Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Pax knew full well that over the years, Lucien had played a huge role in helping the Warren family reach where they were in Seabrook. But what could he do about it now?

It was Laurel who had removed Lucien from his position. As fellow counts, the Warren family and Laurel had never been close.

Seeing the troubled look on Pax's face, Lucien let out a long sigh and shifted his tone. "Mr. Warren, you should know how much is at stake in what we discussed this morning. If Cruz takes over as deputy mayor, the development rights to the southern lowlands will fall into his hands. By then, it won't be so easy for you to get a piece of that pie. On the other hand, if I stay on as deputy mayor, I'll still be calling the shots in that area. Just like before, if we work together, we can both make a killing."

From a purely business standpoint, Pax naturally wanted Lucien to stay in his position.

He took a deep breath and said earnestly, "The one who removed you was Laurel. The Warren family and Count Wright have never had a good relationship."

Lucien let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Warren, are you telling me you have no one in the government who can help you?"

Pax smiled bitterly. "Even if I did, what could I do? I'm just a businessman. Besides, the way Laurel handled things today wasn't really out of line. He's always been careful and calculated. You've worked alongside him at the Wright Castle for years and never managed to catch him doing anything wrong. Do you really think I could?"

Lucien's expression suddenly turned serious. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Mr. Warren, you're right that I never had anything on Laurel before. But just now, after I left Seattle Grand Bistro and got to the parking lot, I did some digging and found out there's something going on between Laurel and that kid David."

Pax froze, his eyes lighting up with shock. "What? You're saying Laurel and David have some kind of deal going on?"

Lucien said with full confidence, "Of course! Otherwise, why would Laurel yank my deputy mayor title within half an hour of one phone call from David?"

Pax's interest was immediately piqued. "Tell me everything. What's going on?"

Lucien laid out everything he had found out.

"Mr. Warren, you might not believe this. That kid David isn't just a skilled fighter — he's also an incredible doctor. You've surely heard of Count Wright's daughter, Miss Kaida Wright. She's been sick for a long time. As it happens, David came to Seabrook and cured her."

Pax's eyes went wide. "What? Kaida's illness is gone?"

Lucien nodded. "That's right. I got this from one of the servants in Laurel's household."

Conrad leaned in and lowered his voice. "Father, Miss Wright really has recovered. I also heard that Mr. Wright is throwing a birthday party for her in a few days."

Pax went quiet for a moment, then looked up at Lucien with a cold smile. "Mr. Larson, congratulations. If that's really the case, it sounds like you're about to become the mayor of Seabrook."

Lucien knew Pax had powerful backing behind him, and he burst out laughing. "Mr. Warren, if I become mayor of Seabrook, this whole city will be ours!"

Pax laughed along with him.

Conrad asked curiously, "Father, are you really that confident?"

Pax said without a hint of doubt, "Don't worry. As long as we confirm that David was the one who cured Miss Wright, I have every confidence I can get Laurel to step down from the mayor's seat himself. You don't need to worry about that part. What I need you to focus on is that plot of land in the southern lowlands. Do whatever it takes to get it."

Conrad gently rubbed his swollen cheek and nodded. "Got it. I'll give it everything I've got."

---

Meanwhile, at the Perez family home.

Elizabeth was getting more and more furious the more she thought about it. It had been almost a full day, and David had vanished off the face of the earth.

Ava's face was full of unease too. She noticed Elizabeth sitting at her computer without actually doing any work, and asked quietly, "Elizabeth, has David still not called you?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

Ava said softly, "I had someone look into it today. David really has replaced Armando as head of the security division at Hill Enterprises."

Elizabeth had already heard the news. She couldn't wrap her head around how David had gotten into Hill Enterprises in the first place, let alone been made head of security in such a short time.

But right now, she didn't have the headspace to think about that. She had made a bold promise to Hayden that she would land a deal with Hill Enterprises no matter what. And yet she had zero connection to the company — her only hope was David. If he was willing to step in, even just to make an introduction, her chances of closing the deal would go up significantly.

With that thought, Elizabeth glanced at her phone on the desk again.

Just as she was about to pick it up and call David, the vow she had sworn to herself that morning when she hung up flashed through her mind.

She was quiet for a few seconds, then thought: Fine, if I have to swallow my pride, I'll swallow it. It's not like anyone else knows what I said.

Elizabeth called David again.

He picked up, his voice flat. "What do you want?"

Hearing his indifferent tone, Elizabeth felt her anger flare right back up. "What do I want? Why else would I be calling you?"

David said casually, "You miss me?"

Elizabeth clenched her fist. "Miss you? You think that's even possible?"

David didn't hesitate. "If you don't miss me, then why are you calling? Call me when you do."

And with that, he hung up cleanly.

Ava saw Elizabeth's face go pale with rage and rushed over. "Elizabeth, what happened? What did he say?"