?Chapter 1009:


    The cameras caught Huey’s tears as they spilled freely, his agonyid bare for all to see. Members of the business association grew emotional, their eyes red-rimmed.


    Hackett, ever the strategist, saw an opening. He stepped forward, his voice booming with conviction. “Huey, listen! Come down! Right now, in front of everyone, I swear—I’ll cover every expense your family has. Whatever they need, I’ll take care of it. Juste back to us!”


    Hackett’s words struck a chord, and the livestream audience wavered. Sympathy flickered in theirments.


    “Damn, I always thought Hackett was just a shark, but this? Maybe the guy has a heart after all.”


    “Let’s be real—Hackett’spany doesn’t exactly have a clean record with women. This might be a PR stunt.”


    “You know what? Most of the women at Hackett’spany were poor girls he ‘helped.’ He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”


    The flood ofments soured quickly, and Hackett’s jaw clenched. He barely stopped himself from snapping at the camera.


    Gritting his teeth, he forced a stiff smile. “Thank you, everyone. If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I stand by my people. Now, speaking of mypany’s products—”


    Marcus’ brow furrowed. What the hell was Hackett doing? Was he seriously turning this into a business pitch? Huey was standing on the edge of a skyscraper, for God’s sake. And Hackett was out here selling himself?


    Disgust flickered across Marcus’ face. He had seen Hackett’s cunning before, but this was something else entirely. Without thinking, he yanked Hackett’s sleeve sharply.


    Hackett gave a forced chuckle and quickly backtracked. “Okay, okay, forget that. Right now, saving our friend is what matters most.”


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    His expression tightened, irritation flickering beneath the surface as he refocused on Huey. “Huey, don’t do anything reckless! We can sort this out. What you want is for Dani to back off from your family, right? I’ll get someone to bring her here, okay?”


    Hackett shot Huey a subtle, knowing look.


    Huey caught on instantly. Emboldened, he stepped up once more, clutching the megaphone. His voice thundered across the rooftop. “NO, I won’t meet with Dani Harper! I’ll end it all right here, on the Elite Lux building! I’ll sacrifice myself to pave the way for my fellow association members! Dani! Isn’t this what you wanted? If I die, will that finally satisfy you?”


    The association members discreetly signaled their approval with quick thumbs-ups. A flicker of pride swelled in Huey’s chest.


    Suppressing a smirk, Hackett called out, “Huey, trust me. Dani will be here soon. She’s reasonable—just state your demands, and she’ll give in.”


    Dani hadn’t even arrived yet, but Hackett was already making promises on her behalf.


    Momentster, a trending headline appeared: “Dani Promises Huey.” Hackett checked his device, grinning as the story gained momentum.


    But Huey had lingered on the rooftop too long. The dizzying height unsettled him, and he cast Hackett a wary nce, silently signaling that he wanted to step down. The Elite Lux building loomed far too high—far too terrifying.


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