The man holding the phone trembled uncontrollably.
Though it wasn't the height of summer, sweat beaded on his forehead like a dense rain.
"This is bad, this is really bad."
Recovering from his momentary disarray, he anxiously asked, "Did Mr. Yun say anything else?"
"Mr. Yun was very angry. There must be something wrong here. He's already gone to find someone. He told me to contact you immediately to stop the losses."
"Yes, yes." The man shivered, his previous doubt and certainty completely gone. After hanging up, he sprinted back to the staff.
Seeing their leader, one person excitedly raised his head, "Boss, that was a great opportunity just now! Boss, you were right. We've really made a killing this time. What are your orders now?"
"What? You bought it all?" The person in charge's eyes bulged, bloodshot, wishing he could crush his clenched fist.
The staff member standing opposite him looked confused at this reaction but honestly nodded, "Yes, didn't you tell us to?"
Before he could finish, the person in charge interrupted him.
He couldn't listen to another word.
"Things have changed. Find a way to sell it all off now!"
This statement was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
"What?" The staff members were all dumbfounded.
"Boss, there's less than half an hour left. How can we sell it all?"
"Yes, even if we try to sell it, we might not find a buyer immediately."
The group was like a pot of boiling water, their faces filled with unspoken astonishment.
Selling now, even at a loss so great they'd have nothing left, might still not find a buyer.
However, the person in charge had no other choice. He lowered his voice, "This is an order from above."
Realizing that their leader likely had no authority to oppose this decision, the staff could only silently return to their workstations.
"However, boss, we can only do our best!" a staff member with more seniority added.
But before he could finish, the person in charge turned and walked away.
A profound sense of loss permeated him.
By now, the news had spread.
Let alone half an hour, even another hour might not be enough to find a buyer.
His only option now was to personally explain the situation to Mr. Yun.
He was searching the entire city for Liao Heyun, while Liao Heyun was mobilizing all his available manpower to find Liu He.
With such a thorough search, if Liu He was in Southeast City, he was bound to be found.
Indeed, in less than half an hour, he was cornered on a small balcony of a stylish coffee shop by several middle-aged men in suits.
"Who are you?"
Noticing the men dressed like they were from The Matrix, and realizing they were not to be trifled with, Liu He frowned.
The leader did not answer directly, his voice chillingly cold.
"An old friend wants to see you. You must come with me."
"Has the Lin family resorted to such tactics now?" Liu He's heart sank, but he quickly gave a cold smile, "I'm telling you, whatever you want to do, it's best to be upfront. Otherwise, I'm calling the police!"
Before he could finish speaking, he reached into his pocket for his phone.
*Slap.*
A hand snatched the phone away, and at the same time, a chilling sensation ran down his waist.
"You? This is outrageous!" Liu He's eyes widened, his anger burning.
But looking down, he saw the glinting blade pressed against his waist, and he swallowed the rest of his words.
"Let's go," the leader said without further ado.
Shortly after, Liu He got into a car.
When the car stopped, he was taken into a dark, empty room.
Within the beam of light, he saw a hammer and a rusty steel pipe. Especially in the dimly lit areas, he noticed people holding wrenches.
"What do you want?" A chill shot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
A voice soon reached his ears.
"What? You don't recognize me so quickly?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Liu He quickly looked towards the source.
"Mr. Yun, it's you, Mr. Yun." Seeing Liao Heyun, the dark cloud that had been hanging over his heart instantly dispersed.
"Mr. Yun, you could have just told me. Why go through all this?"
Liu He smiled and leaned closer.
However, Liao Heyun's expression was anything but pleasant.
"Liu He, I always thought you were a sensible person, honest and trustworthy. Why, why did you lie to me?"
*Clang.*
The last half of his sentence, along with the heavy strike of a stick in Liao Heyun's hand against a wooden crate nearby, blurted out.
Sensing the scattering fragments, Liu He instinctively dodged, his heart pounding.
Countless questions turned into question marks swirling in the depths of his mind like lingering ghosts.
His face turned unusually grim, "Mr. Yun, what are you talking about? Didn't I help you deal with Lu Feng? Didn't you want to make a move against the Lin family? Now, both matters are settled. How did I lie to you?"
"It seems you're still playing dumb even when death is at your doorstep. The Lin family expelling Lu Feng was just a smokescreen. Tell me, how much did he pay you?"
Liao Heyun's eyes fixed unceremoniously on Liu He.
Someone beside him quickly said,
"Mr. Yun, why waste words with him? Just ask him about the stocks. Time is running out. Why waste time with this traitor?"
Seeing Mr. Yun nod silently, the person volunteered, "Bring me the tools."
As soon as he spoke, he was handed an iron pipe.
His ferocious gaze was fixed on Liu He's face, "Speak. What are the Lin family's next plans? What's going on with the stocks? If you don't tell me, I'll break your leg!"
Liao Heyun always kept his word, and Liu He wasn't dealing with him for the first time.
But at this moment, he genuinely knew nothing.
Under the combined pressure of fear and unease, Liu He could no longer control himself and knelt down.
"Mr. Yun, when have I ever done such a thing? The Lin family, the stocks, I truly know nothing!"
His tears flowed, and it didn't seem fake. Liao Heyun quickly gave a look to the person holding the iron pipe, who immediately stepped aside. Then, Liao Heyun took out his phone and placed it in front of Liu He.
"Look closely!"
"What?" Liu He's face was deathly pale, whether from the lighting or something else.
"Mr. Yun, I really don't know about this. The Lin family, Mr. Yun, I think this must be fake news fabricated by someone with ulterior motives."
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and he trembled uncontrollably.
"Mr. Yun, perhaps you want to hide a secret? Mr. Yun, don't worry, I won't say a word, to anyone."
Hearing this, Liao Heyun's last shred of hope was extinguished.
"It seems this guy has also been sold out."
With a look of disappointment, he looked up at the person holding the iron pipe and said, "Break one of his legs and throw him out!"
"Let's go!" He then turned and left, abandoning Liu He.
As the roar of engines filled the air, a muffled scream came from behind.
"Mr. Yun, what do we do now?" the assistant in the driver's seat asked worriedly.
Liao Heyun felt a thousand times unwilling. But now, he could only sigh.
"We've fallen into a trap. This time, there will likely be bloodshed."