Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1118: No Chance Left

Chapter 1118: Chapter 1118: No Chance Left

Li Shi got out of the car and saw some people staring at computer screens, analyzing data in the warehouse, while others were in discussion. It felt like she had stepped onto a battlefield, with a faint scent of gunpowder in the air.

"This is a secret base for our X Fund," Haywes explained. "We’re calculating how much stock we still have and estimating how much we can cash in tomorrow. We’re trying to determine if we can complete the plan."

Li Shi didn’t understand: "Can’t these things be done in a high-end office building? Why the need for a secret base here?"

"The office is just a facade; I’m worried that if Gu Fan goes mad, and attacks our X Fund’s office, that would be problematic." Haywes’s words had a deeper meaning, which confused Li Shi. "What are you trying to say? You can’t mean that Gu Fan, driven to desperation by you, would storm your office and use force to disrupt your stock market trades, can you?"

"It’s not impossible, and we’re just preparing for every eventuality." None of Haywes’s words made sense to Li Shi. To her, Gu Fan was not someone who would barbarically rush into an office and smash computers to hinder work.

Suddenly, Li Shi’s phone rang. She picked it up, her expression changing slightly when she saw it was Gu Fan calling.

Li Shi cast a cautious glance at Haywes, who was indifferent: "Answer it. I’d like to see how desperate Gu Fan will become after he learns that you’re in our hands, destroying his only hope."

After hearing this, a weight sank in Li Shi’s heart, and instinct told her it was better not to answer, but not doing so would worry Gu Fan.

Li Shi looked at Haywes’s smug expression, a masterful but detestable look, and after some thought, she finally answered Gu Fan’s call.

"Hello, what took you so long to answer, you almost worried me to death." Gu Fan assumed Li Shi was okay and breathed a sigh of relief, then asked another question: "How are things on your end, will the press release be successfully issued tomorrow?"

"Gu Fan, I..." Li Shi began to speak but was interrupted when Haywes snatched the phone from her hand.

"Hello, is this Gu Fan? I’m delighted to hear your voice." While speaking, Haywes laughed, his words dripping with mockery.

Gu Fan was startled: "Haywes, why is it you? What have you done to Li Shi?"

"Me, cherish the fairer sex? What do you think I’d do to such a beauty?" Haywes gave Li Shi a provocative look and then flashed a wicked smile: "You know, Gu Fan, it’s rather unmanly of you to rely on a woman to deal with us. Luckily, I’m magnanimous and haven’t held it against you; otherwise, given our style, I fear you would never see Li Shi again."

Gu Fan immediately lowered his stance, pleading with the other party: "Please, don’t do anything rash. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have dragged Li Shi into this."

"Indeed, it is your fault. Also, aren’t you a bit too clever for your own good, or should I say you’ve underestimated us too much? Did you really think we wouldn’t figure out that you’d ask Li Shi for help?" Haywes’s tone was cruel and conveyed his dissatisfaction: "Gu Fan, you want to fight us? Fine, bring it on, but be ready to pay the price, and Li Shi is that price."

"Tell me your conditions, as long as you don’t harm Li Shi, I can agree to anything." Gu Fan could only capitulate now, since the opponent had an important hostage.

Haywes revealed a satisfied expression: "That’s better. It’s so much easier when everyone keeps the peace. Why create trouble? My conditions haven’t changed: your family’s old house in exchange for Li Shi’s safety."

"Agreed!" Gu Fan didn’t hesitate to accept, then made a demand: "I’ll sell the old house to you guys, and you must ensure Li Shi’s safety and restrain yourselves in the stock market, not doing anything to harm the local economy."

Upon hearing this, Haywes snickered: "Gu Fan, oh Gu Fan, who do you think you are, trying to trade one for two? Dream on. You can only choose one: Li Shi’s safety or the city’s economy."

"Are you testing me," Gu Fan pretended to be distressed and then pondered for a while: "How about this, you and I continue our contest, if I win and manage to protect the local economy, then I will exchange the old house for Li Shi’s safety, okay?"

"What? At this juncture, you still think you have a chance of winning? All the wealthy people I could turn to are on my side, and the only person who could have helped you, Li Shi, is in my grasp. What chance do you think you have to keep fighting?" Haywes couldn’t help but mock, sure that Gu Fan was deluding himself.

"You speak of three days, but it’s only been one day so far. You really think you’ve already won, do you? Don’t be naive enough to think that I, Gu Fan, who has braved many storms, would lose to you so easily." Although there was a hint of bluster in Gu Fan’s words, Haywes still couldn’t resist agreeing: "Fine, let’s see what you can pull off in the remaining two days. Remember, regardless of who wins or loses after two days, you still have to trade your family’s old house for Li Shi, otherwise you won’t see your almost-first love and old classmate again, oh, to be correct, she’s the first one you truly loved."

"That’s settled then, we’ll see who prevails in two days." After speaking, Gu Fan hung up the call, projecting a strong aura, which to Haywes felt like an act. Haywes believed Gu Fan had no more cards to play and couldn’t possibly win.

Meanwhile, Li Shi was curious. Throughout the conversation between Haywes and Gu Fan, the old house kept coming up, as if Haywes was particularly keen on acquiring it. It seemed like the struggle was about that house.

Li Shi remembered visiting Gu Fan’s old house back in high school; it seemed very ordinary, nothing special. So why was Haywes so fixated on it?

"Gu Fan, what have you gone through these years, and what have you become?" While Li Shi was curious, she was also aware of the precarious situation she was in.

Li Shi carefully glanced at Haywes, hoping that as a reputable figure, he wouldn’t resort to extreme measures.

Haywes seemed to notice Li Shi’s furtive glances and his eyes flashed coldly. He ordered his men to tie Li Shi to a chair and appointed two skilled female security guards to watch her.

"I’m sorry, Li Shi. If Gu Fan breaks his promise, don’t blame me for being heartless. Blame Gu Fan for dragging you into