In the early morning, Andy deliberately arrived a bit late, just to see if Jacob had shown up for work. He had already experienced all the tricks Jacob used to ask for money, and he had ignored last night's phone calls.However, to his surprise, Jacob hadn't shown up for work at all!Today, there was no one at the security booth of the Innova Group."That rascal!" Andy cursed under his breath as he took out his phone to call Jacob, but he couldn't get through. He then turned to find Eric.Eric also had something to discuss with Andy. "Andy, I need to talk to you. Let's go to Nutikiville's city hall later.""Alright." Andy nodded, then asked, "Eric, did Jacob contact you?""Nope," Eric replied, looking at Andy. "What's wrong? Is he quitting?"Andy pondered for a moment and said, "He called me late last night, saying he had been kidnapped and they demanded 20,000 dollars in ransom."I thought it might be one of his tricks. Today, he didn't show up at the company, and his phone is
"Prepare an empty suitcase. Let's go over there and see what's going on first," Eric said.The empty suitcase was merely for show.Andy's confidence seemed to increase with Eric by his side.-The two quickly arrived at Salt City Grand Hotel.Standing at the door of the room, Andy glanced at Eric. Seeing Eric nod, he knocked on the door.The door opened, revealing a bald man who looked at Andy. "You're Jacob's brother? Did you bring the money?"Andy lifted the suitcase and patted it. "The money's here. Where's my brother?"Before he could finish speaking, Jacob's voice came from inside the room. "Andy! Andy! I'm here! Help me! They're going to castrate me! I'm scared! I haven't even touched a woman yet!"He burst into tears immediately.Andy pushed past the bald man and entered the room.Inside, Jacob was tied up on the bed.Next to the bed were several fierce-looking men, along with a young woman whose appearance was passable.Seeing Andy's arrival, the burly man with a g
Roko harbored a growing fear of Eric. In their line of work, Tiger's reputation preceded him. Dealing with underworld figures required caution—one couldn't partner with just anyone off the street without stirring up trouble.Andy only now grasped Eric's deep ties to Salt City's underworld. These small-time crooks might soon run out of patience.With a chuckle, Eric quipped, "Even Tiger would address me as Mr. Johnson. Seems you're in it for the money, not lives, I won't complicate things. Release Jacob, and we'll call it even!""But we can't!" Jacob interjected. "Eric, letting them go means more victims!"He seemed to grow a conscience, though not out of morality. He couldn't stand being duped. "Shut it!" Andy snapped. "Eric's handling this. Stay out of it!"Roko understood the implications of tangling with Tiger's associates, genuine or not. It was about avoiding humiliation, just in case. They hadn't lost anything, so he relented. "Fine, let's call it even. You get some leeway
"For these trivial matters, Eric actually came all the way here! If there's a next time, I won't care anymore! Go die wherever you want!"Andy was truly furious! He had assumed the lesson from Ava would make Jacob wiser, but unexpectedly, he fell into their trap. It's also because Eric had some influence that he managed to resolve this matter easily. Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble would arise?"Andy, I dare not anymore..." Jacob looked aggrieved. "I just wanted to quickly find a girlfriend and get married. Who knew they'd set me up?! I even lost 10,000 dollars!"Andy shook his head speechlessly.Eric said, "Alright. Andy, the matter is settled. Let's first go to Nutikiville."Seeing the two getting into the car, Jacob hurriedly approached. "Andy, Eric, can you drop me off at the company first?""Get lost! Get a taxi yourself!"Andy raised his leg and gave him a shove.-Later at Nutikiville City Hall.Hank greeted Eric warmly upon his arrival.In recent years, Nuti
As they returned home, Blake was sitting on the doorstep plucking feathers from a chicken."Well, Dad, life seems good!" Andy exclaimed.Seeing his son and son-in-law, Blake was somewhat surprised. "How come you're back?" Currently, Blake was alone at home. Melinda was in Salt City helping Elly take care of the children, while household chores fell on Blake."If I feel like eating, I just catch a chicken. There is no problem," Blake remarked."We're planning to promote the cultivation of medicinal herbs in Nutikiville and several surrounding villages to improve everyone's income," Eric said.At his words, Blake paused his actions, looking at Eric and Andy. "Promote this? Is it feasible? The folks here are all old farmers. They're stubborn and reluctant to accept anything new. They're accustomed to growing wheat, corn, and potatoes. Asking them to suddenly cultivate medicinal herbs? I doubt it will work!"Besides, trouble tends to brew in poverty-stricken areas. You two hail fro
"Blake is quite thrifty. What if he eats one of those chickens? If he ends up dead, what then?" Richard exclaimed, his tone sharp with disapproval. He couldn't fathom using rat poison to kill someone else's poultry.Poisoning chickens was one thing, but if it escalated to loss of human life...Richard may not have been well-versed in law, but he grasped the principle of "an eye for an eye." If Delilah were to receive a life sentence, Gavin would be left without a mother.-Eric and Andy were oblivious to the fact that the chickens Blake raised had been targeted. When Blake finished stewing the chicken, they savored every bite.Though not an extravagant dish, it evoked childhood memories—a few pieces of chicken, a bowl of broth, a simple delight.Eric had invited Hank over to share a few drinks with Blake. They wouldn't be staying long as they had to return to Salt City by evening.After a few drinks, Hank reassured them about the herb cultivation venture. He claimed that next
Upon seeing Eric, Delilah's anger surged like a tide, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack? It's already dark, why the hell are you shouting like that? Who threw stones at your chickens? Only an asshole would throw stones at your chickens!"To evade suspicion, she even indirectly called herself an asshole."What are you standing there for?" Delilah yelled again. "Can't you see I'm injured? If it weren't for your shouting, would I have gotten hurt? You have to take responsibility!"Her mind worked swiftly, and she quickly shifted the blame onto Eric.Eric chuckled. "Aunt Delilah, if you hadn't done anything wrong, why would you have run when I shouted? I saw it clearly, it was you who injured our chickens! I even suspect that you broke the leg of a chicken my dad slaughtered today!"Delilah's expression changed. She knew Eric wasn't someone to mess with, but she couldn't admit to attacking Blake's chickens either. That would mean compensation.At this moment, Richard arrived.
Surveying the scene, Eric swiftly discerned the situation at hand. During the meal, Blake had mentioned the incident of the injured chicken, implying that if the chicken hadn't been harmed, they wouldn't have enjoyed its taste tonight.Now, it appeared that Delilah was responsible for attacking Blake's chickens. Wasn't this a case of the thief crying "stop thief"?Hank was known for his impartiality. Otherwise, the Nutikiville villagers wouldn't have elected him as their mayor.Delilah's face turned livid. "Who says I went and harmed their chickens? Which of you saw me throwing rocks at them? These are baseless accusations! Watch out, I'll sue for defamation!"Her agitation was evident. It was clear Hank wasn't taking her side. From her perspective, Hank either needed to be fair or had ulterior motives favoring Blake's family. It was odd for him not to defend them. 'Birds of a feather flock together, indeed!'Andy chuckled. "You can't put it like that. My father-in-law has surveil