“You… Are you sure about this?”


    Winston nodded his head, his voice serious.


    “I followed themst night.


    They messed with your paintings, nning to ship them off in batches.


    ”


    Hannah turned to Jalen, her tone questioning.


    “Jalen, did you know about this? That they’re moving illegal drugs?”


    Jalen’s head lowered, confusion in his eyes.


    “I had no idea… Lyons just asked for a favor… I was clueless about the illegal stuff! I swear, if I had known, no matter the threat, I wouldn’t have touched it! You know me, Hannah.


    ”


    With his head bowed and fingers intertwined, Jalen muttered, “How could they… How could they do such a thing?!”


    Winston continued, “Ignorance won’t save you.


    The drugs were hidden in your painting frames.


    If they’re found, Mr.


    White, you’re facing jail time.


    ”


    He leaned in, his voice dropping.


    “Worse yet, they might pin it all on you.


    The police won’t know the full story.


    They’ll just see your art exhibition and find the drugs in your paintings.


    ”


    Jalen’s fingers were cold with fear.


    Realization dawned on him.


    “So, Lyons set me up? He wants me to take the fall? Damn it!”


    Winston said, “We’re still unsure about the quantity of illegal drugs they n to distribute.


    But judging by Wilde’s recent actions, especially considering those paintings you auctioned off yesterday, it seems they might have arge stash.


    You’re fortunate to be in Newfort now, where there’s no death penalty.


    In other ces, you could’ve faced lethal injection for this.


    ”


    Hannah, looking fiercely at Winston, interjected, “Stop trying to frighten him! We need to figure out how to deal with these drugs.


    ”


    “It won’t be easy,” Winston replied, his expression grave.


    “Without my boss’s influence here, our options are limited.


    But let me think.


    Anyway, that’s not our biggest worry right now.


    The real issue isundering the 2 billion this afternoon in the gambling event.


    ”


    Hannah seemed unfazed.


    “I’m not worried about the gambling part.


    ”


    Winston disagreed.


    “I am.


    I’ve heard rumors of potential trouble at the event.


    These people aren’t exactly friendly with each other.


    Plus, Wilde’s solo attempt atundering 1@ billion has already caused discontent.


    We should be cautious.


    ”


    Hannah nodded in agreement.


    As they were about to leave Winston’s room, they heard a knock on Jalen’s door.


    Jalen turned pale and whispered urgently, “Hide in the other room, quick!”


    Without hesitation, Hannah and Winston slipped into the adjacent room and quietly shut the door.


    Jalen, afterposing himself, approached his door.


    The knocking grew more insistent.


    “Come out now! Are you in there? Hurry up!”


    “Yes, I’m here,” Jalen called back, moving to open the door.


    “I was just packing up and couldn’t get to the door sooner.


    ”


    Rodrigo led his men into the room, scanning the area before his gazended on Jalen.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    He grinned slyly and said, “It looks like you’re taking it easy.


    “I’m just packing up since the auction’s done,” Jalen replied, managing a weak smile.


    “You did well this time,” Rodrigo acknowledged as he pped Jalen on the shoulder.


    “I put in a lot of work to get your paintings noticed.


    Remember, you’re new to this, and your art isn’t really worth that much yet.


    You owe me one for this great chance.


    ”