It was very clear, the moment Caleb Ford's men showed up.

Kian Holden's confidence vanished in an instant.

He watched Caleb Ford play pool with a slight tremor.

Swallowed nervously.

Gathering his courage, he said, "Caleb, don't be so smug. I'm telling you, even though you have more people now, I'm not afraid of you. The people from my other two sides will be here soon, and then it will be your turn to beg me."

"Oh?"

Caleb hit a ball with his cue.

Stood straight.

Said, "Why don't you make a call and see how those people on the other two sides are doing?"

Kian pulled out his phone and quickly dialed the first number.

But no one answered the call.

He quickly dialed the number for Apex Group, and it was the same, no one answered at all.

Caleb said, "Since I knew you would come to the pool hall, could I not have guessed that you would ambush those two places?"

This statement hit like a sudden clap of thunder.

Kian was dumbfounded.

All his remaining hopes dissipated into thin air.

Turns out, his so-called scheme had long been seen through by Chance Ford.

"You... how did you know I... would do that?"

He asked in a trembling voice.

Caleb glanced at Dirk Carter, smiled, and said, "Brother Dirk, it's your turn."

Dirk smiled slightly, stepped forward, and said, "Mr. Holden, to be honest, it wasn't that hard to guess. Everyone knows Caleb's reputation in Stillwater County. You dared to kidnap the artist he invited, which means you must have found a bigger backer to dare to do this, right?"

"Good that you know, if you lay a hand on me now, I assure you that you will also meet a grim end."

Kian seemed to regain his confidence, puffed his chest, and said.

Dirk chuckled and said, "If I'm not mistaken, your so-called backer is Sherman Summers, isn't it?"

Kian's eyes widened.

It was almost as if the words "How do you know" were written on his face.

"Sherman played a brilliant move; he used you to provoke Caleb deliberately. He knows Caleb's personality very well. Once provoked, there must be a counterattack, and when he strikes back, blood is bound to be shed. When the two big real estate companies start fighting, even if it's not to the death, casualties are inevitable. When this matter escalates, the first to suffer will definitely be the local head. If the number of deaths and injuries is significant enough, the authorities will definitely initiate the accountability process for a major vicious bloodshed event, and Donal Lewis, who has already gone out under the guise of research, will be the first to be held accountable."

Dirk paused before continuing, "The most brilliant part of this plan is that it's hard to see it for what it is—a political fight. To put it simply, it's a case of 'doing one thing under the guise of another,' and you, Kian, couldn't have imagined you'd be used like this. Even if it fails, you would only think that Sherman was trying to help you grab some territory. And with a bloodshed event, do you think you can escape?"

Dirk's words.

Left Kian with his mouth agape.

He couldn't believe what Dirk was telling him.

After swallowing, he said, "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible, you're just talking nonsense."

"Heh, nonsense? Mr. Holden, this isn't your first time in Stillwater County. Why didn't you dare to lay a hand on Caleb before, and now you dare? Can you say that this courage doesn't come from Sherman Summers?"

"So what if it does? He just wanted to help me make money!"

Kian shouted.

Dirk sneered coldly.

Asked, "Help you make money? Based on what? Your good looks?"

This question left Kian speechless.

Indeed.

He's been in Stillwater County for quite a while.

Aside from Alfie Grant, he's tried to build relationships with other leaders.

But since he and Caleb are in the same industry, no leaders dared to approach him proactively. The reason is simple, they can't afford to offend Caleb.

But the first time and this time taking action against Caleb were indeed under the hints from Garnett Golding.

"I know you still don't believe it. You can now call Garnett or Sherman Summers and tell them the deed is done, with many dead. Ask them what to do, and see if they will still help you."

Dirk sneered.

Kian hurriedly picked up the phone.

Called Garnett's number.

The call was quickly connected.

Before Garnett could speak, Kian eagerly said, "Secretary Golding, Secretary Golding, help me, many people have died, many..."

Before he could finish.

The sound of "beep beep beep" came from the phone, clearly indicating the call was disconnected.

Kian was unwilling to give up.

He dialed Garnett's number again.

This time, the response was, "The subscriber you dialed is temporarily unavailable."

He had been blocked.

For the first time, a feeling of despair swept over him.

With a thud.

Kian sat heavily on the floor.

Mumbling to himself, "It's over, it's all over this time..."

Suddenly, as if realizing something.

He dropped to his knees, shuffled over to Caleb Ford, and said tearfully, "President Ford... Caleb... I was wrong, I was used. I didn't really want to attack you, please let me go this time, please let me go..."

"Let you go? If this gets out, won't people in the underworld think they can just lay hands on me, Caleb Ford?"

Caleb continued playing pool, asking coldly.

Kian became even more terrified.

Stammered, "Caleb, please spare me, I... I don't want to die, I really don't want to die, whatever you want, I'll give you... as long as... it can save my life."

"What I want isn't important; what's important is what Mr. Holden thinks your life is worth?"

Caleb said calmly.

Kian shivered.

Gritted his teeth and said, "Azure Creek Gardens, I'll give you the Azure Creek Gardens project, I'll give it to you!"

"I can't dare accept a gift, how about this, eight million, I'll buy the project for eight million. Ewan, bring the contract over."

Caleb ordered.

Ewan Forrest brought the contract forward.

It seemed Caleb was already prepared.

It's known that Azure Creek Gardens, although recently launched, had cost tens of millions. Buying it for eight million was almost like getting it for free.

Moreover, for the Azure Creek Gardens project.

The Grandlake Group had borrowed a lot of money from the bank.

If they handed it over, it meant the financial chain of the Grandlake Group had broken.

"Mr. Holden, sign it. After signing, my people will escort you to get the seal."

Caleb said without even glancing.

Though reluctant in his heart.

But there was no turning back.

And Kian believed Caleb was capable of anything. So he took the pen handed to him and signed the transfer contract.

"Ewan, take a few people to accompany Mr. Holden to the company for the seal."

Caleb said.

Ewan nodded, "Okay, Caleb."

"Rose, you take the construction team to take over the Azure Creek Gardens project, go now."

This was Caleb's second order.

Rose Forrest nodded and said, "Okay, Caleb."

After arranging everything.

Ewan pulled Kian up from the floor.

Caleb finally put down the cue, came to the trembling Kian Holden, patted his shoulder, and said, "Mr. Holden, I'm not extorting you. This deal doesn't make you lose. Shouldn't you compensate for wrecking my sales center and company building? My staff was all scared by you. Shouldn't you compensate? So remember this time, never act on impulse, understood?"

"Yes, yes, thank you, Caleb, thank you, Caleb."

Even as he was led out of the pool hall by Ewan, he kept nodding and bowing, repeating the phrase.

And with that, this grand drama came to a close.

However, it wasn't the ending that the "scriptwriter" and "director" had initially planned.

According to the original setup, the outcome shouldn't have been this way.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.