Chapter 71 Mr. Adams


    "The third matter!" Gabriel continued, "I need to withdraw 500 million dors from my ount and


    entrust it to you for management! You''ll personally oversee it and assist the Foster family in


    oveing their crisis!"


    Gabriel had done some basic research on the Foster family''s dire situation the previous night.


    It was all due to the recklessness of the retarded Sophia, who had been excessively greedy and


    had fallen right into the Davis family''s trap.


    The crux of the trap was that the Foster familycked the financial means toe up with 500


    million dors.


    To put it simply, if they could produce that sum, the project would actually be a safe bet.


    But if they failed to deliver, it would constitute a breach of contract.


    The penalties for such a breach were enough to bring the entire Foster family to its knees.


    In fact, this project had originally been prepared for the Davis family themselves.


    They had used it as bait to ensnare Sophia.


    Once the Foster family defaulted, not only would the Davis family pocket a hefty penalty, but they''d


    also retain control of the project, like a sulent piece of meat in their mouths.


    It was a brilliant n.


    Now, Gabriel was stepping in to help the Foster familye up with the 500 million dors.


    If he seeded, the Davis family would be shooting themselves in the foot.


    "I see. I have a team of seasoned financial experts who can handle this. With this capital, I''m sure


    we can assist the Foster family through their crisis and properly manage the project''s subsequent


    phases! And with a 500-million-dor investment, we can gain absolute control and expect


    substantial returns!" Leon assured.


    Gabriel nodded in satisfaction, deeming Leon a reliable and steady hand in the business.


    He flicked his cigarette butt out the window, releasing a puff of smoke from his nostrils as he


    continued, "If I''m not mistaken, Ste has a sister, isn''t it? Where is she now?"


    "Yes, her name is Erica," Leon confirmed. "I''ve met her once. Although she doesn''t closely


    resemble Ste, she''s still quite a looker. After the Turner family''s downfall, Erica pursued an acting


    career. However, she mysteriously vanished a couple of years ago, disappearing into thin air!"


    "Disappeared into thin air?" Gabriel squinted his eyes and said resolutely in a deep voice, "Fourth


    matter: use any and all means necessary to locate Erica, dead or alive!"


    He was determined to fulfill his promise to Ste.


    Aside from securing Ste''s body, what was more important was to obtain from her damning


    evidence against the Davis family.


    And there was the explosive scandal involving the Davis family that Ste had alluded to.


    "Yes, sir. I''ll immediately put people on the task," Leon replied.


    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    "Finally, one more thing." Gabriel looked out the window at the bustling crowd, and said, "Ste''s


    father is still in prison, but the Davis family has manipted things to prevent her from visiting him.


    You need to establish connections for me. When the time is right, I''ll take Ste to see her father!"


    With these arrangements, Gabriel had nearly every aspect of his agreement with Ste covered.


    "Understood!"


    Leon took note of the tasks.


    The car then pulled up to an imposing iron gate.


    Inside, therey a sprawling courtyard.


    The setting resembled a rural farm, teeming with vegetables and flowers.


    An elderly gentleman with white hair, sporting a vest and a straw hat, was busily tending to the


    garden.


    Gabriel and Leon disembarked from the vehicle, and the estate''s butler called out to the white-


    haired man in the field, "Mr. Adams, Mr. Leon, the gentleman you arranged to meet is here!"


    Santos Adams, who had been crouching down, finally turned around.


    He had a stern, square-jawed face.


    Two thick eyebrows arched over his eyes, resembling two dormant caterpirs.


    Putting down his small shovel, Santosboriously rose to his feet.


    He dusted off his hands, stepping out of the field and up to them.


    "Mr. Leon, please, have a seat indoors," Santos remarked with a stern expression, barely


    acknowledging Gabriel and Leon before heading back into his house.


    Leon felt a hint of embarrassment but followed Santos into the house.


    Upon entering, they found themselves in an expansive living room, tastefully decorated with


    asional calligraphy pieces adorning the walls.


    Santos went to wash up, and the butler gestured for them to take a seat, promptly serving them tea.


    After a brief interval, Santos, wiping his hands dry, hurriedly returned to the sofa and sat down. He


    grabbed a porcin jar, taking a few sips of water before finally addressing Gabriel.


    "You must be Gabriel, aren''t you?" Santos inquired, wiping his mouth.


    Gabriel nodded politely. "Yes, I''m Gabriel Edwards. Mr. Adams, you seem to be in excellent health.


    Your garden is brimming with vegetables. Did you cultivate them all yourself?"


    Mr. Adams appeared somewhat annoyed at Gabriel''s pleasantries.


    He waved dismissively, impatience evident in his voice. "No need for niceties. Leon has told me


    your purpose here. Frankly, there''s nothing about you that inspires trust in me. The Adams family


    and the Davis family have lived harmoniously for many years. It seems preposterous for you to drag


    me into your feud with the Davis family."


    Gabriel offered a faint smile, recognizing that Mr. Adams had a peculiar temperament.


    Unperturbed, he shrugged and responded, "Mr. Adams, I believe you must have heard about the


    recent events in Silverwood. If so, I don''t think there''s nothing trustworthy about me. At the very


    least, I can single-handedly make the Davis family feel as though they''re facing a formidable


    adversary."


    He continued, "While the Adams and Davis families have coexisted peacefully for many years, have


    the underlying conflicts truly dissipated? I doubt it. You''re merely in a rtive state of equilibrium. If


    one side gains significant power, they will inevitably move to eliminate the other."


    "What if the Davis family gains substantial power?" he asked.


    "Humph!" Santos sneered abruptly, dismissing Gabriel''s words. "If you''re trying to persuade me with


    your tongue, you''re barking up the wrong tree!"


    "To be honest, I currently have no intention of opposing the Davis family."


    "So please, leave. No matter what you say, I won''t agree."


    "Is it because of the supervision team?" Gabriel probed.


    Santos'' eyes lit up, and he calmly replied, "That''s partially correct. The supervision team is about to


    enter Silverwood. At such a critical time, any sensible force would keep a low profile."


    "To instigate internal strife during the presence of the supervision team is simply foolish. It''s like not


    taking the supervision team seriously."


    Gabriel suddenly realized it was a real headache.


    As Leon had described it: Santos was not a pushover.


    Gabriel was growing impatient and decided to be direct. "The matter concerning the supervision


    team is just an external factor. Perhaps, I haven''t convinced you, Mr. Adams. So, let''s put it this


    way: what would it take for you to cooperate with me?"


    Rather than showcasing one gesture after another, it was more effective to ask the other party what


    they wanted.


    It was more straightforward.


    "Perhaps, you have misunderstood something." Santos shook his head, saying, "I don''t need


    anything from you. And I won''t cooperate with you. If you want to deal with the Davis family, figure it


    out on your own."


    He seemed to have lost patience, standing up and signaling the butler.


    The butler immediately walked over, smiling, and said, "Mr. Adams needs to rest. How about


    rescheduling your meeting with Mr. Leon another day?"


    They had overstayed their wee.


    Leon nced at Gabriel, saw him nod, and stood up.


    Santos'' attitude was crystal clear, and there was no point in pushing further.


    But Gabriel held a trump card that could sway Santos-a card named Maria Adams.


    If he couldn''t get to Santos, he could at least involve Maria.


    Tonight''s race provided the perfect opportunity.


    There was no hurry now. After tonight, Santos would be the one feeling the pressure.


    With these thoughts in mind, Gabriel had no intention to stay, knowing he''d be back soon.


    Just as he and Leon were about to leave, the door suddenly swung open.


    "Grandpa, we have guests home!"


    The neer was Maria, chewing gum and eyeing Gabriel...