Jason's bewilderment gave way to dawning comprehension as he recognized the rotund man as the very loan shark who had been extorting Grace Diaz moments earlier. A closer look at the "victim" writhing on the ground confirmed his suspicion—another of the man's lackeys.The pieces fell into place. This was an elaborate setup, a desperate attempt to fleece someone they perceived as wealthy. The depths of human greed never ceased to amaze.Was this the price of appearing affluent?Jason's anger gave way to a sardonic smile. His gaze locked onto the corpulent ringleader as he spoke, his voice dripping with icy contempt. "Was the usurious interest not enough to sate your greed? Or does your contract include a clause for shameless avarice?"The man flinched under Jason's piercing stare but quickly regained his bravado. "Good people!" he cried out to the crowd. "Witness this travesty! He strikes down an innocent man and then has the gall to threaten me! Where is the justice in this world?""My
What had transpired in that fleeting minute?"This... this..." Grace Diaz gaped, her face a canvas of shock. It was as if the man had undergone a complete metamorphosis.Jason, however, remained unperturbed. He cast a disdainful glance at the rotund proprietor and sneered, "Have you come to your senses? Will you confess everything, or shall I do the honors?""I'll talk! I'll divulge everything!" the portly owner shrieked, beseeching forgiveness through his tears. "I was blinded by greed, intending to swindle you out of a substantial sum. I orchestrated this charade, hiring over a dozen people as plants just moments ago to extort money from you."Stumbling to his feet, he lurched towards the man who had been wailing in feigned pain and delivered a swift kick."Cease your theatrics and rise at once! Apologize to the gentleman. Your overwrought performance didn't fool him for a second, you fraud!" He berated the man, punctuating his words with vicious kicks.Though only a minute had pass
The elderly woman appeared pleased with this response. She proclaimed imperiously, "You seem like a decent sort. Go to the Brown family residence and mention my name. They'll cover your fare - double the usual rate, in fact. Off you go."With that, she alighted from the taxi without further ado."What?" The driver was dumbfounded. Was this really happening? He stammered nervously, "Um, would it be possible for you to pay now? I run a small business, you see. We don't offer credit, even for the Brown family. Surely they wouldn't mind..."But before he could finish, the elderly woman fixed him with a withering glare and launched into a tirade. "When I tell you to go, you go! I'm offering you double the fare, and you're refusing? No wonder you'll remain impoverished your entire life. You lack both discernment and ambition, you good-for-nothing! If you don't go, you won't see a single penny."With that, she turned on her heel and strode into the gated community.The driver was left slack-
The guard was about to protest further, but Jason waved him off. There was no need to quibble over this point. Let her believe what she wanted."Grandmother, let me escort you inside. Why didn't you inform us of your visit? I could have come to receive you properly," Jason offered."Hmph! As if a good-for-nothing like you would have such good intentions. I suspect you'd have preferred I never came at all!""And receive me? Who knows where you might have taken me with your ill intentions? I came straight to the doorstep so no one could hinder me," Old Mrs. Martinez declared haughtily.Jason shook his head with a wry smile. He wondered what Katherine Gonzales had told the old woman to make her so wary of them. While it was true they hadn't wished for her visit, now that she was here, how could they, as her descendants, be anything but filial?"By the way, why are you here to receive me? Where are my niece and my daughter?""Don't tell me they're avoiding me, refusing to show their faces
"Let's hear it then!" Jason inquired, his curiosity evident.Sean hastened to reply, "According to them, Lotus Thirteen recently obtained a lead regarding the jade pendant. Apparently, tomorrow at the Emerald City Auction House, the final lot - the pièce de résistance - is none other than a jade pendant. It's being touted as a Mystical Object!""Lotus Thirteen has already made preparations to acquire the jade pendant. The intel seems highly credible!""Is that so?" Jason's brow furrowed in contemplation.To be frank, this wasn't exactly good news. While they now had a lead, the pendant's appearance at an auction would inevitably draw attention to it, making it far more difficult to acquire it at a bargain price.It was akin to stumbling upon a rare find at an antique market; once recognized, it would become a prize for the highest bidder.Inevitably, there would always be those with a discerning eye."Mr. Lawrence has just had it verified. The information is accurate. Shall we join th
In the past, when they lived in that rundown apartment, Old Mrs. Martinez had refused to visit, finding it beneath her standards. But now, with this luxurious mansion, she had arrived uninvited. Would she decide to stay?"Return? Why should I leave? I've come here to let you care for me in my old age. What's the matter? Trying to get rid of me?" The old woman fixed James Brown with an icy stare.If it weren't for the Brown family's status, she wouldn't even bother with this useless son-in-law."No... of course not. It's our duty. We're glad you're happy here," James Brown hastily replied, while inwardly breaking into a cold sweat. His future suddenly looked bleak.The thought of having to live with this intimidating, mercenary mother-in-law filled him with dread. Every day would feel like a torment in hell!Even Mary Martinez's smile faltered. How had things come to this?The couple exchanged a glance, sighing in resignation."Ah, well..."Not long after, Susan returned from the compa
Ever since Old Mrs. Martinez's arrival, the household had been in disarray. Rumor had it she planned to stay indefinitely, which was even more vexing.Sending her away would be unfilial!Yet allowing her to stay meant enduring her constant derision of Jason, harassment of Susan, and berating of James Brown, leaving the house in perpetual chaos.As Jason pondered this dilemma, he received an unexpected text message: "I have the pendant. If you want it back, come to Room 306 at the last hotel on Seaside Road. I'll be waiting!""Hmm?" Jason was taken aback. A hotel? Who sent this message? Had they picked up the jade pendant?Something about the text seemed off."Could it be... a trap?"Jason frowned, forwarding the address to Lawrence and his team, instructing them to investigate cautiously on his behalf.If the jade pendant was indeed there, they were to retrieve it!Just then, a man in sunglasses noticed him and approached with a retinue of bodyguards. Looking down his nose at Jason, h
Perhaps riding this wave of interest, several wealthy buyers began bidding fervently, quickly pushing the price to $3 million.By Jason's estimate, $2 million would have been a high price for these red agate beads. The current bid far exceeded their value. The auction house clearly knew how to capitalize on trends.At that moment, he noticed Gerald White enter, his face a mask of frost, eyes fixed coldly on Jason.James Brown, who had been enjoying the spectacle, suddenly felt uncomfortable under that gaze. He shifted uneasily, unable to contain himself. "What did you say to him earlier? Why does he seem to hate you so much? Aren't you just causing trouble for yourself?"Jason remained impassive. Indeed, he had deliberately provoked Gerald White, curious to see how Eldoria City's White family would react.It had been some time since his return from Metropolis Central, and the White family had been suspiciously quiet, not even sending their usual assassins. He wondered what they were p