Inside a circular lounge, Andrew finally met the bar’s boss, Jack Moss. He was a fat, middle–aged man with a bald head, beady eyes, and no beard. Every one of his thick fingers glittered with a ring: gold bands, stones, skull carvings, and more.
The tacky display screamed of excess, so much so that Andrew nearly laughed at the sight.
The two guards whispered quickly in Jack’s ear, and he shoved away the woman draped across his lap
and studied Andrew with sharp eyes.
“So, you’re Mr. Andrew Lloyd of Gabo Creek?”
Andrew smiled politely. “That’s right. I hope I’m not intruding.”
Jack’s fleshy face lit up with excitement. “Not at all. Having you in my humble place is an honor! Mr.
Lloyd, you’re incredible! Anyone who can fight his way out of Goldridge and crush that piece of shit
leader from Hidden Dragon deserves my respect. I’m Jack Moss, also known as Big Jack.”
The nickname ‘Big Jack‘ caught Andrew off guard, but looking at the man’s size, it fit too perfectly.
Holding back a smirk, he cut to the point. “Big Jack, I came this late to ask about something important.”
Jack waved his jeweled hand grandly. “Mr. Lloyd, no need to be polite. Say the word, and I’ll arrange
anything for you.”
Just as Andrew was about to ask about Shiloh, Eric stepped forward, cleared his throat, and deliberately
blocked him. “Big Jack, you’ve got some nerve!”
Jack’s rolls of flesh quivered as he frowned. “Mr. Lloyd, is this your underling? Hah, he’s got a bit of swagger. Normally, I can’t stand people showing off in front of me, but since he’s with you, I’ll let it slide.”
Eric’s face twisted in rage. “Big Jack, screw you! Are you blind? You don’t recognize who I am?”
The insult cut deep. Being mistaken for Andrew’s lackey was infuriating.
When he tried to look cool, he liked to face people with his profile. As a result, Jack did not recognize him.
Jack squinted at him again and suddenly gasped. “Eric Humphrey? Mr. Humphrey? Well, I’ll be damned! You’ve returned to Goldridge. What a rare guest!”
At last, Eric’s scowl softened a little. “At least your eyes aren’t as blind as your men’s. Since you know who I am, then answer my questions. From now on, whatever I ask, you’ll answer.”
Fatback chuckled. “Sure. As long as you can pay the price. Information, killings, corporate espionage, petty jobs, even dirty work like cheating investigations or surrogate scandals… Everything has a price here.”
1/2
Chapter 2057
+15 BONUS
Eric gritted his teeth, barely holding back. “Cut the crap. I’m only here for information. Recently, someone from Blumedale slipped into Goldridge. He’s holding a lady. You know about this, right?”
Jack wagged a finger. “Whether I know or not, the rules don’t change. If you want me to talk, you pay one million. And if the information is especially difficult or valuable, I’ll raise the price higher.”
Eric jabbed a finger at his own nose. “Are you insane? Do you not know who I am? I’m Eric Humphrey.
Since when do I need to pay to ask questions in Goldridge?”
Andrew finally stepped in with a smile. “Maybe let me handle this. You’re too worked up. Take a break.”
Eric snapped his hand aside. “Stay out of it. This is my turf, so just sit tight. I’ll take care of everything.”
Andrew sighed. “Alright then. It’s your turf. I’ll sit back and watch the show. Don’t let me stop you.”
He could only shake his head, thinking, ‘Kids these days and their fragile pride…‘
Eric turned back to Jack, voice sharp. “Well? I don’t have time to waste.”
Jack ignored him and looked to Andrew with a polite smile. “Mr. Lloyd, what’s your relationship with Mr.
Humphrey?”
Andrew answered calmly, “You saw it yourself. He doesn’t need me. So just assume we have no
connection.”
Eric immediately added, “Exactly. We’re not related. He came to Goldridge asking for my help. I felt sorry for him, so I agreed, nothing more. Now, Big Jack, stop stalling. Do you have the information or not?”
Inside a circular lounge, Andrew finally met the bar’s boss, Jack Moss. He was a fat, middle–aged man with a bald head, beady eyes, and no beard. Every one of his thick fingers glittered with a ring: gold bands, stones, skull carvings, and more.
The tacky display screamed of excess, so much so that Andrew nearly laughed at the sight.
The two guards whispered quickly in Jack’s ear, and he shoved away the woman draped across his lap
and studied Andrew with sharp eyes.
“So, you’re Mr. Andrew Lloyd of Gabo Creek?”
Andrew smiled politely. “That’s right. I hope I’m not intruding.”
Jack’s fleshy face lit up with excitement. “Not at all. Having you in my humble place is an honor! Mr.
Lloyd, you’re incredible! Anyone who can fight his way out of Goldridge and crush that piece of shit
leader from Hidden Dragon deserves my respect. I’m Jack Moss, also known as Big Jack.”
The nickname ‘Big Jack‘ caught Andrew off guard, but looking at the man’s size, it fit too perfectly.
Holding back a smirk, he cut to the point. “Big Jack, I came this late to ask about something important.”
Jack waved his jeweled hand grandly. “Mr. Lloyd, no need to be polite. Say the word, and I’ll arrange
anything for you.”
Just as Andrew was about to ask about Shiloh, Eric stepped forward, cleared his throat, and deliberately
blocked him. “Big Jack, you’ve got some nerve!”
Jack’s rolls of flesh quivered as he frowned. “Mr. Lloyd, is this your underling? Hah, he’s got a bit of swagger. Normally, I can’t stand people showing off in front of me, but since he’s with you, I’ll let it slide.”
Eric’s face twisted in rage. “Big Jack, screw you! Are you blind? You don’t recognize who I am?”
The insult cut deep. Being mistaken for Andrew’s lackey was infuriating.
When he tried to look cool, he liked to face people with his profile. As a result, Jack did not recognize him.
Jack squinted at him again and suddenly gasped. “Eric Humphrey? Mr. Humphrey? Well, I’ll be damned! You’ve returned to Goldridge. What a rare guest!”
At last, Eric’s scowl softened a little. “At least your eyes aren’t as blind as your men’s. Since you know who I am, then answer my questions. From now on, whatever I ask, you’ll answer.”
Fatback chuckled. “Sure. As long as you can pay the price. Information, killings, corporate espionage, petty jobs, even dirty work like cheating investigations or surrogate scandals… Everything has a price here.”
1/2
Chapter 2057
+15 BONUS
Eric gritted his teeth, barely holding back. “Cut the crap. I’m only here for information. Recently, someone from Blumedale slipped into Goldridge. He’s holding a lady. You know about this, right?”
Jack wagged a finger. “Whether I know or not, the rules don’t change. If you want me to talk, you pay one million. And if the information is especially difficult or valuable, I’ll raise the price higher.”
Eric jabbed a finger at his own nose. “Are you insane? Do you not know who I am? I’m Eric Humphrey.
Since when do I need to pay to ask questions in Goldridge?”
Andrew finally stepped in with a smile. “Maybe let me handle this. You’re too worked up. Take a break.”
Eric snapped his hand aside. “Stay out of it. This is my turf, so just sit tight. I’ll take care of everything.”
Andrew sighed. “Alright then. It’s your turf. I’ll sit back and watch the show. Don’t let me stop you.”
He could only shake his head, thinking, ‘Kids these days and their fragile pride…‘
Eric turned back to Jack, voice sharp. “Well? I don’t have time to waste.”
Jack ignored him and looked to Andrew with a polite smile. “Mr. Lloyd, what’s your relationship with Mr.
Humphrey?”
Andrew answered calmly, “You saw it yourself. He doesn’t need me. So just assume we have no
connection.”
Eric immediately added, “Exactly. We’re not related. He came to Goldridge asking for my help. I felt sorry for him, so I agreed, nothing more. Now, Big Jack, stop stalling. Do you have the information or not?”
Jack spread his hands. “I do. But without money, my lips are sealed.”
