Chapter 6 You Think You're the Mayor?

• Everyone in the room roared with laughter.
• No one would believe the head of the Urban Planning Department would ask an ex-con out for lunch!
• Hazel was so embarrassed she wished the earth would swallow her up. Her reputation in the household was utterly ruined.
• I shouldn't have brought him here!
• "I didn't know you were so important, Vance. Do you know what Mr. Duchenne's full name is?" Ferdinand asked.
• Vance shook his head, which caused another wave of laughter among the people in the room.
• "It's almost time, Mr. Krauss. Should you give Mr. Duchenne a call?" Arnold asked. "If he has trouble with transport, I'll get someone to fetch him."
• Ferdinand nodded. "Yes, I'll do that right away."
• He gave a call to his second uncle. That was his contact to Mr. Duchenne because he was not influential enough to invite him.
• The call went through.
• "Uncle? Do you know if Mr. Duchenne is on the way?
• "I was just about to call you. Helen Lewis of Troy Global also invited Mr. Duchenne to lunch. He won't be attending your appointment. Why don't you invite him another day?"
• Thump! Ferdinand's heart skipped a beat.
• Vance was right! Don't tell me… Mr. Duchenne actually invited Vance for lunch? There's no way I'd believe that. Even I had to trouble my uncle to invite Mr. Duchenne! How could he possibly talk to an ex-con? I know. It must be a very lucky coincidence.
• Of course, Ferdinand was not going to humiliate himself by admitting Vance was right.
• "I see, thanks," he replied to his uncle before hanging up.
• "What did he say, Mr. Krauss?" Arnold looked at him eagerly.
• "Mr. Duchenne is caught up with work today, so he'll be a bit delayed. Let's wait for him," Ferdinand replied.
• "As long as he can make it," Arnold said, feeling relieved.
• Vance had extraordinary hearing skills. He had overheard the entire phone conversation earlier.
• That guy has really thick skin. He's not even blushing when telling a lie, he thought to himself.
• His phone began to ring. "Vance? Where are you?" Helen asked.
• "I'm already here. I'll head over to the room now," he replied, put his phone away, and stood up. "Excuse me. I'm heading upstairs to VIP Room 1 for lunch."
• "Hahaha!"
• The people were getting tired of his lies. Ferdinand said jokingly, "Did Mr. Duchenne call you? He must be waiting for you in VIP Room 1, right? I wonder if you can ask him to come down here. I'll buy you and him a drink!"
• "It's not from Mr. Duchenne. Helen Lewis of Troy Global called me earlier. She's the host today. I'll ask Mr. Duchenne to come down later."
• "Haha!" Everyone laughed again.
• "Mr. Duchenne and Ms. Lewis? That guy must think he's the mayor or something!"
• "Troy Global is one of the biggest companies in Midsom. Even I'm not worthy to talk to Ms. Lewis!"
• "That guy has a very active imagination."
• Hazel was feeling thoroughly embarrassed. What a clown! All he wants is attention!
• Ferdinand stood up and said, "I should head over and pick up Mr. Duchenne. Wait for my return."
• He was going to take the chance to scoot. Later, he would make up another excuse.
• The Sullivan family members did not suspect him of lying.
• When Vance arrived at VIP Room 1, Helen and her father, Hunter Lewis, were already waiting inside.
• As the mayor of the city, Hunter had a naturally dominating presence.
• "Father, this is the miracle doctor I told you about," Helen started with the introductions. "Vance, this is my father. He's the mayor of Chevron. Come over here and take a seat."
• Vance sat down opposite Hunter.
• Hunter briefly sized up Vance and instantly seemed disappointed.
• Vance was too young and looked too plain to be considered a miracle doctor. He wondered if his daughter had been deceived.
• "Helen, you should know that I'm very busy," Hunter said unhappily. "Don't just bring me any random person. This is a total waste of my time."
• "But Father, Vance is very skilled. He cured me of my chills," Helen explained.
• "Your chills aren't an illness. That's just how your body is. I haven't heard of anyone who can fix that. I'm sure you've been lied to, Helen."
• Helen did not know how to convince her father.
• Vance looked around the room, and his gaze eventually settled on a chair next to him. "Helen, give me your coat."
• Helen and Hunter were confused.
• "Why do you need my coat?" Helen asked.
• "Just give it to me. You'll regret it if you don't," Vance said.
• Helen looked at her father, wondering what to do.
• "Give it to him. I'd like to see what he'll do! Let me warn you, kid. Don't think of pulling any tricks on me. You're way too young for that," Hunter said coldly.
• Vance ignored Hunter's comment. He took Helen's coat and wrapped it tightly around one corner of the chair next to him.
• "Shouldn't you give us an explanation?" Hunter asked.
• "There's nothing to explain. You'll understand later," Vance said. "This tea is not bad. Buy me a pound of tea leaves later."
• I'll pound your head in! Hunter thought.
• Connor Duchenne, head of the Urban Planning Department, soon arrived.
• "Sorry, I'm late. The traffic was horrible! I hope you haven't waited for too long."
• "Don't worry about it, Connor. Please sit down," Hunter said.
• "Yes, of course," Connor replied while walking toward his seat.
• He had not taken two steps before he accidentally tripped and fell forward.
• Bang!
• His head struck a chair before falling on the floor. "Oww!" he cried out in pain.
• Hunter and Helen were shocked. They looked at the chair in utter disbelief!
• The chair that Connor hit had been wrapped by Helen's coat earlier.
• If Vance had not done that, Connor would have at least gotten a concussion, or worse, he might have lost an eye!