Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 173

Adrian and his entourage stormed into the rural township's land management office.

He quickly explained his intentions, only for the director to shake his head. "That abandoned factory complex was bought out two months ago. It's private property now."

"Bought out?"

Who the hell had gotten that lucky?

"Can you tell me who the current owner is?"

"No can do. Without official authorization, I can't just hand out private registry details."

The official was a recent transfer. His predecessor had actually been promoted purely off the performance boost from selling that massive piece of dead real estate.

"Why couldn't I catch a break like that?" the official lamented internally.

"Understood, completely understood. Sorry for the intrusion."

Stepping out of the office, Adrian didn't head back to the city. Instead, he ordered his assistant to find them a hotel.

"Mr. Mercer, I checked. There are no hotels out here, just cheap motels."

"A motel will do. We're in the trenches, we can't be picky."

"Mr. Mercer, we'll start asking around about the property's owner right now."

"You two hit the streets and ask around. I have a different angle to play."

***

Meanwhile, the men from Porter Entertainment had barely walked a few blocks before they conveniently crossed paths with the decoy Adrian's assistant had arranged.

The local guide was incredibly polite and overwhelmingly enthusiastic, yet somehow managed to lead them further and further off the beaten path.

The corporate fixers started getting suspicious. No matter how impoverished a district was, the local government offices were usually at least somewhat presentable.

The guide seemed to sense their doubt. "Our town mayor is a real man of the people.

He gave the actual municipal compound to low-income families whose roofs caved in, and took his staff to work out of some old sheds left over from the communal farming days."

"An official like that is hard to find."

Their suspicions evaporated instantly, replaced by relaxed banter.

As they skirted the edge of a dense orchard, the guide paused. "Give me one second, I just need to take a leak."

He disappeared into the trees and never came back. The guy didn't even wait to collect his tip.

"Hurry it up."

"Yes, sir. On it, Boss."

Back in Melvion City, Shane hung up the phone and shook his head in disgust.

He glanced over at Allen. "Their efficiency is garbage compared to yours. It took them this long just to find the front door."

"Boss, do you want me to head down there?"

"Don't bother. By the time you arrive, it'll be far too late."

The other conglomerates weren't going to sit around twiddling their thumbs.

***

Meanwhile, at the land bureau, the director watched Adrian leave and figured the day's drama was over. He decided to lock up early.

A rural land office rarely saw much action; he usually went days without a single walk-in.

Just as his hand hit the light switch, another group of men in suits marched through the door.