Chapter 237 Ruthless People Don't Bluff Outside
Alexander? Ashley had never heard that name before.
But Damian wouldn't bring up someone irrelevant, so after a quick thought, Ashley figured this Alexander must be Patrick's older brother.
She pondered, 'How did Damian know Patrick's brother's name when Patrick didn't?'
Robert's face paled. He feared things were about to hit the fan, as this stranger seemed to be way too clued in about them than he had ever anticipated.
The more he thought about it, the more cautious he got. He asked, "Alexander? Who's that?"
Robert wasn't the only one on edge. Benjamin, who was almost drunk, and Christopher, still dazed from hitting the wall, eyed Damian warily.
With their connections in Rochester City, they knew most of the big players, but they had no clue about this guy. Mentioning Alexander made them even more suspicious.
Benjamin glanced at Thomas, feeling a chill run down his spine. He suspected the man on the sofa was from the Hearst family.
Holding a glass of wine, Benjamin's eyes were unfocused, and he wobbled a bit from the alcohol. "Do you know Mr. Smith?"
Alexander was the mastermind, pulling strings and making big bucks on the edge of the law. Few knew his real name; even his own people just called him "Boss."
The fact that someone could name-drop Alexander like that meant this guy was no ordinary person.
Damian exhaled smoke, his eyes cutting through the haze. "I need to talk business with him."
Benjamin relaxed a bit, thinking this was a resource coming to them. "Mr. Smith isn't at the club tonight, so you won't see him."
Robert had talked to Alexander, who said he didn't know this guy.
Robert was about to brush it off when Damian said, "San Francisco Port; is he planning to give it up?"
Robert swallowed his words. "You mean you have a say in the San Francisco Port business? That's a tough one. Mr. Smith has tried, but the other side won't budge."
Damian said, "I'll give him twenty minutes. If he's late, the deal's off."
Without hesitation, Robert agreed for Alexander, "No problem! I'll contact Mr. Smith right away!"
While Benjamin and Robert whispered, Ashley leaned close to Damian and asked, "How did you know?"
Damian replied, "WIith the clues Patrick gave, it was easy to trace him."
Ashley rolled her eyes as she vented inwardly, 'What? I've been searching forever for any trace of Alexander.'
"San Francisco Port? You wouldn't use such a big bait just for fun, right?" Ashley knew that was Damian's secret business, with huge profits.
Damian said, "Feeling sorry for me?"
Ashley paused. "I'm looking forward to your next move."
Damian sneered as a mere Alexander didn't need his personal attention. Did she not get who he was doing this for?
Damian said, "Didn't you say you didn't need my help? I've found the guy for you. How you use him is up to you."
Ashley glanced at Robert, who had just hung up the phone confidently. She remarked, "We can't uncover the truth about the murder case right away. Take it slow."
In less than twenty minutes, the door to the private room opened.
A middle-aged man wearing sunglasses walked in, about five feet nine inches tall, medium build, dressed in a black polo shirt, black sweatpants, and white sneakers.
If it weren't for the Porsche key in his hand, he'd look like an average guy. But that simple look hid a heart full of evil.
Truly ruthless people don't show it on the outside.
Even Ashley, as bold as she was, felt a twinge of fear.
Damian noticed her unease and smirked.
When Alexander arrived, Robert and the others quickly greeted him, bowing and scraping like servants.
"Mr. Smith, hello."
"Mr. Smith."
Alexander waved them off and focused on Damian, whom he didn't recognize. With a seasoned laugh, he said, "I hear you want to do business with me?"
Damian nodded calmly. "That's right."
Alexander glanced at Benjamin, who was flushed from drinking, and the wine glasses on the table. After sizing up the uninvited guest, he saw the clear difference in their levels. Benjamin probably wasn't even fit to carry his shoes.
"How did you know I was working on the San Francisco Port project?" Alexander asked.
Damian replied, "Does it matter?"
Alexander smiled, took a cigar from Robert, and sat opposite Damian. Robert lit the cigar for him.
As the smoke rose, he finally spoke, "Since you know my plan, you must be familiar with my business. How do you want to cooperate?"
Ashley observed Alexander closely, noting his composed behavior with no hint of mischief. Amy, meanwhile, stood by the bar at a safe distance.
These individuals were clearly sharp and watchful.
Damian said, "As far as I know, the boss behind San Francisco Port is tied to the Hearst family. It's not easy to profit from them."
Benjamin shot Thomas a skeptical look. 'So, he is not one of the Hearsts?' he mused.
Thomas blended into the background perfectly, not saying a word.
Hearing this, Alexander knew Damian was knowledgeable. He laughed. "If you know about the Hearst family, not cooperating with you would be my loss."
Damian said, "There's one condition for cooperation."
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I have a subordinate who's out of line. I need you to take care of it," Damian offered.
The cigar paused at Alexander's lips, his eyes shifting. "I'm not sure it's my place to handle your personal matters."
Damian smirked, "Let's cut the act. We're all savvy here. Four percent from the San Francisco Port profits. You handle it, and the contract's yours."
Robert's eyes bulged at the mention of four percent. Even one percent would set them up for life.
He couldn't wrap his head around the idea that such astronomical profits could stem from just one condition.Alexander flicked his fingers. "How do you want it handled?"
Damian said, "Make sure he can't talk."
Alexander's mouth twitched. The demand felt eerily tailor-made for him, as if designed with his interests in mind. "Only a dead man can't talk. You're asking a lot."
Damian said, "Mr. Smith, wealth lies in daring adventures. I believe you can handle it."
Benjamin leaned in. "Mr. Smith, just handle it like we did with Mark. It's easy."
Alexander said, "What's wrong with you that Mark's business isn't cleaned up yet?"
Benjamin, embarrassed, said, "A foolish lawyer almost ruined our plans."
The two whispered for a while, and Damian grew impatient. "One more thing, I don't want any legal trouble. If Mr. Smith takes the job, it should be handled cleanly."
Alexander asked, "Why should I trust you?"
