Chapter 40 “Better not be anything important.”


    “Here, Ms. Adler, please have some,” Mr. Jennings said. “This is a fine tea I’ve been saving for a long time.


    Please, give it a try.”


    Scarlett Adler looked at the tea and took a small sip.


    She didn’t know much about tea, so she couldn’t really taste anything special.


    “The project team changed at thest minute, and I didn’t expect a beautiful woman to take over. It’s quite a


    surprise. Please forgive me if I haven’t been the best host, Ms. Adler,” Mr. Jennings said politely.


    “Mr. Jennings, you’re too kind. Knowing how busy you are, I think we can get straight to the point.”


    Scarlett Adler’s politeness was firm and respectful. Mr. Jennings looked at her for a moment, then nodded.


    “Alright, everyone’s here, so we can discuss it together.”


    Scarlett Adler took out the files. “Mr. Jennings, I only took over this project this afternoon. I’ve looked over


    your requirements, and I don’t see any problems. However, the costs may increase, and I wanted to let you


    know in advance. Here’s a simple price list from Manager Yan. You can take a look.”


    “As long as you can meet my requirements, the cost is not an issue,” Mr. Jennings said, looking intently at


    her, showing no interest in the price list.


    Scarlett Adler nodded. “In that case, I’ll prepare a proposal when I get back. If you have any other requests,


    feel free tomunicate them to me.”


    Mr. Jennings agreed, “Alright, no problem. I believe in your abilities, Ms. Adler, and I’m sure you’ll satisfy me.”


    Originally, she hade prepared to negotiate the price, but Mr. Jennings was so agreeable that the meeting


    went too smoothly. Scarlett even suspected that she was in a cheesy drama.


    “Well, Mr. Jennings, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll go back and work on the proposal ande to your


    <Chapter 40 “Better not be


    “Won’t you stay a little longer, Ms. Adler?”


    “No, I have some things to take care of at home, so I’ll be leaving now.”


    Mr. Jennings looked at her. “Then, let me wish us a pleasant coboration in advance.” With that, he raised


    his ss, offering a toast.


    Scarlett Adler couldn’t refuse, so she raised her ss of water. “I’ll substitute tea for wine.”


    After saying that, they clinked their sses together.


    Watching Scarlett take a sip of her tea, Mr. Jennings’ eyes gleamed even brighter.


    “Well, Mr. Jennings, I should be going now,” Scarlett said.


    Mr. Jennings nodded. “I won’t see you out then.”


    Scarlett nodded and then looked at everyone. “Goodbye for now.” With that, she left.


    However, as soon as Scarlett left, someone immediately approached Mr. Jennings. “Mr. Jennings, such a


    stunning beauty, are you really going to let her go?”


    At that moment, Mr. Jennings seemed like a different person, a sinister smile appearing on his face,


    Sure enough, as Scarlett walked into the hallway, she felt dizzy and her legs began to weaken.


    Her first thought was, “Could that brat Second Adler have been right?”


    Crap.


    That kid is such a jinx!


    Seeing the restroom nearby, Scarlett wanted to go wash her face to clear her head, but her legs were too


    weak to move.


    Scarlett tried to pull out her phone to make a call, but she found her legs growing weaker and weaker, and


    even her hands felt powerless.


    She tried her best to stay conscious when suddenly someone supported her shoulders from behind. “Ms.


    Adler, what’s wrong?”


    Hearing the voice, Scarlett felt a wave of resistance.


    “Do you need any help?” Mr. Jennings, who had appeared unnoticed, held Scarlett, whispering softly in her


    ear.


    “Let go of me,” Scarlett said, but due to the effects of the drug, her usually intimidating voice was unusually


    soft, sounding more like a flirtatious murmur.


    “If I let go, won’t you fall? Let me support you, Ms. Adler. I have a room upstairs; let me take you there to rest


    for a while.” Without waiting for Scarlett to say anything more, he supported her and began to walk away.


    “Get away…”


    Meanwhile, in the next private room,


    Hugo Hodges was also attending a social gathering.


    After returning from the restroom, a man excitedly said, “Guess who I saw in the hallway?”


    “Who?” everyone asked, looking at him.


    “Kane Jennings from Keyue Company.”


    “Are you talking about Kane Jennings, the notorious womanizer?”


    “Yes, that’s him. He’s in the hallway. I saw him escorting a girl. That girl is in trouble today.”


    “Ha, that guy never stops. He’s ruined so many good women. He’s bound to get into serious trouble if he


    keeps this up.”


    10


    “First, he takespromising photos, then he tries to buy them off. If they don’t take the money, he threatens


    them. How many girls dare to stand up to him?”


    “But I think I’ve seen this girl before.”


    “Seen her?”


    “She’s really beautiful. I saw her once at Hugo Company,” the person said.


    Hugo Hodges was eating and didn’t participate much in the conversation.


    “Hugo, is she from yourpany?” someone asked.


    Hugo Hodges looked up and said, “You must be mistaken.”


    “No, it was the day I went to yourpany to find you. I even saw that girl leaving with your grandfather…


    Yes, that’s her. She’s very beautiful.”


    Upon hearing this, Hugo Hodges froze. “What did you say?”


    Seeing Hugo Hodges’s excited and surprised expression, the person asked, “It’s her, right? Isn’t she from your


    “Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Hugo Hodges’s voice was hoarse.


    “She’s so beautiful; I shouldn’t have mistaken her,” the person said.


    The next moment, Hugo Hodges shot up and rushed out.


    Everyone was stunned. “What’s wrong with him?”


    The man shrugged. “I have no idea.”


    “Let’s go see what’s up.”


    19.8%


    VIP Ad-Free ?


    16.35


    Hugo Hodges dashed into the hallway, but it was already empty.


    After searching around without finding anyone, Hugo Hodges kicked open the door to the next private room.


    “Where’s Kane Jennings?”


    Hugo Hodges was a well-known figure in Port City. Even those who hadn’t met him knew who he was.


    “Where is he?” Hugo Hodges asked again, his voice hoarse and full of anger. “If you don’t tell me, none of you


    are leaving here today.”


    444


    “He, he went to room 711 upstairs,” someone whispered.


    Hugo Hodges clenched his fists and turned to run upstairs.


    Scarlett Adler, please don’t let it be you.


    Scarlett Adler, please don’t let anything happen to her.


    Kane Jennings, if you dare touch her, I swear I’ll kill you!


    Reaching the elevators, Hugo Hodges pressed the button repeatedly, but the elevator was going up. Not


    wanting to wait even a second, he ran to the stairwell next to the elevators and started running up the stairs.


    Seven floors.


    Hugo Hodges ran up the stairs in one breath, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.


    His eyes were red with worry.


    Upstairs, the Hot Spring Hotel was quiet and peaceful, without a single sound.


    Hugo Hodges searched quickly, shouting, “Scarlett Adler!”


    But only silence answered him.


    Then, Hugo Hodges saw the sign and headed straight inside.


    10.05


    16.25


    ?????? 1:9、 390????????? ?????? ?????


    With each step, he felt as if his heart was being squeezed.


    Finally, he reached the door of room 711, and Hugo Hodges stopped in his tracks…