Chapter 495


    Yawning, Chadzily typed out a reply to the email, “Spell it out, buddy. If you don’t make things crystal


    clear, there’s no point in us continuing this conversation.”


    After hitting send, Chad stretched leisurely, figuring he had a few minutes to hit the restroom before


    getting a response.


    But no sooner had his butt left the chair than a new email popped in.


    Just three words, “Look up Astrid.”


    Chad couldn’t help but chuckle. He quickly ran a search on the ount ID and, to his amusement,


    found it was one of Jay’sckeys, and the guy’s name was Karl.


    A sly grin crept over Chad’s face.


    Poor Jay must be feeling the burn to be shelling out big bucks for some dirt on his boss!


    Had Jay lost his mind?


    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    Paying the boss to investigate herself?


    But with his boss tied up filming a show and phone-free, this little issue would have to wait.


    Thinking it over, Chad replied to Karl, “My boss’ got his hands full with a tricky situation right now and


    can’t be reached. I’ll touch base with you once he’s back.”


    As Hank walked in, he caught Chad grinning at his screen and couldn''t help but rib him, “You’re smiling


    now, but you’re gonna be skinned alive when the Chief gets back!”


    “Hank, you won’t believe this—Jay’s goon actually reached out to our boss’ work ount to hire her for


    some digging, offering a cool 1.5 mil!”


    “No way! Has the guy got a screw loose? Don’t turn him down just yet. Let’s wait for the Chief to handle


    it. That’s easy money on the table, man!” Hank said, dumping a pile of files on Chad’s desk. “By the


    way, your brother’s chances of joining ourpany are pretty much toast after he managed to tick off


    the boss before even starting.”


    “Whatever, better off without him if he’s unreliable,” Chad muttered as he flipped through the files,


    feeling overwhelmed. “When will these endless overtime days ever end?”


    “Just think about that year-end bonus, and you’ll forget all about being tired. Is there a boss more


    generous than our boss? Bonuses turn into houses or cars—I’ve racked up five properties already.


    Pretty soon, I''ll be living off rent!”


    The mention of houses reminded Chad of something critical, and his expression darkened. “Speaking


    of houses, there’s a new tenant in the building across from the Chief’s, and there’s something off about


    her.”


    “What’s the deal? Is Hal here again?” Hank asked, puzzled.


    “No, it’s Bernice. When I found out, I knew it wasn’t good news.”


    Bernice was no small fry in their book. Everyone knew she had a son, but no one could pin down who


    he was. Her sudden move across from Astrid was no coincidence.


    With Astrid away, Chad and Hank didn’t dare make a move; they just doubled down on security for


    Roman and Lucas who was, still in the hospital, ensuring that no harm came to those Astrid cared


    about.


    The live broadcast went on as nned. ording to the itinerary, the next day the adventure team


    would cross the mountain ahead to reach their next destination.


    Before setting off, Naylor reminded everyone to bundle up, and the crew obediently followed suit.


    But Joana was nonchnt, convinced that a few hours’ trek under the sunny sky wouldn’t be so cold.


    As the group made their way up, Astrid noticed several cameras in the woods had been vandalized,


    and there were odd markings on many of the tree trunks.