Chapter 21
The days of peace did not last long before new trouble came knocking at their door.
The local thug who had previously been persuaded by Alexander to give up his priority rights to the dock warehouse was clearly not willing to let things go.
Not daring to provoke Alexander directly, he resorted to underhanded tactics, stirring up some local workers to cause trouble on the project under the pretense of wages and working conditions. They slacked off, created disturbances, and even deliberately damaged some less important equipment.
Although the direct losses were minor, the disruptions seriously affected the project’s progress and
Co morale.
Braelynn tried to step in and communicate, but the other side was clearly prepared, acting unreasonably and making it impossible to reach any
agreement.
“This can’t go on,” Braelynn said, rubbing her temples as she spoke to Alexander. “We can’t afford delays, and the impact is terrible.”
Alexander looked out the winda
the workers who were clearly there
to cause trouble, his gaze icy. “I know who’s behind this.”
“So what should we do? Go talk to him again?” Braelynn asked worriedly. She didn’t want Alexander to take any more risks.
Alexander shook his head. “That was a stopgap measure; we can’t use it every time. People like him only fear power, not virtue. We need to make him truly afraid, or… completely lose hope.”
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He pondered for a moment, then looked at Braelynn. “I remember you analyzed before that this guy is secretly running a fuel smuggling business, right?”
Braelynn was taken aback, then nodded. “There are rumors, but no evidence. Besides, the maritime management here is chaotic–most people just turn a blind eye.”
“We don’t need evidence.” A cold smile curled at the corner of
Alexander’s mouth. “We just need the right people to find out by accident Cutting off someone’s territory and profits is far more infuriating than our little project dispute.”
Braelynn instantly understood what he meant–using one enemy to get rid
of another.
Although the method wasn’t exactly aboveboard, perhaps it was the best way to deal with such a treacherous person.
She had to admit, when it came to handling these underhanded rules, Alexander was far more ruthless and decisive than she was.
“Could there… be risks?” She was still a bit worried.
“Don’t worry,” Alexander said, looking at her. “This time, we don’t have to do anything ourselves. As long as his rivals get the information, someone else will take care of him. We just sit back and watch.”
Over the next few days, Alexander arranged for someone to casually leak some secrets about the thug’s smuggling routes and schedules to a rival faction that held a grudge against him.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before news arrived.
Several of the thug’s smuggling boats were intercepted at sea. The goods were lost, his men were badly beaten, and the losses were devastating. He wouldn’t be able to make a comeback anytime soon.
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With the mastermind taken down, the troublemaking workers on the project instantly lost their backbone and funding. Alexander swiftly cleared them out, and the project quickly got back on track.
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This incident made Braelynn realize once again the harsh survival rules of
this land, and she saw more clearly the wisdom and strength hidden
beneath Alexander’s cold and tough exterior.
She found that, besides dependence and trust, she seemed to feel something else for him–something hard to put into words.
As for Alexander, after dealing with the trouble, he seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
That evening, he arrived at Braelynn’s apartment carrying a bag of grilled skewers and beer.
“It’s taken care of,” he said succinctly, placing the food on the table.
Braelynn looked at him, noticing the fatigue in his face but also the brightness in his eyes. Her heart stirred, and she blurted out, “Next time… don’t take any more risks. We can find a safer way.”
Alexander paused as he opened a beer, then looked up at her.
Braelynn felt a bit uneasy under his gaze and added, “I mean… we’re married now. I don’t want you always putting yourself in danger…”
“Worried about me?” Alexander interrupted her, looking at her with deep eyes.
Braelynn’s cheeks flushed slightly. She didn’t deny it, just softly replied, “Mm.”
Alexander stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly broke into a grin. It was the first time Braelynn had seen him smile like that–without any coldness, even a bit roguish, full of masculine charm. Her heart
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skipped a beat.
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“Got it,” he said, his voice lowering with a meaning she couldn’t quite grasp. “I’ll try to use safer methods in the future.”
He handed her a can of beer, took another for himself, and clinked it against hers.
The two of them sat at the small dining table, eating skewers and drinking beer. The atmosphere was unusually relaxed, even a bit warm and cozy.
Outside, the moonlight was just right, its gentle silver glow spilling into the room.
Braelynn looked at the man’s rugged features across from her, which seemed to soften in the moonlight. A sense of peace and warmth enveloped her.
Perhaps, in this foreign land full of unknowns and challenges, she had truly found someone she could rely on and walk forward with together.
And the future, it seemed, was truly something to look forward to.
