Chapter 188: Setting a Trap, Waiting for the Prey
On the sixth day after the investigation team arrived, which was also the seventh day of my bet with Rex.
In the morning, six directors contacted me one after another, asking if my offer to buy their shares still stood.
I gave them all the same answer: "Of course it does."
They felt pessimistic about Platinum Haven Hotel's present and future. Rather than watch the stock price gradually fall, they'd rather sell to me now at a high price.
I didn't care what they thought. As long as someone was willing to sell, I'd buy.
Rex made a special call to mock me. "To become Vice Chairman at such a young age, you do have some skills. But your Vice Chairman career is about to end! Isabella, if you resign now, you can at least keep some dignity."
"What's wrong? Can't wait to get lost before the ten days are even up?" I shot back, mimicking his tone.
Rex sneered. "Fine! Let's see how long you can keep up this tough act!"
By noon, fifteen shareholders were demonstrating at the hotel entrance, holding up banners and demanding I give them an explanation.
Around the same time, people from the Valeri family came again—the same ones as last time. But this time Lucas couldn't come to my rescue; he was tied up with work in a neighboring city.
Reporters surrounded the hotel. I sat in my office watching TV shows while Adrian stood by the window looking out. He asked me, puzzled, "Ms. Sorelli, are we just going to let them make trouble like this? Not do anything?"
"Nothing. Let them make a scene. The bigger the better." I ate my chips and sucked the seasoning off my fingertips.
The intercom suddenly rang. "Ms. Sorelli, you have a visitor. Wait! Sir! You can't go in yet."
I heard the receptionist trying to stop someone. I quickly turned off the TV, stuffed the chips in a drawer, grabbed two tissues to wipe my hands, and at Adrian's reminder, wiped the crumbs from around my mouth. Then I messed up my hair and put on a worried, troubled expression.
The door pushed open from outside. "Bella!"
"Jonas? It's you?" I couldn't help but put my hand to my forehead. If I'd known it was him, I wouldn't have bothered with the act.
"Long time no see. Been busy lately?" I smiled and made small talk with him.
"You're in this situation and still asking about me." Jonas looked at me with his soulful eyes, showing genuine emotion. He said apologetically, "I went home right after the hunting competition. There was too much going on at home, I couldn't get away. I'm sorry!"
I looked at myself in the mirror. The deliberately ugly makeup made me look dull-skinned with chapped lips, as if I hadn't slept well in days.
"You don't need to apologize. Actually, I—"
Before I could finish, Jonas grabbed both my hands. "I know everything! Bella, I heard you were in trouble and rushed over immediately. Whatever I can do for you, just say the word!"
I gently struggled and freed my hands. "Jonas, my situation isn't as bad as you think. Don't worry."
"Bella, you don't need to comfort me." Jonas let out a long sigh. "Lucas isn't here, which is the perfect chance for me to prove myself. I wish I'd come back sooner."
I twitched my lips, feeling helpless. "You still haven't given up?"
"Of course not. And after finding out you're the Miracle Surgeon, my family is very supportive of me pursuing you." Jonas looked at me seriously, not joking at all.
"Jonas, I only like you as a friend." I said seriously, then without waiting for his answer, asked, "Can you do me a favor?"
Jonas swallowed the words that had risen to his lips. After a few seconds, he asked, "What do you need me to do?"
I whispered a few instructions to him.
A few minutes later, Jonas stormed out, slamming the door. I called out his name and chased after him. Jonas walked to the lobby, turned around and shouted at me, "Isabella, our partnership ends here!"
The reporters outside noticed our commotion and eagerly pressed their camera shutters.
Jonas didn't give them a chance to interview him and quickly got in his car and left.
I watched him go with an anxious expression. The reporters tried to rush into the hotel while Donald's mistresses took the opportunity to cry and make a scene, using all kinds of nasty words to accuse Lucas and me.
I had people block them, then turned around. My distressed expression became relaxed. My phone vibrated gently in my pocket—Jonas had sent me an "OK" emoji.
I returned to my office. James told me, "Two more pieces of bad news. Online negative news about Platinum Haven Hotel has increased again, and public opinion is very unfavorable to us. The employees are unsettled, and someone is spreading rumors that the hotel is about to go bankrupt!"
I listened to his report with my eyes closed. When James finished, I opened my eyes. "Keep having our internet trolls divert the netizens' attention. Catch whoever is spreading the rumors!"
James answered, "Yes!"
Cole also spoke up. "Ms. Sorelli, I also have bad news. Some Soldati are preparing to defect after being instigated by certain people."
I curved my lips. "Looks like the plan is coming along nicely."
My phone rang. It was Bayle calling.
"Isabella, so? Have you thought it through?"
I was silent for a minute, then spoke with great reluctance. "Shall we talk?"
"Sure!" Bayle had been waiting for me to give in. "Dinner tonight?"
His tone was suggestive, hinting that something would happen tonight.
I sneered silently but put on a pained, helpless look. "Okay. I'll choose the place. I guarantee you'll have fun tonight and be satisfied!"
After hanging up, I thought almost everyone must think I've been pushed into a corner, right?
That evening, I took Bayle to a members-only high-end entertainment club.
The lighting was dim and suggestive. The music in the lobby was lively and cheerful, while the light music in the private rooms was lazy and soothing.
The investigation team members were having a gathering in a large private room. I opened a separate private room just for Bayle.
A server stood respectfully in the corner. Bayle looked at the fine wine and food on the table, his eyes lighting up. "This is Lucas's entertainment club?"
"Yes. This is the highest-class place with the most entertainment in Starstream City." I took the initiative to toast him.
Bayle drank it with a smile, his gaze becoming more and more blatant and unrestrained as he looked at me.
"Meeting here, Lucas won't be angry, will he?"
"No." I deliberately avoided looking at him. "Lucas isn't in Starstream City and can't make it back. He won't know about tonight."
Bayle was in a good mood. "Looks like you've figured it out."
He patted his thigh, indicating I should sit on his lap.
I twitched my lips. Was my acting too good, or had Bayle forgotten his position after just two drinks?
I walked over. Bayle reached out his hand toward me, then screamed in pain.
As soon as he opened his mouth, Cole grabbed him from behind, choking his neck and covering his mouth.
I took out a syringe from my pocket and explained in a soft voice as Bayle looked on in terror. "Don't be afraid. You won't die. It's just a little something to help you have fun."
This was a drug I'd previously used on Mason, now improved to make people more excited and euphoric all night long. But after the effects wore off, they'd be extremely weak and mentally scattered, exhausted for at least half a month.
Bayle struggled hard. "No, you can't do this!"
I inserted the needle into his skin. He shuddered in waves!
"Tell me your plan!"
Bayle kept shaking his head. "I don't know! I'm only responsible for the investigation! I don't know anything else!"
"Won't talk?" I sneered. The cold liquid slowly entered Bayle's body, and his eyes gradually became unfocused.
"I'll talk. They're coming."
"Who's coming?"
"People from the Valeri family and the Gambino family."
I couldn't help but click my tongue.
The trap was ready, just waiting for the prey to jump in.