Chapter 380: Discount The woman sat down across from them with practiced ease, her cold smile never wavering as she assessed the three people waiting for her. Her two enforcers positioned themselves standing behind her chair, their imposing presence designed to discourage any thoughts of resistance or defiance. "You brought both of your sons?" she asked Smith with mock surprise, her tone carrying condescending amusement. "How touching. A real family affair." Before Smith could respond or correct her assumption, Noah spoke first, his voice flat and emotionless. "What do you want?" The woman’s eyes shifted to Noah, reassessing him with the hard gaze of someone who had run this scam dozens of times. She noted his youth, his expensive clothing, and the complete lack of fear in his expression. "What I want?" She laughed as if the question was absurd. "Oh, it’s quite simple, boy. I want fair compensation for my injuries and damaged vehicle. Either I will receive it through your father’s insurance company and subsequent lawsuits—which will take months and cost you far more in legal fees—or I can receive it directly from you right now. One hundred thousand dollars, and I will drop all claims immediately. You’ll never hear from me again." Noah remained silent for a moment, appearing to consider her demand. Then he spoke with careful deliberation. "We don’t have a hundred thousand. Make it lower." The woman looked at them with exaggerated thoughtfulness, pretending to deliberate on this counteroffer. Her smirk grew wider as she prepared to deliver her "generous" concession. "Fine. I suppose I can be generous with reasonable people who are willing to negotiate in good faith." She leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with false magnanimity. "I want ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars." She smirked openly as she delivered the "reduced" amount, clearly enjoying the psychological game of offering a token discount that changed nothing, while making victims feel more powerless. Her enforcers chuckled darkly behind her, recognizing the familiar routine their boss employed to break down victims’ resistance while maintaining the pretense of reasonableness.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Noah waited for a moment before nodding his head slowly, as if reluctantly accepting the harsh terms. "Deal. We’ll set up a meeting to exchange the money." Then he paused, his expression showing calculated concern. "But how do I know that you won’t open a lawsuit right after the money exchange is done? What’s stopping you from taking the payment and then claiming we never paid, or filing your insurance claim anyway?" The woman’s smirk widened, clearly pleased that her victim was smart enough to ask the right questions but not smart enough to realize he was still being scammed. "A reasonable concern. I appreciate dealing with intelligent people." She reached into her designer handbag and withdrew a printed document. "I’ll provide you with a signed settlement agreement and release of all claims. It’s a legally binding contract stating that upon receipt of the agreed amount, I waive all rights to pursue any further legal action related to the accident—no lawsuits, no insurance claims, nothing. Once you pay and I sign this in front of witnesses, I’m legally barred from taking any additional action." She slid the document across the table for them to examine. It did appear to be a legitimate legal form, with appropriate language about release of liability and settlement of claims. The type of document that would indeed prevent her from pursuing further action once signed and executed. "My lawyer prepared this specifically for situations where we can reach amicable settlements without involving the courts," she continued smoothly. "It protects both parties. You get certainty that this matter is completely resolved, and I get fair compensation for my suffering without years of expensive litigation." Smith leaned forward to examine the document, his corporate experience allowing him to recognize that the format and language appeared legitimate, even if the entire situation behind it was fraudulent. Noah also checked the document, then appeared to consider this for several moments, then nodded with apparent satisfaction. "Alright then. We’ll head to the bank right now to withdraw the money. While we’re doing that, you get that settlement agreement properly prepared. As for witnesses, the coffee workers should be sufficient. We’ll meet back here in... two hours? That should give us enough time to handle the banking side of things." He stood up as if the matter was settled. The woman looked momentarily surprised that her victims were being so cooperative and businesslike about the transaction. Usually there was more resistance, more emotional pleading, more desperate attempts to negotiate further reductions. This young man was treating it like a straightforward business deal. "Just bring the cash," she said after a brief pause, recovering her composure. "Hundred dollar bills preferably, makes counting easier." "Understood," Noah replied, gesturing for Smith and Ethan to follow him. "Two hours. We’ll be back with the money." As they walked toward the exit, Smith whispered urgently, "Noah, what are you doing? We can’t actually pay these criminals—" "Trust me," Noah interrupted quietly, his expression showing none of the compliance he’d displayed to the scammers. "Just follow my lead and don’t say anything until we’re in the car." The three of them exited the cafe, leaving the woman and her enforcers sitting confidently at the table, already congratulating themselves on another successful shakedown of desperate victims who had no choice but to comply with their demands.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ "We will pay them the money, but don’t worry, they won’t enjoy it." Noah said with a smile that carried dark promise as he drove away from the cafe. Smith turned in the passenger seat, his expression showing deep concern and confusion. "Noah, we don’t have that kind of money just lying around. Even with my corporate salary, withdrawing nearly a hundred thousand dollars isn’t possible." "I can help pay-" Ethan tried to speak but Smith interrupted him. He shook his head with obvious reluctance. "You don’t have enough. Let’s just let this go through the insurance system and deal with the lawsuits. At least that way we’re not emptying our accounts to pay criminals directly."