Chapter 12 Demolition Agreement

• With a sly smile, Snakehead touched his head. "Lysander, how many times have you said this to me? Can you make money? First, pay back the 50 thousand you owe me! I let you go the last time because I received a phone call from a superior. But this time, you went back and lost another 20 thousand. You probably won't get lucky this time. I operate a casino, not a charity. Making money is my goal."
• Aric stood behind Lysander. He knew, even without turning to face him, that the man kneeling on the ground was Lysander Riverhart, the son of Elderglen Orphanage director Rowan Riverhart. When Lysander was a child, he fell while trying to climb over the orphanage wall, leaving a scar on the back of his neck.
• Lysander smashed his head on the ground in front of Snakehead's feet. "Believe me this once, Mr. Snakehead. I promise not to lose again."
• Snakehead got up and moved over to Lysander, kneeling beside him. "I can lend you money, Lysander... but you've got to repay me, right? I have a contract. I happen to have an agreement here. Take a peek. Once you sign it, I will settle your previous debts and provide you with an additional thirty thousand. How about that?"
• Snakehead tossed the paper in front of Lysander. As soon as Lysander opened it and read the words "Demolition Agreement," he knew what was going on. "Y-You want to demolish Elderglen Orphanage?"
• Snakehead sneered. "It's a mere orphanage. A 100 thousand dollar offer was made to your unyielding father, but he declined. Given his reluctance to leave, as his son, you have the option to sign the agreement and grant him an early retirement.
• Snakehead slapped Lysander. Lysander struggled, knowing his father had dedicated his life to the Elderglen Orphanage. There were still over twenty youngsters in the orphanage with nowhere to go. Dismantling the orphanage would likely leave the children on the streets. The Elderglen Orphanage would come to an end.
• "I-I can't sign this..." Lysander rejected the demolition agreement.
• Snakehead struck him across the face once more, causing his face to swell and his mouth to fill with blood. "D*mn it. Stop faking it; your father is an old and obstinate man, and you owe a lot of money. It is okay if you choose not to sign. But I'm going to chop off one of your hands today!"
• Rising to his feet, Snakehead stepped on Lysander's fingers, causing excruciating pain and forcing tears to flood his eyes. One of the henchmen pulled out a knife and handed it to Snakehead. Snakehead grabbed Lysander's cheek and whispered, "I will give you another chance. Will you or won't you sign the demolition agreement?"
• A scared Lysander cried out, realizing he had been pampered all his life and had never experienced such shame. "I-I'll sign it. I'll sign it!" He grabbed the pen with his bloodied hand and signed the agreement.
• Once he finished, Snakehead kicked him and flung thirty thousand dollars into his face. "Take the money and get lost! Darn it! You're wasting my time."
• Lysander took the cash and stumbled out of Snakehead's office. Aric stepped back, fiercely glaring at Lysander. It's been ten years, and Lysander hasn't changed. Even though Snakehead and his gang tempted him, this is the conclusion he deserves.
• "Notify Mr. Valenwood that the demolition agreement has been received, and arrange for the company to prepare everything. We will demolish Elderglen Orphanage at dawn."
• Snakehead massaged his balding head. Mr. Valenwood will definitely appreciate me for effectively addressing the Elderglen Orphanage issue. Who knows, I might make it huge this time!
• "This is the troublemaker that Mr. Valenwood asked us to bring back and teach a lesson, right?" Snakehead hissed at Aric.
• The scarred man next to him nodded. "Yes, that's him. He was quiet all the way back. He didn't even dare to make a sound. He was probably terrified to death."
• Snakehead gazed down at Aric. "How dare you make problems for Mr. Valenwood? Kid, there are some individuals in Brightvale you cannot afford to offend!"
• Just as Snakehead extended his hand to stroke Aric's face, Aric jerked away from the shackles, trapping Snakehead against the wall. "You enjoy slapping others, eh?"
• Aric slapped Snakehead in the face.
• Snakehead was stunned. He never imagined that the innocent Aric, who had been standing in the corner, would suddenly overtake him and pin him against the wall.
• "What are you waiting for? Help me drag him away!" Snakehead summoned his thugs, who charged at Aric.
• Aric knocked over a table, picked up Snakehead's head, and slammed it into the desk computer. Snakehead's face was covered in blood after a hard bang. "Everyone, stop! If anyone moves, he will die!"
• With a condescending demeanor, Aric sat on top of Snakehead and withdrew a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it. He took a drag and let out a cloud of smoke.
• Snakehead, now bathed in blood, realized his error. "Sir, who are you? We had no issues in the past, and there has been no animosity in recent days. I simply accept money from people and assist them in resolving their issues. How about we both take a step back out of consideration for everyone?"
• Aric patted his cheek. "You’ve never gone to school, so stop blabbing. It makes you appear uneducated. Have you heard of the Brightvale Investigation Unit?"
• Snakehead trembled. "Brightvale Investigation Unit? Are you playing with me? How can you claim to be a member of the Brightvale Investigation Unit, given your appearance? You're more vicious than me! I may have lost today, but I will have my revenge someday!"
• Outside the building, there was a sudden uproar in the casino. The dozen or so henchmen retreated to the manager's office. "Mr. Snakehead, Mr. Snakehead, a group of people broke in with guns!"
• Snakehead, who had just been bragging in front of Aric, suddenly froze. He looked at Aric, frightened. He had assumed that Aric was faking it, but it turned out that Aric was actually from the Brightvale Investigation Unit. "Mr. Thornwood, we apologize for our lack of protection!"
• Outside the entrance, over twenty men in black uniforms surged in, with their leader kneeling in front of Aric. Aric got up from Snakehead's body. "It's alright. You're not to blame. I came here on my own."
• This time, Emberfall Front's task force had been following him to make sure he was safe when he returned to Brightvale. If something happened to Aric, they would respond as soon as possible.
• "S-S-Sir..." Snakehead kneeled on the ground, tears flowing down his cheeks as he gazed at Aric. "I merely run a casino and provide loans. We have never been involved in murder or smuggling. I was bragging when I stated I was going to murder him. We are all law-abiding citizens. You have to believe me."
• Aric squatted and patted his face. "The investigation will determine whether you follow the law or not, Mr. Snakehead." However, operating a casino and making high-interest loans can get you a 10-year prison sentence. Hand them over to Brightvale. I have something to do and must leave."
• Aric looked at the members of the task force. The chief nodded, leading to the apprehending of Snakehead and his gang. Brightvale would receive them at sunrise. After leaving the casino, Aric threw the used cigarette on the floor.
• He never expected Palden to take such drastic measures, compelling Lysander to sign the demolition agreement and even planning to destroy the Elderglen Orphanage before dawn. However, meeting Aric was his misfortune.
• Today, even if he had to demolish Valenwood Group, he would make sure Elderglen Orphanage was safe. Aric dialed a number. "Hi, Elowen. I have major news. Do you want to hear it?"