The Woman From Hell

Earl looked through the development blueprints with great detail, and it would be a lie to say it did not make me panic. My heart was fluttering at the moment as I watched his every move. Even every subtle expression of his was throwing a wrench into my emotions.

Sylvester was so sly with how he had intercepted us halfway!

Just when I had collected myself, Earl was also done looking through the blueprints and glanced at Sylvester. "It looks great."

That praise... Could he have been persuaded?

"Perhaps you'd like to come and have a look at it with me, Miss Wanda?"

Earl's abrupt words surprised me.

"Together?" My eyes widened without me noticing. I thought about shamelessly following them along, yet Earl had actually extended an invitation to me. This was not what I had dared expect.

At the side, Sylvester was surprised as well. He obviously did not think that Earl would invite me along.

I did not know what Earl was thinking, but it was beyond great that I could go along with him. That way, I would not have to worry about what Sylvester might be planning.

"Of course," I agreed straight away. "I suppose you don't have any objections either, President Yard?"

Since Earl personally invited me, Sylvester had to agree even if he did not want to. The corners of his mouth raised into a smile. "Of course, I don't. I also look forward to you giving us some suggestions, Miss Lane." "How could I possibly? Let's not dawdle and proceed. Earl, this way, please."

The expression I wore while speaking to Sylvester a second ago was cold as usual. I turned to face Earl with a smile on my face.

Earl had a driver and a car to himself and got into it directly. After escorting him to his car, I went to his own. Before I managed to get into mine, Sylvester's damned face appeared before me again.

"Mr. Earl is probably interested if he's willing to go to Astral Garden. Don't blame me for showing my hand when you're on my territory." Sylvester sneered with a visage of self-confidence.

Judging from his delighted demeanor, could he have something planned?

I did not reply to him and immediately closed the car door.

Perhaps Sylvester was messing with me by trying to make me lose my spirit to fight back. It was a beautiful idea.

Astral Garden.

They had been pretty quick as in a blink of an eye, a small part of the foundation had already been laid as one could more or less see its shape.

Sylvester was giving his explanation to Earl as we walked, but I did not care to listen to him talk, so I looked over the place by myself.

There were probably no major problems in Astral Garden's development with Silas in charge, but it was too square. It would be just fine if it were for the locals but it would probably not convince Earl.

Sure enough, when I turned around to look at Earl, his expression was serious. His frown revealed everything.

"Mr. Earl, Yard Group is a large,

leading company in Whaldorf City. We have countless development projects, and the development of Astral Garden is a walk in the park for us. Judging from the current situation, it'll be completed in about half a year. By then-"

Sylvester's eloquent speech did not seem to be persuading Earl. I would already have a chance of winning even without saying anything.

"Your thoughts are sound, President

Yard. The work here is also very well

done, but since Yard Group already bought the place and is now developing it, I don't think we're

needed," Earl said bluntly.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Sylvester was taken aback by his straightforwardness, and his expression changed slightly. "Mr. Earl, we still hope to be able to join forces and move toward a bigger stage together."

"We want to develop independently. You should be aware of this, President Yard." Earl smiled and looked at me. "What do you think of this place, Miss Wanda?"

I was a little taken aback by this change of topic...