The public relations tactics, technical demonstrations, and even behind-the-scenes resource negotiations were all used to the extreme.
This project involved interests from many parties.
Whoever wins the contract will hold the right to speak for the next five years.
"Shut up!"
Landon Lockwood glared at him fiercely.
Ethan Nash felt a chill run up his spine and quickly shut his mouth.
Ethan immediately lowered his head, put away his smile, and continued to listen in.
He kept noting the time points and marking suspicious conversation content.
He dared not relax even a bit, his finger always ready on the pause button of the recording.
The Lowell Family.
The security system on the east side of the mansion was disabled for the convenience of tapping into surveillance equipment.
Infrared cameras covered the garden, corridors, and main entrances.
The Lowell Family had no visitors tonight, and the security level was lowered by one grade.
This created favorable conditions for surveillance.
Cora Lowell walked all the way outside and entered a secluded flower house.
She wore a plain long dress.
The flower house was located behind the main building, surrounded by thorny plants, seldom visited.
Small droplets of water condensed on the glass walls, and the indoor humidity was maintained above 65%.
The tall figure behind her followed closely all the while.
Hayden Croft wore a dark gray suit, his tie slightly loosened.
He maintained less than a meter's distance from Cora Lowell.
She stood still, but Hayden did not stop.
Cora Lowell did not turn around, but her fingertips tightened slightly.
Almost pressed right against her.
He did not truly make contact.
The air was filled with the mixed fragrance of roses and jasmine.
A distinctive feminine scent wafted to him.
The top notes were fresh, the middle notes heavy, and the base notes mildly sweet.
It was Cora Lowell's custom-blended perfume, not sold on the market.
Only a very few knew of her preference.
Hayden Croft closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and a dazed look gleamed in his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
"Miss Lowell, you smell... truly fragrant."
He spoke slowly, drawing out the last word.
After speaking, he stepped back half a step.
His gaze lingered at the edge of her neck hair, unwilling to move away.
"I'm really curious, if Miss Lowell were pulled down from the pedestal, what would it look like? It must be especially alluring, huh?"
After speaking, he tilted his head slightly, observing her reaction.
Cora Lowell flipped her wrist, drew a butterfly knife from her sleeve, spun around sharply, and the blade tip pointed directly at his carotid artery.
"Get out."
Hayden Croft raised an eyebrow slightly.
He stood still, his body unmoved, yet his right hand suddenly reached out, two fingers steadily pinching the incoming blade.
The cold glint of metal halted between his fingers.
The next second, his hidden left hand swooped out, fingers clamping down firmly on the wrist holding the knife.
He rotated his wrist, twisting it backhanded.
Her arm was forcefully twisted behind her back.
Elbow and wrist joints made consecutive "crack" sounds.
The butterfly knife slipped falls amid the excruciating pain.
It flipped a half-circle before clattering to the ground.
Cora Lowell's face turned pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
She bit down hard, attempting to pull back her arm, her legs straining to step back, trying to break free from the grip.
But her struggle only earned her a tighter hold.
The man's low, husky voice sounded right next to her ear.
Hayden Croft's breath deepened as he pinched her, forcing her to turn her head back, facing him directly.
She was compelled to meet his gaze, one devoid of any warmth.
"Don't forget, you were handed to me by your father personally."
"Where do you get the nerve to say no?"
Cora clenched her teeth even harder, her lower lip already bitten through.
Yet, amidst this ultimate humiliation, a glint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
Not pleading, not breaking down, but murderous intent.
Hayden Croft bent down and picked up the butterfly knife from the ground.
The blade was dusted, so he lightly wiped it on his sleeve.
The cold blade pressed against her cheek again.
That sensation carved a bone-chilling path.
He asked with a chuckle.
"Do you want to be a person or a dog, Miss Lowell? Choose one."
The words landed like a dagger stabbing into the back.
The entire flower house seemed to freeze.
At this moment, steady footsteps came forth.
Landon Lockwood walked step by step.
A murderous aura emanated from him, his gaze as cold as ice.
Cora Lowell's pupils trembled.
In the split second before Hayden Croft reacted.
Her body shot forward, deliberately crashing into the cold knife.
A bloodstain immediately split open on her snowy cheek, and crimson beads slowly seeped out.
She raised her face, her gaze faint.
"Help me..."
Blood dripped down onto her delicate shoulders.
Drop by drop, shocking yet with a poignant sadness.
Her voice trembled, carrying grievance and helplessness.
"He forced me... if I don't comply, he'll ruin..."
She lowered her head, long eyelashes drooping, masking the tears in her eyes.
Instead, Hayden Croft laughed.
"Miss Lowell plays both sides, does your father know?! You think you can fool everyone?"
Landon Lockwood's gaze turned icy, filled with murderous intent.
His fist swung out, aimed directly at Hayden Croft's face!
Hayden hurried to dodge, body leaning back sharply, feet slipping, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Yet the punch still grazed his ear, bringing a burning sensation.
Landon Lockwood did not pursue further, just turned his head slightly, shifting his gaze towards Cora Lowell.
"Are you okay?"
Cora Lowell watched the exchange, heart pounding like a drum.
She still remembered, last night he came over the wall.
Taking advantage of the night to sneak into the Lowell Family's backyard.
But now it was broad daylight, and the Lowell Family was heavily guarded.
Guards at the gate, surveillance on the walls.
How did he get in?
Landon Lockwood was not in a rush to wait for her answer.
"You, just like your background, make people sick. Despicable, shameless, you don't even hold to the basic line of being a person."
Hayden Croft's face darkened, his expression turning icy.
"Better than you, acting all noble and scheming!"
He spat out the words through gritted teeth.
"Pretending to be upright while doing things secretly, how much cleaner are you than me?"
He squinted, suspicion brewing in his heart.
Why was Landon Lockwood here?
Wasn't he supposed to be investigating that affair in East City?
How did he suddenly appear at the Lowell Family?
Shouldn't he be...
Investigating that affair?
The one involving high-level figures?
Suddenly, the fleeting moment of worry in Landon Lockwood's eyes when he looked at Cora Lowell.
Hayden Croft drew out his words with a hint of profound meaning.
He clapped his hands, the gesture frivolous.
"I thought Mr. Lockwood had turned over a new leaf."
He paused, his smile suddenly widening, eyes cold.
"Turns out, it's lustful desires, feeling emotions! For a woman, ignoring serious matters?"
He laughed even more wantonly, the laughter echoing throughout the empty room.
His gaze towards Cora Lowell was ravenous.
He most loved snatching things from Landon Lockwood.
Be it business projects, networking resources, or even women.
Anything Landon Lockwood cared for, he wanted to destroy, to seize.
"Mr. Lockwood, you're really not being timely," he drawled, "Miss Lowell—"
His hand lifted frivolously, fingertips brushing against her chin.
"She's been reserved for me."
"If you really want to join in, you can only have my leftovers."
Landon Lockwood's body stiffened, his steps halting slightly.
His gaze turned chillingly cold.
"What did you just say?"
An oppressive feeling swept over.
At this critical juncture, the Lowell Family members hurried and gathered outside the flower house.
Footsteps chaotic, shadows flickering.