<b>Chapter </b><b>543 </b>
“Didn’t <b>we </b>already <b>say </b>the folks here are pretty tough? If <b>we </b>showed up in our usual getup, the vigers would be <b>on </b>high alert. If we don’t blend in, forget about getting any information. We’d be lucky if we didn’t get run out of town.”
Vincent couldn’t help but realize he’d really underestimated howplicated this was.
After all, the government has been discussing the Ridgehaven Town project for <b>ages</b><b>, </b>and with <b>so </b>many people eyeing this lucrative piece of the pie, the relocationpensation must have been quite generous.
From now on, Bowen <b>is </b>the fruit vendor here to buy up the <b>harvest</b><b>, </b>I’m his secretary, and Vincent, you’re his business partner,” Aubree instructed.
Bowen listened to Aubree’s n and <b>let </b>out a low chuckle, “You’re going to be a secretary? <b>Isn’t </b>that a bit beneath me?<b>” </b>
Aubree smacked him right on the <b>face </b>without hesitation as <b>she </b>chided, “We’re talking business here<b>, </b>cut it out.”
He grabbed her hand <b>just </b><b>as </b>quickly and uttered, “Alright, my<b>… </b>secretary.”
‘Secretary‘ <b>was </b>just a normal word, but somehow, when it came out of Bowen’s mouth with all those <b>twists </b>and turns, it sounded anything but
proper.
Aubree shot him a re, but Bowen <b>just </b><b>epted </b>it with a grin<b>, </bpletely unfazed.
Up front, Vincent kept his <b>eyes </b>glued to the road as he pretended that he <b>saw </b>and heard absolutely nothing. ‘Nope, I am not getting involved in this, he thought.
By the time they reached Ridgehaven Town, it <b>was </b>already mid–afternoon. The trio parked the car right at the entrance.
Mistmere may not seem remarkable now, but there’s hope. As <b>a </b><b>coastal </b><b>area</b>, with the right development, it could have a promising future and possibly be part of a regional economic hub.
That piece of information <b>was </b>genuine, <b>as </b>Aubree had <b>also </b>received it from the institute.
Ridgehaven Town was the first pilot <b>site</b>. The vigers here had been growing fruit trees for generations, and there were quite a few major orchard owners in the vige.
When the news first came out about thend acquisition, it was these fruit <b>growers </b>who put up the strongest resistance. However, they gradually gave in over time.
But then, out of nowhere, everything changed overnight.
Not only were the die–hard holdouts still refusing to budge, but even the fruit <b>growers </b>who had previously agreed suddenly changed their tune and began resisting.
When asked why, they all expressed that they simply couldn’t bear to <b>leave</b>. Their families had lived there for generations, and they were unwilling to abandon theirnd.
Several groups hade to try and convince them, with some <b>even </b>bringing in negotiation experts to lead the discussions, but nothing worked. They <b>all </b>left looking defeated and empty–handed.
It was like the whole vige had been bewitched. Being nice didn’t work, and if you tried to be tough, the vigers would just get even tougher.
Nothing was off the table for these vigers, as they even went so far as to block roads with carts and set fires.
With no other options left, the government had to reissue the bid. They had done so by privately reaching out to some of the top business groups topete for the project.
As <b>Aubree </b>and the others reached the vige entrance, they happened to bump into another group.
Those are the teams from the Wilson Group and Diamonde Group. Vincent said as he recognized them right away.
He was the first to spot them.
And leading the group was none other than Carmen herself.
“Hey, Aubree!” Carmen called out brightly when she spotted theming
When she got a good look at their outfits. Carmen put on her best innocent smile and asked, “Aubree, what’s with the outfits! Trying to fit in with
the locals, are <b>we</b>?‘
It might have sounded harmless, but Aubree knew all too <b>well </b>what Carmen was like. She was definitely throwing shade and calling their clothes
41 <b>PM </b>
country bumpkin style.
Aubree let out a dryugh before shotting back, “Yeah, we could never outshine your dazzling style.
“But honestly, no matter how fancy you dress, it can’t cover up how clueless you are inside.
Compared to Carmen’s roundabout jabs, Aubree much preferred to just say things straight.
Afterall, wouldn’t it be even more annoying if the other party did not even get the sarcasm after using those roundabout words?
Nothing beats just calling someone out to their face.
Maintaining her cool, Carmen taunted, “I’m not as clever as you, Aubree. But seeing you go all out with this getup for the project, you must be feeling pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
“Way more sure than you, that’s for sure,” Aubree shot back.
Carmen was decked out in a tailored business suit, with a whole crew of people in equally formal suits trailing behind her. Each one dressed to impress, like they were desperate for everyone to know exactly why they were here.