Cage

Chapter 154

Clyde and I looked at each other.

Lisa’s proposal was tempting. Teaming up could indeed make the investigation easier.

Not to mention how much she hated Talbot.

We decided to cooperate temporarily. It seemed like a win–win situation.

Clyde, somewhat disgruntled, exclaimed, “Does this mean I have to play the pretty boy?”

I shoved him towards the door with all my might.

“Who’s even looking at you? What ‘looks‘ are you talking about?”

He probably remembered Lisa’s words and left in a huff

Clyde barely stepped out when Eliana Chandler called.

“I needed to see you. We need to talk.”

Her tone was upbeat. Seemed like she had got some clues.

I rushed to the Chandler family’s restaurant, finding Eliana in high spirits.

“Melanie, over here, quick!”

When I got closer, I noticed the table was littered with documents with only two cups of coffee.

“Look at what I’ve got for these past days. Impressive, huh?”

I scrutinized the documents, taken aback.

She had unearthed the Crawford family’s ventures in Ironvale over the years, even highlighting several failed

projects.

“That Talbot guy, a total buffoon. He was on the brink of bankruptcy before taking over your family’s

business.”

Eliana pointed at several documents. “These are enough to make him bankrupt. If it weren’t for your family’s misfortune, he’d never achieve his current success.”

“He’s bitten off more than he can chew by taking on numerous projects. He’s practically broke now and that is why he approached Clyde, the perfect sucker.”

I looked through the documents and I noticed some mishaps.

It was evident that Talbot wasn’t cut out for business, as he made several mistakes in decision–making. But luck was on his side. The solid foundation of my family’s company enabled his business to develop rapidly.

Eliana then pointed to several profiles. “These folks used to work for the Crawford family and now they’re

with us.”

“Talbot valued relationships over skills in employment, pushing out all the competent ones.”

“This guy was the project’s designer. Everyone knows he was unfairly dismissed, tarnishing the Crawford family’s reputation.”

picked up the profile Jared, a familiar face.

–

He used to be the head designer for the Crawford family, known for his skill and integrity. Working with Talbot for so long was a testament to his capabilities.

1/2

09:50

Chapter 154

Talbot’s decision to let him go was indeed foolish.

“Did you know? This project’s profit was supposed to be in the range of seven to eight hundred thousand dollars. Really not wise of him to push away Jared.”

Eliana kept up her critique, but I sensed Talbot’s reason for dismissing Jared wasn’t solely about money. Moreover, Jared and Galen Brown used to be on a good terms. Perhaps he knew some inside story?

But Galen Brown’s profile made me confused.

Eliana took the profile up, “You know, Galen Brown’s involved not only in your family’s case but also in an unsolved mystery.”

Turns out, before the police could reach Galen Brown following my family’s incident, his neighborhood caught on fire.

The fire started in Galen Brown’s house and three people died. However, Galen Brown’s body was never found.

Rumors suggested that he hadn’t made it out, while others speculated that he was burned to ash.

“Melanie, don’t you find it odd? There should have been some DNA evidence, right?”

“I believe he’s still alive.”

Deep down, I always felt he was still alive.

If not, who supplied Talbot with those documents?

And Geneva, she got back also because Talbot suspected Galen Brown was alive. Finding him might just unravel the truth behind everything!