Eight of the assants stepped out of their cars, each wielding a submachine gun.
“Shit…” Joshua trembled with fear.
He dropped the kitchen knife and sprinted back into the town.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
He yelled, “Run! They have guns!”
The town residents had never seen such a scene. A wave of panic washed over them. They dropped their
tools and scattered in all directions.
Trey’s smile froze on his face. It took him a good ten seconds to recover.
“A bunch of traitors and cowards… It’s really disheartening!” he muttered bitterly.
Shein sighed lightly.
“It’s not their fault. Mr. Collins, you should head back into the town too. Their target is me.”
“What are you saying? Do you think I’m the kind of person who would abandon you out of fear?” Trey
responded angrily.
Shein chuckled, feeling a bitforted.
Despite Trey’s usual grumbling, he didn’t abandon Shein in the face of danger. This loyalty reassured
Shein that his investments in the town weren’t entirely wasted.
More than 20 assants entered the town, brandishing long, gleaming knives.
Trey caught sight of the weapons and gulped nervously.
He then forced a stern expression and said, “That little brat Joshua has disappointed me. I’ll drag him back, we can’t have him let <i>you </i>down like this!”
With that, he strode toward his home.
Shein smiled wryly. He couldn’t me Trey. Anyone would be terrified in this situation. He was scared
too, but fear wouldn’t help him now.
Soon, more than 20 assants reached Shein.
The group leader pulled a few photos from his pocket forparison, then said with a smile, “You must be Shein Thompson.”
Shein took a deep breath.
“Yes, I’m Shein Thompson.”
The leader praised, “You’re not scared at all. As expected from a well–experienced tycoon. Don’t worry. We’re only here for money. We don’t intend any harm.”
Shein felt a bit relieved when he heard they were only there for money.
2/3
“How much do you want?”
The leader held up three fingers,
Shein chuckled.
“Three million dors?”
The leader burst intoughter and turned to hisrades.
“Mr. Thompson has quite a sense of humor.”
His aplicesughed along.
Shein continued, “Well, 30 million dors wouldn’t be out of the question.”
The leader’s smile faded, reced by a sinister expression.
“Mr. Thompson, do you think your life is worth just 30 million dors?”
Shein narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You want 300 million dors?”
The leaderughed again.
*300 million dors wouldn’t even dent your empire, would it?”
Without waiting for Shein to respond, he added, “Besides, the 300 million dors isn’t just for your life. It’s for the lives of your entire family.”
“Dad!”
Zachary’s voice came from behind.
Shein turned to look.
He saw Zachary and Wanda being escorted by over a dozen assants. Their bodyguards were bound,
with socks stuffed in their mouths.
Shein resignedly closed his eyes, feeling a heavy weight on his chest.
The leader smiled and said, “Mr. Thompson, do you still think 300 million isn’t worth it?”
Shein replied calmly, “I can give you the money, but I need to contact mypany’s finance department.”
The leader took out a phone and handed it to Shein.
“We have a mobile base station in the car. You can make a call with this phone.”
Shein caught the phone and djaled the number for the finance department. Zachary and Wanda were pushed next to him, both pale with fear.
Zachary asked in a low voice, “Dad, how much are they asking for?”
Shein didn’t respond.
3/3
The call connected.
He finally spoke, “This is Shein. Transfer 300 million dors immediately.”
The leader interjected, “I want cash.”
Shein sneered.
“Do you know what 300 million in cash looks like?”
The leader fired several shots into the air, then aimed his gun at Wanda.
“Mr. Thompson, you’re a busy man, and I have limited patience. I suggest you stop asking unnecessary questions.”