Eric and Clayton showed up just in time. 

But the men who had been smoking closed in around them immediately, 

It was clear that they weren’t backing down. 

Alice and Eric exchanged glances, 

Negotiation wasn’t working, so they’d have to handle it differently, 

A sharp gleam flashed in her eyes, 

“Emma, stay behind me!” 

As soon as she finished, she delivered a front kick that sent the nearest man flying. 

He slammed against the wall and nearly passed out. 

The others saw that and hesitated, but there was no turning back now. 

So they all surged forward. 

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

One by one, they hit the ground like falling dominoes. 

Eric was still a bit weak from his injuries. 

If they ran into international mercenaries, it could be trouble. 

But those townspeople? For him, they were no challenge at all. 

Still, he hadn’t fully recovered, so Alice was a step ahead. 

She shot him a glance that basically said, “Keep up.” 

Eric was speechless. 

Jasper was starting to get scared. 

He was still sitting in the same spot, shaking. 

Back in Mapleford, he was a small–time contractor, used to giving orders and having people obey. 

But today, he’d picked the wrong targets. 

That person had only told him to trap Eric and Alice. 

He didn’t realize they were stronger than real thugs. 

TOR 

13 

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17:31 Tue, Jan 13 

Chapter 288 I Can’t Tell You 

“Are we negotiating or not?” 

Alice looked at him with a half–simile, her voice calm but sharp enough to cut if anyone butened Charly. 

“Ms. Spencer, Mr. Eric, I’m just following orders. Please don’t make this hard. I won’t give you a trodde again. I swear.” 

Jasper quickly started calculating, 

Even if those two were strong, could they withstand a full–on assault from everyone? 

He’d better compromise now and stabilize the situation. 

Alice snorted. “Who’ve you been contacting?” 

Jasper’s flattering smile vanished instantly. 

“I can’t tell you that.” 

Alice grabbed his chin. 

“I’ve been in a bad mood lately and have become a little violent. You get the idea. 

Jasper went silent. 

He never imagined he’d end up in trouble because of a girl. 

Every word she spoke landed like a ton of weight on his chest. 

He could barely breathe. 

“I–I…” 

Just then, someone shouted, “Someone important is here!” 

Jasper used Alice’s distraction to run outside. 

She didn’t follow. 

They were all still in the hill town. No rush. 

Daniel was already in the yard, so Jasper didn’t get far. 

A car slowly pulled up outside. 

When Michael stepped out, Daniel’s eyes widened. 

“Mr. Michael?” 

Then Michael opened the passenger door, 

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17:31 Tue, Jan 13 GBM 

Chapter 288 I Can’t Tell You 

Yvette got out first, followed by Linda from the back seat. 

Jasper saw a lifeline and ran straight to Linda. 

“Miss, I did exactly what you told me! But that bitch is dangerous. I almost died!” 

Linda didn’t want anyone to know she’d arranged that, but now she had no choice. 

“Get up first.” 

Once he stood, Jasper pointed at Alice. 

“They can’t pay what we want. We’re not selling our land to Nolan Group!” 

His followers echoed him immediately. 

Jasper shouted even louder, “Martinez Group is our real future!” 

The crowd joined in naturally. 

What should have been a quiet funeral turned into Jasper showing off his influence. 

Most people didn’t think much, but they cared about money. 

Whoever offered more, whoever paid faster–that was who they’d follow. 

+10 Free Coins 

“Mrs. Nolan, it’s a pleasure to see you here today.” Yvette sneered. “Do you want to take this project that much?” 

Alice stepped forward, looping her arm gently through Eric’s. 

He was stunned. 

“This project used to be under Ms. Randall, but now it’s ours. Of course I’ll do it right.” 

Her smile was soft, no trace of anger. 

“You’re not married yet, so you don’t know what it’s like when a couple is perfectly in sync. I get that.” 

Yvette’s gaze landed on Eric’s arm. 

Her gaze was sharp, almost wanting to shred Alice’s hand. 

She had admired Eric for years, even giving up a lot for him. 

But now, she became his brother’s fiancée. 

All those feelings had to be buried. 

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