Chapter 7 Coming Alone with Money
Quinn's phone buzzed. After a quick chat, the person on the other end asked her to pass the phone to the driver, telling him to head to an old street that was still being torn down. It was a deserted wasteland, hardly anyone ever went there.
A black van was parked up ahead. Before hopping out, Quinn sent her location to Clementine.
A guy in his early thirties, wearing a mask and rocking dreadlocks, stepped out of the van and tossed a hundred-dollar bill to the driver before yanking Quinn into the van.
"Behave yourself! As long as you cooperate, we won't make things hard for you. Otherwise, don't blame me for getting rough."
He handed her a black plastic bag. Quinn felt a bit better knowing she had shared her location and put the bag over her head.
The van bumped along for about forty minutes before it finally stopped.
In the Global Horizon Enterprises conference room, Carl looked around the room.
"Coordinate everything I've mentioned with your departments. Strike before the other side even knows what's happening. It has to be a decisive blow."
"Got it!"
"Mr. Ward, there's something I don't quite get. Even though Elegance Group looks promising, the benefits to Global Horizon Enterprises are minimal. Even buying them out later would take a lot of our resources."
Carl knew everyone was thinking the same thing. Given Global Horizon Enterprises' current growth, a small company like Elegance Group wasn't really worth their time.
The reason for the acquisition was a promise he had made to someone he could never forget.
"Just follow my instructions about Elegance Group. You just need to execute. Got it?"
"Got it!"
After everyone left, Carl turned his chair to look out the window, a figure like an angel popping into his mind. This person had lit up his darkest days and pulled him out of the abyss.
He murmured to himself, "If you had known my true identity back then, would we have had a chance?"
Just then, his phone rang. Seeing it was an unknown number, he waited a few seconds before picking up.
"Hello, I'm a friend of Quinn's. She asked me to find you!"
After hanging up, Carl's face darkened.
"That troublesome woman!"
Though he grumbled, he immediately stood up and called for his bodyguards to get moving.
Quinn arrived at an abandoned factory. Judging by the surroundings, it looked like a project that had been stopped halfway and left to rot.
The guy with dreadlocks pushed her from behind. "The boss is waiting for you inside. Move it!"
They walked through the overgrown weeds and entered the factory, heading to a big room on the second floor.
Seeing Jake tied to a pillar, covered in blood, she felt no pity. Instead, she looked around for the person who had called her.
A cold glint flashed in Jake's eyes, but he quickly put on a pitiful expression.
"Quinn, I knew you wouldn't leave me! Help, these jerks broke my hands."
Quinn didn't even look at him. She turned to the guy with dreadlocks. "Where's your boss?"
The guy tossed her a rope. "Our boss wants to tie you up first. He'll come out once he's sure you're alone."
Quinn laughed.
"You run illegal casinos, and you're scared I brought backup? I'm here to pay the ransom. Call him out now, or I'll take Jake away."
Just then, a round of applause echoed. Daniel showed up with four or five guys.
Quinn wasn't surprised. Even without meeting him, his nasty reputation was well-known.
"Well, well, Beauty Quinn, we meet again. Seems like fate!"
"Since you're the mastermind, let's cut to the chase. I can give you the money, but you have to agree to one condition."
Jake's eyes lit up with hope. He struggled to stand, his face excited, lips trembling. "Good girl! I knew you wouldn't leave me to die!"
Quinn sneered and pointed at Jake. "Make this guy disappear, never to return to Sunrise City, and I'll give you the full two hundred thousand dollars."
She wasn't sure if Daniel would agree, but she had a backup plan if things went south.
Seeing Daniel stroke his chin in thought, she added, "Think carefully. I'm talking about a one-time payment of two hundred thousand dollars in cash!"
Daniel was tempted.
"If that's all you're offering, you're not being sincere." He leered at her as he stepped closer. Quinn quickly raised her hand and shouted.
"Wait! If you agree to my condition, I'll add another thirty thousand dollars. I can transfer the deposit to you right now! Once Jake is completely out of Sunrise City, I'll give you the rest."
Hearing this, Jake couldn't hold back and cursed. "Now that you've found a rich guy, you want to kick me out? Dream on."
He went on, "Daniel! Do you believe her? If she really had money, I wouldn't have borrowed from you."
Quinn noticed Daniel's greed. In the past, he would have agreed as soon as she mentioned transferring the money.
Realizing this, she glanced at Jake and quietly stepped back, but they quickly surrounded her.
"Daniel! If you dare lay a hand on me, you won't get a penny. My husband will kill you. Have you forgotten how he dealt with you yesterday?"
Quinn tried to scare him by mentioning Carl, but it only fueled his desire for revenge.
He rushed forward and slapped her.
"Bitch, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been beaten. You had a good time with that guy last night, right? Today, I'll make you feel good again. Let's see if I'm better or your man."
As he spoke, he began to unbuckle his belt. "Bitch, once I record us having sex, you'll have to keep giving me money. Otherwise, I'll show the video to your husband whenever I'm unhappy!"