Chapter 401 Cloud Top Mountain Auction
After James left the Wish Group, he drove straight to the Lucky Hotel.
Mary had just texted him, asking to meet at the café for coffee.
Half an hour later, James arrived at the Lucky Café. Standing at the entrance, he scanned the room and quickly spotted the elegant and proud woman.
Mary was dressed in black, her long hair neatly tied up, sipping coffee by the window.
Her cool demeanor made it clear she wasn't someone to be approached lightly.
James sat down next to Mary. "So, what's up? Why'd you want to meet?"
Feeling the warmth from James as he sat close, Mary wanted to pull away but ultimately stayed put, speaking in a calm tone, "Why are you sitting so close?"
"I agreed to hear you out, but that doesn't mean I've forgiven you."
"And besides, aren't you worried your girlfriend will get jealous with you being so close to me?"
Mary took a light sip of her coffee, her words carrying a hint of reproach.
James chuckled. "Why do I feel like you're the one who's jealous?"
"Get lost!" Mary snapped, annoyed. "Why would I be jealous of a jerk like you?"
James replied innocently, "Bad boys are more attractive, aren't they?"
Mary didn't want to argue. "I'm not here to discuss that. I called you over to ask if you've finished dealing with the Glowing Oasis matter."
"It's mostly taken care of." James shrugged.
The integration of the Mystic Alliance at Glowing Oasis was complete, and the Lee family's crisis was resolved. James had achieved his goal, but he didn't want to be too definitive. "But there's still some loose ends to tie up."
"You know, my methods are a bit rough, and there are some minor issues. As long as I'm in Glowing Oasis, these problems won't escalate."
He added, "If I leave Glowing Oasis too soon, it could lead to big trouble."
Mary didn't beat around the bush. "Just tell me, how long will it take to finish everything?"
James hesitated. "Two weeks at the shortest, a month at the longest."
"Fine, I'll give you a month." Mary's gaze was sharp as she looked at James. "After that, leave Glowing Oasis and come to Stardust City to find me. Settle down there."
James was taken aback. "Move to Stardust City? Settle down?"
"That's right. Shift your focus to Stardust City." Mary spoke calmly, holding her cup. "I'll help you open a branch of JZL Medical Clinic there. You can also bring your parents along."
James' eyelid twitched. "Mary, give me some time to think about it."
"Think about what?" Mary's expression turned stern. "Are you saying the words you said that night were lies? Is your affection for me just a game?"
James quickly shook his head. "No, everything I said was true. It's just that shifting my focus is too sudden for me."
"You should know, my career and connections are mostly in Rosewood City. Moving to Stardust City means starting over."
"And the situation in Stardust City is complicated. I've already made enemies like Keith Morris. It could easily lead to big trouble."
Compared to Stardust City, James felt more comfortable in Rosewood City. It was his territory, and everyone there was on his side.
"Stop with the excuses." Mary placed her coffee cup on the table. "Just tell me, are you going or not?"
Seeing Mary getting angry, James could only smile bitterly. "Fine, I'll go to Stardust City, but I need three months to transition."
"I have a lot going on right now. I can't just up and leave."
Not to mention, he needed to convince his parents to come along. He didn't want to leave Virgil and Michelle behind in Rosewood City.
Hearing James agree, Mary's expression softened. "Alright, I'll give you that time."
"However, if I don't see you in Stardust City after three months, you can forget about ever seeing me again."
She had regretted trying to mend things with James several times. If he hesitated any longer, she would feel too humiliated.
Just then, Mary's phone vibrated. She didn't avoid it, putting on her earpiece and speaking calmly, "Who's this?"
"Ms. Smith, it's been a few days. Have you forgotten me already?"
A sharp laugh came from the other end of the line.
"So, have you decided about the auction the day after tomorrow? Are you backing out, or are you going to compete with me?"
James frowned slightly. An auction?
Hearing the laugh, Mary tensed up a bit. "I've already made up my mind. Just like I said last time, I'm determined to win this auction."
Though Mary was assertive, James could sense a hint of seriousness in her tone.
"Ms. Smith, you truly are a strong woman. Your presence is always so commanding."
The other person laughed mockingly. "But our Gonzalez Family are also determined to get that item. Ms. Smith, it's not good to be so uncooperative."
"What does this have to do with cooperation?" Mary's voice was icy. "Business is business. You want it, I want it. May the best bid win."
"But I don't want to spend unnecessary money." The other person's laugh turned playful. "If I can get it for a billion dollars, why should I spend hundreds of billions? It makes me unhappy, and the Gonzalez Family unhappy."
Though the person kept laughing, their tone was always overbearing, with a sense of superiority, clearly someone used to being in control.
James took a sip of his lemon water. The Gonzalez Family? Could they be one of the five major families? How did Mary get into a conflict with them?
"Whether you and the Gonzalez Family are happy has nothing to do with me." Mary didn't give an inch. "Either pay up or back out."
"Ms. Smith, are you determined to go against me?" The other person's laugh turned cold. "If you do this, I'll consider you an enemy. And being my enemy ends badly."
Mary's voice deepened. "Are you threatening me, Micah?"
Micah responded nonchalantly, "It's just a reminder."
"Though you're the head of the Smith Clan's thirteenth branch, you and Charles are always outsiders in the Smith Clan. If something happens to you, the Smith Clan won't intervene much."
"Besides, the entire Smith Clan might be able to challenge our Gonzalez Family, but that doesn't mean your thirteenth branch can go toe-to-toe with me."
He bluntly warned, "If you insist on blocking my way, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Mary smiled. "So, you're planning to use underhanded tactics?"
Micah didn't hide it anymore. "Glowing Oasis is my territory. I have a hundred ways to ruin you."
"Women should stay at home and in bed, not out in the open fighting. Otherwise, things can go wrong."
"Imagine if you were gutted or hit by a car and the culprit was never found, how sad the Smith Clan would be."
Micah's laugh was sinister.
Mary clenched her fist, wanting to punch him through the phone. "Micah, I'm telling you, I won't agree to your terms."
"I won't back down from the Cloud Top Mountain auction!"
"Do whatever you want." She was resolute.
James was shocked, finding it hard to believe that the long-abandoned Cloud Top Mountain was up for auction and that there was competition for it.
"Very well! Very well!!" Micah laughed again, his sinister tone sending chills down one's spine.
"I like women like you, so arrogant. Without your ignorance and fearlessness, life would be too dull!"
"I'm leaving Stardust City this afternoon and should arrive in Glowing Oasis by six."
"I'm putting it out there now. If you don't agree to back out by then, don't blame me for what happens next."
His words were firm. "At my command, you won't even be able to leave Glowing Oasis."
Before Mary could get angry, James grabbed her hand and spoke into the phone, "Get lost!"
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