Free Web NovelChapter 13: Chapter 13 What’s the code?
The man soon returned, receipt in hand.
"All the goods you purchased come to twenty thousand dollars, ma’am. Will you be paying with cash or transfer?"
Ivy didn’t hesitate.
She brought out her phone immediately and opened her banking app.
She had just borrowed thirty thousand dollars and now she was about to spend twenty thousand in one go.
I can always get more money later, she assured herself inwardly.
Without a second thought, she completed the transfer.
The man glanced at his phone.
A second later....
His expression brightened.
"Credit alert received, ma’am. Thank you so much for your patronage."
He bowed slightly.
As he did....his cap slipped off his head.
And for a brief moment....Ivy saw a scar.
Not a small one but a deep, jagged mark like an old hatchet wound running across the side of his scalp.
Ding!
{To operate your generator, you will require diesel, Host.}
{Make an inquiry about diesel from the salesman.}
{I initially assumed he was not present... but thanks to his cap falling off, I was able to confirm his identity.}
Huh?
{Scar identification complete: Information broker. High-value connections.}
{He will provide what you need if you are willing to pay the price.}
Ivy frowned slightly, her gaze shifting back to the man.
He was now dusting off a row of appliances even though they were already spotless.
What price? she asked inwardly.
{Money, of course.}
{You do not expect him to share sensitive information for free.}
"Excuse me," Ivy called softly.
"Could I speak with you for a moment?"
The man turned immediately.
"Yes, ma’am?"
Ivy stepped a little closer, lowering her voice just enough to avoid drawing attention.
"Regarding your excellent customer service today..." she began smoothly, "...I’d like to reward you."
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"May I have your account details?"
Her tone was calm, polite but deliberate.
The man’s reaction was immediate.
His smile widened, almost reflexively.
"Of course, ma’am ...of course!"
The first money was the company’s money and now Ivy was offering him five thousand dollars! Something he didn’t work for! Who’ll reject that?!
He quickly began reciting his account number....fast.
Too fast that Ivy had to focus just to keep up, her fingers moving swiftly across her screen as she input the details.
A second later, she hit send.
"Done," she said.
"I’ve transferred five thousand dollars."
The man froze.
Then looked down at his phone.
"Oh my...ma’am..."
He let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I truly appreciate this."
He paused...then his gaze sharpened slightly.
When people tipped him...he already knew they were in need of something. The rich men he worked for...once they introduced someone to him...their way of letting him know that person was from them was to tip him.
"...Or perhaps," he added, lowering his voice, "there’s something you’d like to know?"
Ivy met his gaze.
"Actually, there is."
She glanced briefly around the showroom before continuing.
"If you don’t mind me asking..."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"Do you have any information about diesel suppliers?"
A pause.
She added calmly... ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"This generator requires diesel, after all."
The man didn’t respond immediately. His eyes shifted left and right.
He stepped closer.... lowering his voice.
"Well... diesel is going to become scarce soon, ma’am."
A faint scoff followed.
"Or rather expensive."
His lips curved slightly, but there was no humor in it.
"With the kind of leaders we have nowadays..."
He shook his head subtly.
"They’d rather sell resources...diesel, gold, anything valuable to neighboring countries..."
His voice dropped further.
"...just to line their own pockets."
A brief pause before looking directly at her.
"But... I might know someone who can help."
Ivy’s expression remained unchanged.
But inside....
Bingo!
"Go on," she said calmly.
"There’s a private supplier," he continued in a low voice. "Not exactly legal... but reliable."
"They only deal in bulk purchases. Usually with people running large-scale operations..."
His eyes swept over her again...more carefully this time.
"...people who can afford it."
"And the minimum?" Ivy asked smoothly.
Her tone was calm but carried quiet authority.
"At least a thousand dollars’ worth," he replied.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"That won’t be a problem." She tilted her head slightly. "How do I contact them?"
The man hesitated just for a second.
Then he leaned in even closer.
"I’ll give you their card," he said quietly. "But listen carefully..."
His voice dropped to almost a whisper.
"Do not mention my name to anyone. "If the wrong people find out..."
A brief pause.
"...it won’t end well."
Ivy held his gaze.
"You have nothing to worry about."
He studied her for a moment then nodded.
But before stepping back, he added one more thing.
"There’s a code."
Ivy’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"A code?"
He nodded.
"Yes. You’ll need to say it before they even consider selling to you."
His expression darkened slightly.
"This diesel... isn’t exactly sourced legally."
A pause.
"It’s diverted stock. Government supply."
His voice lowered further.
"You understand why that makes this dangerous."
Ivy gave a small nod.
"The code is Smiley," he said. "Don’t forget it."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a plain card.
No branding....just a number and handed it over to Ivy who took it without hesitation.
"Thank you."
"You’re welcome ma’am."
Without another word, she turned and walked back to her children.
She crouched slightly....adjusted their masks carefully before leading them out of the supermarket.
****
Once out...Ivy opened the car door for her daughters and ensured they were seated safely while she remained outside, standing by the driver’s side with her phone in hand already dialing a number.
The line connected almost immediately.
A rough, guarded voice answered.
"Who gave you this number?"
"I need diesel," Ivy said plainly.
A pause.....so long that Ivy thought the call had been disconnected and just as she was about to pull the phone away from her ear...
"What’s the code... and how much?"
Straight to the point.
No pleasantries.
"The code is Smiley," Ivy replied calmly. "And I need one thousand dollars’ worth."
A brief pause....then she added,
"Immediately."
"Send your payment to the account I’m about to forward," the man said.
"And include your delivery address."
And just like that...the call ended.
The deal was secured.
