Chapter 442 No Way Out
When Ryder heard that, his eyes narrowed a bit. "You guys really love kicking someone when they're down, huh?"
Andy smirked. "That's not quite right. Ever heard 'to the victor go the spoils'? Losers gotta deal with the fallout, right?"
Ryder looked around and coolly shot back, "Who said I was the loser?"
Andy burst out laughing. "Ryder, you must've lost your mind in there. Everyone in Houston knows what you did. With charges like that, you really think you can turn this around? Keep dreaming!"
Ryder stayed calm. "What if I told you there are other possibilities?"
Andy sneered. "Don't even think about it. Even if there were, they wouldn't save you. Just give up! I don't have all day. Are you in or out?"
Ryder shook his head firmly. "No!"
Andy nodded, cursing Ryder's stubbornness in his mind.
But he kept his cool on the outside. "Fine! You've got guts, but don't think we can't handle you. Maple Real Estate is already shut down, and it has tons of employees to support. Let's see how long you can hold out. Even if you don't hand it over, once it collapses, the Johnson family will scoop it up. We're just playing the waiting game. By then, you won't have any leverage!"
Ryder just said, "Suit yourself."
Andy's eye twitched!
Ryder was really stubborn!
Just then, Andy's phone rang. It was Tyler!
He quickly answered, sounding all eager, "Mr. Young, what can I do for you?"
Tyler's voice was impatient. "Cut the crap. Aren't you with Ryder? Put me on speaker; I need to talk to him!"
Andy did as he was told, putting the phone on speaker.
Tyler's mocking voice came through. "Hey, Mr. Clark, how's it going in there? How's the food? Need me to send you something better?"
Ryder lifted his eyelids and replied, "No need. Everything's fine here."
Tyler said, "So, now you know what happens when you mess with me? Weren't you all high and mighty last night? If you've got the guts, hit me again!"
Ryder said, "Don't get too cocky. You'll regret it when you fail."
Tyler continued, "Oh, I'm so scared! If you can get out and hit me again, I'll kneel and let you slap me. But too bad, you can only dream about that!"
Ryder stayed silent.
Tyler, feeling good, went on, "Believe it or not, I can make sure you stay in there for life, wishing you were dead. No need to thank me; I'm just that generous! And by the way, your wife, Sarah, I'm really interested in her. No matter what, I'll find a way to sleep with her. I'll even send you the photos and videos!" Tyler said this deliberately, trying to provoke Ryder.
But Ryder, with just a cold look on his face, didn't show any signs of breaking down.
Out of nowhere, Ryder said, "There's a traitor among my guys, right?"
Tyler's laughter stopped dead on the other end.
He asked in a low voice, "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing much. Enjoy yourself while you can. Next time we meet, you won't be laughing." With that, Ryder hung up.
He signaled the officer behind him to take him away.
Tyler, confused and shouting, "Ryder, what do you mean? Answer me!"
Andy picked up the phone carefully. "Mr. Young, Ryder's been taken away. He can't hear you anymore!"
Tyler cursed.
Andy tried to reassure him, "Mr. Young, don't let that bastard get to you. He loves scaring people. Given the situation, he has no chance to turn things around!"
Tyler nodded. "You're right! Get back here. I have something for you to do!"
"Got it!" Andy replied eagerly.
He quickly tidied up and left.
But as he stepped out of the "visitation room," he suddenly felt like someone was watching him.
He shivered, feeling uneasy.
When he turned around, he saw the iron door on the other side of the glass wall just closing!
Could it be Ryder?
Andy shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Just a loser in prison. He can't do anything."
With that, he hummed a tune and left.
Even though Ryder's involvement in drugs wasn't officially confirmed, the news had already spread all over Houston's business circles and among the general public!
Thanks to the Johnson family buying off the media and spreading it everywhere!
People didn't know Ryder personally, but hearing about the CEO of Maple Real Estate and the villa at Platan Height No. 1 was enough to stir up some buzz.
"No wonder he's so rich; it's all from drug money!"
"All those rich folks are crooks! They should be taken down, and their money shared!"
"Exactly! Platan Height No. 1 should be for everyone. Why does he deserve such a big house?"
Public opinion was getting more and more intense.
And the business circles in Houston were even more urgent!
With Ryder in trouble and the Johnson family teaming up with the Young family from New York City, the signal was clear!
Being associated with Ryder now was a death sentence!
So suppliers and construction material companies started cutting ties with Maple Real Estate and SR Group, cozying up to the Johnson family!
Even though this had happened before and Ryder had turned things around, this time, they didn't hesitate!
Because anyone could see that Ryder had no chance to turn things around!
The impact on business was wearing Sarah out!
And what made it worse was that no lawyer in Houston was willing to defend Ryder!
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