Chapter 41 An Eye for an Eye
Kate Lawson was a rising star in Emerdale’s business circle. She stood out from other ladies in the upper class, who attended high-class functions every day draped in gold and diamonds and flittered between different men.
She had a keen business acumen, which had been obvious from a very young age. Some of her previous mentors even felt that she had surpassed them with ease.
She made it big after investing in a real estate company that was about to go bankrupt at the age of 17. Who would have thought that this underage girl would rule the business circle of Emerdale and even the entirety of Winbury ten years later?
She had a net worth of more than 10 billion, and was a major shareholder of many listed companies. She also managed the Lawson Group and had made a success of herself at the age of 29. And that was not all.
She was quite influential. Not only those in the business world, but those working for the government and the military treated her with courtesy. After all, money greased all wheels. The economic status and social status that businessmen had were enough to control the economic lifeline of a city.
Take Alan Russell from Emerdale for example. Although Kate was still no match for him, everyone believed that it was only a matter of time before she surpassed him.
Betraying her was not something an ordinary person could do. Even if one had the courage, they may not be able to do it.
Because Kate was an extreme woman. She ruled with an iron fist. To put it bluntly, if Kate had been born in the past, she might have ruled the world today as a warlord.
“Obey me, and you will live. Defy me, and you will die.”
This was what Kate had once said.
She was arrogant.
Arrogant to the extreme.
However, one needed to have the financial clout to back up such arrogance. Kate just so happened to have that.
This was something that Leo had already experienced firsthand. She was willing to do anything to achieve her goals. And until now, Kate’s orders to capture Leo still had not been rescinded.
She wanted to see him, dead or alive.
To betray an ambitious person who was so cautious and merciless didn’t require courage, but a tenacious will to survive.
Chris had no choice. His life was in the hands of Leo.
He was a man who valued his life. He would die at the hands of Leo, or he would die if he betrayed Kate. He would be dead no matter which path he chose. So, which was the better of two evils?
Of course, he would choose the path that allowed him to live longer.
If he was not loyal to Leo, he would immediately die. If he betrayed Kate, Leo would protect him and he could at least live for the time being. He did not know much about the man, so he uncertain if Leo was powerful enough to topple Kate.
Leo whispered something in Chris’s ear.
No one knew what Leo had promised Chris, but the fear in his expression receded slightly after he heard it.
At the same time, Leo promised that one day, when Kate finally fell from grace, he, Chris Lawson, would replace her.
Neil didn’t expect that Chris would really betray Kate, so he took a hard look at Leo.
This young man was unfathomable. Even Chris Lawson was willing to risk his miserable life for him.
He helped Nicole up and ordered his men, “Get Frank Perry down here now.”
Neil was smart. Chris had betrayed Kate. How to deal with Chris was up to Miss Lawson. Chris was still the most influential person here. He wouldn’t face Chris head-on, so he had to get Frank to come.
Nicole was Frank’s partner. Since Leo had her beaten up, Frank would definitely not let the matter go. Secondly, Frank was here to get the 100 million dollars. Frank had a share in that 100 million. Who would give that kind of money up?
However, not long after, his subordinate came back in a panic and said to Neil, “Sir, Frank Perry said that something happened to him. Wallace Spencer stole one of the Perry family’s projects. He’s heading over there right now.”
“What? They stole something?”
Hearing this, Neil grew as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. The two families had always minded their own business. Why would Wallace suddenly steal the Perry’s project?”
Suddenly, Neil thought of something and turned to look at Leo in shock.
Was it because of him?
Neil had guessed correctly. Leo had asked Wallace to do that. He did not need to stir up trouble. He only needed to provoke the Perry family in their territory, and cause a bit of chaos before retreating.
His purpose was very simple. He wanted to pin down the Perry Family.
Leo had come this time to ask for money. He didn’t want to get involved in more power struggles. As long as Cleo Entertainment gave him what was owed, he would leave immediately. It was quite straightforward.
It was a pity that Nicole had to complicate things like this.
“Mr. O’Brien, you have two choices.”
Leo said lazily. “One. Return the money immediately, and I’ll leave without a fuss. Or two, I’ll ruin the O’Brien’s business, causing damage upwards of 100 million dollars. You choose.”
Hearing this, Neil’s face darkened. He did not want to give the money to Leo, but he had no choice. The situation was pressing.
“I’ll give you the money,” Neil said. If he had known that there was such a ruthless person at Atlas Beauty, he would have returned the money long ago…
“Atta boy.”
Leo smiled and said, “If you had just done this earlier, your bar would not have been smashed.”
After a pause, Leo stroked his chin and said casually, “I heard that Cleo Entertainment has owed Atlas Beauty money for more than a year now.”
“It’s been half a year.” Neil suddenly had an ominous feeling.
“If we round it up, then it’s closer to twelve months. Let’s make it one year.”
Leo looked at Chris and asked, “What’s the interest rate on the highest loan available these days?”
“30 million,” replied Chris.
After crunching the numbers mentally, Leo said, “That makes 130 million.”
“I’ll give you an afternoon to raise the funds. If I don’t see 130 million before 6:30 p. m., I’ll be back.”
Leo patted Neil’s shoulder and said, “By the way, my name is Leo Cohen. If you want to seek revenge on me, you’d better not mistake me for someone else.”
With that, he left Cleo Entertainment.
After Leo departed, Neil sat on the sofa alone with a downcast expression on his face.
“Leo Cohen…”
The name sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
Suddenly, he recalled something. He quickly swore, pulled out his mobile phone, and made a call.
At the same time, in the reception area of the International Commerce Center.
Dwayne was chatting happily with Caroline and Rebecca Ford
Suddenly, his phone rang.
Seeing that it was a call from his father, Dwayne immediately stood up and apologized. “Excuse me, I have to take this call.”
He walked outside and answered the phone. However, as he listened, the warm smile on his face faded away bit by bit and was replaced with anger.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.
After hanging up, Dwayne’s expression turned cold.
Caroline noticed the change in Dwayne’s expression. She quickly stood up and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“What happened? You have to ask?”
Dwayne sneered angrily, “Go back and ask that good-for-nothing relative of yours. See what he’s done? He broke into my father’s company and smashed it up with his thugs!”