Chapter 173
The man in the plaid shirt and glasses at the front approached Elijah, asking, “Sir, we’re all here for a holiday, but we got lost. We’ve been stuck here for days. Our luggage is gone, and we’re starving. Do you happen to know the way out of the mountains?”
Elijah remained silent, only meeting the man’s gaze. His obsidian eyes gave nothing away about his thoughts.
The man glanced at the subordinates behind Elijah and continued trying to be friendly. “Sir, it seems like you’re planning to leave the mountains too. How about we join forces? We could look out for each other on the way.”
In contrast to the man’s enthusiasm, Elijah appeared aloof. He studied the group of men behind the plaid–shirted man.
With a military background, Elijah was naturally cautious about strangers suddenly appearing. These people claimed they were on holiday, yet their clothes were not as dirty as they should be after days without washing. In fact, it appeared as if they deliberately dirtied their clothes. Despite their disheveled appearance, their eyes were bright, unlike those starving for days. Elijah frowned, sensing that something was not right about this group. One of his subordinates beside him quickly noticed his change in demeanor and became wary as well. Elijah smiled and replied, “No need to join us. We’re not going the same way.” Then, he turned to leave.
“Well, where are you headed then? Since we’re all out here, it wouldn’t hurt to make some friends,” the plaid–shirted man persisted, attempting to pat Elijah’s shoulder.
Before the man could even touch his shoulder, Elijah grabbed the man’s hand tightly. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Elijah held onto the man with one hand and reached toward the man’s pocket.
Sensing trouble, the man tried to stop him, but his new knife handle was exposed in his pocket. Elijah sneered, his gaze growing icy. “What a new knife! I doubt you’re here just for a holiday. Who sent you?”
Realizing he had been discovered, the man dropped the act, his expression turning sinister.
“Since you’re already here, don’t expect to leave alive!”
With those words, the man pulled out a small knife and lunged toward Elijah.
Elijah swiftly dodged the attack, and they quickly engaged in a fight. The rest of the group took notice and drew their weapons.
The two groups clashed, and chaos ensued.
Chapter 178
After returning home and calming Erin down, Faye headed to the company and called Bethany
over.
As Bethany approached the CEO’s office, a coffee cup suddenly crashed beside her. She had heard about the Freeman Group’s failed bid, so she smiled as she walked up behind Faye, offering to massage her temples.
“Being angry isn’t worth harming your health, Auntie Faye.”
With a throbbing headache, Faye closed her eyes, enjoying the massage while trying to calm her emotions.
Bethany continued, “I looked into that Serene Real Estate Limited. They were originally a struggling small company on the brink of bankruptcy. Somehow, they made a remarkable recovery recently and won the bid for the land in the western suburbs. There’s more to it than meets the eye.”
Faye opened her eyes and gently held Bethany’s hand.
“Then, I’ll rely on you, Beth, to investigate this real estate company’s hidden owner. If we can offer her a better salary to join the Freeman Group, she might be willing to hand over the land in the western suburbs.”
Bethany frowned and asked, “But if she’s already a successful owner, why would she want to work for the Freeman Group?”
Faye fell into a momentary silence.
“If the person can’t be of use to the Freeman Group, then we’ll have to kick them and the company out of Farlem.”
“Understood, Auntie Faye. But…” Bethany hesitated, appearing to be in a dilemma. “What’s the matter?”
