Emmeline hurriedly guided Luca into the bathroom.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered the phone submerged in water. In a panic, he retrieved the waterlogged device, exclaiming, âItâs ruined! Itâs ruined! Itâs unusable now!â
Her distress was evident as she stomped her foot and teetered on the verge of tears. She grabbed his hand and conveyed her worry through writing on his palm. âAbel wonât be able to find me. Heâll be worried!
Luca quickly reassured her, saying, âDonât worry, donât worry! Iâll call Boss immediately and inform him.
With that, he dialed Abelâs number, and the call was promptly answered.
âWhatâs the matter, Luca?â
Luca explained the situation to Abel. âDr. Wyatt was charging Emmaâs phone, which accidentally fell into the water. Sheâs worried that you relay her message to you right away.â
Cursing under his breath, Abel expressed his frustration. âDâun it! This Brandon! How could he be so careless? Iâll make him compensate Emma with a new phone.â
Luca agreed, âAlright. Emmaâs phone was purchased in Sandwell, and if I recall correctly, it cost around five or six thousand. Brandon should compensate her with at least ten thousand.â
âTell Brandon,â Abel instructed, âAnd let Emma know Iâll be back soon. She should listen to Brandon for now!â
After ending the call, Luca informed Emmeline, âYou heard it, Emma. Boss wants Dr. Wyatt to compensate for the phone.â
However, she shook her head in disagreement, thinking, How could I blame Brandon? He was only trying to help me charge the phone.
Coincidentally, Brandon returned at that moment. Seeing the two blocking the bathroom. door, he asked, âWhatâs going on? Is there a mouse in the bathroom?â
Luca responded, âWeâre on the eleventh floor! Where would a mouse come from?â
Brandon retorted, âIâve seen one on the seventeenth floor, so a mouse on the eleventh floor isnât out of the ordinary!â
Luca picked up the soiled phone, looking bewildered. âAre you suggesting that a mouse caused this, Dr. Wyatt?â
Brandon examined the phone and exclaimed, âOh no! What happened? It was charging perfectly fine just now!â
Luca clarified, âIt ended up in the water!â
Brandon sighed. âWhat a shame. Itâs a Motorola.â
Luca continued, âBoss instructed us to pass on a message to you and to buy a new one for Emma!â
Emmeline, still frustrated, lashed out at Luca, but Brandon held her back, offering. âMy masterâs phone isnât working well either. Iâll buy one for him as well.â
Later that afternoon, Brandon ended up purchasing two identical Nokia N7 phones. She had no further objections. He also obtained a new SIM card, with only him and Abel privy to the number.
Five days passed, and Zahn remained conspicuously missing. Each day, Adam and his wife. waited outside Abelâs office as if they were on their way to work, hoping for Abel to agree to âlet go of Zahn.
Lorren, passing by these two door guardians, entered the office. âYouâre looking for me, Mr. Ryker,â he greeted Abel.
Abel reviewed the production report and commented, âThe production efficiency has been excellent lately! The production line is running smoothly, and orders are pouring in!â With enthusiasm, he continued, âThe city has approved land for us in the development zone. Next spring, weâre going to expand the company!â
Lorren took a sharp breath.
âWhatâs wrong?â Abel inquired.
Lorren hesitated before responding, âMr. Ryker, with the scale of our current production, something we wouldnât even have dared to imagine before you took over.â
âIâm genuinely grateful for the timing with the favorable national policies. Abel chuckled. âItâs almost like catching a fortunate wave. If not for this opportunity, I might still be a small- scale salesperson.â
Lorren continued, âOur employeesâ incomes have multiplied several times. Just ask anyone. in the workshop. They all praise you!â
Abel replied modestly. âNo need for praise; just donât criticize me.â
Lorren pressed on. âThe employees are saying that you are considering building apartments for the Ryker Group next year?â
Abel confirmed, Tâve already secured the land from the city. I want our workers to have good housing!â
Adam joined the conversation, mentioning casually. âAbel, save two lots for Zahn; heâs getting married!â
Lorren furrowed his brow and asked, âMr. Ryker, should I leave first?â
âTake a look at this booklet on the foreign production process, Abel said, handing it to Lorren.
âOkay.â Lorren acknowledged, taking the booklet before leaving the room.
Adam smirked, teasingly saying. âWell done, Abel! Itâs a whole different game with money. and power, isnât it?â
Abel smirked and remarked, âIâve told you repeatedly that relying on me is futile. The main focus is convincing Zahn to surrender.â
Adam, seemingly frustrated, responded, Iâve been waiting for just one word from you. As long as you inform the higherâups, this matter will be over. Itâs that simple. Why wonât you budge?â
Abel firmly stated, âI wonât waste my time explaining to you. The arrest warrant was issued. today. So, deal with it.â
Surprised, Adam asked, âWhat arrest warrant?â