Ian hinted that if the problem took ce in San Joto, the only person capable of such a move would


    likely be Jared.


    "It''s gotta be him," Lawrence scoffed, his tone icy.


    Despite the uncertainty of the situation, the list of people in San Joto with both the ability and the


    motive to strike against him was short, and Jared''s name was at the top.


    "Could it be that Jared has discovered something?" Ian pondered, worrying they might have exposed


    their n.


    Lawrence, deep in thought, suggested, "Or maybe we''ve been under surveince without knowing it."


    He considered that Jared''s precise capture of his men indicated prior knowledge, regretting his own


    oversight while he was busy with his ns.


    "What do we do now?" Ian asked, realizing that if Jared had caught on to their ns, their next moves


    might bepromised. Plus, with their team missing, their strategy was in shambles. Bringing in new


    people was risky, especially with Jared possibly watching, and time was not on their side.


    Lawrence gritted his teeth, a cold determination in his eyes.


    Just then, there was an urgent knock at the door.


    "Come in," Lawrence snapped, his tone sharp and impatient.


    The secretary entered, looking pale, and said, "Mr. Royce, we have a problem." "What''s going on?


    Give me the details," Ian demanded, frustration evident in his voice.


    "The stock price has suddenly dropped, and we don''t know why," the secretary said, trailing off.


    Ian turned to Lawrence. "I''ll look into this, Mr. Royce."


    The sudden drop in stock price seemed too suspicious and perfectly timed to be a coincidence.


    "Hmm," Lawrence replied calmly, though inside, he was seething. He was certain these events were


    orchestrated, likely by Jared.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    After Ian rushed out, Lawrence sat back, his eyes fixed on the clock. It felt like ages before Ian


    returned, looking tense. "Mr. Royce, it''s bad. We might...


    "Spit it out," Lawrence interrupted, sensing Ian''s hesitation, his impatience clear.


    "Someone''s sabotaged US. It''s serious. We could be bankrupt in three days, " Ian said, his face


    drained of color.


    The speed of their downfall hinted at a formidable adversary, intent on their destruction.


    "Jared Johnston," Lawrence said, his voice deliberate.


    He didn''t need an investigation to know; he was sure it was Jared.


    Jared was pushing him out, forcing him to abandon San Joto and destroying his influence in the city.


    "What''s our next move? We''re running low on options, and thepany''s in a tailspin," Ian said, his


    worry palpable. Without a quick fix, their business could copse, leaving them no choice but to leave


    San Joto with their tails between their legs.


    ''We could retreat to Mecrounia, but that would mean giving up on everything Mr. Royce has built here.


    Would he be okay with that?''


    Lawrence nced at Ian. "Any progress with the investigations?" he asked.


    Ian was surprised by the question. ''Why is he focused on that now? We all know Jared''s behind it.


    Whether the investigation finds anything or not doesn''t change that.'' "This couldn''t have been just


    Jared''s doing. Find out who else is involved," Lawrence ordered, his voice calm but with a dangerous


    edge.