Chapter 175

“Mr. Kingsley, we’ve never even heard of that mine,” Matthew said, looking utterly bewildered.

So, the news about the iron mine in Yeatsmarsh Mountain didn’t come from the Foster family. Landon found it even odder.

‘How did Amy know there was a mine in Yeatsmarsh Mountain?’ he wondered.

“Mr. Kingsley, are you planning to invest in the mine? If so, could you let the Foster family in on the project?” Matthew asked.

Landon lit a cigarette. “Have you heard of the Merry Group?” he asked.

“Mr. Kingsley, are you referring to the internationally renowned real estate tycoon, Merry Group?”

“Exactly,” Landon replied.

“Mr. Kingsley, your connections are seriously impressive!” Matthew’s eyes lit up.

“Yeatsmarsh Mountain is a bit too far out for you. Why not get a piece of the action from the Merry Group instead?” said Landon.

“Thank you for the advice, Mr. Kingsley,” Matthew said gratefully.

After saying goodbye to Matthew, Landon’s face grew solemn.

‘Matthew is now the head of the Foster family, his father’s favorite, with all the family’s resources at his disposal. If Matthew doesn’t know about it, the Foster family does not either. Could Amy have the ability to foresee the future?’ Landon wondered.

Aaron carefully studied Landon’s expression before asking, “Mr. Kingsley, are we still investing in Yeatsmarsh Mountain?”

“What do you think?” Landon countered.

“Let’s do it! We’re just reinvesting the money we made from the land in Stonefield. If we lose, it won’t hurt the company’s stock price. But if we get it right, we could rake in billions of dollars,” Aaron said.

Aaron was brimming with confidence in Amelia, his enthusiasm practically contagious.

Perhaps infected by his passion, Landon finally broke into a smile. “Let’s do it!”

At Kingsley Group, Amelia had just finished chairing a meeting on behalf of Landon when the secretary invited her to the reception room.

“Mrs. Kingsley, Mr. Kyle from the Merry Group insists on seeing you,” said the secretary.

Amelia frowned. “Merry Group? Does Kingsley Group have any dealings with them? Why don’t I remember?”

“They bought the land in Stonefield a few days ago,” the secretary reminded her.

“Oh, it’s them,” Amelia said with sudden realization. “Then let’s meet him.”

Amelia thought, ‘The big shot who helped me rake in three billion dollars is probably just some grumpy old geezer or a pot-bellied middle-aged man.’

However, Amelia was instantly captivated when she saw the handsome, golden-haired man in the lounge, fresh-faced and adorable like a puppy.

Amelia looked at him and asked, “Are you Mr. Kyle from Merry Group?”

“That’s right.” Aiden Kyle extended his hand with a charming smile.

He said, “Mrs. Kingsley, you’re not only young and accomplished, but also stunningly beautiful. Mr. Kingsley is truly a lucky man.”

Amelia exchanged a polite handshake with him. With a smile, she said, “Mr. Kyle, you’re so young and accomplished. You look like a Draser—do you have a Nusminish surname?”

“My mother is Nusminish,” Aiden said with a smile. “Look at my eyes. They’re black.”

Amelia looked closely.

Blond hair, those striking dark eyes, and his flawless Nusminish… Amelia was surprised by the combination.

“Oh, that explains it,” Amelia smiled. “But Mr. Kyle, I’m guessing you didn’t come here today just to let me admire your eyes, did you?”

“We plan to develop the land in Stonefield into a large-scale integrated resort, all dining, lodging, and entertainment in one. Would Kingsley Group be interested in partnering with us?” Aiden asked.

Amelia smiled politely and said hesitantly, “Frankly speaking, I don’t have experience with real estate or tourism projects. My husband handles all major business decisions for the company, so this would require his approval.”

“I thought you could handle things on your own, Mrs. Kingsley, but it turns out Mr. Kingsley is still calling all the shots,” Aiden said half-jokingly.

However, it somehow upset Amelia.

‘Aiden sure knows how to sow discord,’ she thought.

Luckily, she wasn’t career-driven these days. She was perfectly content just being there for Landon.

“You’re right, Mr. Kyle,” Amelia said. “My husband spoils me too much to let me work myself ragged, so I only step in to cover for him when he’s busy.”

Amelia smoothly picked up the conversation without missing a beat.

Far from becoming awkward, the atmosphere grew even more relaxed and pleasant.

Aiden studied Amelia, his gaze inscrutable.

Amelia was in no mood to deal with someone who had ulterior motives. So, she glanced at her watch and said, “Mr. Kyle, I need to go and stand in for my husband at a meeting. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Aiden replied.

Left behind, Aiden watched with keen interest, and he narrowed his eyes as Amelia’s graceful silhouette vanished into the distance.

Landon stood not far away, fuming.

He thought, ‘That guy is looking at my wife with a predatory gaze.’

“Mr. Kyle, Mr. Kingsley is here to see you,” the secretary informed Aiden.

Aiden stood up, smiling as he approached Landon. “Mr. Kingsley,” he greeted.

“Mr. Kyle,” Landon greeted coolly.

As they clasped hands, Landon deliberately tightened his grip.

Aiden was surprised for a second, then calmly fought back with equal, measured force.

Locked in a silent contest of wills, neither man was willing to yield.

Aaron watched the tense exchange with growing alarm and quickly stepped in with a diplomatic smile. “Mr. Kingsley, this is Mr. Kyle from the Merry Group, who purchased the land in Stonefield.”

“Mr. Kyle from Merry Group? Pleasure,” Landon said.

When Landon let go, Aiden’s knuckles were white.

Aiden smiled and said, “Mr. Kingsley, I heard you were seriously ill for quite some time, laid up and out of action for months, and the Kingsley Group could get it through only after Mrs. Kingsley stepped in to take charge. But seeing you now, I can hardly tell you ever went through that.”

Aiden maintained his smile, casually prodding at Landon’s painful past as if it were nothing.

Landon felt his irritation rising.

‘Not only is this guy making moves on my wife, he’s also trying to drive a wedge between us!’ he fumed inwardly.

“Mr. Kyle, are you here for the Stonefield project? Sorry, but I don’t do partnerships,” Landon said coldly.

Aiden smirked. “Why is that? Mr. Kingsley, are you satisfied with just three billion dollars?”

“Turning 300 million dollars into over three billion dollars in just three months, that’s more than enough.” Landon settled into the host’s seat, radiating dominance.

“Mr. Kingsley, my project can make you billions of dollars more,” Aiden said.

With a subtle glance, Aiden signaled his assistant, who promptly presented the proposal.

Landon didn’t take the proposal. “I appreciate your offer, Mr. Kyle, but I’ll have to pass,” he said coolly.

Aiden asked, “Are you not interested, Mr. Kingsley?”

Landon replied, “Yeah.”

“Then I’ll offer this piece of the action to the Atkinson Group,” Aiden said with feigned regret.

Landon’s gaze sharpened for a moment before he shrugged indifferently. “Suit yourself,” he said.

“Landon…” Elaine’s sickly sweet, baby-voice greeting sounded, and Landon’s expression darkened instantly.

“Landon. It’s been so long. Did you miss me?” Elaine cooed, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.

Landon thought, ‘Just seeing her gives me a migraine. How can she not get it after all the times I’ve said no?’

“Elaine, speak normally!” Landon snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Elaine batted her eyes and cooed in a sugary voice, “But Landon, I am speaking normally.”

Landon was speechless.

After a three-second silence, Landon finally snapped, “Not every man is into that baby voice act.”

Elaine fluttered her round and innocent eyes and asked, “Do I sound like that?”

On one hand, she seemed innocent, but her words carried quite a suggestive undertone.

On the other hand, if she was making a dirty joke, her expression remained the picture of innocence.

Landon fixed Elaine with a cold stare. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Oh, the Atkinson family wants to collaborate with Merry Group on this project, and I’ll be in charge. So I’ll be living in Norava from now on,” Elaine said, batting her eyelashes. “Landon, we’ll get to see each other all the time.”

Landon said coldly, “Don’t bother. I don’t have time for you.”

Landon started considering a business trip to escape Elaine’s constant pestering.

‘I can’t stand this woman for another minute,’ he fumed. ‘Were it not for Klein, I would’ve thrown her out without a second thought.”

“Landon, I heard your legs have fully recovered. Our whole family is so happy for you,” Elaine said in her sugary voice as she handed over the gift. “Here, this is what my dad picked out especially for you.”

Everything inside was classic remedies for boosting male virility and restoring energy.

Aiden smirked, “So Mr. Kingsley is all show and no substance after all! No wonder Mrs. Kingsley looks rather drained these days.”

Landon fumed inwardly, ‘How can I stand this?’

He shot to his feet. “Aaron, show them out!”