chapter 17 Jiangnan Norris Thomas

Then, Clarence left under the astonished gazes of the many executives.
They hadn't expected Clarence to actually attend the auction. It was known that the company only had two billion in cash flow.
If they participated in the auction, they could only bid for the unwanted land parcel in the north of the city.
"Rachel, are we really going to participate in the auction? Although Clarence is the company's legal representative, this move is clearly unwise."
"Indeed, if the Norman and Michael families know that Nyse Group is participating in the auction, even if Clarence has money, they will definitely not let us succeed."
Rachel hesitated for a moment, she also didn't understand what Clarence was up to.
However, since Clarence returned to Zensea, he had already retaken control of Nyse Group in just a few days, to some extent.
She was more inclined to trust Clarence's decision.
"No need to say more, I announce that Nyse Group will participate in this auction. As the general manager of Nyse Group, I still have this right. Meeting adjourned!"
...
After coming out from Nyse Group, Maxine and Decco were already waiting by the car.
"Dragonhead!"
Clarence nodded slightly and said, "Maxine, instruct the Hidden Dragon Guard to check the financial status of the Norman and Michael families, focusing on how much cash flow they have."
Maxine nodded respectfully, "As you command, Dragonhead."
Then, Maxine made a phone call, and a few minutes later, he returned to the car.
On the way to Gangnam City, Clarence closed his eyes to rest.
Actually, for these major families in Zensea, Clarence was not in a hurry to take action.
After all, his return had already signified the downfall of these families.
Compared to sending them directly to the afterlife, Clarence preferred to let them experience the feeling of despair little by little.
After the incident with Vikram, he felt that the matter was far from simple.
It seemed as if a mysterious net was spreading wider and wider.
Two hours later, Clarence arrived at a villa located at No. 2 International Dragon in Gangnam City, Gangnam Province.
Clarence instructed Decco to wait in the car since he was too bulky and acted somewhat rashly, he did not want to scare anyone like last time.
He only brought Maxine with him to the villa's front door and knocked.
Knock, knock, knock!
Soon, the door opened, and a beautiful woman in home clothes came out.
"May I ask who you're looking for?"
"Sorry to disturb you. Is Norris, Mr. Thomas, at home?"
"You're looking for my father? He just happens to be free at home today, please come in."
The beautiful woman was quite easygoing, and seeing that Clarence and Maxine, one dignified and the other valiant, were not likely to be bad people, she let them in.
After entering the house, a man dressed in a suit who seemed about to leave, bumped into Clarence and Maxine and frowned, asking,
"Honey, who are these people?"
"They are here to see Dad, probably Dad's students."
Norris had always been a professor in the Department of Management at Gangnam University before he retired, and occasionally students would come to visit.
Harris looked at Clarence suspiciously and said indifferently, "Oh, they are my father-in-law's students, have a seat then."
Looking at Clarence's attire, from head to toe, without a single brand, Harris, as a businessman, could tell at a glance that these two were not descendants of any major families.
Therefore, his manner and speech carried a hint of contempt.
Soon, Alma brought over two cups of coffee and said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, my dad is on the phone upstairs and will be down shortly."
Clarence nodded slightly, having just taken a sip of coffee, when he saw an elderly man coming down from upstairs.
He appeared to be around fifty, with a ruddy complexion and looking quite spirited.
Clarence figured this person must be Norris, so he stood up and said politely, "Uncle Thomas."
Norris looked at Clarence with puzzlement, having no recollection of this young man before him.
After all, when he left Cathay, he was in his twenties or thirties, and Clarence was just a little kid. It was normal not to recognize him.
Clarence smiled faintly.
"I'm Clarence, Uncle Thomas. Do you remember me?"
"Clarence... Ah, you are the second son from the north, right?"
"Exactly, it's me."
Saying so, Clarence walked forward and reached out his hand.
Norris was somewhat excited, and they shook hands.
"It's been so many years since we last met. You little guy, even I almost didn't recognize you. By the way, I heard you joined the army. Have you been discharged?"
Sitting by the side, Harris, upon hearing Clarence was a soldier, looked down on him even more.
"Something like that."
Clarence smiled faintly as a response, since his visit this time was not for reminiscing, so there was no need to explain too much.
"Clarence, it's been over a decade since we last met. Today, you must join me for a couple of drinks no matter what."
Norris, seeing the son of an old friend, was also very happy for a while.
"Alright, I'll join Uncle Thomas for a couple of drinks."
Clarence had a hint of doubt in his heart, wondering if Norris was unaware that the Van family had already encountered trouble.
Well, let's wait and talk about this matter at the dinner table later.
At this moment, Harris suddenly stood up.
"Dad, didn't we agree that I was going to introduce you to a big shot today? I've already booked a private room."
Norris glanced at Harris and said, "What big shot, no big shot. Today my nephew is here, I'm not going anywhere."
Hearing this, Harris dared not argue with his father-in-law.
If it weren't for his father-in-law's business advice back in the day, he wouldn't have made so much money. Over the years, relying on his father-in-law's connections, he managed to establish himself in the Gangnam business circle.
Therefore, he had a certain respect for his father-in-law.
However, times have changed, and now that he had made a name for himself, he increasingly disregarded his father-in-law.
Considering the cooperation with a high-ranking military official, specifically because of Norris's academic level, Harris had been persuading his father-in-law for a month.
After much persuasion, his father-in-law finally agreed to meet with the military official, but an unexpected arrival disrupted his plans.
Thinking of this, his gaze towards Clarence harboured a trace of resentment.
If the cooperation had been successful, it would have been a profit of tens of millions.
However, with his father-in-law's decision, he could only swallow his complaints.
Unnoticed, Harris sneaked off to the bathroom and made a phone call to the high-ranking military official.
"Hello, Mr. Keith, this is Harris. There's been a slight change to the luncheon... Please don't be upset, here's the thing, we've had an unexpected visitor..."
Subsequently, Harris explained Clarence's arrival, but in his narrative, he portrayed Clarence as a military ruffian, even blaming the cancellation of the meeting on Clarence.
This military official, a man who could not tolerate any misconduct, was instantly furious upon hearing Harris's story.
"I can't stand military ruffians. If Mr. Thomas can't make it, then I'll go there myself."
"I want to see if he dares to act tough in front of me!"