Chapter 143
The land, spanning nearly 10,000 acres, was situated in the bustling city center.
Malcolm had purchased it for three billion dollars with the intention of constructing a
large shopping center and making a fortune.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
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The construction workers who were originally employed on the site were now standing
idle on the sidelines, and the heavy machinery, such as excavators and bulldozers,
remained parked. The entire area had been sealed off by the cultural relics department,
leaving Malcolm with no options.
“Mr. Ford, what should we do now?” his assistant asked.
Malcolm’s expression darkened. “First, help me arrange a meeting with the director of
the cultural relics bureau. Then, find someone to purchase some antiques and bury
them in the adjacent piece of land. If we’re going down, we’ll all go down together.”
Later that afternoon, Malcolm received a call from his assistant.
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Chapter 143 Mind Games
“Mr. Ford, Mr. Xavier from the cultural relics bureau is available tonight. He wants to
know where you would like to have dinner.”
Malcolm sneered. He had expected the people involved in cultural relics to be
old–fashioned and reject his invitation outright. He didn’t anticipate them agreeing so.
readily.
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He coldly replied, “Let Mr. Xavier decide on the location and inform me once it’s settled.”
“Understood.”
Malcolm glanced at the message his assistant had sent at eight in the evening and
cursed silently.
Mr. Xavier certainly knew how to choose a venue. It was the Hilton Hotel once again.
Ever since his unpleasant encounter with Sherry there last time, he had developed a
dislike for the place.
Well, it was just a meal. The success of his initial investment depended on it. Even if he
felt uncomfortable, he had to make the best of it and establish a good relationship with
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Chapter 143 Mind Games
Mr. Xavier.
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The car took him directly to the underground parking lot, and from there, he rode the
elevator to the twelfth floor.
Ding! The elevator doors opened.
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A waiter in uniform stood respectfully outside and asked, “Sir, how many people will be
dining?”
“We have already reserved a private room at the Winstonian.”
“Very well. Please follow me. I’ll take you there.”
The Winstonian was located at the far end of the corridor. As they walked a few steps,
they could hear a middle–aged man inside the room burst into laughter. “Hahaha, that’s
right! These few items are truly rare treasures. They will greatly contribute to our
research on Middle Ages culture.”
Malcolm furrowed his brows and asked the waiter, “How many people are in the private
room?”
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Chapter 143 Mind Games
“Three. Is someone still on their way?” the waiter inquired.
Malcolm waved his hand dismissively. “You can go about your duties. I’ll enter by
myself.”
The waiter nodded and said, “Very well. If you need anything, feel free to call me.”
After the waiter left, Malcolm pushed open the door and entered the room.
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Mr. Xavier, a slightly chubby middle–aged man with a friendly demeanor, occupied the
main seat. Camila’s father, Paul Castillo, sat to his right. The two men were of similar
age and shared common interests, engrossed in a lively and enjoyable conversation. To
Mr. Xavier’s left sat a mysterious individual wearing a white mask, revealing only a slight
curve of their lips. They delicately placed a piece of fish on the woman’s plate beside
them and whispered something, causing her to playfully raise her small fist and lightly
punch them.
However, the force behind the punch seemed more like an attempt to hide her shyness
rather than a genuine attempt to strike.
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Chapter 143 Mind Games
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Sherry spoke up, “Hey, let’s focus on the important matters first. Stop feeding me all the
time.”
She had come here happily to meet Paul, only to discover that the director of the
Cultural Relics Bureau was the main guest.
As for Mr. Sniper, he had left the director of the Cultural Relics Bureau in the main seat
while he focused on feeding Sherry. He meticulously removed each fish bone, leaving at
pile of white fish meat in front of her.
If Paul hadn’t been present to engage in conversation with Mr. Xavier, Sherry didn’t
know how awkward the situation would have become.
Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open. When Sherry saw who entered, the
smile on her face vanished instantly.
Malcolm had a similar reaction. He smirked briefly before approaching Mr. Xavier,
saying, “Hello, Mr. Xavier. I am Malcolm.”
“Oh, Mr. Ford is here! Please have a seat!” Mr. Xavier warmly greeted Malcolm, smiling
Chapter 143 Mind Games
as he introduced him, “I happened to be discussing some matters with a few friends
here today, and since you also mentioned having a meal together, I thought since we
are all in the real estate industry, maybe you all know each other. Why not sit together
and have a meal? It will make things easier, right?”
Malcolm seethed with anger, but Mr. Sniper pretended not to notice and clearly didn’t
want to give him any face. Sherry lowered her head and ate silently, hoping to distance
herself from the situation.
Paul realized he had to say something to ease the tension. He forced a smile and
extended his hand, saying, “Hello, Mr. Ford. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s truly
impressive that you have achieved such success at such a young age.”
Malcolm had heard enough flattery and didn’t want to hear any more. However, Paul
was still considered an elder, and he couldn’t afford to leave a negative impression on
Mr. Xavier.
He reached out his hand and shook Paul’s hand lightly, responding calmly, “You’re too
kind, Mr. Castillo.”
“No, no, not at all!” Mr. Xavier exclaimed excitedly. “Mr. Ford, on behalf of the entire
Cultural Relics Bureau, I want to express my gratitude! The bronze artifacts unearthed
from that piece of land are truly rare and have filled a gap in our research on the Middle
Ages Period. It’s a groundbreaking discovery! I’ve already reported it to my superiors,
and they plan to highlight your achievements in the newspapers! Sacrificing lucrative
opportunities for the sake of our country’s history is truly admirable! The younger
generation should learn from you!”
Malcolm forced a smile, but inside, he felt a chill. The report had already been
submitted, and they were even prepared to publish it in the newspapers. The progress
on this matter was too rapid. If it weren’t for someone secretly pushing it forward, he
wouldn’t believe it.
Now, he found himself trapped. He was being hailed as a patriotic individual, and he
couldn’t escape it for fear of being accused of prioritizing profit and lacking gratitude.
Both the reputation of the Ford Group and his personal image would suffer greatly.
Malcolm closed his eyes and let out a hollow chuckle. “It’s only natural.”
“Fantastic, fantastic–that’s the right mindset Mr. Castillo, did you witness that? This
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truly exemplifies the spirit of our young generation of entrepreneurs!” Mr. Xavier
exclaimed.
Paul took pleasure in Malcolm’s pain; he smiled and said, “Absolutely, you’re absolutely
correct. Mr. Ford truly embodies the essence of young entrepreneurs.”
“Let’s not dwell on that. As a responsible
