Taking the Wrong Approach


    This idea made me feel helpless because I knew I had to face this alone. It had always been that way–


    1 had to save myself.


    The lobby was crowded, but none of them were familiar to me. I felt even more lonely.


    Back in the office, Carol brewed a cup of coffee for me. She watched me quietly, and I knew she was


    worried. I maintained an air of nonchnce while keeping busy. Thankfully, I had resolved the two


    previous issues and set everything in motion.


    During lunch, I spotted Johnson. He seemed genuinely surprised to see me since we hadn’t seen each


    other in a long time.


    He beckoned me over, and I joined him for lunch.


    *Chlo! Long time no see! I heard things are going well on your end.” Johnson wore a big smile.


    “It’s alright, I suppose. How’s Myra and your kid? Is he being a handful?”


    “They’re doing great! No trouble at all!” Johnson ordered more food and said, “Mr. Matthew just closed


    a


    big


    deal with apany in the neighboring city. It’s a major contract, but he’s keeping it quiet. He seems


    really happy this time!”


    Then Johnson added, “It’s quite strange.


    “What’s strange about it?”


    “He was attacked some time ago, but we don’t know who did it. He spent some time in the hospital, but


    Mnie hasn’t caused any trouble,” Johnson said. “There seems to be a reason for the attack.


    Otherwise, they’d usually make a big deal out of it.”


    I knew exactly what Johnson was talking about, but I asked, “When did this happen?”


    My question made Johnson nervous, but he smiled again. It seems you didn’t know either. It happened


    on the night of Echelon Group’s celebration.”


    “I did see him boast.


    t night!” I didn’t want this matter to be exposed. After all, it wasn’t something to


    about.


    “He went, and it should have to do with that night. He upset someone, and they beat him up pretty


    badly. We only found out the next day. I rushed to the hospital to see him. His head was swollen like a


    pig’s.


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    Mnie sat silently beside him.


    “Something was wrong. After 20 days in the hospital, he went on a business trip and returned saying


    he had won the contract.”


    Perhaps because he thought it had nothing to do with me, Johnson was quite excited.


    “Was it in Rivendell?”


    “No, it was in Muborough!” Johnson stated confidently.


    Rivendell was where Echelon Group’s new development was located, while Muborough was in the


    opposite direction, evenrger than Rivendell,


    I couldn’t figure out how Matthew had resources in that area. He had always traveled between


    Rivendell and another city but had never‘ visited Muborough. How could he have gotten a contract


    there right after being hospitalized?


    The news made me feel suspicious.


    “Has he ever had dealings in Muborough before? From what I recall, he didn’t have any contacts


    there.”!


    asked Johnson.


    “No, Muborough wasn’t our focus, and he didn’t have many contacts there. If he did, he wouldn’t be


    trying so hard with Echelon Group,” Johnson confirmed.


    “But Atticus Cole gave him a hard time. He followed Atticus around but didn’t get any favors, It almost


    caused a big problem. You know, he borrowed 7 million dors. He would’ve been in big trouble if it


    weren’t for this contract!” Johnson said. “It was a stroke of luck!”


    “Did he negotiate directly with Echelon Group? I remember that Atticus isn’t someone who can be


    easily swayed by 7 million,” I recalled. Atticus wasn’t the type to be influenced by money.


    “He interacted more with Atticus’s nephew!” Johnson seemed to have a lot of information. “At the time.


    this guy, Keegan Thompson, still had some influence!”


    Feeling relieved, I chuckled. Matthew had taken he Wrong and it seemed that Atticus’s actions were


    justified. However, I needed to find out who had helped Matthew with this deal.