[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s":3,"chapter-born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-578":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\\% Rebate System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1491763,1939,"Chapter 578: Lending Money?","born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-578",578,"\u003Cp>For a moment... Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Aurora slowly raised her hand, offering an awkward smile. \"That would be... me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora let out a nervous chuckle. \"Did I... mess something up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mary sighed, rubbing her temple lightly. \"You did,\" she said. \"Candice shouldn’t have been invited. We’re not close to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora frowned slightly. \"But she used to give me candy when I was a kid,\" she replied. \"And she said she and father were close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words left her mouth... Mary shot a sharp, dangerous glance at Adam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam immediately raised both hands in surrender. \"I didn’t do anything!\" he protested. \"Don’t look at me like that... I feel wronged!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurora blinked, confused, while the others struggled to hold back their laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the party ended, everyone assumed that was the end of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...it wasn’t. In the following days, Adam began receiving calls from unknown numbers. At first, he ignored them, assuming they were promotional calls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one day...by accident... He picked one up. The line connected. A faint static crackled in the background, followed by a voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Familiar...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adam...\" the voice said slowly, almost lingering over his name. \"It’s been a long time since we last met. Why don’t we go for a stroll?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice on the phone carried a strange familiarity, rough around the edges yet oddly nostalgic. For a brief moment, Adam frowned, his brows knitting together as he tried to place it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Who...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it clicked. An old acquaintance. Someone from the repair shop days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when his hands constantly smelled of grease and metal, when late nights were spent under flickering lights, and cheap conversations filled the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t been close, not really, but they had shared a few drinks, a few laughs, enough to recognize each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Frank...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if their relationship had never been good, it wasn’t bad enough to refuse outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" Adam replied after a brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man on the other end chuckled, a hint of greed slipping through his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. And since I’ve heard you’ve become rich now... this one’s on you. I’ve already shortlisted a few five-star hotels in the area.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone. ’So that’s how it is...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could already tell...this wasn’t just a reunion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he let out a quiet breath. ’It’s just one meal,’ he thought. ’I can tolerate it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The restaurant was lavish. Adam sat across from Frank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked older, rougher, his eyes carrying a restless glint that made Adam uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they settled... Frank began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Life’s been really hard for me lately,\" he said, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. \"You wouldn’t understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam didn’t respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. \"I’m in a tough spot... I urgently need two hundred thousand dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words landed bluntly. Adam’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing. \"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank let out a small laugh, waving his hand casually. \"What do I mean? Come on, Adam. You’ve got money now. Why not lend me some?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam’s fingers tapped lightly against the table before he spoke. \"I can’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The refusal was calm. Firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank’s smile faltered for a split second before he quickly recovered. \"Alright, alright,\" he said hastily. \"I’ll return it... with interest. Eleven percent. That’s fair, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a pen, and grabbed a sheet of paper from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slid it across. \"If that’s the case,\" he said evenly, \"write a legal agreement. Sign it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his gaze steady. \"Or at least write an IOU and stamp it with your fingerprint.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment... Frank froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand hovered above the paper, his throat tightening as disbelief flickered across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This... is Adam?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same easygoing man from before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced a laugh, though it came out strained. \"Haha... you really know how to joke around,\" he said. \"Would you really ask your own buddy to sign something like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward, lowering his voice. \"I promise I’ll return it. Don’t you trust me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam nodded slowly. \"I do,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank’s face lit up instantly. But before the smile could fully form... Adam continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I promise I’ll give you one million dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a second... Frank’s mind went blank. One million? His heart leapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that I’ve promised,\" Adam added calmly, leaning back in his chair, \"you can leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile on Frank’s face froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" he blurted. \"You haven’t even transferred the money yet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam chuckled softly, picking up his glass. \"No need to rush,\" he said lightly. \"I’ve already made a promise. What’s the hurry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when it hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank’s expression twisted as realization dawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He’s playing with me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands clenched tightly against the table, veins bulging slightly as anger surged through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You!\" he snapped, pointing a finger at Adam. \"You think you’re some big shot now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam remained calm, almost amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never refused you,\" he replied casually. \"I just didn’t mention when I’d give you the money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were sharp. Deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank slammed his hand against the table with a loud bang, drawing a few glances from nearby guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t forget who you used to be!\" he barked, his voice rising with bitterness. \"You were nothing but a car repairer once!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When did I ever say I wasn’t a car repairer anymore?\" Adam said, his voice calm yet edged with something sharp enough to cut. \"I still am one... the only difference is that now I stand at a much higher place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Why does he always assume people like me don’t change... or worse, don’t deserve to?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam pushed his chair back, the legs scraping softly against the polished floor, and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve had too much to drink, Frank,\" he said, his gaze steady, unflinching. \"It would be better if you leave now instead of making a scene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for just a fraction of a second, his eyes darkening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Otherwise... if I have to take action, you’ll truly regret it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing those words, Frank’s expression twisted, anger flashing across his face as he glared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips parted, ready to retort, but before a single word could escape, Adam had already turned and walked toward the private room’s door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the door, then paused, his hand still resting on the handle. Slowly, he turned his head, glancing back at Frank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The total bill for the dishes on that table comes to ten thousand dollars,\" he said evenly. \"But don’t worry... I won’t ask you to pay a single penny.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips, though it carried no warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, you once treated me to a meal worth fifty dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hung in the air like a verdict. Frank froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers twitched slightly as he stared at the table full of untouched delicacies, the rich scent now turning nauseating. ’Fifty dollars...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remained seated, unable to move, as if an invisible weight had pressed him down. Shame crept up his spine, slow and suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Adam hadn’t mentioned it... he would have forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No...he had forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, when Adam had been desperate, when his daughter’s life hung by a thread, Adam had gone from person to person, his voice hoarse from pleading, his dignity shattered piece by piece. Frank had seen it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had done nothing. Even though he had the money. Even though he could have helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I just stood there... like it had nothing to do with me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the roles had reversed. Adam wasn’t lending him money. Was this... karma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frank looked down at the dishes again. The glossy surface of the food reflected the dim light above, but instead of temptation, all he felt was a tightening in his chest. His throat went dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten thousand dollars’ worth of food... yet he couldn’t bring himself to take even a single bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fifty dollars... It wasn’t even kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was money he had quietly deducted from Adam’s salary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands trembled slightly as he closed his eyes. ’How shameless was I... just a few minutes ago?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Adam walked away, his steps steady, his expression calm, as if a long-standing burden had finally been set down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But peace didn’t last. In fact, his troubles had only just begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the next few days, his phone refused to stay silent. The constant buzzing became an unwelcome companion, vibrating against tables, against his pocket, against his very nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More and more people began reaching out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old college friends. Former colleagues. Neighbors. Even acquaintances he had only exchanged a few polite words with in passing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People who barely knew him. Yet all of them had one thing in common. They wanted money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adam, I’m in a bit of trouble... could you lend me a hundred thousand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1500,"2026-06-06T04:03:52.406Z",1,"novelbin.me","57efb67904baadc9c436a9abb927d54047f166e16226effe03e2a13517cd89fc","born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-579","born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-577",614,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-cover.jpg"]