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Chapter 56: A Good Man
🕑 Added 2024-06-04 15:34:25 +0000 UTCArthur didn't understand corporate law or US bankruptcy law - he didn't understand much of anything. But that didn't matter, he trusted that Frank had handled the sale of the company to him properly and cleanly.
So Arthur had to wait a while - about a month, exactly 37 days - before he could finally sign the paperwork.
When it came time to sign, Frank looked a bit melancholic. It's understandable - selling the company he had built, not just for a small markup, but at a lower price. It's not something anyone would feel great about.
Yet, when Arthur picked up the pen and signed the thick transfer contract without even looking at it, Frank felt a deep sense of relief.
Frank loved feeling trusted, and Arthur's unconditional trust and respect moved him.
For Arthur, trust and respect were important, but the key was that he didn't have the money to hire a lawyer to review the contract. He knew he couldn't understand a professionally drafted contract, so it was better to just skip that step.
The US doesn't have business licenses, but it does have corporate registration certificates. Arthur just needed to sign the contract, and Frank's lawyer would handle the rest.
Once the paperwork was done and the lawyer left, it was just Arthur and Frank left in the King Defense offices.
Now King Defense was Arthur's. But the employees had all left, so it was just an empty shell of a company. That was fine with Arthur - he could build his team from the ground up.
Frank seemed a bit distracted. After watching him for a while, Arthur finally asked, "So what are you going to do next?"
Frank looked up. "Me? I might get married. I haven't proposed yet, but my girlfriend will say yes. I'd like to invite you to the wedding."
Arthur realized he and Frank had never really discussed their personal lives or families. That kind of information seemed private in their line of work.
"You have a girlfriend?" Frank seemed a bit offended by the question. "Of course I do. Is that so strange?"
"No, no, it's not strange. I just never heard you mention her before, and I've never met her. How long have you two been together?"
"Six years. I just wasn't ready for marriage until now, but I'm ready to start a family."
Arthur nodded, then asked, "So what are your plans? Do you have savings? What kind of work will you do?"
Frank shrugged. "My girlfriend is in San Francisco, so I found a job there as a security consultant. I'm sorry, but I can't stay here in LA to train you anymore. But John is getting out of the hospital, so he can continue your training."
Arthur was a bit taken aback. "San Francisco? Okay... When are you getting married?"
"I'm not sure, that's up to my girlfriend. But hopefully within the next six months. I'm so eager to start a family. Do you have any advice for proposing?"
Arthur shook his head helplessly. "Proposing? I don't even have a girlfriend, so how could I give you advice on that?"
It was clear Frank was trying to steer the conversation to lighter, more personal topics that interested him.
After a brief silence, Frank continued, "I'm sorry I couldn't leave you with more assets. But I did at least pay you $125,000."
All the company's assets were gone - the vehicles, the bulletproof vests, the guns, all sold off. The only thing Arthur got was the office lease, with 7 months left.
Arthur waved a hand resignedly. "Did you at least pay off all the debts?"
Frank nodded. "Yes, I cleared all the company and personal debts. The company wasn't bankrupt, just changing hands, like I told you."
"Do you have any savings left then?"
"Yes, about $4,500. That should tide me over for a little while." Frank paused. "Oh, and I have a gift for you."
"A gift?"
Frank nodded, standing up. "Come with me."
Outside, the small parking lot that used to be full of vehicles now only had a lone, rather beat-up sedan.
Frank gestured to the car. "Since you don't have a vehicle now, this car is my gift to you. Use it until you can afford something better."
That is a 2007 Toyota Corolla, 2.0 liter, that Frank bought after selling his car to pay off his debts.
For Arthur, having someone give him a car is an incredibly generous gift.
Now Arthur doesn't have the luxury of being picky, and he has no concept of engine size. He's just thrilled that someone is giving him a car.
"For me? Really?"
"Yes, it's yours."
Arthur is delighted, which makes Frank feel a bit ashamed.
It turns out Frank was talking about giving Arthur all the assets of King Defense Corporation, but now it's just an empty shell. Yet Arthur has no complaints, which makes Frank feel guilty.
So after pulling two sets of car keys from his pocket, Frank says sincerely, "When I make it big one day, I'll buy you a nice car!"
"Okay, it's a deal then."
Arthur takes the keys, then suddenly remembers to ask, "So what are you going to drive?"
"My girlfriend has a car. I'll buy a new one once I get my next paycheck."
After a big heartfelt hug, Frank says very seriously, "I'm leaving now. Stay in touch, and if you have any problems or questions, be sure to call me."
"Okay, will do. Where are you going? I can drop you off."
Frank hesitates, looks at the car he just gave Arthur, considers Arthur's driving skills, and shakes his head. "I'll just go home to get my things and then head to the airport. No need to drive me, I want to walk the route back home. Go on inside, goodbye."
Frank waves and hurries off. Watching his retreating figure, Arthur sighs wistfully, "He's a good man, a good man!"
Arthur then takes out his phone, thinking, and ultimately decides to call Mr. Smith.
Back in the office, Arthur sits in Frank's old chair, feeling the swivel. But he gets up and sits on the guest sofa in the chairman's office to make the call to Mr. Smith.
After three rings, the call is answered and a gentle voice speaks. "Hello, is this Mad Dog?"
Arthur's mouth twitches a bit, and then he respectfully replies, "Good afternoon, Mr. Smith. This is Mad Dog."
This is Arthur's first time calling Smith, but Smith already had his phone number and knew he would call.
So this isn't a planned event, but they both knew it was going to happen.
Smith chuckles, then says solemnly, "So Frank has left?"
"Yes, he just departed. He said he's going to San Francisco to get married to his girlfriend." Arthur then reverently asks, "Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Smith?"
"Are you the new boss of King Defense now?"
"Yes, I've signed the paperwork, and the business registration will be changed to my name soon."
Smith is silent for a moment, then says, "Alright, I do have some business I need your help with. Come meet me in Texas tomorrow afternoon at 5 o'clock. Is that okay?"
Having to fly so far for a meeting gives Arthur pause, but he unhesitatingly replies, "No problem, Mr. Smith. Tomorrow at 5 o'clock in Texas. Thank you."
