DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 291-300
Chapter 291
James felt like he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, eventually giving in and deciding to write a small digital sum later–it was like he had been charged a fee.
Romeo whipped out his phone and said, “I’ve got to find out where I can get some Cinnamomum tenuis.”
“Mr McMillan, why would you need that?” Carl was puzzled.
Romeo’s gaze turned serious. “It’s for my Grandma’s illness
Carl immediately started looking
The next morning, he called Romeo and asked, “Mr. McMillan, I finally got a lead, Cinnamomum tenuis has been spotted in the triangular zone before, but that place is a real danger zone. We’ve got contacts there, but it’s risky as hell, I’d advise against it.”
Romeo’s expression darkened further. Triangular zone? It’s there?
“Mr McMillan, what if it’s just a wild goose chase? How about we look for alternative medicine, something that can replace Cinnamomum tenuis?” “We’re running out of time.”
Trying out different options blindly–who knew how long that would take? They might as well get their hands on Cinnamomum tenuis; at least that could save his Granny.
“Set it up, we’re heading to the triangular zone.”
“Wait, what?” Carl was taken aback; he didn’t expect Mr. McMillan to actually consider going there. “Is Shirley’s condition worsening?”
“Yes, we don’t have much time left.”
Hearing this, Carl finally understood why Mr. McMillan wanted to go there.
On the way to drop off Arabella at work, Romeo noticed the injury on her right wrist had not only not healed but seemed to have gotten worse. He asked worriedly, “What happened?”
He had been applying the best medicine daily; it was impossible for it to have no effect.
“Have you been using your hand a lot lately? Playing the piano? Or drafting designs?”
Arabella pulled back her hand, casually replying, “Just been a bit busy at work.”
In reality, she had been working all night at Villa Cascada, tweaking the medicine to help Granny. Indeed, she had overused her hand.
“Don’t you dare overwork yourself.” Romeo tenderly wiped her hand and said, “I have to go abroad for a couple of days. When I return, I hope your hand will be all healed up, okay?”
“Sure.” Arabella didn’t expect him to have to leave the country. She had been wondering how she would make up an excuse to go to the triangular zone.
Looked like an opportunity had just presented itself.
“Don’t worry, I will take good care of myself.”
Hearing her say this and looking at her expression, Romeo raised an eyebrow and said, “Why do I get the feeling that you’re a tad too happy about this?”
He’s leaving, and she’s happy? Was he imagining things?
“You’re mistaken.” Arabella responded nonchalantly, “I’m not happy.”
Was that so?
Just now, her lips were definitely curved into a smile.
Arriving at the office door, Romeo packed up the medicine and handed it to her, saying, “Just like before, apply it once in the morning and once at night. First, apply this one, then this one. Try not to get it wet.”
“Got it.”
Romeo hugged her reluctantly for a while, gave her a long kiss, then let her go, saying, “Wait for me.”
“Mhm.” After Arabella got off the car and waited for his car to drive off, she pulled out her phone and said, “Pick me up at the coffee shop next to Collins Fashion Group.”
“Sure.”
“Get the plane ready at Villa Cascada; I’m going to the triangular zone.”
“Triangular zone?” The person on the other end of the line asked in surprise, “You’re finally going to take matters into your own hands and deal with those troublemakers? Fantastic!”
-With Arabella there, who would dare act high and mighty?
Those people hadn’t seen Arabella’s true capabilities. If they had, they’d probably be scared shitless.
Chapter 292
Arabella headed toward the café while calling home, “Mom, one of my friends is in a pickle, I need to check on her. Yeah, it’s kind of serious; she’s overseas; I might have to be away for a couple of days.”
After hanging up, Arabella dialed Dean and said, “I’ve got some stuff to deal with these two days, if anyone at the company asks, just say I’m in a meeting; don’t let them know I’m out.”
It was the first time Dean heard Arabella couldn’t make it to work. He quickly responded, “No problem, but where are you going?”
He wanted to know more, but the call ended before he could ask
That’s just Arabella, always quick and decisive, never one for small talk.
Meanwhile, a luxurious private jet was parked on top of a mountain.
Four bodyguards stood respectfully to one side.
Jack had a bunch of gear on him, and Jones was loaded with bullets. Seeing Arabella, they hurried over.
“You finally showed up! Why the sudden trip to the triangular zone?”
Before Jones could finish his question, he was shot down by, Jack: “Isn’t it obvious? That’s one of Ms. Bella’s territories, too! We’re going to show those punks what we’re made of!”
Isn’t that the righteous thing to do?
“Keep an eye out for Cinnamomum tenuis.” Arabella ascended the plane’s stairs; her aura felt strong, and her back view. was super cool. “Cinnamomum tenuis?” Jack was taken aback, the last time they dealt with it still fresh in his mind: “Miss, who are we saving this time?” Arabella didn’t hesitate to reveal “Shirley.”
Romeo’s grandmother?
It felt like Jack was looking at a mountain of gold, beckoning him, “They must be paying a hefty fee, right?”
To make Arabella risk her life for this again, it must be at least a few tens of millions of dollars, right?
“None”
None?” Jack and Jones looked at each other in disbelief. So, the boss was doing all this for no money? Just hustling for nothing?
What was Arabella doing this for then?
For Romeo’s good looks? Or was she influenced by something Romeo said?
“Take off.” Arabella’s voice carried a hint of chill.
Jack and Jones felt a silent sympathy for Romeo; dealing with such a frosty Miss every day must be complicated.
Was he as stressed as they were?
After an eight–hour flight, Arabella took a nap on the plane. When she woke up, she changed into a super cool outfit, put on a baseball cap, and transformed into a cool chick.
“Miss, there’s a virus going around over there; it’s called virus X3.”
Supposedly, it’s airborne, and those infected would suffer from full–body necrosis and die in pain.
The virus originated at a famous research institute in the triangular zone, and there is no known cure yet.
Jack handed Arabella a black mask and said, “A few of our brothers got infected too.”
After putting on the mask, Arabella’s clear and bright eyes shone even more, making her even more attractive. “I’ll take a look when I get back.”
“Okay” Jack stole a glance at the Miss’s profile and said, “If the Miss was a guy, she would have girls flocking.”
“Miss is so pretty, Romeo really lucked out.”
Just as their plane entered the triangular zone and before the pilot had a chance to activate the auto–defense system, a shell hit their tail wing. The plane instantly lost balance and started to spin wildly in the air.
The shrill alarm blared inside the cabin.
Chapter 293
Things were going haywire, and Arabella instinctively tightened her grip on the handrail, her face stern.
Thank heavens everyone was buckled up, or they would have been thrown out by now
“Who the hell did this?” Jack cursed under his breath, struggling to his feet and making his way to the cockpit.
“Who’s been acting so cocky lately?” Arabella had been away for a while, and it seemed the danger here had escalated.
“A new crew, Mafia Wolf, has emerged recently. They’re pretty ballsy, stirring up trouble with all the other groups except for Mafia C.”
Arabella gave a cold laugh. So they thought they were hot shots, huh?
“Today’s incident could be the handiwork of Mafia Wolf!” Jones spat angrily, wishing he could take them all out in one fell swoop.
The plane’s tail was slightly damaged and was plummeting rapidly.
“Lock onto the location and drop the bomb,” Arabella said coldly. “If they have the guts to bomb our tail, they better be ready to face the music. Find a place for an emergency landing.”
“Roger that.” Jones quickly relayed her orders to the cockpit.
The captain locked onto the location that had hit their tail at two o’clock and dropped the bomb. There was a loud explosion, and thick smoke billowed out. The entire triangular zone was once again plunged into terror.
After the emergency landing, several cars quickly pulled up in front of Arabella.
The people who got out were all armed, and they all showed great respect when they saw Arabella.
“Miss!”
“Miss, you’re here?”
“Long time, no see.”
“Hm.” Arabella got into the car, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
Everyone admired her cool–headedness. The boss was maintaining a poker face even in such a place, as if no one mattered to her.
Even if a famous undercover agent from their country entered this area, they would be on high alert, their eyes extra cautious.
But Miss’s tail just got bombed, and she looked as if nothing had happened, her gaze clear and indifferent.
Then her phone vibrated.
It was Romeo.
“Bella, I’ve already arrived abroad.” Romeo glanced at the time. “Someone will pick you up from work later.”
Pick up from work??
Arabella quickly replied, “I have my own car.”
“I worry when you commute alone.” Romeo’s voice was gentle and firm. “Just do as I say. Derek will be there in three minutes. There’s food in the car, which I’ve prepared for you.”
Arabella was slightly annoyed, but her tone was still pleasant. “I’ll have Dean go get it. I have a meeting later. There are some things to deal with today. No need to pick me up.”
“You’re having a meeting this late?” Romeo was worried that she was overworking herself. “Call me when you get home.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, Arabella called Dean, who immediately went downstairs. Seeing a limited–edition Rolls–Royce pull up, Dean thought to himself, Romeo sure was loaded, not only providing such a fancy car for the driver, but the driver himself also looked quite classy.
“Hello, I’m Ms. Bennett’s assistant. You can just call me Dean!” Dean was greeted with a smile. “You’re here on Mr. McMillan’s orders, right?”
“Hello, I’m Mr. McMillan’s personal assistant. You can call me Derek.”
“Nice to meet you, Derek.” Dean saw that Derek was carrying a bunch of expensive snacks and couldn’t help but marvel at the luxurious lifestyle of the rich. The cost of a casual meal could cover his monthly salary.
“Where’s Ms. Bella?” Derek didn’t see the girl and couldn’t help but ask.
“Oh, Ms. Bella is in a meeting right now, and she has other matters to attend to later. She has already informed Mr. McMillan that she will go home by herself.”
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“Alright.” Derek handed over the snacks with both hands, saying, “These are from Mr. McMillan for Ms. Bella; could you help me deliver them to her?”
“No problem; thanks for coming over, Derek.” Dean politely exchanged a few words, then went upstairs with the food and called Arabella, “Ms. Bennett, what should I do with all this food?”
“Eat it.”
“What? All of it? For me?” Dean was thrilled but couldn’t help saying, “But it’s too much; I can’t finish it all by myself.”
“Give some to Molly.” Arabella, sitting in the car, spoke in a cold voice, “And watch your mouth.”
“Alright.”
Dean also delivered some to Molly.
Arriving at her base, Arabella got out of the car. A few of her subordinates outside saw her and excitedly said, “Boss, you’re here!”
Arabella noticed they were all wearing masks and frowned. “How many people are infected?”
“Four yesterday, three more today.” One of them said, “Boss, they’re all at the doctor’s; you better not go in.”
Arabella was a little confused.
“A doctor got infected yesterday, and today his whole body is starting–to–rot. Another one said, “This disease is too vicious. A slight act of carelessness could cost your life. If we lose you, we’re done.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” Arabella walked in, not taking the virus seriously.
“Boss, if you’re really going in, make sure to wear a protective suit!” a subordinate hurriedly reminded
Otherwise, it’d be a big trouble if she got infected!
This was Arabella’s base. Behind a wide open field was her main fortress, and the second floor housed her research lab.
A few infected people should be in the far east ward on the second floor.
Along the way, everyone greeted her with respect.-
Arabella put on a protective suit and walked into the eastern ward, where seven infected people were lying on seven beds, their skin rotting to various degrees. They were in unbearable pain.
“It hurts so much, Dr. Shawn.”
“Dr. Shawn, I feel terrible, like I’m on fire.”
“Please save me; I don’t want to die.”
“Don’t scratch your wounds; the more you scratch, the quicker you die!” Dr. Shawn was swamped. Hearing the door open, he turned to see Arabella, like he had seen a savior!
“Boss, you’re finally here?”
Seeing Arabella, Dr. Shawn was so excited, feeling like there was finally hope!
“Tell me what’s going on.” Arabella started examining the patients as soon as she came in, taking their pulses.
“Somebody stole a drug from the Mafia C’s lab that wasn’t fully developed and sold it on the market specifically to harm others.”
Dr. Shawn was indignant: “The infected start with a fever, and gradually, their skin feels like it’s on fire. They can’t stand it and start scratching. After a brief relief, they feel even worse.”
“So they keep scratching, and the more they scratch, the quicker their skin rots until they die from full–body rot.”
Dr. Shawn had watched the whole process, feeling anxious but helpless, not knowing how to help them.
“The whole process only takes three days.” Dr. Shawn said helplessly.
Some of the people lying on the beds now only had two days left to live, some just one.
Arabella’s eyes darkened. Such inhumane drugs, such shameless people.
“Several big factions and some smaller groups all have people infected.” Dr. Shawn sighed, “The whole triangular zone is in panic; everyone is wearing masks when they go out!”
Some of these groups had invited medical experts from abroad and some famous traditional doctors from within the country, but without exception, they were all helpless against the disease.
“Get my needle pack.”
As Arabella finished speaking, Dr. Shawn immediately went to fetch it. Arabella opened the pack, took out thin silver needles, and inserted them one by one into the acupuncture points of one of the patients.
“Follow my sequence and apply needles to the others.” Arabella demonstrated for Dr. Shawn.
Dr. Shawn hurriedly followed suit.
After a while, several patients coughed up fresh blood. Although they felt a little better all over, their skin still felt like it was on fire.
“I’m going to the lab for a bit; get a couple of guys in here to watch them. Don’t let them scratch their wounds. If the itch is unbearable, they can gently rub it with their fingertips.” Arabella instructed.
“Yes!”
Arabella wrote a prescription for some herbs and sent someone to the herb mountain at the back to collect the twenty–something herbs needed.
The needling she did just now could only temporarily slow the spread of the poison,
To truly detoxify, twenty–nine different herbs were needed. Luckily, all twenty–nine could be found on her herb mountain!
Meanwhile.
On Mafia C’s territory, Carl hurriedly came in to report, “Mr. McMillan, four more brothers have been infected with virus X3. You better put on a mask first.” Once infected, there would be trouble!
Romeo put on a mask, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes. His voice was ice–cold: “Why did our lab’s drugs get out?”
“It’s said a traitor in our gang did it; we’re dealing with it. Carl never thought someone would dare to betray them!
Seeing Romeo’s eyes darken, Carl quickly said, “Our experts are researching an antidote, but those infected with this virus will die of full–body rot within three days. By the time the antidote is developed, half of the people will probably be dead.”
The virus was extremely contagious, and once infected, the fatality rate was 100%!
“Mr. McMillan, we can’t stay here long; once we find the Cinnamomum tenuis, we’ll leave immediately.”
“We can’t just ignore those infected; let the experts speed up and find a cure ASAP.” Romeo’s voice was icy cold. “Any news on the Cinnamomum tenuis?”
“Word is that one appeared at an auction in the triangular zone. I’ve already sent people to investigate; I should have some news soon.”
Romeo turned on his phone, his gaze fixed on the girl on the screen, and his voice softened: “Once there’s news, move immediately.”
He had to get the Cinnamomum tenuis!
Looking at the girl on his phone screen, just a few hours apart, and he started to miss her.
On his last trip abroad, he missed her so much that he couldn’t sleep.
It wasn’t until he came back and held her in his arms that he finally had a good sleep.
Carl caught a glimpse of his screen saver. The picture was of Ms. Bella on the day she went to the Paramount Theatre, taken by a photographer on the sly.
Romeo bought the photo at a high price and used it as his phone wallpaper.
If Ms. Bella knew how deeply Romeo felt for her, she would surely be touched.
After all, Ms. Bella was the first and possibly the last one that Romeo had ever had eyes on.
“Alright, I’ll get people on it right away.” Carl respectfully stepped back.
Chapter 295
Arabella turned the antidote she developed into pills and handed them out to her seven henchmen, one each
After a while, they noticed some magical changes in their bodies
“I can’t feel the burning pain in my body anymore, and my dizziness has lessened
“My skin no longer itches, and I don’t have the urge to scratch”
“I feel so much better, it’s amazing!”
They all looked at Arabella like she was some kind of miracle doctor, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.
Arabella tossed them the bottle of pills and said, “Take one every day for four more days. Your damaged skin will scab and fall off, and new skin will grow.”
“So, we’re not going to kick the bucket?” The seven henchmen were overjoyed and wanted to get out of bed to thank Arabella on their knees.
Arabella stopped them and said, “Rest up, the best way you can thank me is to get better and keep working for the gang”
She tossed another bottle to Dr. Shawn, casually saying, “Give these to the rest.”
As long as they had the antibodies, they wouldn’t get infected, even if they came into contact with virus X3.
Dr. Shawn was stunned that Arabella had managed to develop an antidote in such a short time and deeply admired her.
“Bess, if you decide to stick around in the triangular zone, the leader’s seat will be yours sooner or later, Mafia Queen.”
Just as Arabella was about to say that wasn’t her goal, Jack came with a report: “Boss, I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?”
Arabella looked up, without hesitation, and said, “The good news.”
“In an auction happening in an hour, a Cinnamomum tenuis will be the star of the show!”
“The bad news?”
“I heard there’s only one, and Mafia C wants it too.”
Mafia Cwas the top dog in the triangular zone, and all the other gangs and powers were a bit scared of their reputation.
Even the recently rising Mafia Wolf didn’t dare mess with them.
It was rumored that the big boss behind Mafia C was someone they didn’t want to get on the wrong side of!
He had unimaginable wealth and power.
“Miss, there’s even worse news!”
Jack swallowed hard, noticing Arabella’s face was turning sour.
“Spit it out.” As expected, Arabella’s voice had gotten colder.
“At a previous auction in the south of the city, a Cinnamomum tenuis was sold for 300 million.”
Arabella was shocked.
300 million?
Were they robbing people?
Jack noticed Arabella’s face was getting even worse, and he added nervously, “It’s 300 million dollars. I heard it right! They said this auction requires a financial check, anyone with less than 10 million in their account doesn’t even get in.”
He scratched his head and asked hesitantly, “Miss, do you still have money?”
The money her parents gave her, plus what she earned herself, was all invested in Villa Cascada’s drug research.
Right now, she only had the card her brother gave her, which only had two hundred million, which was obviously not enough.
“I heard Mafia C is determined to win; they have enough money–not just 300 million, but even 3 billion they can afford.”
Once the bidding started, she’d definitely be at a disadvantage.
Jack stopped talking when he saw Arabella’s face; it was beyond grim. He swallowed and said, “Miss, the McMillan family hasn’t paid us yet, and Shirley, I don’t think we should bother saving”
His last sentence seemed to hit a nerve with Arabella. She frowned and shot him a warning look.
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“What I’m saying is, Mafia C must score this cinnamomum tenuis. And the price tag might be high. just think about it, with three hundred million dollars, you can buy so many things! Take the villas at North Summerfield center, for instance. You can bag thirty of those with that money!”
Why bother saving an old lady?
Thirty villas, switching it up every day, didn’t that sound comfy?
“I mean, some things we have to do within our means.”
Better to spend that three hundred million on fun than on saving an old lady who wasn’t even blood–related!
“Let’s do this” Arabella seemed to have made up her mind, “We’re hitting the auction. Remember to pack heat”
“Boss, are you planning a heist?” Jack couldn’t help but admire the boss’s guts, “This auction is run by Mafia Wolf. If we start a ruckus, who knows how many of our guys will get hurt!”
“You, come with me.”
“Wait, me? Just the two of us?” Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. With the boss’s skills, she could make a clean escape, but he would be lucky to get out with just a few scratches!
She really did care about him!
Whenever there’s danger, he’s the first person she thought of!
But when it’s payday, he’s also the first person she forgot!
Seeing how nervous Jack was, Arabella couldn’t help but laugh, “Who said anything about a heist?”
“If you’re not planning a heist, are you planning to run tabs?” Jack was confused.
“I have my ways.”
Seeing Arabella was so confident. Jack didn’t want to burst her bubble, but he had to be honest, “Oh, right, I forgot to tell you one thing.”
Arabella knew Jack wasn’t going to tell her good news. And naturally, her face fell, “Spit it out before I grab a knife.”
“This cinnamomum tenuis, it’s Mafia Wolf’s property. The auction is theirs. The venue is theirs. We just blew up half of their base today, even if we had the money, they might not want to deal with us. Going there is really risky.”
If Mafia Wolf saw them, they were definitely in for a pounding!
Arabella’s eyes turned cold. He’s telling her all this now?
“We’re just not meant to have the cinnamomum tenuis.”
Maybe they should have given up?
Jack thought about it but didn’t dare to voice it, afraid Arabella would chop his head off.
Arabella checked the time, “Get the car ready, we’re going to the auction.”
“What?”
Even then, the boss still dared to go?
The boss really wasn’t afraid of death.
But Jack was!
Meanwhile.
Upon hearing the news, Carl immediately reported to Romeo.
“Mr. McMillian, the cinnamomum tenuis will appear at the auction in 40 minutes. To enter, they’ll check your assets.”
“Let them.” Romeo didn’t seem to care. His tone was casual.
Carl continued, “The event is being organized by Mafia Wolf. They’ve been trying to establish a good relationship with us. We have a good chance of getting the cinnamomum tenuis at this auction, it’s just a question of the price. The previous deal was for three hundred million.”
That’s a steep price!
Even the best drugs didn’t usually go over fifty million.
“Establish a good relationship?” Romeo’s voice was icy, “Are they even worthy?”
He knew about the Mafia Wolf’s recent lawlessness in the triangular zone. He had no interest in allying with such a small gang. Money can’t solve everything. Sometimes, force was necessary.
Romeo spoke to himself in his mind, “Establish a good relationship? In your dreams!”
”
Chapter 297
The auction, in the south side of the city.
Arabella had passed the verification and brought Jack to private booth number 3. Soon after, their whereabouts were reported to the boss of Mafia Wolf.
“Boss, the guys from Mafia Flame are here! Didn’t expect them to have the guts to step onto our turf. It’s just what you wanted.”
“Ever been to school?” Keith took a deep drag on his cigarette and slowly blew it in his face, “You seem to know your idioms.”
“Heh, boss, you’re too kind, I did go to primary school for a few years.” His underling chuckled nervously.
But before he could finish, Keith stubbed his cigarette out hard on his head, “I never went to school, and I hate it when people show off their knowledge in front of me!”
“Ah.” His underling trembled in pain but dared not resist, he knelt down and begged for mercy, “Boss, you’ve got it wrong, I’m not educated, I’m only fit to be your ashtray.”
Keith smirked coldly, “Does it hurt?”
“N–no, not at all, thanks to you Keith for waking me up, I feel refreshed now!”
“Hmph.” Keith released his grip and let him go.
“Boss, should we surround them? Take them down in one fell swoop?”
“No rush.” Keith lit another slim cigarette, took a puff, “Wait until they win the bid.”
Before killing them, might as well make a quick buck.
“Understood.”
As his underling was about to leave, Keith called him back, “How many of them are there?”
“Just two. One is male. One could be female.”
Could be?
“You can’t even tell the difference between a man and a woman?”
Seemed like he put out his cigarette in the wrong place earlier.
He shouldn’t have put it out on his head, but rather on his eyes.
“What’s the use of having eyes!?”
His underling was scared out of his wits and quickly explained, “The person was wearing a hat and a big mask, dressed in a hoodie and long pants, I really couldn’t
tell.”
“Get lost.”
“Yes.”
Keith took another few puffs on his cigarette
Only two people? They’ve got guts!
Dare to bomb the Mafia Wolf’s base? Let’s see if they can get out!
The octagonal stage.
Each side corresponds to a booth, there were three floors in total, Arabella’s booth number 3 was on the top floor.
“Miss, look, this bid button can only increase by three million, each time you have to add three million!” Jack found that the bid button in the booth only had one option.
“This is hardcore! Mafia Wolf is blatantly robbing people!” Arabella crossed her legs casually, sat on the couch, phone in one hand, sipping the lemon water on the table with the other.
“Miss, aren’t you afraid it’s poisoned?” Jack widened his eyes, seemingly admiring Arabella’s courage.
Arabella was unfazed, “What poison in this world can’t I handle?”
“Good point.” With that, Jack also picked up a glass of lemon water and chugged it!
He was really thirsty after running around with the boss all day after all!
“Hmm, this lemon water is really good!” he seemed to think.
He poured another one, then said, “In our country’s auctions, there are options for bids to increase by ten thousand, fifty thousand, hundred thousand, and so on. But here, they want you to start at three million! This is too much! Boss, you still haven’t answered my question from before.”
“Hmm?”
“How much money do you have?”
Looking at his sincere smile, Arabella stretched out her slender fingers and showed him a two..
“Twenty billion? Alright, alright.” Jack drank his lemon water with relief, the pressure in his heart finally easing, “Twenty billion, at least we can fight with Mafia C for
a while.”
“Subtract a zero.”
Jack spat out a mouthful of lemon water, “How much? Two billion? Boss, you’re joking, right? Is two billion enough to buy the cinnamomum tenuis? I think we’re going to lose!”
“Oh, I’m not planning on buying.”
“Huh?” Jack swallowed, “Boss, you’re not buying, not stealing, not buying on credit. Are you planning on just taking it?”
“Mhm.”
That was the plan then.
Jack was helpless, his guns and small bombs had already been handed over to the security outside, how long could he last with his bare hands?
“Miss, I’m not young anymore, for missions like this, you might consider Jones. Jones is agile and bulletproof.”
“Oh, I’ll make a note and tell Jones later.”
“No.”
In booth number 2, Carl spoke respectfully, “Mr. McMillian, the cinnamomum tenuis will appear last. Would you like to rest for a while?”
“No need.” Sitting in the single chair, Romeo had a cold look in his eyes, emanating a strong aura, “How is Grandmother doing?”
“Mr. Brodie just called and said her condition is getting worse.”
It seemed like she wouldn’t last much longer.
“Get the plane ready, once we get the stuff, we’ll go back immediately.”
He also didn’t know if that little girl was off to work yet, if she got home and had a good meal.
He missed her already, just a short while after he had left.
At that moment, a male auctioneer walked to the middle of the octagon, took a small hammer and tapped it and authoritatively announced, “Now, I declare, the auction begins!”
The first item was a beautiful woman, trapped in a cage, hugging her knees helplessly.
She looked very pitiful.
“This auction is really an eye–opener” Jack was truly broadening his horizons. Every time he came, those people managed to break his understanding.
Arabella was playing with her phone, not even bothering to look up.
“Starting bid three million!” said the auctioneer.
Many booths quickly bid three million. Soon, several booths raised their bids.
The stage screen showed in real time:
[Booth No. 7: Six million.]
[Booth No. 9: Six million.]
[Booth No. 11: Six million.]
Since the three booths offered the same price, the bidding had to continue, but booths 7 and 11 both felt that six million was already a high price for a woman and not worth raising the bid.
T
So they didn’t respond in the third round of bidding.
[Booth No. 9 bids nine million!]
[Booth No. 9, nine million for the first time!]
[Booth No. 9, nine million for the second time!]
[Booth No. 9, nine million for the third time, sold!]
[Let’s give a round of applause for our ninth bidder, who nailed it!)
“These people have no shame!” Jack criticized, disgusted by the fact that they’re auctioning off girls in public. It’s sickening.
“That’s just the way the world works,” Arabella casually reminded him as she tapped on her phone screen, “Especially in the triangular zone. All the things you think couldn’t possibly happen or shouldn’t happen are happening every day.”
“Boss, why do I get the feeling you’re wise beyond your years?”
Chapter 298
Next up, the auction had a few more items that were just unbelievable.
Half an hour later, the main event finally rolled in.
7
Arabella had just finished a game, and as she looked up, she heard Jack say, “Arabella, the cinnamomum tenuis is up! Hurry, come check it out!” His eyes were glued to the scantily clad hostess.
She really had a killer figure!
The hostess held what looked like ginseng, placed in an expensive wooden box, and showed it off to everyone in front of the camera.
[Starting bid is three million!]
Jack knew Arabella wanted this treasure, and quickly made several bids of three million each.
The other people in the boxes were shocked by the boldness of buyer No.3. He had just bid twelve million right off the bat. It seemed that this No.3 had some serious juice and was determined to get this item!
Arabella gave Jack a glance as if to say, “It’s not even your money, and you’re this generous?”
“Hey boss, how did I do? I’ve knocked out a lot of competitors for you in one fell swoop!” Jack said enthusiastically.
The other boxes knew that the cinnamomum tenuis was a valuable item and could easily fetch three hundred million on the market, so they started to bid as well. [Box No.6 bids eighteen million.]
[Box No.14 bids twenty–one million.).
[Box No.18 bids twenty–four million.]
[Box No.23 bids twenty–seven million.]
Seeing everyone bidding fiercely, Arabella coldly commanded, “Outbid them.”
“Yes!” Jack/kept raising the bid until his hand got sore, then he quickly switched to the other hand.
Inside box No.1.
Romeo saw the other buyers chasing desperately. But he completely disregarded them and said casually, “Raise until they give up.”
“Yes.” Carl also kept increasing the bid.
Soon, the price on the big screen had exceeded two hundred million!
“Arabella, should we keep going?” Jack knew that Arabella’s wallet couldn’t handle any more bidding!
But Arabella decisively said, “Keep going.”
Jack had no choice but to grit his teeth and keep raising.
[Box No.3 bids three hundred and thirty million.]
[Box No.1 bids three hundred and sixty million.]
[Box No.3 bids three hundred and ninety million.]
[Box No.1 bids four hundred million.]
The whole room was left with No.1 and No.3 battling it out, and from the looks of it, neither side had any intention of backing down!
“Mr. McMillian, buyer No.3 seems determined to get this item.” Carl said while bidding, “Should we talk to the boss of the Mafia Wolf and ask them to back down?”
Back down?
He needed others to back down for something he wanted?
“No price limit.” Romeo ordered coldly.
“No price limit?” Carl was stunned. He couldn’t believe it!
No price limit meant that no matter how much the other side bid, they would always bid three million more!
In short, they had to get that item!!
Who knew Mr. McMillian would be so willing to save the old lady’s life?
It seemed that Mr. McMillian was not only a good husband but also a good grandson.
Carl hurriedly pressed the bid button for three seconds, no price limit!
The stage’s big screen echoed with the grand prompt sound!
The auctioneer was speechless, and the other buyers couldn’t believe their eyes, staring intently at the flickering “No.1 Box, no price limit” on the big screen.
The huge letters drew everyone’s attention.
Shockingly, the number 1 buyer was loaded.
Chapter 299
People at the auction started to talk among themselves.
“The price has gone past 300 million dollars, and buyer number 1 is still not backing down? Is he really going to stick it out?”
“Looks like he’s hell–bent on getting it!
“Who is this dude? With so much dough, 300 million seems like chump change to him.”
Jack noticed Arabella’s face tuming sour. It must be a bummer having something she thought was a sure thing snatched away from her. Who wouldn’t be ticked off?
He had no clue who had such deep pockets. Could it be Mafia C?
He’d heard that Mafia C had their eyes on the same prize.
“Well, I guess it’s just fate. Arabella, I know you’re determined, but our pockets aren’t deep enough.”
“Go big or go home.” Arabella suddenly said.
“What?” Jack doubted his own ears. No one went all in at an auction! The thing was, buyer number 1 seemed to have money to burn, and they were flat out of cash. “Go big or go home.” At Arabella’s command, Jack thought she’d totally lost it!
She must’ve been driven mad by buyer number 1!
She meant she was ready to spend all she had, even if the other side bid a billion, or even two billion dollars, she’d always top them by three million!
Where did Arabella get that kind of money?
Two billion dollars meant nothing to these guys.
“What are you waiting for?” Arabella gave him a glance, her eyes filled with irritation.
Jack knew she was serious, closed his eyes, and pressed the button for three seconds.
“Buyer number 1 is going all in, let’s congratulate buyer number 1.”
Before the auctioneer could finish his sentence, the stage was filled with a grand sound again, and a flashing notice appeared on the big screen.
“Buyer number 3 is going all in!”
The whole room was buzzing!
This wasn’t just rare for this auction, it was unheard of worldwide, two buyers going all in at the same time!
Clearly, both parties were rolling in dough, and they were really going head–to–head!
The auctioneer was dumbstruck, what the hell was going on, buyer number 3 was going all in too, and buyer number 1 was also hell–bent on buying this thing. How was he supposed to handle this auction? He was out of his depth.
At that moment, the boss of Mafia Wolf watched this scene with great interest. He said something to the auctioneer, and the auctioneer’s earpiece immediately picked up his words.
The auctioneer hurriedly said, “Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down. Since both buyer number 1 and buyer number 3 are keen on this prize. After our discussion, we now ask the two buyers to come backstage. Our boss will personally meet with them. Whoever offers a higher price and transfers the money faster gets the prize!”
“Now I announce, this auction has been successfully concluded. Buyers number 1 and 3, please follow our staff backstage for further discussion…”
Jack felt despair creep in, it was over!
Arabella could only offer 200 million in person.
After they went backstage, wouldn’t people laugh at them?
“I can cover for you, you leave first.” Jack felt that he might not be able to get out of this dangerous place safely today.
He was ready to sacrifice himself for Arabella.
However, Arabella stood up, “Come on, let’s go backstage.”
Jack was visibly confused.
Arabella didn’t seem to be scared at all!
The door of the box opened, and there were already a few Mafia Wolf guys with guns, waiting outside for them, claiming to take them backstage. But everyone knew, these guys were just worried they didn’t have the money. So, it was just a precaution to prevent them from running off.
They really underestimated them, they had at least two billion dollars, so unfair!!
Even though he was dissatisfied with them, Jack still tried to keep a friendly face, “Buddy, I want to ask you a question, who is that number 1 buyer?”
“The boss of Mafia C.”
“What? The boss of Mafia C is here too?”
Although he had received the news earlier and knew that Mafia C was very eager to get this cinnamomum tenuis, he didn’t expect their boss to come in person.
It seemed that this cinnamomum tenuis was very important to them.
Chapter 300
Arabella and Jack found themselves backstage at the auction, where there was only a long table. The guy sitting smack in the middle was the boss of Mafia Wolf,
Keith.
Keith looked like a mixed–race guy, his smile never reaching his eyes, giving off a cool yet wickedly charming vibe..
“Didn’t expect the boss of Mafia Flame to be a chick. How interesting.”
He eyed Arabella with a charming grin, “A real beauty, aren’t you?”
Those clear, bright eyes alone could knock anyone’s socks off.
How breathtaking she must be without that mask.
Jack wanted to gouge out those lustful eyes out. If it weren’t for Arabella’s desperate need for that cinnamomum tenuis, his blade would already be in Keith’s eye
socket!
Arabella hooked a chair with her long leg and plopped down, “Seems like buyer number one doesn’t have a sense of time.”
“Who says we don’t value time?” Carl spoke.
A handsome man entered the backstage, his eyes quickly landing on the girl sitting to the left of the long table.
“Bella? What was she doing here?” was what he thought.
Carl had heard Arabella’s voice earlier and thought he was hearing things due to spending too much–time with her recently.
But to his surprise, the girl sitting at the long table, wasn’t she the Arabella that Mr. McMillian was missing?
Didn’t Arabella go home for dinner after work?
Why was she in the triangular zone, and as a buyer?
All those questions circled his mind.
Carl was dumbstruck..
And so was Romeo. In the afternoon, when Derek went to deliver food, she said she was in a meeting and couldn’t leave.
Did she come to the triangular zone for a meeting?
It would take at least eight hours to fly from Summerfield to the triangular zone…
If she was able to attend that auction, it meant that she left shortly after he left Summerfield.
In other words, she had lied to him.
The last person Arabella expected to walk in was Romeo. Talk about cringe.
And Jack was also taken aback. “Wasn’t this guy Arabella’s boyfriend? The boss of Mafia C?” he thought.
It seemed like they both didn’t know each other’s identities. How amusing! Too amusing!
Seeing Arabella caught in the act was like a child caught snacking on sweets. He was just about to laugh when Arabella shot him a glare.
Upon seeing Romeo, Keith’s playfulness vanished, replaced by respect and flattery.
“Mr. McMillian, you’re here.” He personally pulled out a chair on the right for Romeo and said, “Please, have a seat. I hope you don’t mind the modest surroundings. Romeo sat across from Arabella. Even with a baseball cap and mask on, only her eyes showing, he would never mistake her for anyone else. She was Arabella! Seeing Romeo staring at Arabella, Keith mistakenly thought they were enemies. He quickly said, “Let me introduce you. This is the boss of Mafia C, Mr. McMillian.”
Arabella gave a small smile, “Nice to meet you.”
“This is the boss of Mafia Flame, alias Mr. Bryant. I just found out today that Mr. Bryant is a very beautiful woman.”
Keith’s gaze on Arabella was like a wolf eyeing its prey. His naked ambition and greed made Romeo’s gaze go cold.
“Do you like her?”
Keith, oblivious to the chill in Romeo’s voice, laughed, “If Mr. Bryant can’t cough up the money later, she might have to pay her debt with her own body.”
After all, he didn’t believe that Mafia Flame could easily come up with 300 million dollars!
“Mr. Bryant was just bluffing with that bid, right?” Keith thought. That way, he could use it as an excuse to take the beauty for himself. If Mr. Bryant was his, then Mafia Flame would definitely be his too.