Chapter 492 Get Out
After leaving the restaurant, Mary drove James back to Cloud Residence for a much-needed shower.
While James was freshening up, he tried calling Michelle and the others, but they had gone sightseeing and wouldn't return until evening.
Meanwhile, Mary's phone rang repeatedly—all calls from Katya, who kept stressing the importance of punctuality and cautioning Mary about Zane's temper.
"Don't provoke him," she warned. Mary acknowledged these warnings with casual indifference.
"This Katya is quite interesting," James remarked when Mary rejoined him. "Very invested in your affairs, though rather condescending."
"She's a Sovereign City socialite with no real business, just extensive connections," Mary explained, settling into a chair. "She makes her living as a middleman. This deal could earn her hundreds of thousands, so naturally she's eager."
"We're not close—Poppy introduced us. She's in her forties but maintains a thirty-something appearance through constant cosmetic surgery. Most people have forgotten what she really looks like."
Mary paced the room. "She assumed I wanted to beg Zane to spare Abigail and Christopher. That's why she's being arrogant."
"Katya isn't worth investigating, but Zane is another story." Mary shared her research: "Though only Deputy CEO on paper, he actually runs Harbor Group. He and Uri are blood brothers—he once saved Uri's life, earning his complete trust."
"When Harbor Group was established, Uri immediately put him in charge of Sovereign City's largest transport port, handling over ten million containers annually. That shows Uri's faith in him."
Her expression hardened. "Besides nepotism, he's extremely greedy and lecherous. Despite Uri's trust, he skims money yearly and regularly harasses female employees."
"He maintains a secretarial team of more than a dozen women—all his mistresses, mostly young married women," she continued. "Several of their husbands have complained, some even going to court, but he's crushed them all."
"Once, Zane assaulted a female tourist in Sovereign City. The victim's husband was influential and spared no expense trying to bring him down, but Uri eventually settled everything."
"This has only fueled his arrogance. He believes there's no woman he can't bully, no problem he can't solve."
James narrowed his eyes as Mary continued. "Quite a tough playboy, isn't he?"
"Christopher's few million should have been nothing to Zane—it was just handled by one of his subordinates. But he set his sights on Abigail, escalating the situation."
"While there's no direct evidence linking him to the accident, the police haven't released any information about the hit-and-run vehicle, suggesting someone powerful is suppressing the investigation." Mary's voice hardened. "Tonight, I want to see how he tries to weasel out of this."
After hearing about Zane, James became even more determined to accompany her. He took out his phone, asked Mary about the accident location, and sent Ron a text message.
Around seven o'clock, they got into Mary's car. Just as they fastened their seatbelts, Katya called again.
"Ms. Smith, Mr. Lowe is already at Golden Bay Club. You should come now!"
Ten miles away at Golden Bay Club, Katya was pacing the corridor.
"He wants to see you before eight, so you'd better arrive early," she emphasized. "Ms. Smith, you cannot be late. Mr. Lowe despises tardiness. If you upset him, not only will Abigail and Christopher suffer, but you might not be able to leave Sovereign City. He has connections everywhere—neither of us can afford to offend him!"
Only after receiving a satisfactory response did Katya hang up with relief.
She adjusted her hair, revealing her carefully maintained face. Today she wore entirely revealing clothing—a see-through blouse, fishnet stockings, and a miniskirt barely covering her essentials. The outfit was beautiful and sexy, but dangerously provocative.
"Mr. Lowe, Miss Smith will be here soon!" she announced, entering the private room where over ten colorfully dressed men and women lounged, plus several bodyguards in black suits.
Smiling obsequiously, she made her way to a long-haired man and whispered, "She's very obedient and sincere." That simple sentence conveyed her belief that Mary would be easy to manipulate.
"A perfect woman," Zane murmured, gazing at Mary's photo on his tablet with undisguised lust. "Compared to Christopher's wife, this one has more... flavor. I like her very much!"
He sipped red wine while staring at the photo as if he wanted to devour her.
Katya giggled and slipped several pills into Zane's hand. "These will help set the mood."
Zane laughed heartily, caressing Katya's hand. "How thoughtful. Afterward, I'll make sure you get your $1 million."
Katya beamed. "Thank you, Mr. Lowe!"
Just then, a forceful knock on the hall door stopped all conversation. As several bodyguards turned angrily toward the entrance, it was pushed open with commanding authority.
The loud bang made Zane and his companions stop talking. They turned casually, curious to see which fool would dare to be so impolite.
Zane was ready to break the intruder's hands to maintain his authority.
The other guests leaned back on their sofas, some holding wine glasses, others with crossed legs—the men looking smug, the women eagerly anticipating the drama.
James and Mary walked in.
"Ms. Smith!" Katya immediately recognized Mary, silently relieved that her mission was nearly complete.
As she moved to welcome her, she noticed James standing behind Mary.
A man?
Katya's face darkened instantly. "Ms. Smith, how dare you bring someone? How inappropriate!"
She pointed at James and snapped, "Get out!"
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