bChapter /bb543 /b

“Didn’t bwe /balready bsay /bthe folks here are pretty tough? If bwe /bshowed up in our usual getup, the vigers would be bon /bhigh alert. If we don’t blend in, forget about getting any information. We’d be lucky if we didn’t get run out of town.”

Vincent couldn’t help but realize he’d really underestimated howplicated this was.

After all, the government has been discussing the Ridgehaven Town project for bages/bb, /band with bso /bmany people eyeing this lucrative piece of the pie, the relocationpensation must have been quite generous.

From now on, Bowen bis /bthe fruit vendor here to buy up the bharvest/bb, /bI’m his secretary, and Vincent, you’re his business partner,” Aubree instructed.

Bowen listened to Aubree’s n and blet /bout a low chuckle, “You’re going to be a secretary? bIsn’t /bthat a bit beneath me?b” /b

Aubree smacked him right on the bface /bwithout hesitation as bshe /bchided, “We’re talking business hereb, /bcut it out.”

He grabbed her hand bjust /bbas /bquickly and uttered, “Alright, myb… /bsecretary.”

‘Secretary‘ bwas /bjust a normal word, but somehow, when it came out of Bowen’s mouth with all those btwists /band turns, it sounded anything but

proper.

Aubree shot him a re, but Bowen bjust /bbepted /bit with a grinb, /bpletely unfazed.

Up front, Vincent kept his beyes /bglued to the road as he pretended that he bsaw /band heard absolutely nothing. ‘Nope, I am not getting involved in this, he thought.

By the time they reached Ridgehaven Town, it bwas /balready mid–afternoon. The trio parked the car right at the entrance.

Mistmere may not seem remarkable now, but there’s hope. As ba /bbcoastal /bbarea/b, with the right development, it could have a promising future and possibly be part of a regional economic hub.

That piece of information bwas /bgenuine, bas /bAubree had balso /breceived it from the institute.

Ridgehaven Town was the first pilot bsite/b. The vigers here had been growing fruit trees for generations, and there were quite a few major orchard owners in the vige.

When the news first came out about thend acquisition, it was these fruit bgrowers /bwho put up the strongest resistance. However, they gradually gave in over time.

But then, out of nowhere, everything changed overnight.

Not only were the die–hard holdouts still refusing to budge, but even the fruit bgrowers /bwho had previously agreed suddenly changed their tune and began resisting.

When asked why, they all expressed that they simply couldn’t bear to bleave/b. Their families had lived there for generations, and they were unwilling to abandon theirnd.

Several groups hade to try and convince them, with some beven /bbringing in negotiation experts to lead the discussions, but nothing worked. They ball /bleft looking defeated and empty–handed.

It was like the whole vige had been bewitched. Being nice didn’t work, and if you tried to be tough, the vigers would just get even tougher.

Nothing was off the table for these vigers, as they even went so far as to block roads with carts and set fires.

With no other options left, the government had to reissue the bid. They had done so by privately reaching out to some of the top business groups topete for the project.

As bAubree /band the others reached the vige entrance, they happened to bump into another group.

Those are the teams from the Wilson Group and Diamonde Group. Vincent said as he recognized them right away.

He was the first to spot them.

And leading the group was none other than Carmen herself.

“Hey, Aubree!” Carmen called out brightly when she spotted theming

When she got a good look at their outfits. Carmen put on her best innocent smile and asked, “Aubree, what’s with the outfits! Trying to fit in with

the locals, are bwe/b?‘

It might have sounded harmless, but Aubree knew all too bwell /bwhat Carmen was like. She was definitely throwing shade and calling their clothes

41 bPM /b

country bumpkin style.

Aubree let out a dryugh before shotting back, “Yeah, we could never outshine your dazzling style.

“But honestly, no matter how fancy you dress, it can’t cover up how clueless you are inside.

Compared to Carmen’s roundabout jabs, Aubree much preferred to just say things straight.

Afterall, wouldn’t it be even more annoying if the other party did not even get the sarcasm after using those roundabout words?

Nothing beats just calling someone out to their face.

Maintaining her cool, Carmen taunted, “I’m not as clever as you, Aubree. But seeing you go all out with this getup for the project, you must be feeling pretty sure of yourself, huh?”

“Way more sure than you, that’s for sure,” Aubree shot back.

Carmen was decked out in a tailored business suit, with a whole crew of people in equally formal suits trailing behind her. Each one dressed to impress, like they were desperate for everyone to know exactly why they were here.