Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1109: Unpleasant Conversation

Chapter 1109: Chapter 1109: Unpleasant Conversation

Tonight, Helen had deliberately driven a luxury car to pick up Gu Fan for dinner, and she even chose a time when Gu Ling and Su Hui were not at the old house. That was Helen’s intention—she didn’t want too many people to know about their meeting to avoid causing general alarm.

Once Helen drove Gu Fan to a lavish restaurant, Gu Fan, looking at the extravagant décor, couldn’t help but sigh at how nice it must be to be wealthy.

"Alright, we’ve booked the entire restaurant for today. You don’t need to be cautious here; remember, I’ve got your back," Helen said with a reliable demeanor. However, Gu Fan looked at her skeptically and added, "I’ll be grateful as long as you don’t screw me over."

Helen wasn’t pleased, "After knowing each other for so long and even being related, you still don’t trust me."

"You yourself said you work for Organization X and have no choice in the matter. How can I trust you?" Gu Fan thought of this and then seized the opportunity, "Sometimes, I have no choice either, so please be tolerant of any offenses I may have caused."

"Bullshit, I’m not going to argue about this with you. The person you want to meet is right over there." Helen pointed towards a large table in the center of the hall.

Haywes had already arrived and was leisurely enjoying the delicacies, seemingly indifferent to Gu Fan’s arrival, and he was surrounded by many bodyguards.

"Hello, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon," Gu Fan said as he pulled out a chair and sat down confidently across from Haywes, not at all interested in the table full of food, his eyes only on Haywes.

"My time is very precious. If it weren’t for Helen’s face, I wouldn’t have agreed to your invitation," Haywes remarked, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

Seeing Haywes’s unfriendliness, Helen grew anxious, fearing that the negotiation might fall apart outright.

Gu Fan didn’t care and smirked, "I bet that even if I didn’t invite you, you would have come to me to negotiate terms."

"You are certainly confident. Who do you think you are?" Haywes scoffed, beginning to take a closer look at Gu Fan.

Gu Fan smiled slightly, remaining composed, "If I had a choice, I’d rather be a nobody, an ordinary person, but unfortunately, my experiences are not like those of ordinary people. And those experiences just happen to be what Organization X is interested in."

Haywes taunted, "You’re overestimating yourself, Gu Fan."

Gu Fan returned with a cold smile, "I also hope I’m overestimating myself. That way, there would be no issues, but unfortunately, it’s highly probable that Organization X came to this city specifically for me."

"What a joke. We in Organization X are here to make money, which has nothing to do with you," Haywes argued, although his eyes betrayed a flicker of anxiety, but he still forced himself to appear unyielding.

This time, it was Gu Fan’s turn to wear an expression of disdain, "At first, I thought X Fund was truly interested in the development of this city. But I can’t understand why, among so many cities with development potential, you would choose the city where I live. Could there be something fishy about it?"

Hearing this, both Helen and Haywes frowned, seemingly disliking the idea that someone had guessed their hidden agenda, feeling quite uneasy.

Gu Fan continued, "I’ve looked into X Fund and I have to say you’re quite skilled. Your goal isn’t just to buy stocks and make money, but to deceive business owners at the very end of the industrial chain in this city, luring them into buying stocks with you."

Helen was stunned for a moment, while Haywes’s expression turned solemn; he stopped eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and focused all his attention on Gu Fan.

"When these bosses’ financial chains break, their businesses will fold, and then the entire industrial chain will be hit, destroying the local economy. I’m right, aren’t I?" Gu Fan looked earnestly at Haywes, whose expression turned grave, and even a drop of sweat trickled down his forehead.

There was a prolonged silence between them, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, with both sides staring each other down, neither wanting to lose in terms of imposing presence.

Finally, it was Helen who broke the impasse, "Gu Fan, you are impressive, having guessed our plan. Yes, we do want to destroy the industrial chain’s end here and cause serious damage to the local economy. But this isn’t my idea, it’s from higher up. I’m not involved; I’m just on the sidelines."

"Alright, I got it. This has nothing to do with you; it’s the doing of others in Organization X, one of whom is Haywes." Gu Fan intensified his tone, interrogating, "I know that X Fund is very good at making money, and you have many ways to do so. But I can’t understand why you would target this city. What is your real purpose?"

Haywes closed his eyes, fell silent for a bit, and then chuckled wryly as if he had come to a realization, his gaze filled with resignation, "Since you’ve already guessed, I might as well tell you. Yes, now with just a move from X Fund, those big business owners will lose everything, and their companies will collapse. The industrial chains connected to these companies will be severely affected, and the local area will be greatly weakened. But our target isn’t the city; it’s you, Gu Fan."

"So it was all for me," Gu Fan scratched his head, a troubled look on his face, "Tell me, what exactly do you want? As long as it’s not too outrageous, I can agree to your demands. After all, I love the city where I was born and raised."

"You are indeed as caring and responsible as rumored. I’ll drink to that," Haywes said, raising his glass in a salute to Gu Fan.

Gu Fan was unimpressed, "Spare me the flattery. Don’t think you can sweet-talk me into agreeing to anything."

"Alright, I won’t beat around the bush. What our Organization X wants is simple. Exchange the peace of this city for your family’s old house, to put it plainly—sell your old house to Helen," Haywes announced bluntly, making Helen beside him very nervous. She didn’t even dare to look at Gu Fan’s face, fearing the sight of anger and reproach.

Yet Gu Fan appeared remarkably calm, "I knew you weren’t well-intentioned, planning to use the city’s economy as leverage in negotiations with me. You’ve gone to extreme lengths, and I deeply respect that."

"No, no, no. You’re the first person to warrant such an extensive effort from us, Gu Fan, and I too have the utmost respect for you," Haywes started flattering Gu Fan, hoping to make him feel better so he might agree to the terms.