Chapter 14: Teach Them Some Manners

John sat alone in his office, the neon lights from outside casting streaks of light and shadow across his face through the gaps in the curtains.

His gaze was intense, and his fingers drummed rhythmically on the desk, a habit when he was deep in thought.

Joshua walked in, breaking the silence. He placed a file in front of John and started updating him on Emily's situation.

A cold glint flashed in John's eyes as he looked at the file Joshua handed over, detailing Emily's ordeal.

That rundown neighborhood was a key development project for the Williams Group recently, and the thugs who harassed Emily were notorious troublemakers from there.

The area was infamous for its slums, filled with people barely scraping by. Many had taken the money and moved out early during the demolition, leaving behind only those with nowhere else to go or elderly residents who were reluctant to leave. So, it was no surprise that no one dared to help Emily when she called for help that day.

The thugs had become local tyrants, and with the Williams Group taking over the land for development, they saw an opportunity to extort money during the demolition. However, due to a disagreement over the demolition compensation, they stayed put.

"Don't waste any more time. Have Nicholas Jackson go 'talk' to them." John's voice was calm, but the authority in it sent chills down one's spine. "It's time to teach them some manners."

Joshua nodded, understanding what John meant by "talk."

Nicholas was John's trusted aide, known for his tough methods. Many issues that couldn't be resolved openly were handled by Nicholas. What the thugs would face was more than just a "talk."

Joshua left the office and then contacted Nicholas to relay John's instructions.

John took out his phone and dialed Emily's number, but no one answered. He knew Emily had blocked him.

John tossed the phone onto the desk, then stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down.

Nicholas was an experienced veteran under John's command. After receiving the order, he immediately gathered a team without hesitation and headed to the rundown neighborhood.

On the way, Nicholas had already figured out the thugs' home addresses and arranged for an excavator. Upon arrival, he divided his team: one group to clear the houses and the other to demolish them, then leave immediately.

Then Nicholas himself took some people to find the thugs who were drinking and playing cards at the alley entrance.

Nicholas casually strolled over, pretending to be a passerby, yet as he passed them, he deliberately stepped on a thug's outstretched legs.

"What are you doing?" The thug watched his foot being stepped on, feeling quite displeased, and shouted.

"Sorry, my foot slipped. This ground is too slippery. My apologies." As Nicholas said, he stepped on another thug's foot.

"Fuck." One of the thugs directly grabbed a beer bottle and threw it at Nicholas.

With the first thug making a move, Nicholas and his team immediately retaliated. A brawl ensued, but the thugs were no match for Nicholas and his men at all. In no time, all thugs were lying on the ground.

Nicholas called for a van, loaded the thugs into it, and dumped them at the nearest hospital entrance.

Then he took out his phone and called John. "Mr. Williams, it's done."

"Good."