Chapter 259: Indifferent
Richard also pulled out the contract he had prepared in advance and placed it in front of the mayor.
To the mayor, this contract was as if a pie were tumbling from the sky. He read through it carefully twice, and finding nothing wrong, happily signed his name.
"Mr. Spencer, I look forward to working together again in the future. Ashford's development depends on you!"
The mayor insisted they stay in the village for dinner.
Roasted whole lamb, barbecue—the atmosphere was lively and festive, with the entire village joining in the celebration.
When the villagers learned that Isabella was the scientist they'd heard so much about, the few young people who'd stayed in the village were amazed.
"Women can be scientists?" a girl in her early twenties asked in wonder.
Isabella smiled as she replied, "Of course. Scientists aren't classified by gender. Anyone with strong research capabilities who can produce meaningful work can be called a scientist."
"Then my daughter could someday...?"
"As long as she has the ability, she can absolutely become a real scientist through her own efforts."
The ladies shared looks, then each affirmed with a firm nod.
"Then I'm definitely going to make sure my child studies hard. Even if she doesn't become a scientist, if she could live as well as Ms. Capulet does, that would be wonderful!"
Listening to their conversation, Isabella felt a bittersweet mix of emotions.
For girls living in mountain villages, even attending school was a struggle. Most families could only afford to educate one child.
Naturally, daughters became the ones who were sacrificed.
That evening, the mayor of Ashford drove them back, humming cheerfully the entire way. His mood couldn't have been better.
With the contract signed, the megafactory project was finally set in stone. That night, Richard began contacting construction companies.
Prior to the construction of the staff quarters,, Infinity Ventures Corporation would be responsible for solving all the villagers' housing needs, relocating them to hotels in the city.
Early the next morning, Isabella was awakened by urgent, aggressive pounding on her door.
She peered through the peephole and caught sight of a menacing, painfully recognizable face.
It was clearly one of the villagers from Riverside. They had actually tracked them down to the hotel!
Isabella's heart lurched. She immediately sent a message to Richard to warn him.
"Stop pretending! We know you're hiding in there!" the person outside shouted threateningly.
Isabella pressed her ear against the door and heard another door opening. Looking through the peephole, she saw Richard step out into the hallway.
"If you have something to say, talk to me. There's no need to be so crude,"Richard spoke evenly, revealing no trace of fear.
"Don't act all high and mighty, like we can't see through you! That bitch is obviously your mistress, and that kid is probably your bastard daughter, right?"
The cursing voice was even more familiar to Isabella.
It was undoubtedly the individual who had headed the crowd that day.
After someone got hurt, he'd been the first to run and hide. Now he had the audacity to come looking for trouble.
Isabella crouched down and instructed Olivia firmly: "I'm going out to help Richard. You stay in this room and hide. Don't open the door for anyone unless I tell you to. And don't you dare run out on your own without my permission."
Olivia nodded obediently. Only then did Isabella turn and open the door.
The hotel's narrow hallway was packed with people—all villagers from Riverside.
They weren't carrying farm tools this time, but they still looked dangerous and aggressive.
Isabella looked them over.
"William is still in the hospital. We haven't even filed a police report yet, and you have the nerve to come here and threaten us?"
The ringleader wore an expression of complete indifference. "If you don't sign a contract with us, we're not leaving."
"That's right! This factory was supposed to be built in Riverside. Government officials came and looked at our site. They approved it! Then you just up and changed your minds and gave our money to those wimps in Ashford!"
Somehow, even though they were the ones trying to help, these villagers had twisted things to make Isabella and Richard seem like unforgivable criminals.
Their taunts became progressively more venomous, their eyes glinting with spite,, as if they wanted to devour Isabella and Richard alive.
"Your local government was only helping to narrow down the options. The final choice was always going to be one of the three towns," Richard said evenly.
He had originally favored Pinehurst. The conditions were excellent, the population was sufficient—it could have easily supported the megafactory's operations in the short term.
The problem was that the Riverside villagers were too greedy.
Their hunger was unquenchable.. Richard knew that if he agreed to one unreasonable demand, there would be ten more, then a hundred more. The project would never be completed.
In these people's eyes, there was only money. Richard had no doubt they would break the law if it meant making a quick buck.
"Quick, get this on camera! Post it online so everyone can see how these people are bullying us poor country folk!"
The villagers' emotions were stirred up once again. They waved their fists, ready to speak with violence.
"Fake philanthropists like you should be exposed! Everyone online should see what a hypocrite you are—promising to invest in Riverside, then going back on your word!"
"I bet you're just trying to commit tax fraud, aren't you?"
The villagers hurled accusations, maliciously speculating about Isabella and Richard's motives.
Facing their phone cameras, Richard showed no fear whatsoever.
"My friend is still in the hospital. Even your own forensic examiner can confirm that the injury on his back was caused by a blunt object. That wound easily constitutes assault causing bodily harm. If we pursue this, the person who hurt him will definitely go to prison."
"As for your accusation about tax evasion—Lacking concrete proof, I can take legal action against you for defamation."
Richard had nothing to hide. He wasn't the least bit worried about these ignorant threats.
"We've already signed the contract. No matter how much you make a scene, the project location isn't going to change," Richard stated loudly and firmly.
The hallway fell silent. The villagers suddenly had nothing to say.