Chapter 290: The Mastermind

"A Mo, 'Sand Devil Gunner' Natasha has surrendered. Isa has subdued her. As for the other two, they are both dead."

At 54 Eucalyptus Street, Alisa put down her mobile phone with a smile: "I told them to send Natasha to the villa. This lady seems to have something to say to you."

"Fine, let her come."

Li Mochen also smiled slightly as he looked at Jody Selleck, who was now sweating profusely across from him: "It seems this chairman is now finding it hard to believe."

Selleck stared at Li Mochen, his eyes flashing with resentment and anger: "It's Nathan's Hand, isn't it? They finally made a move for you?"

"The fact now is that you are the fish on the chopping block, and I am the knife."

Li Mochen couldn't be bothered to explain. He leaned back, spreading his hands on the backrest: "Mr. Selleck, I think you should understand your situation? Please tell me, who is behind you? The Brad family or the Cardiv Group?"

Recently in Atlanta, only these two families have been particularly aggressive, each leasing more than ten large stores.

Jody Selleck remained silent, pale-faced, breathing heavily, staring at Li Mochen like a dead fish, motionless.

Although this man was bound by the Styx Contract and said nothing, Li Mochen already knew the answer. The secret technique of 'Insightful Thunder Perception' from the Divine Thunder Sect had allowed him to perceive Selleck's thoughts.

This technique was considered mysterious and unfathomable in the Primordial Sky Realm, but in this world, it had a solid theoretical basis. When people think, they generate brainwaves; the 'Insightful Thunder Perception' technique can accurately capture and translate them.

"I see. It's the Cardiv Group."

"Wow, Cardiv? Should we tell Sampson Blut to prepare for war?"

Perhaps it was the Targaryen blood in her veins, but Alisa felt a faint excitement, which made her slightly ashamed and gave her thoughts of self-indulgence. Anyway, she was drifting further and further from being a law-abiding citizen.

"Better to be courteous before resorting to force."

Li Mochen picked up the phone from the coffee table and casually dialed a number. The ringtone sounded seven times before it was answered.

"Who is it?"

A male voice, full of impatience.

"Mr. Selleck, calling me at this late hour, you'd better have a good reason."

"Mr. Yves Cardiv? I'm sorry, but it's not poor Selleck calling; it's me, Andre Lee Wieldenstein."

Li Mochen clearly heard a rustling sound on the phone. This Yves Cardiv seemed to be in a state of shock, getting up from bed. But within his spiritual perception, a feeling of aversion also arose, from the original body's owner toward the name 'Andre Lee Wieldenstein'.

But he couldn't help it. Those close to him knew he preferred the name 'Li Mochen', but in the rest of American society, only 'Andre Lee Wieldenstein' was known.

"You sound surprised? So, Mr. Cardiv, is there anything you want to say to me now?"

"I've heard of you. The rising star of Atlanta's fighting scene, owner of the Rising Sun Company, Lucky Andre."

Yves Cardiv's voice was calm and steady: "But Andre, I don't understand why you're calling me so late. Is it about some business cooperation?"

"Mr. Cardiv, I don't have time for your nonsense."

Li Mochen stood up and walked to the window. He saw a woman with a pretty face, wearing a tight combat suit, being escorted by Dainn Stacy through the courtyard gate.

"I already know everything I need to know. You plan to deal with me, to start a war with me, right, Mr. Cardiv? The Cardiv Group is also preparing to enter the electronics retail market, hmm?"

But when Li Mochen finished speaking, there was silence on the phone.

"Can't answer? Or don't know how to answer?"

Li Mochen laughed mockingly: "There's nothing wrong with the Cardiv Group entering electronics retail; the Rising Sun Company isn't afraid of fair competition. But Mr. Cardiv, you've crossed the line now."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Cardiv's voice was deep and hoarse: "Mr. Wieldenstein, if you're going to say things I can't understand, then I'll hang up."

"It seems you have no fear of me at all."

Li Mochen chuckled: "But in the spirit of harmony, I'll give you one last chance. Transfer those stores you've leased to me for free, and I'll pretend this never happened."

But before he could finish, a 'bang' sounded from the other end of the line, followed by a dial tone.

Li Mochen shrugged and turned to Alisa: "See? That's the result of lacking prestige and deterrence. He really doesn't take me seriously."

Alisa pursed her lips: "You shouldn't have made that call. I've heard of this guy. Since his real estate assets skyrocketed ten years ago, he's become arrogant, looking down on everyone except a few long-established families in Atlanta. He doesn't even think much of our Targaryen family."

"So we must make an example of him to warn the rest."

Li Mochen's gaze gradually turned cold: "Pass this on to Sampson Blut and Major Adams. Have them draw up a battle plan. Within three days, I want all of Chairman Cardiv's assets wiped out."

"Understood!"

Alisa raised her satellite phone: "I'll relay it to them."

"Wow, so we're going all-out war? And in the most intense and brutal way?"

Dainn Stacy walked in just in time: "That's how it should be, boss. Though we're not yet a match for big groups like Vanderrick or Howard, we can't let just any Tom, Dick, or Harry come knocking. If we don't make those watching you think twice, we'll have endless trouble."

By now, Selleck's sweat had doubled. He saw the woman beside Dainn. Though he had never met her before, the 17S-grade 'Iron Scale Demon Armor' battle suit and the unmistakable sniper rifle confirmed her identity: 'Sand Devil Gunner' Natasha.

Li Mochen also looked at the latter: "You heard my conversation with your employer, didn't you, Camilla Natasha?"

"That has nothing to do with me. I only accepted a one-month short-term contract from the employer. Each operation had an additional fee."

Natasha said expressionlessly: "I want to know if Mr. Wieldenstein still needs a magic shooter with 18S-level marksmanship? I can't now, but after a month—no, twenty-three days—we can sign a contract. I'll give you a discount: six million gold shields a year for a three-year contract."

"And that will save you from death?"

Li Mochen smiled sarcastically: "Ms. Natasha, you need to understand one thing: the only reason you're still standing here alive is that Ms. Stacy pleaded for you. That forced me to deploy another sniper with 17S marksmanship to force your surrender."

Natasha frowned, but she had expected this outcome and wasn't angry: "Fine, I'll compromise. Five years, okay?"

"Twenty years!"

Li Mochen said flatly: "The first ten years are free, for atonement. During that time, I'll provide you with training drugs and supplies. The next ten years, five million gold shields annually. Considering inflation, I'll adjust accordingly after ten years. If you disagree, I'll sell you as a slave to the Red Finch Club."

Natasha gasped, thinking this man was truly a devil. Dainn was right; he was indeed hard to deal with.

At that moment, Dainn Stacy smiled sweetly: "Natasha, I think you'd better agree. I won't plead for you again. But I can add a clause: if you make contributions while serving the boss, the atonement period can be reduced at our discretion."

Li Mochen was noncommittal. He placed a slip of paper with a bank account number in front of Jody Selleck: "Mr. Selleck, I myself have experienced the pain of losing parents, so I don't want your children to lose their father either. So make a choice. Before noon tomorrow, hand over the videotape you recorded and transfer the war funds you raised into this account. After doing these two things, you can leave Atlanta safely. You can sell your assets, but this city is no longer suitable for you, Mr. Selleck."