?


    novelbin


    "The Turnbulls?"


    Frank''s eyes lit up, and he whipped out his phone to text Vicky Turnbull: [Cease all partnerships with Verde Limited of Shagan, and boycott their operations.]


    Seeing that Frank was suddenly fiddling with his phone, Verde presumed that Frank was afraid and gloated, "I''m warning you you''ll both be sold as ves in some third world country if we want! And don''t think for a moment that you''d ever make it back!"


    Lara was terrified. "You don''t have to go that far, Mr. Ceres!"


    It only encouraged Verde to press his advantage. "That depends entirely on if you can show me a good time."


    As he spoke, he started toward Lara, leaving her terrified and at a loss.


    However, a staunch figure strode in between them.


    "You should be worrying about yourself." Frank chuckled. "The Turnbulls have just canceled you!"


    Verde simplyughed. "Oh, you''re killing me. What, are you Vicky Turnbull''s fiance? You think she''d do just anything you tell her to?"


    Frank would certainly like to say yes, but he had to keep that secret.


    Nheless, Verde''s phone rang just then, and he answered it impatiently. "What?!"


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Ceres," the voice on the other end said. "The Turnbulls have just called to cancel our partnership!"


    "What?!"


    Verde thought he had misheard. "Are you serious?!"


    "Yeah! And they also announced that they are boycotting all our operations, warning that anyone who works with us are enemies of the Turnbulls and Lanecorp! Everyone is calling us to demand an exnation after they found out!"


    Verde was sweating down his cheek even as he turned and stared nkly at Frank-did he really have that much influence?!


    "Just you wait!" he snarled and left right then.


    Frank smirked in turn.


    The Jarics were the local giants, but for a rtively small town. Asking for Vicky''s help would therefore draw suspicion.


    That was not the case for Verde Limited, however, since they were based in the city. No one would have expected that Frank was in Shagan, and crushing Verde was all too easy.


    Even as Verde mmed the door shut, Lara breathed a sigh of relief and told Frank quietly, "Thanks."


    "How do you stand people like him?" Frank chuckled wryly.


    Lara smiled wryly too. "Everyone''s afraid of Verde because he''s involved in both legitimate and


    illegitimate businesses. Come ton et


    think of it, we should really be


    careful since he could reallye good on his threat!"


    Seeing that she was scared, Frank assured her, "He can''t go that far no matter how much influence he has. Don''t worry."


    Lara naturally did not believe him-not when everyone kept saying how terrible Verde could be.


    "C-Can I move in with you?" she asked gingerly.


    "That''s unnecessary. It''s safe out there you''ll be fine."


    "Please!" Lara cried tearfully.


    There really was no helping it, since Verde''s threat was really horrific, especially for a greenhorn of a girl like her.


    "Fine." Frank gave in, concerned that she would really burst into tears right then.


    Later in the afternoon, when Frank


    headed


    he


    the hospital to visit.


    s studying Frank like theason,


    were


    meeting for the first time.