Chapter 383: Chapter 383 Cat and Mouse_1

“Young Master Cook, investing in a factory in Gonzalez City, how is that related to the takeover of Radcliffe Group? I’ve heard of this Radcliffe Group; they seem to be facing the risk of bankruptcy and closure recently.”

Thatch Rose sat in the chair, picked up a cup of tea that had long been brewed, and took a gentle sip.

The taste was good; the price was probably not cheap.

It was obvious that Bran Cook had really gone all out this time.

“The logic is simple. It’s because Young Master Cook just expressed his affection to the chairwoman of Radcliffe Group, Ms. Quella Radcliffe here, and got rejected. So he’s bent on retaliation! But someone as dignified as Young Master Cook certainly can’t say that directly!”

Julius Reed stepped forward from the crowd, looked at Bran Cook with a faint smile, and said, “As for the wording, it’s nothing more than that Radcliffe Group is burdened with debt, and now is the best time for a takeover. It only takes a low cost to acquire a company with over a decade of heritage.”

“Don’t sling mud at me here!” Bran Cook’s face changed slightly, as he stepped forward and snorted coldly, “My acquisition of Radcliffe Group…”

“Your acquisition of Radcliffe Group, once publicized, will immediately spread the news, advertising your new company for free. Many unwilling people will have to beware of being taken over. Those who are aware of current trends will surely come to you on their own, allowing you to quickly gather a large number of collaborators and suppliers in a short time, right, Bran Cook?”

Julius Reed interrupted Bran Cook and watched him with a smile.

“You…”

Bran Cook took a deep breath; Julius Reed had said everything he wanted to say.

How was he supposed to speak now?

The takeover of Radcliffe Group certainly implied coercion for Quella Radcliffe to submit, but from a business perspective, Radcliffe Group’s crisis was due to partners breaching contracts last minute, causing an abrupt withdrawal.

Acquiring such a company wouldn’t cost much, but it could be rapidly integrated under his control.

The fact that he had been rejected by Quella Radcliffe was bound to get around, and acquiring Radcliffe Group was also a way of announcing that those with him would prosper, and those against him would perish.

Moreover, with the local influence of the Cook Family, Bran Cook’s reputation, and the Willson Group’s investment, many local tycoons in Gonzalez City would be forced to join the business alliance that Bran Cook was about to establish.

The painful example of Radcliffe Group was right in front of them—who would dare refuse?

Unless they wanted to be acquired.

Now, with his intentions laid bare by Julius Reed, it was impossible for Bran Cook to save face.

“Bring someone to throw out this unwelcome guest!”

With a wave of his hand, Bran Cook gave his order, and Aaron Martin immediately moved towards Julius Reed with his men.

He rolled up his sleeves, sneered, and said, “Kid, want to come with us?”

Seeing this, Aron Jackson leaned back and covered his forehead with his hand, taking a deep breath.

How did his employees all become so blind, picking fights with someone they couldn’t afford to provoke?

However, at this time, Julius Reed did not want to reveal his identity, so Aron Jackson could not intervene, and could only feel sad for his employees.

“This brother with a… a cat tattooed on him, where are you taking me?” Julius Reed carefully looked at the tattoo on Aaron Martin, asking innocently.

At this question, many people tried to hold back their laughter.

Aaron Martin had a tiger tattooed on his body, but because he had lost a lot of weight due to an illness years ago, the tiger on his body looked loose and baggy, more like a sickly cat.

But no one had ever dared to mention it.

After all, he was one of Aron Jackson’s men, and even if he couldn’t compare to the likes of Dominating Tiger, no one dared to offend him.

It’s like the eunuch beside the emperor, even though he is just a eunuch, try insulting him and see what happens?

Taken off guard by Julius Reed’s question, Aaron Martin’s face instantly turned red.

“Fuck! Open your damn eyes! Look closely, this is a tiger!” Aaron Martin pointed to the tiger on his body that looked more like a pathetic cat, his face turning beet red.

In the world of roughnecks, what do you consider important?

Face!

All those present were the second-generation rich from Gonzalez City, wealthy people.

With Julius Reed speaking like that, how could Aaron Martin ever stand a chance in front of these people?

How could he make money without fostering good relationships with the wealthy in their line of business?

Was he supposed to compete with bosses for scraps?

“Then let me have a good look!” Julius Reed leaned in close, and Aaron Martin, infuriated, ripped off his shirt to bare his chest, glaring at Julius Reed.

“Open your eyes wide and take a good look!”

Aaron Martin’s breathing grew more and more rapid; if it weren’t for his boss being right there, he would have started throwing punches already.

There was a rule in their business: Aron Jackson was very averse to the idea of his employees hitting people at will.

“Now it might look the part.” Out of nowhere, Julius Reed pulled out a cartoon Mickey Mouse sticker and pressed it onto the spot over Aaron Martin’s ribs.

It looked just like a scene from Tom and Jerry, with Tom chasing the little mouse.

Many people couldn’t help but snicker.

Those rich young ladies went even further, openly pointing at the cat and mouse on Aaron Martin’s body and bursting into loud laughter.

Some even went so far as to take out their phones, recording videos to show their best friends and pals.

“I—fuck—” Aaron Martin was about to clench his fist when Aron Jackson suddenly coughed loudly, forcing him to suppress his seething anger and tear the mouse sticker from his body, shredding it to pieces!

“Get lost! This is Bran Cook’s turf, you’re not welcome here!”

Aaron Martin’s veins bulged, his face flushed red with anger, his fists tightly clenched, every muscle tensed for action.

It looked like if Julius Reed didn’t leave, he would really start a fight.

“You think I’m a sick cat when I don’t act the tiger?”

His subordinates also crowded around, one by one, rubbing their fists and palms together, ready to stand up for their boss.

“Aaron Martin, is it Mr. Martin to you?” Julius Reed said with clasped hands, “I’ve long heard of Mr. Martin’s great reputation, and seeing you today really confirms your impressive demeanor. But this is Bran Cook’s territory. What does his kicking people out have to do with you?”

After saying this, Julius Reed turned to Aron Jackson, “I’ve heard that Mr. Martin is the top warrior among your employees. Why then is he listening to Bran Cook? Could it be that you serve two masters at once? Aron Jackson, everyone says that in Gonzalez City, you and Ovidiu Cook represent the twin forces of black and white, of literature and martial arts. Why are you so harsh on your own employee, to the point where he’s thinking of switching allegiance?”

“You… don’t talk nonsense!”

Aaron Martin’s heart missed a beat; he knew what Aron Jackson despised the most. He had indeed taken Bran Cook’s money to carry out this job.

But he had never considered defecting to Bran Cook—if it truly came to that, his body would probably be found on the docks of Gonzalez City by tomorrow.

What Julius Reed was saying was utterly trying to bury him alive!

“Amos Davenport! Don’t you dare spout such slander here! Aaron Martin and I get along well; he was merely helping me oust someone. With those words, you’re not only stirring up trouble between Aron Jackson and me, but you’re also setting a trap for Aaron Martin. You’ve really got some nerve!”

Bran Cook had to speak up; if Aron Jackson developed a grudge over this, his plans for expanding the Radcliffe Group in Gonzalez City would most likely fall through.

It’s said that even a mighty dragon could not suppress the local snake, let alone someone like Aron Jackson, who was akin to the local dragon.

Previously, at least, the Three Blade Group and other small organizations provided some resistance against Aron Jackson, but now that he reigned supreme in Gonzalez City, if he decided to take action, it would be more than Bran Cook could handle.

“Why so agitated, unless my words have struck a chord? Since you’re afraid of me speaking out, then I’ll be on my way. Goodbye,” Julius Reed said, taking Quella Radcliffe’s hand and turning to leave.

“Stop right there!”

Bran Cook shouted from behind.