From Secret Wife to Queen of Her World by Anonymous

Chapter165.

The sharp clatter of a fork hitting the plate broke the tense silence. A nearby lackey immediately handed over a napkin.

The man wiped his mouth, a dangerous glint in his eyes.“Let’s go. Time to meet this woman.‘ Hazel and Johnson, along with their team, surveyed the area around Redwood Resort. The nearby villages were long abandoned.

When the resort was first planned, the developers had compensated the locals generously, hoping to turn Redwood Resort into the country’s top luxury getaway.

But fate had other plans. A three–year economic downturn trapped people in their homes. Companies went bankrupt, layoffs soared, and salaries plummeted. Consumers tightened their wallets, and before Redwood Resort could even open its doors, it went under. The land was

for

round of bidding. repossessed by the government and put up According to Johnson’s research, the Campbell Group and the Stevens Group were their biggest competitors.

The same was likely true for other bidders.

Hazel was determined to win this land.

a new

She took soil and water samples for further analysis, preparing to cultivate medicinal plants once they secured the property.

They weren’t the only ones inspecting the site. Other competitors had also shown up, surveying the area before the auction.

Just as they were about to leave, Hazel caught sight of a few shady–looking guys loitering under a

tree.

a small nod. She glanced at Johnson. He understood immediately, giving her The gang had noticed them too. Instead of hiding, one of them pulled out a phone and made a call, staring at them the whole time.

Before Hazel’s car could even start, a gang of street thugs wielding machetes surrounded them. A tall, broad–shouldered man stepped out of another car.

Hazel didn’t rush to get in. While he sized her up, she was doing the same to him.

His features weren’t particularly striking, but combined with his streetwise aura and imposing height, easily over six feet, he carried an air of old–school gangster charm, like something out of an ‘80s crime film.

Johnson stepped forward.“That’s Jadon. He runs the underground entertainment scene here in Akron.

“He looks tough, but he’s got a soft spot for his little brother. Useless guy, different dad, same mom. He always throws his weight around, bullying people just because he’s Jadon’s brother.”

Hazel made a mental note.

The gang outnumbered them.

In broad daylight, Jadon and his men strolled up to Hazel like they owned the place.

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looking her up and

met his

flickered in his eyes. “Take

flinch. Instead, she asked, calm and composed, “Mr. Elton, I don’t believe I’ve offended you. Care to explain?”

know who I am?”

faint smile.“I

the air. Jadon wasn’t the type to attack without making his reasons clear. His eyes darkened. “Good. Then you should know my temper. Last night, you wrecked my brother’s

into

taking down men. Not long ago,

didn’t just do it. She

were the

Hazel thought back to the man who had tried to attack

compared his face to Jadon’s. No resemblance whatsoever. But who else could

stated plainly, “That wasn’t me.”

Jadon’s men immediately

last night. Colton posted it in our group chat. Said he was gonna ‘have some

my cousin’s girlfriend’s uncle’s nephew that you did the exact same thing to that Zeller guy in Seattle! You have

a second. She

handiwork in Seattle to

And Gabriel…

he have had a hand in spreading this?

backwater county.

the executive suite of a luxury hotel,

him bent over,

company.

he replied flatly,” Carl, you may leave. Your company holds no value for

10:14

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Mers

multiple times to seek help from the Campbell Group, only to be stopped by Ezra every time.

glory days. It’s just that the market hasn’t been kind these past few years, But if you’re willing to acquire us and give us another chance, we promise you won’t lose out.

give us this opportunity!” The man bent over so far it seemed like his back

that. To him, a product, no matter how glorious its past, held no investment

this company? That was an

his plea, Gabriel finally responded, “Carl, please see

the man with a hunched back. Her eyes were calm, betraying

“This way, please.”

no

indifferent, exactly as he appeared. No words

had more respect for Emma’s work performance. After sending off the last day, he signaled to the other male secretary to

was a banquet.