At seven o’clock, Jefferson came to pick up Darnell.
Leaning against the Cadillac, Darnell closed his eyes to rest while Jefferson summarized Jane’s information.
Jefferson took a sip from a bottle of water and then lowered his voice to explain Jane’s situation, “Jane Egerton, twenty-five years old, is Luis’s second wife.”
“His ex-wife was caught having an affair with the housekeeper and transferring assets, which led Luis to drive her out.”
“Wait!”
Darnell opened his eyes before asking, “Don’t all rich people have terrible tempers? His wife cheated on him and even transferred his assets, yet Luis merely drives her away?”
“In films, even if he doesn’t punish her severely, at the very least, he would have sought revenge.”
Jefferson seemed prepared for Darnell’s question and replied with a smile, “Luis indeed wanted them dead, but his ex-wife Pamela Frye is no easy character. She has deep connections with the Pateshall family from Mozamguay, so Luis spared her.”
“There are rumors that Luis’s kidnapping wasn’t just retaliation for his mining disputes with the Pateshall family in Mozamguay-Pamela’s scheming might have played a part too.”
Darnell nodded slightly. “Understood. Tell me more about Jane.”
“After divorcing Pamela, Luis married Jane.”
Jefferson obviously did background checks for Jane.
“When Luis married Jane, she hadn’t graduated from university yet. She was a campus belle at that time.”
“She had a basic understanding of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, astronomy, and geography. Luis met her at a ceremony for donating a teaching building and was immediately captivated.”
“He pursued her for six months using all kinds of romantic gestures and finally won her over.”
Jefferson’s expression grew more animated.
“After marrying Luis, Jane didn’t stop her studies. Instead, she worked even harder to improve herself.”
“Despite being labeled as the mistress who climbed up the social ladder by Pamela, she completed her studies. It’s said she achieved straight A’s and was an outstanding student back then.”
“She is not only smart but also independent and strong-willed.”
As Darnell’s interest grew stronger, Jefferson continued, “After finishing her studies, she didn’t become a spendthrift but joined Red Star Manufacturing Corporation.”
“Starting as an assistant, she became the vice president after three years. Although she had Luis behind her back, her own exceptional abilities played an important role in her success.”
“Luis treated her well too, giving her control over the corporation and allocating forty percent of his assets to her.”
Darnell widened his eyes. “What a wealthy woman.”
Jefferson nodded in agreement. “Indeed, she’s a wealthy woman with seven billion dollars.”
Darnell patted his leg gently. “If I could get rid of Luis and marry Jane, wouldn’t I become a billionaire with 3. 5 billion dollars?”
Jefferson almost choked on water and coughed twice before smiling wryly, “Boss, that’s an interesting thought but highly unrealistic.”
“Not to mention murder is a crime. Even if it weren’t, Jane isn’t naive. Do you really think a clueless woman could manage the corporation after Luis’s kidnapping?”
Jefferson shared what he knew. “Luis is the major shareholder in Red Star Manufacturing Corporation with forty percent shares. Jane has thirty percent, and the remaining thirty percent belongs to several elders and relatives from the Egerton family.”
“When Luis was around, they respected Jane. Now that his fate is uncertain, rebellion is inevitable.”
“The combined power of several elders can topple Jane.”
Jefferson clearly understood human nature well.
“But as you know, Red Star Manufacturing Corporation shows no signs of turmoil. This indicates that Jane is no ordinary woman.”
Darnell smiled faintly, “Indeed. Yesterday, I asked you to inform her that the Brigade of Light would take on the job.”
“I expected her to rush over immediately since every day delayed increases uncertainty about Luis’s fate. Yet, she restrained herself until today to request a meeting.”
“This level of patience is not common among women.”
Jefferson asked in confusion, “Why did she do this?”
“There are two possibilities. One is that she doesn’t have a good relationship with Luis and might even hope he dies so she can inherit more assets. Hence rescuing him sooner or later doesn’t matter much.”
“The second possibility is that she fears showing eagerness might lead us to raise prices. Therefore, she held back.”
“I understand now. It’s likely more of the second possibility.” Jefferson slapped his forehead in realization. “If their relationship were bad, Luis wouldn’t give half his wealth to her since he’s good at judging people.”
“Besides, there hasn’t been any news of disputes between them over the years. But there’s one thing I don’t understand-why did she choose us?”
“In Westergold or even Whiteville alone, there are countless security companies bigger than us. Why would she place hope in our seemingly unreliable company?”
“There are still two possibilities.” Darnell looked ahead thoughtfully as he continued, “One is she wants Luis dead, but she still needs to take action lest public opinion turns against her.”
“The other possibility is that no one else was willing to help her. In desperation, she had no choice but to come to us.”
“And of course, this also relates to Luis knowing us.”
Jefferson nodded affirmatively. “I suspect it’s more likely the second possibility.”
While they conversed, Cadillac arrived at a private boxing gym opposite Whiteville Park, occupying a substantial area.
The path from the main gate to the building stretched over five hundred meters-lined with surveillance cameras and ornate lamps, yet eerily quiet without a soul in sight.
The meeting location took Darnell slightly by surprise. He’d expected a hotel or cafe, not this.
The car stopped at the entrance of a circular building. Before Darnell and Jefferson could even take in their surroundings, a middle-aged man emerged, all smiles.
“Mr. Halford, Mr. Dittman, good morning. Mrs. Egerton is waiting inside.”
Darnell took a closer look and grinned. It was Uriel.
Then he remarked, “Mrs. Egerton sent Mr. Culpeper to usher us in? You must be her favorite.”
“Not at all, not at all,” Uriel replied with a deep bow, humility oozing from every word. “I’m just a humble errand-runner, grateful for Mrs. Egerton’s kindness. Today’s task is my chance to make amends.”
Leaning in, he added in a hushed tone, “Mr. Halford, I’ve arranged for two more specialists to check on the old lady. Hopefully, they can help her.”
He added, “As for Monica, I’ve sent her away, and make sure she stays out of Weston’s sight.”
Jefferson, already briefed on yesterday’s events, smirked.
Darnell said, shaking Uriel’s hand with a smile, “Thank you.”
“It’s what I should do,” Uriel replied, his once-arrogant demeanor replaced by servility. “After my blunder, making reparations is only right. I was a fool to offend a big shot like you. If it weren’t for you, Mr. Halford, I might’ve gotten into big trouble due to my own stupidity. I owe you my thanks.”
Darnell patted him on the shoulder, laughing, “As long as you don’t curse me behind my back over what happened at the hospital, I’m satisfied.”
Uriel waved his hands frantically. “I wouldn’t dare! Never!”
“Mr. Halford, they say conflict sparks friendship. Let’s be friends-no, not just friends. Whatever you need, just say the word.”
Darnell’s smile remained mild as he slung an arm around Uriel. “Straight to the point-I like that. Alright, from today, we’re friends.” He lowered his voice as he added, “My business is your business now.”
Uriel beamed. “Yes, yes! Your business is mine!” With a sweeping gesture, he ushered them forward. “Right this way, Mr. Halford, Mr. Dittman.”
Soon, Darnell and Jefferson descended to the basement level of what turned out to be a private gym-polished wooden floors, training equipment lining the walls, heavy bags hanging in one corner. The space spanned roughly 200 square meters.
“This is Mrs. Egerton’s boxing gym,” Uriel explained quietly. “Boxing is her passion, and she’s first-class.”
Just then, a young woman stepped out from the locker room, clad in training gear.
Around twenty-five, she stood 170 cm, her hair tied back, her face a perfect oval. Her most striking features were her bold, arresting eyes and long, toned legs-every inch of her radiated vitality and unyielding determination.
With a flick of her finger, the gym filled with music-a remixed version of Rigoletto.
Darnell recognized her immediately-Jane, Luis’ second wife.
As Uriel left, Jane went up to the boxing ring, her lithe frame bending effortlessly into splits, handsprings, and aerial flips-fluid as water. She ignored her guests entirely, absorbed in her routine.
Jefferson exhaled sharply beside Darnell. “Boss. How many positions do you think she can pull off in bed?”
Whack!
Darnell cuffed him. “Show some respect. Especially for a client like this.”
Jefferson nodded sheepishly. Then he heard Darnell mutter under his breath, “34C-24-36.”
Jefferson nearly fell to the ground.
At that moment, Jane’s gaze locked onto Jefferson. She crooked a finger.
“Mr. Dittman, let’s spar.”