Chapter165.
The sharp clatter of a fork hitting the plate broke the tense silence. A nearby lackey immediately handed over a napkin.
The man wiped his mouth, a dangerous glint in his eyes.“Let’s go. Time to meet this woman.‘ Hazel and Johnson, along with their team, surveyed the area around Redwood Resort. The nearby villages were long abandoned.
When the resort was first planned, the developers had compensated the locals generously, hoping to turn Redwood Resort into the country’s top luxury getaway.
But fate had other plans. A three–year economic downturn trapped people in their homes. Companies went bankrupt, layoffs soared, and salaries plummeted. Consumers tightened their wallets, and before Redwood Resort could even open its doors, it went under. The land was
for
round of bidding. repossessed by the government and put up According to Johnson’s research, the Campbell Group and the Stevens Group were their biggest competitors.
The same was likely true for other bidders.
Hazel was determined to win this land.
a new
She took soil and water samples for further analysis, preparing to cultivate medicinal plants once they secured the property.
They weren’t the only ones inspecting the site. Other competitors had also shown up, surveying the area before the auction.
Just as they were about to leave, Hazel caught sight of a few shady–looking guys loitering under a
tree.
a small nod. She glanced at Johnson. He understood immediately, giving her The gang had noticed them too. Instead of hiding, one of them pulled out a phone and made a call, staring at them the whole time.
Before Hazel’s car could even start, a gang of street thugs wielding machetes surrounded them. A tall, broad–shouldered man stepped out of another car.
Hazel didn’t rush to get in. While he sized her up, she was doing the same to him.
His features weren’t particularly striking, but combined with his streetwise aura and imposing height, easily over six feet, he carried an air of old–school gangster charm, like something out of an ‘80s crime film.
Johnson stepped forward.“That’s Jadon. He runs the underground entertainment scene here in Akron.
“He looks tough, but he’s got a soft spot for his little brother. Useless guy, different dad, same mom. He always throws his weight around, bullying people just because he’s Jadon’s brother.”
Hazel made a mental note.
The gang outnumbered them.
In broad daylight, Jadon and his men strolled up to Hazel like they owned the place.
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He raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down.“You’re Hazel?”
She met his gaze.“I am.”
A mix of admiration and menace flickered in his eyes. “Take her.”
She didn’t flinch. Instead, she asked, calm and composed, “Mr. Elton, I don’t believe I’ve offended you. Care to explain?”
Jadon squinted at her.“You know who I am?”
Hazel gave a faint smile.“I do.”
Johnson and the bodyguards immediately stepped in front of her, tension crackling in the air. Jadon wasn’t the type to attack without making his reasons clear. His eyes darkened. “Good. Then you should know my temper. Last night, you wrecked my brother’s ability to carry on the family name, and you call that ‘not offending me?”
He’d already looked into her background.
She was ruthless when it came to taking down men. Not long ago, she made Yusuf’s Tittle treasure” pay the price right here in Seattle.
The word was, she didn’t just do it. She made sure he felt every single blow.
Women were the real demons.
Last night? Hazel thought back to the man who had tried to attack her.
She compared his face to Jadon’s. No resemblance whatsoever. But who else could they be talking about?
She stated plainly, “That wasn’t me.”
One of Jadon’s men immediately shouted, “Liar!”
He pulled out his phone, showing a screenshot.“This is from last night. Colton posted it in our group chat. Said he was gonna ‘have some fun‘ with you. After that? Poof. Gone. This morning we found him completely wrecked.
“His junk was a bloody mess. Who else could’ve done it? I even heard from my cousin’s girlfriend’s uncle’s nephew that you did the exact same thing to that Zeller guy in Seattle! You have a record!”
Hazel’s brain stalled for half a second. She twitched her lips.
She never expected her handiwork in Seattle to reach some backwater
And Gabriel…
Could he have had a hand in spreading this?
backwater county.
Meanwhile, in the executive suite of a luxury hotel, Gabriel stood by the floor–to–ceiling window.
He was listening as the man behind him bent over, practically groveling for him to acquire his
company.
Gabriel’s expression remained indifferent as he replied flatly,” Carl, you may leave. Your company holds no value for the Campbell Group to acquire.”
10:14
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But Carl refused to give up. He had tried multiple times to seek help from the Campbell Group, only to be stopped by Ezra every time.
“Mr. Campbell, our company once had its glory days. It’s just that the market hasn’t been kind these past few years, But if you’re willing to acquire us and give us another chance, we promise you won’t lose out.
“Please, give us this opportunity!” The man bent over so far it seemed like his back might break as if such a display of humility could soften Gabriel’s heart.
But Gabriel was a businessman, first and foremost, and a shrewd one at that. To him, a product, no matter how glorious its past, held no investment value if it couldn’t deliver results now.
And reviving this company? That was an even bigger gamble.
After letting the man finish his plea, Gabriel finally responded, “Carl, please see yourself out.”
Emma, with a professional smile, approached the man with a hunched back. Her eyes were calm, betraying no sign of contempt.
“This way, please.”
no
Gabriel was indifferent, exactly as he appeared. No words could change his mind. Carl sighed
to choice but leave. a long while and, in the end, had inwardly for Gabriel had more respect for Emma’s work performance. After sending off the last day, he signaled to the other male secretary to leave as well.
Tonight, there was a banquet.
guest
of the
It was organized by the Greene family, the wealthiest and most influential in Akron. Invitations had been sent out to Gabriel, Hazel, Sebastian, and other business leaders attending the auction
But it was still early.
From the bodyguard at the door, Gabriel learned that Hazel hadn’t returned yet. He turned and went to his study to continue dealing with work matters.
As for Hazel…
She hadn’t seen any physical evidence from Jadon, not even any witnesses, only the lewd
his younger
brother had shared in their group. messages
Hazel stepped out of Johnson’s protective circle, slowly approaching Jadon, her eyes showing no fear.
As she got closer, she could smell the soap on him, completely different from the man who’d ambushed him yesterday.
She spoke plainly, “If it were me, I’d finish the job to ensure no loose ends. A severe injury would be more beneficial to me, wouldn’t it?”
Her voice was calm but carried an undeniable edge.
Jadon’s eyes
darkened suddenly as his gaze sharpened, sizing up the woman before him again. Apart from her beauty, she had an aura that demanded respect.
“In Akron, it’s easy to make people disappear without a trace. You should have more experience than I do, Mr. Elton.”
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Hazel smiled faintly, her words carrying a subtle threat hidden beneath their casual tone.
She took a step back, her smile unwavering.
“You must have gotten this far by not just listening to rumors, Mr. Elton. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be used as a pawn.
“I’ll be in Akron in the near future, and since this is your turf, I trust you’ll make sure I get justice.” The men surrounding them waited for Jadon’s order to rush in and surround them, just like when they’d fought for territory before.
But this time, Jadon didn’t speak.
Just as he was about to reconsider the situation, his phone buzzed incessantly in his pocket.
When Jadon heard the frantic report on the other end of the line, his face changed. His eyes turned cold with malice as he looked at Hazel.
“Take them all!”
