Janelle didn't want to argue with him. What he chose to do was his own business; she couldn't control it. However, Erik got out of the car and followed her into the project department.
Jiang Chao, seeing him actually pursue her here, immediately ducked behind Janelle. "Why's he here? Not over that dance last night, right? That's completely unnecessary!" Jiang Chao enjoyed provoking Erik, but if it came to a real fight, he probably couldn't withstand Erik's blows.
"He says he's come to be my bodyguard."
"..." Mr. Lorenz, the ruler of the border, lowering himself to be a bodyguard for the little junior sister? That sounded utterly surreal.
"Alright, time's almost up. Get ready, we need to head out," Janelle said, wanting to waste no more time.
"Got it." When it came to serious business, Jiang Chao didn't slack off.
Linda had also made the final preparations. This was their project team's first project. Everyone hoped it would succeed; they had genuinely worked hard. They wanted to prove themselves through this project.
"Linda, will we succeed?" Kevin was very worried. This was his first project participation. He'd truly given his all.
Linda patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. With Miss Rovella here, there won't be any problems," Linda reassured everyone. They had done everything they could to the best of their ability; the rest was up to fate.
Janelle set off with Jiang Chao, Linda, and Kevin. The others stayed at the project department, ready to provide support if needed. Because Erik was tagging along, Linda drove with Kevin and Jiang Chao, while Erik rode alone with Janelle in his car.
The two vehicles headed towards the Aleens Group together. At first, everything was normal. But gradually, Janelle noticed several cars persistently following them. Worse, these cars were deliberately cutting them off and blocking them.
Janelle's eyes narrowed dangerously. Hah. These people, only capable of such low-level tricks.
Erik noticed too. "Call your senior brother. Tell him to be careful." It would be troublesome if he came to Graham City fine but couldn't leave.
Janelle called Jiang Chao, explaining the situation.
"Little Junior Sister, don't worry! I'll handle the safety of this car. Their target is you; be careful yourself."
"If it really comes to a life-threatening situation, push Erik out as a shield, got it! Be selfish!" Besides, it was Erik. Even pushed out, he'd be fine.
Janelle's phone volume was quite loud. Jiang Chao's words were heard perfectly clearly by Erik.
"Mr. Jiang is so thoughtful towards me! Don't worry, I'll remember. I'll be sure to repay you properly later," Erik addressed Jiang Chao directly over the phone.
Jiang Chao was momentarily speechless. "Little Junior Sister... you didn't put me on speakerphone, did you?"
"Naturally not. Mr. Jiang might not know my hearing is excellent."
"Haha..." Jiang Chao could only laugh awkwardly. "I'm just worried about my little junior sister! Mr. Lorenz surely won't hold it against me."
"Enough. Protect Linda and Kevin. They're ordinary people," Janelle stated. They weren't like those who'd lived on the border.
Meanwhile, Erik's driving was dazzlingly skillful. The cars tailing them were no match for him. He toyed with them effortlessly. One car, misjudging its maneuver, crashed into the guardrail. Erik merely glanced at it in the rearview mirror.
Erik used to race cars. He was several years older than Janelle and Bryan and hadn't raced much in the last couple of years. But not racing now didn't mean his skills were rusty. He was once known as the Racing God. These cars trying to box him in? Utterly impossible.
However, the remaining cars seemed to go berserk, ramming towards them head-on. If they couldn't match his skill, they'd just crash into him wildly.
Seeing this, murderous intent flashed in Erik's eyes. If they don't want to live, he won't spare them.
"Hold on tight. Big brother will take you for a ride."
"Do what you need to." Janelle wasn't afraid at all.
What followed was Erik's solo performance. The man's control over the car had reached a level where man and machine became one. The pursuing cars couldn't keep up. Soon, Erik's own men arrived, blocking the remaining vehicles. Not a single one could get past them.
Erik made a call. "Don't let a single one escape," his voice icy cold. Good thing he came along. Otherwise, these people would never have let her go.
Janelle was well aware of his ruthlessness and had no objection. Those who dared commit murder and arson naturally had to pay the price.
Soon, the Cullinan arrived at the Aleens Group building. Jiang Chao and the others had arrived earlier. Seeing them, Jiang Chao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you alright?" Jiang Chao asked Janelle, concerned.
Janelle nodded. "Fine. Don't worry. Everything's been handled." Janelle trusted Erik to deal with those people properly.
The Janelle group entered the bidding session venue. Mrs. Hill and her Hills employees were already there. She had fully expected Janelle wouldn't make it to the scene. "I truly didn't expect him to show up here completely unscathed."
Erik walked up to Mrs. Hill. "You've pissed me off." He hadn't planned to interfere initially, but since Mrs. Hill was so eager to die, he should oblige.
Mrs. Hill frowned. "Who the hell do you think you are, daring to speak to me like that? So what if I pissed you off? What can you possibly do?"
Jiang Chao was genuinely impressed by Mrs. Hill. To say something like that without even knowing who she was dealing with? She really had no fear of death.
"The Hills are finished," Jiang Chao said gleefully. Others might not know Erik's methods, but he did. Even their master had warned them not to provoke Erik. And the Hills were merely Graham City's richest family? Did they really have such nerve?
"Mr. Jiang, I'd very much like to cooperate with you, but I don't appreciate that kind of talk. How could our Hills possibly be finished?" Her daughter was now connected to the Imperial Capital's Lorenz family – a status even the Aleens couldn't match!
Jiang Chao didn't answer, just smiled. His smile sent an inexplicable chill down Mrs. Hill's spine. Yet, suddenly, she calmed down. Plan A failed? Well, there was still Plan B. Mrs. Hill began waiting for Plan B to unfold.
Just then, Mr. Aleen and Bruce Aleen also arrived. The bidding was about to start. The competing groups were subtly sizing each other up. Mr. Aleen personally came over to greet Janelle, his regard for her unmistakable.