The next morning hadn't even come and Southeast Bank was already in freefall. Depositors decided the bank was broke and started lining up to pull their money.
Virginia had just started the job and was desperate to impress the president. She loaded up on gifts and showed up at the Butler residence with her hair half out of place.
Walter Brooks opened the door, and she plastered on a gushing smile the instant she spotted my father on the sofa checking stock prices.
"Mr. Butler! You're our bank's biggest client—and oh my goodness, meeting you in person, you just have this incredible presence about you!"
"I brought some red wine and bird's nest for you and Mrs. Butler. Please, accept them."
My father despised flattery. He gave her nothing but cold silence.
Virginia's outstretched hands hung in the air, then dropped awkwardly to her sides.
"The thing is, Mr. Butler, I noticed you've had two hundred million deposited with us since the bank first opened. Why would you suddenly withdraw all of it?"
"You'd be losing quite a bit in interest!"
My father flipped his phone face-down and shut her right down with his first words.
"You came here to waste my time over a little interest?"