Chapter 173
Adrian and his entourage stormed into the rural township’s land management office.
He quickly explained his intentions, only for the director to shake his head. “That abandoned factory complex was bought out two months ago. It’s private property now p>
“Bought out p>
Who the hell had gotten that lucky?
“Can you tell me who the current owner is p>
“No can do. Without official authorization, I can’t just hand out private registry details p>
The official was a recent transfer. His predecessor had actually been promoted purely off the performance boost from selling that massive piece of dead real estate. “Why couldn’t I catch a break like that?” the official lamented internally.
“Understood, completely understood. Sorry for the intrusion p>
Stepping out of the office, Adrian didn’t head back to the city. Instead, he ordered his assistant to find them a hotel.
“Mr. Mercer, I checked. There are no hotels out here, just cheap motels p>
“A motel will do. We’re in the trenches, we can’t be picky p>
“Mr. Mercer, we’ll start asking around about the property’s owner right now p>
“You two hit the streets and ask around. I have a different angle to play p>
Meanwhile, the men from Porter Entertainment had barely walked a few blocks before they conveniently crossed paths with the decoy Adrian’s assistant had arranged.
The local guide was incredibly polite and overwhelmingly enthusiastic, yet somehow managed to lead them further and further off the beaten path.
The corporate fixers started getting suspicious. No matter how impoverished a district was, the local government offices were usually at least somewhat presentable.
The guide seemed to sense their doubt. “Our town mayor is a real man of the people.
He gave the actual municipal compound to low-income families whose roofs caved
in, and took his staff to work out of some old sheds left over from the communal farming days p>
“An official like that is hard to find p>
Their suspicions evaporated instantly, replaced by relaxed banter.
As they skirted the edge of a dense orchard, the guide paused. “Give me one second, I just need to take a leak p>
He disappeared into the trees and never came back. The guy didn’t even wait to collect his tip.
By then, anyone with half a brain cell would realize they had been completely played.
“Nothing but backwoods hustlers out here p>
Furious, they cursed the entire trek back toward the main village to find another guide.
Having learned their lesson, they cross-referenced directions with several locals. Only when the stories lined up did they pick an
honest looking man to lead them tox the actual municipal compound
The surveillance team tailing them reported the whole farce back to Mira, earning a genuine laugh from her.
“I didn’t realize Adrian was capable of playing that dirty.
Keep watching them p>
Watching the rival families trip over each other was turning into great entertainment.
Midway along the dirt road, the head of the Porter team got a call. It was Mr. Porter, demanding an immediate update.
The assistant replied, “Don’t worry, Boss. We’re pulling up to the government offices right now p>
He conveniently omitted the part about getting lost in an orchard, terrified Shane would question their competence.
“What took so long? It’s been hours and you’re just now getting there p>
“It’s all dirt roads out here, Boss. The terrain is brutal on the cars and completely disorganized p>
“Hurry it up p>
“Yes, sir. On it, Boss p>
Back in Melvion City, Shane hung up the phone and shook his head in disgust.
He glanced over at Allen. “Their efficiency is garbage compared to yours took them this long just to.
find the front door:
“Boss, do you want me to head down there p>
“Don’t bother. By the time you arrive, it’ll be far too late p>
The other conglomerates weren’t going to sit around twiddling their thumbs.
Meanwhile, at the land bureau, the
director watched Adrian leave a
figured the day’s drama was get
over,
He decided to dock up early Content,
A rural land office rarely saw much action; he usually went days without a single walk-in.
Just as his hand hit the light switch, another group of men in suits marched through the door.