Chapter 269 It’s Not His Turn to Call the Shots Yet
Justin set down his fork and said with a serious expression, “If you encounter any troubling matters like this in the future, just look for me.”
Rachel smiled at his words, but her eyes were a little sad when she lowered her head. The next day, Justin kept his word and accompanied Rachel to the construction site.
Everyone at the construction site looked shocked and happy by Justin’s grand presence, and the project leader even personally ran out to greet him, showing more attention to them compared to when Rachel had come alone.
“President Burton, President Hudson, after the completion of the shopping mall here, the surrounding house prices will double as well. The apartments in our commercial building are also selling very well…”
However, Justin did not humor him. “You can just tell President Hudson about these things. I’m only accompanying her to have a look.”
His words could not make his intention any more obvious to the Burton Group’s staff.
The project leader immediately began bowing and scraping to Rachel. “Please watch your step, President Hudson.”
“No matter what, safety is the most important thing,” Rachel said as she took the safety helmet. “I’ve heard that there are still some problems with the demolition. Have they all been solved?”
The project leader confidently replied, “Of course. However, at Phase Three Land, there were a few greedy holdouts who were demanding more money. They’re asking for five million just to demolish a small, old house. Aren’t they quite the dreamer?”
“How did you settle that?”
“You don’t have to worry about that. Generally, our company’s demolition team is responsible for tricky things like this. We’ll probably be able to demolish it soon.”
Rachel raised her head and shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight with her hand. She looked around before instructing, “Safety always comes first. It’s now a critical time for the Burton Group to establish an example of charity. Never conflict with demolition households.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Careful.” Justin helped Rachel. “You don’t have to worry too much about this. All construction requirements are Burton Group’s unified standards. I’ve repeatedly instructed them not to start the work without settling everything.”
“In that case, it’s all right. I was just worried because I had heard some rumors.”
“What rumors?”
As they were talking, a worker suddenly ran over in a hurry from a distance. Because he was running too fast, he stumbled in his steps several times and almost fell.
“Mr. Holmes!”
“Liam, why are you running? What got you in a hurry?”
Saying that, the project leader introduced to Rachel, “This is Mr. Liam, the supervisor of our construction site. Liam, this is President Hudson.”
Without greeting Rachel, the worker said hurriedly, “Something happened at Phase Three Land. We had already agreed on demolishing the houses today, but the holdouts went back on their word again, saying that they want to increase the price by one million. The guy in charge of the demolition got angry and immediately threw a punch. Now, all of them are fighting.”
“What?” Mr. Holmes’ face turned pale.
Justin said coldly, “Is this what you meant by ensuring safety and resolving everything properly?”
“President Burton, President Hudson…”
Justin led Rachel away without looking back. “Frankie, start the car. Head to Phase Three Land immediately.”
“Understood.”
Currently, the place where the incident happened was in a mess. The surrounding area had already been demolished, and most of the dilapidated buildings were only left with its foundation—except for a small bungalow squeezed in the corner. There was even a line of clothes left out to dry outside the house, showing that there was someone living there. It looked extremely out of place.
When Justin and Rachel rushed to the scene, chaos was still ensuing, and the fight was brutal.
There was a family of five living in the old house. The oldest of them all was an elderly lady who struggled to stand. She stood by the side with the help of her daughter-in-law, her hands trembling with worry. Those who were fighting did not hold back, and threw something directly toward the elderly lady.
As soon as she got out of the car, Rachel witnessed this scene, and she quickly grabbed the elderly lady without a second thought.
“Careful!” Justin rushed from behind to protect Rachel and was hit square on the back of his head by the flying piece of wood.
Enveloped in Justin’s protective embrace, Rachel heard a grunt from above her.
“Are you all right?”
Justin touched the back of his head, only to see that his large palm was covered in blood.
“Oh my god, you’re bleeding.” Rachel’s face fell. “Let me take a look.”
“I’m fine.” Justin took her hand, bringing her and the women and children to an open space that was further away. “Don’t go over there.”
In the midst of the chaos, no one saw Justin and Rachel arriving. Frankie looked around and saw the loudspeaker that was left next to him. He picked it up and went to a higher place, where he shouted, “Stop fighting! President Burton is here!”
“President Burton? Which President Burton?”
“Even the King himself can’t stop us today! Destroy everything!”
The man who led the fight was bald and brawny, with a big gold chain hanging around his neck. He sat on the excavator with a cigarette with an arrogant expression and said, “No matter what happens, we have Master Jason’s support. He said that we must settle this today, so everybody, flatten this place!”
It was only after someone had reminded the man that he saw Justin and nearly jumped out of his skin in shock.
“P… President Burton.”
Justin’s face was livid. “Master Jason? Which Master Jason?”
Justin stood on the periphery of the crowd with a cold expression on his face. His tall figure was silhouetted by the evening setting sun, an air of authority exuding off him.
The man with the big gold chain practically tumbled down from the excavator. “President Burton, why did you come here in person?”
Justin said coldly, “Do you know who I am?”
“I went to settle some matters with Master Jason and met you once; don’t you remember? Ah, who did this to your head? Who was it? Own up now!”
The man with the big gold chain glared behind him, but none of his lackeys dared to come out. With the aura of a gangster, he took out a pack of cigarettes and shook it before handing one to Justin.
Justin did not budge. His cold eyes alone sent shivers down their spines.
Just then, Frankie had already rescued the male owner of the “holdouts” from the group of lackeys. The male owner had been beaten black and blue, his appearance nearly indistinguishable.
“My son!” Seeing that, the elderly lady immediately shed tears and almost fainted.
Frankie hurriedly got someone to take the male owner to the hospital. Though Frankie repeatedly promised that they would never demolish their house before they agreed, they were still not at ease and left a pair of children to stand guard in front of the house.
The two children were still young, and the red scarves on their necks were so dirty that the color had worn off. They stood at the door in the pile of ruins like two telephone poles.
Rachel felt her heart ache at the sight, so she pulled Justin’s sleeve and said, “Hurry up and have them leave. This place is obviously impossible to live in. We have to arrange a place for these two children to stay.”
Frankie said, “President Burton, I’ll take care of things here. What about Master Jason’s side?”
“Call my grandpa.” Saying that, Justin glanced at the group of people coldly and said, “It’s not Jason’s turn to call the shots in Burton Group yet.”
The man with the big gold chain trembled, dropping his cigarette.
While Frankie stayed to deal with the rest, Rachel drove Justin to the hospital.
“Drive slowly. I’m fine.”
“How are you fine? You’re bleeding so much on the back of your head, and we don’t even know if you have a concussion or not. It’ll also be a problem if your wound gets infected.”
Justin looked at her and asked, “Are you worried about me?”
