Chapter 425: The Adult

Chapter 425: Chapter 425: The Adult

Stephen, the Executive President of Swiss Bank's Yanxia District, was a British man, specifically an old-fashioned British aristocrat who inherited a hereditary viscount title. Apart from his remarkable abilities and extraordinary background, one reason he held the position of Swiss Bank's chief in Yanxia was his slight Yanxia ancestry. This heritage made Stephen fond of Eastern culture from a young age, and he even graduated from a university in Xianggang.

Stephen's English wasn't as fluent as his Yanxia language, making him an odd foreigner to ordinary people.

"What a surprisingly wonderful morning, Miss Lin from Yulei. I believe I haven't mistaken you," said Stephen, with his silver-gray hair and thin but spirited face, making a gentlemanly gesture to Lin Ruoxi without attempting a handshake as most people would.

In fact, in such social etiquette, a woman can initiate a handshake, but it's impolite for a man to do so, as it can be seen as presumptuous or seeking advantage. This is a subtle aspect of Western etiquette that many people only partially understand.

Being from an old noble family, Stephen was evidently exemplary in manners.

Lin Ruoxi didn't have much thought to observe the Western man's etiquette as she was still pondering how to begin.

As Stephen sat on the leather-bound redwood sofa, Lin Ruoxi placed her bag down and gave a professional smile, which still appeared cold to others.

"Mr. Stephen, you know me?" Lin Ruoxi asked casually out of curiosity, as it was her first time meeting this man.

Stephen gave a shy smile. "It's somewhat embarrassing to say, but I attended Yulei's banquet at the Emperor Building last year. I watched you from a distance for a while. I swear, it was purely out of admiration. You are a very charming woman, Miss Lin. I remembered you at a glance."

Stephen spoke candidly, causing Lin Ruoxi's face to flush slightly. It was somewhat unsettling for her to be "admired" by someone who could be her father, given that this British man was at least in his fifties.

"Is that so? Because our company's PR department handled the banquet, I didn't get to remember all the guests well. I apologize for that," Lin Ruoxi said courteously, having something to request. "I suppose Mr. Stephen already knows why I'm here today."

Stephen's smile remained unchanged as he replied tactfully, "Just before you came up, I looked at your company's news. I understand that you urgently need a large amount of cash. However, I think you know very well that our Swiss Bank does not provide loan services. Moreover, with Yulei International's prestigious brand, being a Fortune 500 multinational company, why not seek loans from other banks with whom you have cooperative relationships?"

Stephen's lengthy speech essentially meant that even Lin Ruoxi couldn't be an exception. UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

"I am fully aware of that," Lin Ruoxi said, rubbing the ring on her finger with her left hand. "To be honest, Mr. Stephen, it might be due to personal reasons. I have many enemies. This time, my opponent is very powerful and has extremely strong official backing. All the large banks we have partnerships with have chosen to avoid this contest."

Stephen pondered for a moment, frowning. "But why do you think of coming to us? It's not about whether we fear your opponent; we simply do not provide loans. Miss Lin, you should understand Swiss Bank's adherence to rules."

Lin Ruoxi mustered up her courage and slowly raised her right hand, revealing the dark-colored ring on her middle finger.

"Someone told me that with this ring, Swiss Bank would make an exception and provide me with the necessary loan."

Stephen was taken aback, a thoughtful look in his eyes. After contemplating for a moment, he stood up from the sofa. "May I take a closer look at your ring?"

Taking a deep breath, Stephen turned to the first page, which contained only two items.

Almost instantly upon turning to the first page, Stephen's pupils constricted.

Even though he had a feeling earlier, he had not dared to believe it until now. Seeing the picture on the computer screen, which was identical to the ring before him, he suddenly realized!

Could this really be that item?!

Lin Ruoxi, feeling a bit tense on the sofa, noticed Stephen's expression of shock and excitement. She couldn't help but feel uneasy. It was hard to imagine what kind of object could cause such a reaction in this dignified, elderly gentleman.

For about five minutes, Stephen repeatedly verified that the ring matched the picture and read the textual description more than ten times.

Finally, after confirming that the five letters "pluto" on the inner wall of the ring were exactly the same, Stephen made a sign of the cross on his chest, prayed devoutly, and then exited the system on the computer.

"Mr. Stephen, did you find out the result?" Lin Ruoxi rarely asked for results directly because she was always calm, but at this moment, she couldn't help it.

Stephen solemnly held the ring with both hands and walked slowly to Lin Ruoxi, presenting the ring to her with both hands. "May I ask, the person who gave Miss Lin this ring, is he...?"

Stephen had already disregarded Lin Ruoxi's presidential status.

Lin Ruoxi bit her thin lip, feeling a bit shy but still meeting Stephen's gaze directly. She replied clearly, "He is my husband."

Stephen's body visibly trembled. He took three steps back and then immediately knelt on one knee!

"Lady Persephone, it is an honor to serve you." Stephen's eyes were filled with reverence.

Persephone? Lin Ruoxi felt a headache coming on. What was that?

Before she could think further, Stephen had already stood up, his smile now holding a hint of flattery, completely different from his earlier gentlemanly demeanor.

"Madam, may I ask how much cash you need? I will get it for you immediately," Stephen said, bending slightly.

"Wait...," Lin Ruoxi felt bewildered. How did she suddenly become "madam"? "Mr. Stephen, who is Persephone? Why do you call me that?"

Stephen was stunned but then seemed to realize something. He smiled gently and said, "Madam, since that noble being has not explained, I have no right to explain on his behalf. Please just give your orders. As the holder of the 'Hades Ring,' you can obtain up to one hundred billion euros in cash from Swiss Bank at any time. How much would you like to withdraw?"

After hearing Stephen's words, Lin Ruoxi could no longer contemplate what was happening. Her beautiful eyes widened, and a single thought dominated her mind: What?! One hundred billion euros?!