bChapter 299 /b

I spent the afternoon cruising the town in Miguel’s borrowed SUV, familiarizing myself with theyout. As I turned onto bthe /bmain street, noticed a ck SUV parked outside a café. The driver Miguel’s coworker was just climbing in. ulli/li/ul

–

Our eyes met through the windshields, and recognition dawned on his face. He shouted something to others nearbyb, /band suddenly three ck SUVS pulled out, falling into pursuit.

I gunned the engine, swerving around a fruit cart and down a narrow alley. The chase was on. The SUVS followed, their engines roaringb. /bbI /bled them through the maze–like streets of the old townb, /busing every trick I knew to lose them. A hard left here, a sudden reverse bthere/bb, /band one by one, I managed to shake them off.

By the time I returned to the hotelb, /bthe sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

To my mild surprise, Miguel himself was waiting in the lobby, a white bandage across his nose, dried blood still visible on his shirt bcor/b. His eyes widened when he saw me.

b“/bYou!” he eximed, pointing an usatory finger. “You stole my car and broke my nose!”

I walked past him toward the elevator. “Tell your friend to return my car.”

Miguel followed, hands on his hips. “Come on, be reasonable! The guy who stole your car isn’t me. That’s that bastard’s faultb, /bnot mineb! /bbI /bneed my car back and medical expenses!”

I turned slightly. “Isn’t it true that in this ce, unlucky bastards are randomly selected? It was just your turn. Why expect fairnessb?/bb” /b

Miguel’s face reddened. “My car was purchased legitimately, not stolen from some unlucky bastard!”

“Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow. “My new car was taken from an unlucky bastard this morning.”

“I’m asking for my property back,” I said, stepping into the elevator. “You can either return my car or bring me your friend’s hand. Your

choice.”

Miguel reached for my shoulder as the elevator doors began to close. I sidestepped his grasp and delivered a precise kick to his midsection. I didn’t use my full strength, but it was enough to make his eyeballs bulge as he doubled over, gasping for breath.

“You psycho!” he gasped, clutching his stomach. “What kind of woman fights like thatb?/bb” /b

The elevator doors closed on his pained expression.

Back in my hotel room, I grabbed my phone and dialed the number Ethan had given me earlier.

At dusk, I drove Miguel’s SUV to a small tavern near the fighting club. The ce was dimly lit, with only a few patrons bnursing /bbdrinks /bbat /bscattered tables. bI /bspotted Miguel sitting by the window, clearly waiting for someone.

His expression shifted from professional detachment to shock when he spotted me. bI /bbfelt /ba flicker bof /bbamusement/b. bSo /bbthis /bwas bEthan’s /b

b1/2 /b

b8:20 /bbTue/bb, /bbSep /bb30 /b

contact. I should have recognized his voice during that phone call it had seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t ce it at the time.

I walked directly toward his table and sat down across from him.

‘I don’t have time for car issues right now,” he said nervously. “But we can schedule something to discuss itter.

“Where are my goods? I asked calmly.

Miguel blinked. “What?”

“My name is Jade Morgan.” fn5c16 ?????? ???? find?novel/fn5c16

Miguel’s posture straightened, his eyes widened, and a sh of panic crossed his face. He hesitated, then aske: “You’re Miss Morganb?/bb” /b

“The one and only,” I replied, enjoying his difort. “I see Ethan has reliable people here.b” /b

“I manage the local assets,” Miguel said carefully. “Not the business deals themselves. I’ll have your car back to you tonight – perfectly intact.”

“Good.” bI /bsmiled, and he visibly rxed.

“If I may ask,” Miguel ventured cautiously, “what’s your rtionship with Mr. Haxton? Business partners? Mr. Haxton bwas /bvery clear bthat /bbi /bshould treat you as himself and follow your orders without question.”

I leaned back, studying him. “Let’s just say we’re both single, with unlimited future possibilities.”