thousand. So… I'll need you to sign a promissory note for that amount."
"Also, we need collateral—property, vehicles, businesses, whatever you've got."
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then sighed and pulled out his property deed.
He'd just used it for the bank loan earlier—it was still in his jacket.
"This apartment's worth over $750,000. That should cover it, right? I've also got a Benz worth about $40k. If I can't repay, you can take it."
Vince's eyes lit up.
He scanned the document and nodded slowly.
Market value? At least $800,000.Throw in the car, and this deal was a guaranteed win.
Still, he put on a reluctant face.
"Hmm… I don't know. This place is worth maybe six, seven hundred at best. You want half a mil? That's tough."
Ethan acted desperate.
"Please, Mr. Chen! I really need this. If you can send the money today, I'll even settle for four-fifty!"
Vince and Hugh exchanged amused glances.
This was how they made money—preying on desperation.
"The deal still sounds risky…"
After some fake back-and-forth, they settled on $400,000.
Ethan insisted the funds had to hit his account that day.
Loan sharks might be shady, but they were fast.And that was their one advantage over banks.
The paperwork was signed, and minutes later, the money appeared in Ethan's account.
He smiled to himself.
Easy money. And they'll never see it again.
Well… technically, that made him the dog in the saying.
Still worth it.
As Ethan walked out, the office behind him erupted in laughter.
"Hah! That sucker really walked off with four hundred grand."
Vince leaned back, smug. "We're clearing at least $200k on that one. This month's target? Handled."
Hugh tapped the table. "You think there's something shady about that deed? He signed way too fast."
Vince waved him off. "It's legit. Even if he runs, we've got the deed and a signed $700k note."
"And if that doesn't cover it, we've got… other ways to collect."
He sipped his coffee.
"Worst case? We call our offshore partners. Guy might have a few organs we can sell."
"We never lose money."
Ethan walked out of the building grinning.
He glanced back at the office tower, a trace of mockery in his eyes.
"Such generous folks… just handing me cash."
He had no intention of ever seeing them again.
Odds were, they'd be dead in a month—frozen solid in the coming storm.
With nearly $1.3 million in funds now, his survival plan was fully funded.
He drove straight to Ironshield Security, the most elite private protection company in the country.
They were the go-to team for celebrities, CEOs, and even high-ranking officials.
But Ethan wasn't here for a security detail.
He wanted a fortress.
In his past life, he'd heard that Ironshield had built a high-grade doomsday bunker for a real estate tycoon—The guy lived like royalty during the apocalypse.
Ethan intended to replicate that.
At the front desk, he explained his needs.
Within minutes, someone from the business department escorted him to a private lounge.
He was served freshly ground coffee by a smiling receptionist.
Then, a mountain of a man walked in.
Broad shoulders, military buzz cut, black suit stretched tight across a barrel chest—A walking tank in a three-piece suit.
"Good afternoon, sir. I'm Connor West, senior project manager. What can we do for you?"
Ethan took a sip of his coffee and looked up.
"I want a panic room."
Connor raised an eyebrow.
Ethan continued, "Not just any panic room. I want the kind that can withstand the end of the world."
Most people would've laughed.
But not Connor.
Not here.
Ironshield had worked with billionaires who'd built entire underground bunkers—Some strong enough to survive small-scale explosions or bio-attacks.
They'd seen stranger.
The richer someone was, the more afraid of death they became.
Connor immediately grew serious.
"Well, Mr. Cross, you've come to the right place. We can handle that."
He pulled out a tablet.
"All our builds are fully customized. You can browse and select whatever features you need. Prices are listed."
Modern technology made everything easier.
Ethan took the device and began reviewing the options.
Ironshield really could do it all.
Even underground or underwater bunkers—though those would take far too long.
And time… was the one thing Ethan didn't have.