Jason took the phone and said, "Hello, Mr. Westwood. Even though I didn't choose your car, I still appreciate it."
Hearing Jason's voice, Nathan Westwood's anxiety skyrocketed. While Westwood Holdings sounded impressive, with Phoenix Financial as its subsidiary, in reality, it was a small private equity firm. So small, in fact, that the subsidiary existed purely for risk management and appearances..
Westwood Holdings had shallow roots, no solid industry, and often survived on opportunistic investments and a few superficial connections.
With Jason Carter's current influence in this City, Nathan knew that even a casual word from him could ruin Westwood Holdings. If Jason intended to suppress him, the company would be finished in an instant.
This Jason Carter was a man who could casually spend hundreds of millions. Could Nathan's small operation withstand that?
"Not at all, not at all!" Nathan stammered. "If Jason had taken a liking to the car I ordered, that would have been my honor. Since you didn't, there's nothing to thank me for. But—if anyone in my company offended you, please tell me. I'll personally make them apologize immediately!"
Jason replied calmly, "Mr. Westwood, don't be hasty. In a conflict, it's not always clear who's right or wrong. Better to investigate thoroughly first. Perhaps the mistake is on my side; if so, I'll come over and apologize personally."
Nathan trembled at the thought. "No investigation needed! It's definitely my people's fault. Jason, just tell me—who was the fool bold enough to offend you?"
Jason handed the phone to Mia, who took a deep breath and explained the entire situation clearly.
Hearing a woman's voice—not Olivia's—Nathan was immediately startled. Could this be one of Jason's women? He became extremely cautious. But as he listened, his face went pale.
High-interest lending, threatening a woman by Jason Carter's side… this was practically inviting death. Jason could easily crush him even without leverage, let alone with leverage.
"Jason, please wait a moment. I'll handle this immediately and guarantee a satisfactory resolution," Nathan said quickly.
Meanwhile, in Phoenix Financial's Newport office, Dylan Price was lounging back in his chair, legs on the desk, cracking sunflower seeds and watching a TV drama. His phone rang, and he slowly picked it up only after finishing the current scene.
Seeing the caller ID, Dylan's demeanor changed instantly. He quickly answered: "Mr. Westwood…"
Before he could finish, Nathan's scolding barked through the phone: "You ungrateful idiot! Did you really try to provoke Jason Carter? If you want to die, get out of my company first—don't drag me down with you!"
Dylan froze. "Mr. Westwood… which Jason Carter are you talking about? I haven't provoked anyone named Jason Carter."
Nathan Westwood cursed, "You didn't just not provoke him, you provoked him and are still oblivious to your impending doom. Tell me—are you targeting Mia, the top streamer of New Vision Media?"
Dylan Price, still unaware of the gravity of the situation, argued, "Mr. Westwood, actually, this matter was Rick's plan. Of course, Rick wouldn't get his hands dirty; all the money from Mia will go straight into our pockets, not a penny less…"
"Into your pockets, my ass! You want to go to prison, don't you? Do you even know who backs Mia?" Nathan laughed angrily.
Dylan frowned. "Who is it? Surely, he can't be more powerful than Rick, the son of the district chief?"
Nathan said slowly, enunciating each word: "Jason Carter. He's the man who recently earned over two billion in just a few days, shaking the entire Newport real estate circle. People are speculating he might even be from a prominent family lineage. And you—do you really think you can afford to provoke him?"
"He is almost certainly a young master from a powerful family, with money and influence. Money is a given— Rick can't even compare. And as for power, Rick likely can't compete either. Even if we assume Jason Carter, as a dominant force, can't suppress a local snake like Rick, what do you think will happen to someone like you caught in the middle?"
Dylan suddenly sat up straight, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. His earlier bravado evaporated instantly.
Only now did he realize who Jason Carter truly was. Intuitively, this Jason was far more formidable than Rick.
As Nathan had said, whether Jason was stronger than Rick wasn't even the point. The point was: what fate awaited a small fry caught between the two?
The word "cannon fodder" flashed in Dylan's mind.
Dylan's voice trembled: "What should I do then? Should I apologize to Jason Carter immediately?"
Nathan snorted coldly. "Do you think an apology alone will suffice? You need to show sincerity. That Mia might be Jason's woman… and you used her father to threaten her? Then you'd better fix this. Help her father properly, and make sure he never dares threaten her or her mother again."
Dylan stammered, hesitant. Nathan's patience snapped: "Can't you see the situation clearly even now? If you don't listen, don't blame me for cutting you loose."
Dylan quickly said, "No, Mr. Westwood, it's not that I don't understand. Mia's father is easy to handle, and I'll show sincerity—but this was Rick's order. How do I explain it to him?"
Nathan said, "If you can't explain, don't. We can't afford to provoke Rick; he can control us. But Jason Carter… he can erase us in an instant.
If he decides to act, spending hundreds of millions, can you survive? His attacks will be simpler, cruder, and far deadlier. You'll be crushed before you even know what hit you."
Dylan's face turned even paler. "Okay… I'll listen. I'll try to explain to Rick."
Nathan continued, "First, resolve Mia's father's problem. Then, shut down the company, file for bankruptcy, and go to Jason Carter with a truly humble apology."
Dylan's eyes widened. "We're supposed to apologize sincerely—but why close the company?"
Nathan said, "Your company is full of weaknesses. You caused trouble, and you still want to survive? Jason Carter hasn't even acted yet—he could crush you in an instant. Close it now while you can still control the outcome. If you don't understand, you'll lose everything."
Just over ten minutes later, Nathan sent a video. Jason handed it to Mia.
In the footage, her disheveled father, teeth yellowed, was kneeling before her mother, crying and apologizing. The man who once terrorized them now looked like a scared dog.
Then Dylan and his men escorted her father away, promising he would never appear before her or her mother again.
"Thank you, Jason!" Mia's eyes were wet. She quietly wiped the tears from her cheeks. MiaFavorability +10.
The heavy burden that had weighed on her heart for years was suddenly halved. The other half remained, because Rick was still out there. If he wasn't dealt with, her father could be dragged back into danger, and even bigger problems might await.
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