The threat couldn’t be any more visible.
"Does she think that she can threaten ?" he muttered under his breath before his voice rose again, laced with disdain.
"Fine. Do whatever you want. But once I beco an investor in this city, I’ll make sure you’re the one who gets kicked out."
Lana chuckled softly, tilting her head. "Isn’t that a little sad? Considering how much I’ve already invested... it feels more like I am in your dream position, not the other way around."
Without another word, she pulled out her phone.
Garrison watched her closely, a hint of mockery forming on his lips. ’What is she going to do? Call so low-ranking official for support?’
But the mont the call connected, his expression stiffened.
"Hunter," Lana’s voice rang out clearly, calm yet commanding. "I’m ready to invest more money into this city... as long as you make sure Garrison doesn’t beco an investor here."
For a second... Garrison laughed.
A sharp, almost mocking sound. "I’m investing 200 million dollars. Do you really think he’ll turn that down just because of you?"
On the other end of the line, Hunter seed about to respond... But Lana spoke again, cutting through the mont like a blade.
"I’ll invest 400 million," she said, her tone unwavering. "All you have to do is make sure he doesn’t beco a investor or buy any of the land here."
A pause. Then...
"Sure, sure. Why not?" Hunter’s amused voice ca through the phone.
The air seed to shift. Garrison’s smile faltered, his gaze darkening as the realization settled in. He knew.
She had likely already won.
His chest tightened slightly, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. ’She’s beco selfish...’
Grinding his teeth, he suddenly shouted, his voice echoing with determination and desperation, "Fine! I’ll invest 800 million! Let in, and I’ll put in 800 million dollars!"
That was his limit.
The Almond family’s resources were already tied up and couldn’t stretch much further. Pulling out that amount alone was already pushing the edge. But he had no choice.
Because he knew. This city was a goldmine. A perfect investnt opportunity.
And unlike Mr. and Mrs. Armando, he carried mories of the future, knowledge that made him certain of its value. That certainty was the only reason he dared to push this far.
Still... A bitter thought crept into his mind.
’If only I had another source of inco...’
If he did, he wouldn’t feel this cornered. This helpless. Silently, he prayed.
’Don’t raise it any further...’
Just as Lana parted her lips to speak again... Hunter’s voice cut in, calm yet deliberate.
"Lana, pass a ssage to Garrison."
Lana’s heart tightened, a faint ache spreading through her chest as if an invisible hand had clenched around it.
For a fleeting mont, the air felt heavier, pressing against her lungs, but before that feeling could settle, Hunter’s voice echoed clearly through the phone.
"Tell Garrison this," his tone carried a calm certainty that left no room for doubt. "I’m not interested in whatever amount he wants to invest in this city. I won’t let him beco an investor here."
The words landed like a quiet verdict.
Hunter wasn’t speaking on impulse. The confidence in his voice ca from certainty; he already knew that the funds Lana had provided were more than enough to sustain the city’s developnt.
And more than that, he trusted her judgnt... her unwavering belief that this city would rise into sothing prosperous.
That trust... that consideration... It wasn’t sothing Lana had expected.
She could feel it, like a gentle warmth spreading through the cold corners of her heart.
"And one more thing," Hunter continued, a faint edge entering his voice. "I won’t allow anyone from his family to invest or step into this city either."
Lana stilled. ’So... he investigated ...’
It was obvious now. Hunter must have looked into her past, uncovered the tangled ss tied to her na. And yet... Even knowing all that... He still chose her.
A strange feeling stirred within her chest, soft and unfamiliar. ’He ignored his own benefit... just to make sure I’m not dragged into trouble...’
Then, lowering her gaze slightly, she spoke into the phone, her voice softer than before, almost touched. "Hunter... I’m really grateful for your decision."
A light laugh ca from the other end. "It’s nothing."
But to her, it wasn’t nothing. Not at all.
Across from her, Garrison watched the exchange unfold, his expression darkening with every passing second. T
When Lana finally lifted her eyes to him, she repeated Hunter’s words without hesitation.
Each sentence struck like a slap.
Garrison’s face flushed red, anger surging through him as his fists clenched at his sides. "You’re truly despicable."
His voice was sharp, trembling with fury.
"Fine," he continued, his lips curling into a cold smile. "If I can’t beco an investor... then I’ll beco an obstacle for this city."
Lana let out a soft chuckle, the sound almost amused, as if she had just heard sothing trivial. "I’d like to see what kind of obstacle you can even beco."
That only fueled his anger further.
Garrison laughed harshly, his gaze filled with disdain.
"You’re acting arrogant because you think Hunter will back you. But do you really think he’ll continue supporting you after knowing what you are?"
His voice rose deliberately, louder now, as if he wanted the words to travel through the phone.
"You’re nothing but an abandoned high-born girl," he sneered. "You don’t even have that kind of money. Four hundred million? Where would you even get that from?"
His words echoed sharply in the space.
On the other end, Hunter rolled his eyes, a silent sigh escaping him. ’Naive...’
If he hadn’t personally seen Lana’s bank transfers, hadn’t verified every detail with his own eyes, would he have taken her side so decisively?
Garrison looked composed on the surface, but in reality...
He was nothing more than a fool.
Hunter’s voice ca again, calm and dismissive. "Lana, ignore him if you want. I can have security escort him out."
User Comments
0 comments from readers