Eric didn't stay at the border—once matters concluded there, he returned to the country with Pierce and Ruth.The negotiation affairs were handled by high-level officials from the Combat Department, making Pierce unnecessary.-Back in Salt City.Eric messaged Sylvia, notifying her that the border issue was resolved and he intended to visit her. Believing it was nighttime where Sylvia was, Eric patiently awaited a response.However, by the afternoon, there was still no reply from Sylvia. Eric couldn't reach her by phone, sparking a sense of unease.Seated in his car, Eric started the engine and called Grace.Eric said, "Mom, have you contacted Vince or Matthew recently? I can't reach them.""Eric, wait a moment. Let me reach out to them," Grace replied.After a while, Grace called again, expressing confusion, "It's strange. I can't reach either of them. This shouldn't be happening!""Did something happen?" Eric asked."Don't talk nonsense!" Grace retorted, "I'm sure they're
Opening his phone, he saw the news of Sylvia and the Innova executives being detained. However, he was infuriated when he saw that they were detained for tax evasion."A bunch of assholes!" Brook cursed, "This is a damn conspiracy! They don't want to see the Innova Group grow and thrive! They just casually threw some charges and detained my sister and the executives! Damn it! Fuck them!""Calm down, Brook." Misty chimed in. "Our parents and grandparents are here. Watch your language."Still indignant, Brook sat down. "They used to control the chip supply to sanction the Innova Group. Now, they don't even bother hiding it and directly detain them! Tax evasion? How long has the Innova Group been around? How could they owe those bastards any taxes?"He saw through the situation. Perhaps their opponents had been waiting for this opportunity.Henry furrowed his brow deeply, and Sylvester said, "Maybe we can ask Mr. Sonnex and see if his father could use his connections to mediate the s
After confirming that Michael was not Shadow, Eric chose to place his trust in him. Moreover, Michael demonstrated capability."The situation..." Eric sighed. "I'm afraid it won't be that simple."He then redirected his focus in response to the detention of a CEO, recognizing its significant impact on a company.Michael was well aware of this consequence and assumed the role of interim CEO. Promptly, he informed the International Marketing Department to establish a specialized team to address the issue.The primary task involved retrieving the Innova Group's tax records in the country and dispatching them to the negotiation team.Simultaneously, a legal team was formed to delve into the country's tax laws, ready to offer legal support to the negotiation team when necessary. Additionally, the team was prepared to travel to the country if required.-Despite these joint efforts, Michael's countenance remained troubled.Andy asked, "Mr. Ortega, we've done so much, and it's still n
Under various parties' scrutiny, Eric needed assistance from the Montgomerys. They facilitated the reception of both the executives and the Lockes in King City before organizing their direct return to Salt City.An unsettling emotion gripped Eric as he gazed over Salt City through the floor-to-ceiling window."Andy, pass me a cigarette," he requested from Andy behind him.Andy warned, "You better not smoke this thing. It's hard to quit once you're addicted.""No worries," Eric dismissed.Handing the cigarette and lighter to Eric, Andy sighed.After taking a puff, Eric coughed violently. He confessed with a mocking smile, "I used to be repelled by people who smoked this stuff. Now, I understand.""There has been progress today. Sylvia will surely be back soon," Andy comforted.Eric smoked the cigarette to the end, exhaling a plume of smoke. "I hope so."-Back at the Rosewood Estate, Eric prepared a meal. Sitting alone in the dining room felt uncomfortable. As he surveyed the
The executives clarified, "There hasn't been any mistreatment. Since our detention, we've been well taken care of with food and drinks. The only discomfort is the restriction on using our phones or communicating with the outside world. The guards at the exits make it impossible to leave."Eric sighed in relief, and Michael offered words of encouragement.After a lengthy meal, everyone dispersed.Michael advised the executives to rest for a few days before returning to work.After leaving the restaurant, Eric lit a cigarette, and Vince expressed concern, "Mr. Johnson, why are you smoking? It's bad for your lungs.""No big deal," Eric replied. "Vince, help me with something these two days.""What do you need, Mr. Johnson?" Vince asked.Eric said, "Help me buy a private jet, the kind that can fly directly on international routes."Lacking knowledge about where to acquire a private jet, Eric sought Vince's assistance.At this point, Vince realized Eric didn't own a private jet. He
Andy and Michael nodded. In reality, Eric didn't have much responsibility in the company. Usually, they only sought him out for technical problems they couldn't solve.-After work that afternoon, Eric called Pierce to explain the reason for his upcoming trip abroad. Pierce reassured him, "They don't know your identity yet, so it shouldn't be a big problem. The sooner you go, the sooner you can return."Ending the call with Pierce, Eric contacted Grace. "Mom, help me ask if Sean can arrange a meeting with Sylvia. I want to go over there."Grace readily agreed, recognizing that her son and daughter-in-law were rarely apart.Acting swiftly as usual, Sean called Eric in the evening with everything arranged.-Early the next morning, Eric flew to King City. Only on the plane did he manage to close his eyes for a brief two-hour nap.The tickets were booked in advance, and the passport was ready. Eric didn't even have time to meet Grace before leaving King City.-At Phoenix Airp
As Eric approached, his heartbeat quickened. The captain guided him to the second floor and stated, "Surveillance and listening devices will be temporarily disabled for two hours."With that, the captain turned and left.Eric was taken aback—he hadn't expected the captain to be so fluent in his language.Turning back, he calmed his excited heart.Sylvia sensed someone's presence and remarked, "Don't worry. I won't run away. You don't need to keep an eye on me all the time."Her words carried bitterness, and Eric felt a pang of sadness. These days must have been tough for her. Eric's lips parted. At that moment, he realized he hadn't figured out what to say as the first words to Sylvia."Honey…"Sylvia turned around, joy flooding her face at the sight of the person she could only see in her dreams for the past few days."E…" Before she could finish, she lowered her voice and suppressed her joy. "Eric, why are you here?"Dropping the box in his hand, Eric rushed toward Sylvia.
Facing those who detained her, the negotiation team from her country, and the executives of the Innova Group, Sylvia hadn't shed a tear. Even when detained, she comforted the executives with overly optimistic attitudes.However, she couldn't hold back any longer in Eric's presence. The yearning for Eric, persistent day in and day out, turned into tears.Hearing Sylvia's cries, Eric felt his heart stabbed. He briefly considered switching places with her, but he knew it was impossible. The military wouldn't allow it, and there were too many factors to consider.Sylvia wept bitterly, releasing all the grievances and yearning for Eric that had accumulated during this time. After a long while, she finally pulled away from Eric's embrace.Wiping away the tears on her face, Eric reassured, "We're working on a solution. Stay here and wait for me. I'll pick you up as soon as possible. And when I come, you mustn't have lost any weight!"Sylvia nodded, understanding that few problems or peop