Chapter 543
“Didn’t we already say the folks here are pretty tough? If we showed up in our usual getup, the villagers would be on high alert. If we don’t blend in, forget about getting any information. We’d be lucky if we didn’t get run out of town.”
Vincent couldn’t help but realize he’d really underestimated how complicated this was.
After all, the government has been discussing the Ridgehaven Town project for ages, and with so many people eyeing this lucrative piece of the pie, the relocation compensation must have been quite generous.
“From now on, Bowen is the fruit vendor here to buy up the harvest, I’m his secretary, and Vincent, you’re his business partner,” Aubree instructed.
Bowen listened to Aubree’s plan and let out a low chuckle, “You’re going to be a secretary? Isn’t that a bit beneath me?”
Aubree smacked him right on the face without hesitation as she chided, “We’re talking business here, cut it out.”
He grabbed her hand just as quickly and uttered, “Alright, my… secretary.”
‘Secretary‘ was just a normal word, but somehow, when it came out of Bowen’s mouth with all those twists and turns, it sounded anything but proper.
Aubree shot him a glare, but Bowen just accepted it with a grin, completely unfazed.
Up front, Vincent kept his eyes glued to the road as he pretended that he saw and heard absolutely nothing. ‘Nope, I am not getting involved in this,’ he thought.
By the time they reached Ridgehaven Town, it was already mid-afternoon. The trio parked the car right at the entrance.
Mistmere may not seem remarkable now, but there’s hope. As a coastal area, with the right development, it could have a promising future and possibly become part of a regional economic hub.
That piece of information was genuine, as Aubree had also received it from the institute.
Ridgehaven Town was the first pilot site. The villagers here had been growing fruit trees for generations, and there were quite a few major orchard owners in the village.
When the news first came out about the land acquisition, it was these fruit growers who put up the strongest resistance. However, they gradually gave in over time.
But then, out of nowhere, everything changed overnight.
Not only were the die-hard holdouts still refusing to budge, but even the fruit growers who had previously agreed suddenly changed their tune and began resisting.
When asked why, they all expressed that they simply couldn’t bear to leave. Their families had lived there for generations, and they were unwilling to abandon their land.
Several groups had come to try and convince them, with some even bringing in negotiation experts to lead the discussions, but nothing worked. They all left looking defeated and empty-handed.
It was like the whole village had been bewitched. Being nice didn’t work, and if you tried to be tough, the villagers would just get even tougher.
Nothing was off the table for these villagers, as they even went so far as to block roads with carts and set fires.
With no other options left, the government had to reissue the bid. They had done so by privately reaching out to some of the top business groups to compete for the project.
As Aubree and the others reached the village entrance, they happened to bump into another group.
“Those are the teams from the Wilson Group and Diamonde Group,” Vincent said as he recognized them right away.
He was the first to spot them.
And leading the group was none other than Carmen herself.
“Hey, Aubree!” Carmen called out brightly when she spotted them coming.
When she got a good look at their outfits, Carmen put on her best innocent smile and asked, “Aubree, what’s with the outfits! Trying to fit in with the locals, are we?”
It might have sounded harmless, but Aubree knew all too well what Carmen was like. She was definitely throwing shade and calling their clothes country bumpkin style.
Aubree let out a dry laugh before shooting back, “Yeah, we could never outshine your dazzling style.
“But honestly, no matter how fancy you dress, it can’t cover up how clueless you are inside.
Compared to Carmen’s roundabout jabs, Aubree much preferred to just say things straight.
After all, wouldn’t it be even more annoying if the other party did not even get the sarcasm after using those roundabout words?
Nothing beats just calling someone out to their face.
Maintaining her cool, Carmen taunted, “I’m not as clever as you, Aubree. But seeing you go all out with this getup for the project, you must be feeling pretty sure of yourself, huh?”
“Way more sure than you, that’s for sure,” Aubree shot back.
Carmen was decked out in a tailored business suit, with a whole crew of people in equally formal suits trailing behind her. Each one dressed to impress, like they were desperate for everyone to know exactly why they were here.