Chapter 47

Robert glanced at Kendrick, saying nothing. He already had countermeasures regarding the Zabel family's company settling in Yrinas, but his plan was still in its early stages. He figured Kendrick would leave Navarre sooner or later. Charles glanced curiously at Kendrick and asked, "Kendrick, do you know this man?"

Kendrick smiled disdainfully. "He's just a buffoon I know. Charles, shall we talk elsewhere?"

"Okay." Charles nodded and followed Kendrick to a private room.

Inside, Kendrick noticed Charles kept staring through the semi-transparent glass at Robert and Naomi at the blackjack table. Whenever Naomi became intimate with Robert, Charles unconsciously clenched his fists.

"Charles, are you upset about Robert?" Kendrick asked, offering Charles a cigarette.

"I'm furious!" Charles accepted the cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag to vent his frustration. "Who is this man? Where did he come from?"

Kendrick laughed. "Nothing special. He's a poor boy who just graduated from Yrinas University and climbed the social ladder by leveraging the Labelle family. He thinks he's rich now."

"A poor boy?" Charles was confused and angry. He thought, Naomi would rather be with a poor man than me?

"That's right, but don't be so angry, Charles. Robert is your lucky star!" Kendrick patted Charles on the shoulder.

"I don't understand." Charles frowned.

"You enjoy life so much you miss a lot, don't you?" Kendrick grabbed a bottle of wine from the cabinet. "Your grandfather's celebrating his birthday today. He was so angry with Robert he had to be hospitalized. You're upset with Robert, but your family is even more so. Don't you want their appreciation? Robert was sent by heaven."

"Really?" Charles looked delighted.

"News of the incident spread today." Kendrick poured Charles some wine. "Charles, after you go home, I have business to discuss. Consider this: which Hoffman descendants conduct business outside Yrinas? If you collaborate with the Zabel Group, with me as your partner, your family won't look down on you, right?"

"Of course! They'd be thrilled if they knew I was collaborating with you!" Charles imagined his triumphant return to the Hoffman family.

"Then let's wish us luck." Kendrick clinked their glasses. "Looking forward to working with you!"

"Hahaha, thank you, Kendrick. My treat!" Charles drained his glass, put his arm around Kendrick, and pulled him away.

Several of Charles's men waited outside the private room. Charles waved and sneered, "The man with Naomi—don't let him leave easily tonight."

His men understood. They were experienced in such matters.

Several men kept watch on Robert. They didn't dare attack him in the Zabinski family's establishment, but planned to ambush him outside.

Before leaving, Kendrick gave Robert a meaningful look and texted Marilyn:

[Marilyn, your ex-boyfriend provoked one of Naomi's admirers. He's targeted and will be attacked at the Fairsaint Restaurant entrance. If you hurry, you might see him before he gets beaten up.]