As Lawrence drove frantically to the Montague Group, he was informed that Raymond had left just ten minutes earlier to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for one of their new subsidiaries.


    Lawrence immediately redirected his car, racing across town, but when he arrived, Raymond was nowhere to be found. The realization dawned on him—he''d been yed. His expression darkened as a text from Raymond lit up his phone:


    His expression darkened as a text from Raymond lit up his phone: [The winner gets Tessa. I''ve announced this across all of Vistalia. The betting pool has reached $30 billion. Her opponent? The ''Orangutan King'' you know his reputation in the ring. With his size, Tessa wouldn''t survive two nights in his hands.]


    The Orangutan King was aptly named-standing nearly nine feet tall, built like a mountain. Someone as delicate as Tessa wouldn''t survive a single night if he imed his prize.


    Lawrence slumped in his seat, quickly booking a flight to Vistalia. The acquisition battle with Raymond suddenly seemed trivial-he needed to stop this madness.


    His heart pounded as he called Raymond, wondering who had emboldened him to such recklessness. This move would make enemies of the entire Smith family. Even with the underground fighting circuit''s considerable influence, a war with the Smiths would benefit no one.


    Raymond answered with cold indifference. "What is it, Mr. Smith?"


    "Raymond, do you understand the consequences of what you''re doing?" Lawrence''s voice trembled.


    On the other end, Raymond sat with La in hisp, cigarette between his fingers, surrounded by associates. Heughed. "Mr. Smith, if I cared about consequences, I wouldn''t be doing this. You thought I didn''t know about your coboration with Christopher? He''s my brother-I still have some sentiment for him. But you? You''re nothing."


    Lawrence had never encountered such recklessness. "Is this about Selena? She abandoned you, Raymond. She won''t appreciate this—she''ll find it pathetic. You''re making an enemy of the Smith family and putting yourself in the crosshairs throughout Vistalia. Release Tessa now, and we can pretend this never happened." "Mr. Smith, if you''re trying to talk me out of this, don''t bother." Raymond hung up. Lawrence stared at his phone in disbelief, realizing Raymond was deadly serious. He tried calling the Smith family, but couldn''t get through-as long as he remained in Silver Bay City, Raymond could monitor his every move.


    Lawrence rushed to the airport while back in Silver Bay City, the acquisition of Smith family subsidiaries proceeded smoothly without his leadership.


    But Raymond didn''t stop there. He immediately targeted Luminary Holdings Ltd- Abigail''s familypany. This was a direct attack on the Bailey family.


    Abigail had recently returned to Silver Bay City to host Christopher''s wee party, expecting him to take the CEO position and for Raymond to be cast aside. Instead, Raymond had boldly moved against the Bailey family, acquiring 25% of Luminary Holdings Ltd shares within just three hours.


    If this continued, the entirepany would soon change hands.


    The Bailey family desperately sought Abigail''s intervention. She called Raymond, but


    he didn''t answer-likely remembering how she''d nearly killed him with that bench years ago.


    Panicked Bailey family members descended on the Montague Vi.


    "You need to bring Raymond back to the table," they urged Abigail. "We can work through any misunderstandings before this bes public spectacle."


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    "In three hours, he''s spent billions acquiring 25% of our shares. Give him a few more hours, and Luminary Holdings will be his. You may have married into the Montague family, Abigail, but you still hold shares in ourpany."


    "Hurry! If we wait any longer, we''ll all be bankrupt!"


    "Raymond''s gone mad! First he acquired Smith family subsidiaries and drove Lawrence away, now he''s targeting the Bailey family. Is he trying to make enemies of everyone?" Abigail rubbed her temples, overwhelmed by their moring. "You think I haven''t tried calling him? He won''t answer! I always knew he was ruthless, but to turn against his own family? How did William ever make him CEO of the Montague Group?" he said. "This isn''t the time for that discussion," someone cut in.


    Everyone at the Montague Vi was in a panic, all attempting to contact Raymond without sess. Someone eventually discovered that Raymond had recently taken a new mistress who had casually mentioned liking handbags from Luminary Holdings Ltd. She had yfully asked Raymond to acquire thepany-and to everyone''s shock, he was actually doing it.