The conference was held on the top floor of the Kingsford International Conference Center.
The attendees were all prominent business leaders in the industry.
In the past, when Sean Paxton was in power, the Paxton Family’s company never received an invitation.
Now, just as Samuel Paxton took over, he received an invitation, which seed to be a signal from Elias Langley extending an olive branch to him.
Samuel Paxton was particularly ostentatious at the venue, actively greeting every important person present.
Elias Langley took all of this in, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
During a break in the eting, Samuel Paxton seized the opportunity to chat and laugh with a few executives eager to ingratiate themselves with Dylan Paxton.
At this mont, a conference attendant brought over a delicate, exotically-styled tal cigar box and approached him directly.
"Mr. Paxton," the attendant said in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for those nearby to hear clearly, "a gentleman from The Zenthian Sea asked to give this to you. He said it was a gift from the ’General’ to thank you for providing that special logistics channel last ti, hoping for a pleasant cooperation in the future."
Not only was Samuel Paxton stunned, but the smiles froze on the faces of those flattering him.
The "General" ntioned by the attendant was Samuel’s biggest partner in The Zenthian Sea, where all his illicit business was concentrated.
It was believed that this out-of-place illegitimate child of the Paxton Family had been acknowledged by Old Mr. Paxton and entrusted with important responsibilities. It seed he had sohow cleaned up his act, but unexpectedly, he was still involved in such activities.
The few executives who had just surrounded him imdiately stepped back two paces.
Seeing this, Samuel Paxton imdiately asked sharply: "What nonsense are you spouting? I don’t know any General!"
Instinctively, he wanted to pocket the box and cover up everything.
"What’s going on?"
Elias Langley walked over just in ti.
He seed attracted by the commotion, purposefully coming over in his capacity as the eting chairman to express concern.
"Mr. Paxton, are you in any trouble?"
He looked at the box with great curiosity.
Everyone’s eyes followed suit, focusing on it.
Fearing he might enthusiastically ask him to open the box and show its contents, Samuel Paxton, in a panic, attempted to place the box back on the attendant’s tray.
"Take it away, it’s not mine!"
However, the attendant stepped back, and the tal cigar box fell from Samuel’s grasp, hitting the ground with a "clang."
The box’s intricate clasp popped open, revealing several expensive cigars, along with a transparent sealed bag.
The bag did not contain tobacco but a pile of large crystals, resembling premium bath salts, varying from milky white to a slight yellowish tinge.
Among the crowd, a well-inford executive was the first to cry out, his voice filled with fear.
"It’s zombie drugs! They’re illegal!"
In an instant, everyone, including Elias Langley, backed away.
Samuel Paxton imdiately realized he was finished.
The "General" was cautious by nature and would never send a gift in such a setting; clearly, soone was deliberately framing him.
An epiphany, he looked toward Elias Langley.
Though outwardly shocked, the other party’s eyes held an almost imperceptible hint of amusent.
"It was..."
He was about to point to Elias Langley when a group of policen in body armor rushed in from outside the venue.
"Freeze! Hands up!"
The police arrived so quickly, what else could it be if not a trap set by Elias Langley?
Although protected by Dylan Paxton, Samuel knew he had committed heinous cris against Harlan citizens in The Zenthian Sea and would face death if captured.
Trusting no one, he imdiately fled.
"Chase him!"
Thus, a chase ensued in the hall.
Samuel Paxton dashed into the fire escape, sprinting downward, but the sound of surrounding footsteps ca from below, blocking him on a platform between two levels.
"Samuel Paxton! You’re surrounded! Put your hands on your head and surrender imdiately!"
With ard officers above and below, Samuel, cornered, showed a glint of insane ferocity in his eyes.
Instinctively, he reached for his waist, drawing a compact pistol he had long kept for self-defense.
Just as his finger pressed the trigger, a shot rang out, and his body fell stiffly to the ground.
A sharpshooter among the police ended his life with a single bullet.
Elias Langley then erged from the conference room’s back door.
The lead officer approached and saluted him.
"Mr. Langley, the suspect refused to surrender while ard and was lawfully shot dead by our forces."
Elias Langley’s gaze swept over the bullet hole in Samuel Paxton’s forehead, nodding slightly, "It’s been tough, proceed by the protocol."
Police on the scene imdiately began orderly evidence gathering and cleanup.
Elias Langley turned to Zachary York beside him, "Inform all dia to release the article. The headline should read ’New Energy Association eting Surprised by Turn of Events: Illegal Businessman Samuel Paxton Shot Dead for Resisting Arrest Involving Drugs’."
"Yes, sir!"
Zachary York imdiately turned to make contact.
Elias Langley took one last look at Samuel Paxton’s body, the long-standing ailnt in Juliana Jacobs’ heart finally eradicated at this mont.
And it was done openly, legitimately, and without trace of future threat.
Hours later, the news of Samuel Paxton being shot dead at the conference for "carrying dangerous goods" spread like a hurricane across all circles of Kingsford.
Dylan Paxton was caught off guard by Elias Langley’s move, quickly distancing himself from Samuel Paxton, claiming deception, while secretly using all connections to pin all bla on the deceased Samuel, containing the impact strictly within Samuel Paxton’s domain.
Outwardly, he managed to stabilize the situation temporarily. However, keen observers could see that the Paxton Family’s deep-rooted tree had been shaken.
Elias Langley’s coup not only eliminated Juliana’s long-standing nightmare but also created an irrediable crack in the foundation of Dylan Paxton’s power.
Having handled the subsequent procedures in the office, he relaxed back in his chair. The first thing he did was pick up his phone, sending a cartoon wolf emoji, wagging its tail and shining starry eyes, seeking affection, to Juliana Jacobs.
Followed imdiately by a text ssage: "Honey, is my ’probation period’ seeing the dawn?"
Juliana had been busy all afternoon, but she was aware of the seismic shake in Corinthium, undoubtedly Elias Langley’s handiwork.
Seeing the man’s ssage on the screen, her lips unconsciously turned up in a slight smile. Countless words welled up in her heart, but ultimately only one simple, direct reply ford: "Mm"
Elias Langley looked at the lonely "Mm" and could almost imagine her suppressing excitent, trying to maintain an outward calm.
He then pushed his advantage, sending another ssage: "So, it’s settled then, no more talk of divorce. Besides, you think a single ’Mm’ is enough? Not nearly! I want to hear your voice."
Yes, he wanted to hear that kind of voice.
Juliana rubbed her nose, replying: "We’ll talk at ho. There’s so data I need to rush through tonight, I’ll be back by ten."
Elias Langley could almost picture her blushing on the other end of the phone, responding: "I’ll be clean and waiting for you."
That evening, Elias Langley returned ho early, making sure to cleanse himself thoroughly in anticipation.
As it got close to 10, the sound of a car engine ca from the yard.
Yet he waited in the bedroom for five or six minutes without anyone coming in.
Elias Langley changed into informal clothes, quickly heading to the front porch.
Steward Fay imdiately ca up to him.
Before he could ask, Fay hurriedly explained: "The madam ca back but left again after taking a call. From her conversation with Raine Kane, it seed Florence Sinclair has let the caretakers off tonight, possibly eting soone important at the hospital. So, madam rushed over."
Elias Langley’s brows knitted: Could Florence Sinclair be eting Stella Windsor tonight?
At the hospital, Juliana, with Raine Kane, quickly walked through the corridor.
As they reached the entrance to Florence Sinclair’s ward, they overheard her familiar soft yet stubborn voice.
"Thank you for caring for like this, I’m really okay. Once I’m better... what are these setbacks... I still need to... need to..."
Planning to continue opposing once she’s better?
Who else could she be pledging loyalty to, if not Stella Windsor!
Juliana furrowed her brows and pushed open the ward door...
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