Chapter 13 I Quit

• Elowen, laying in bed at home, rubbed her drowsy eyes. "What news do you have for me in the middle of the night?"
• Aric sneered. "Lysander signed the demolition agreement for Mr. Riverhart. Valenwood Group plans to demolish Elderglen Orphanage tomorrow morning."
• "What?" Elowen suddenly awoke from her slumber.
• Aric smiled. "That's the news I have for you. It's up to you whether or not to report it."
• ...
• At dawn, a pale light appeared on the horizon. Dozens of bulldozers, cranes, and earthmoving trucks gathered outside Elderglen Orphanage. The project's demolition company sent hundreds of workers to the site. Today, this Elderglen holdout would be removed regardless of the circumstances.
• Rowan, startled from his slumber, noticed the two bright lights shining outside the orphanage and immediately put on his coat. "What are you doing? What is going on?"
• The demolition crew's captain looked at him and took the paperwork into his hands. "Are you Rowan Riverhart? Your son has already received compensation for signing the demolition agreement on your behalf. We will dismantle the Elderglen Orphanage today. Move aside and bring everyone out. We don't want any casualties."
• Rowan was stunned. He couldn't believe it. He hadn't anticipated his son signing the demolition agreement without his knowledge. "I will not let you demolish it! Never!"
• The captain of the demolition crew scoffed. "Will you not allow it? A contract has been signed. Do you think we'll halt everything because you said so? Get rid of all the brats in the house. Take this elderly man away! Today, I am going to destroy this d*mn orphanage right in front of him. This project has been delayed for half a year. I will not leave one d*mn stone unearthed."
• The captain spat twice in his palm before getting on the bulldozer. Then, with full might, he pushed against Elderglen Orphanage's iron gate.
• Right then, two news trucks drove into the alley next to the orphanage. Elowen from Brightvale TV gazed at the scores of bulldozers and excavators stationed outside Elderglen Orphanage, sweating uncomfortably. She was almost too late.
• "Stop, stop! I am a reporter for Brightvale TV! What you're doing is illegal; this is forced destruction." Elowen rushed to enter the orphanage, but a dozen demolition workers blocked her, and the two news broadcast cars made it difficult for her to do so.
• Elowen took a deep breath and looked at the cameraman behind her. "Start recording. Broadcast it on Brightvale's morning news."
• Before coming, James had granted her complete control. Brightvale's morning newscast would broadcast all the footage she took today.
• "Hello, viewers. I'm Elowen, a reporter with Brightvale TV. Right now, I'm at the site of Valenwood Group's forced demolition. Behind me, dozens of excavators and hundreds of demolition workers are ready to demolish the Elderglen Orphanage in Brightvale!"
• Elowen sought to maintain a calm demeanor. Several people watched the news on Brightvale's morning news channel.
• ...
• Galadriel stared at the TV on the wall in the CEO's office at Umbravale Holdings and heard Elowen's voice. She frowned. Here we go again! In less than three days, Valenwood Group has demolished the Elderglen Orphanage twice!
• Galadriel was about to pick up the phone when it abruptly rang. "Hello, Mr. Grant."
• She was frowning. Ivan Grant, Umbravale Holdings' chairman, called early in the morning.
• "Galadriel, Mr. Valenwood called. Refrain from intervening in the Elderglen Orphanage case. We give up on the Elderglen land. He will sell us the land in the north of Mythralis Trade District for a reasonable price."
• Ivan's voice was chilly and decisive. While he was aware of Galadriel's history and her commitment to the Elderglen Orphanage, he was also a businessman. In business, he wanted to generate more money.
• Furthermore, the incident in which the Brightvale Investigation Unit apprehended Howard necessitated an extensive investigation. The situation frightened Rowan, even though Howard had returned safely. At his age, Howard would be his only son. Despite his relief at Howard's safety this time, he continued to hold Galadriel responsible.
• Galadriel frowned tightly. "Mr. Grant, we have already agreed that Umbravale Holdings will acquire the land in Elderglen. How could you suddenly change your mind? The Elderglen Orphanage is now being forcibly demolished by Valenwood Group. If we do not take action, Valenwood Group will gain complete control of the Elderglen property! Do you really believe Palden Valenwood's assertion that he will give you a better piece of land?"
• Galadriel was so enraged that she couldn't determine if Ivan was ignorant or stupid.
• Ivan snorted coldly. "Galadriel, don't think I don't understand what you're thinking. You just want to utilize Umbravale Holdings to preserve Elderglen Orphanage, right? Let me inform you that I handed Palden the land in Elderglen. This is an order from the board of directors!"
• Galadriel strained her teeth before nodding. "Fine! Since that is the order of the board of directors, I quit!"
• Ivan was stunned for a while. He hadn't expected Galadriel to be so resolute. "Don't be impulsive, Miss Yeloria. There is still room for discussion—"
• Before Ivan could finish speaking, Galadriel had hung up the phone. She slammed the phone on the desk, grabbed her coat, and walked out of Umbravale Holdings. Since the Valenwood Group planned to demolish Elderglen Orphanage and Ivan had accepted Palden's bribe, she might as well leave Umbravale Holdings. If the Valenwood Group intended to dismantle Elderglen Orphanage, they would have to go through her, Galadriel!
• ...
• Outside the Elderglen Orphanage, Bobby Newman, the demolition company's vice president, went through the mob and stood in front of the camera.
• "Miss Bean, stop talking rubbish. I am the Vice President of Dayking Company. If there is anything, we can sit down and talk."
• Elowen pointed the camera straight at Bobby's face. "Mr. Newman, is the Valenwood Group's forced demolition legal? Is the illegal demolition of the Elderglen Orphanage caused by the landing of the Mythralis Trade District, with the Valenwood Group taking the land? Mr. Newman, from what I understand, this is not the first time you have forcibly demolished something, correct?"
• Elowen's inquiries were crisp and direct. Bobby sneered twice, placed his hands behind his back, and glanced at the camera.
• "Miss Bean, your questions are utterly ludicrous! First and foremost, Dayking Company has no affiliation with the Valenwood Group! Second, we won't demolish it by force. Before dismantling Elderglen Orphanage, we negotiated a demolition agreement with Lysander Riverhart, the orphanage director's son."
• Bobby opened the document and presented it to the camera. Lysander Riverhart's name was prominently signed under the title of the demolition agreement.