Watching the townspeople's expressions that screamed "Brown had it coming", Rock and Ben exchanged a smug glance.
All that remained was for Michael to lose the case—and everything the Brown family owned would fall into their hands.
"Hey, isn't that Michael sitting over at the café?"
Someone pointed across the street to a coffee shop opposite the courthouse.
A few curious onlookers called Michael over.
Someone asked teasingly,
"Michael, you're still in the mood for coffee when you're due in court today?"
"Court? What court?" Michael replied casually.
"Isn't this just another beautiful morning?"
Rock, sensing something off, could no longer keep his calm.
He asked, "Michael, isn't today the hearing for your dispute with Lendo Company?"
"Rock, I never realized you cared so much about me," Michael smirked.
"Hate to disappoint, but the case is already over."
"When did that happen?" Ben asked, suddenly flustered.
"I fulfilled the contract, so naturally they dropped the lawsuit."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know?"
"Oh, right… You're not even part of the case.
Although with the way you're dressed today, I thought you were the one suing me."
The townspeople turned to look at Rock and Ben suspiciously.
Realizing the situation had gone sideways, Rock quickly stepped in front of Ben and forced a polite smile.
"This has nothing to do with us. Congratulations, Michael—
Looks like your sawmill will be staying in business after all."
Rock was a seasoned player—far more composed and sly than Ben.
He swiftly shifted the topic to something that could hurt Michael's image: the environmentally harmful sawmill.
As expected, attention returned to Michael.
Today, he was dressed neatly and cleanly. With his above-average looks and confident smile, he exuded charm—a ruggedly handsome older man.
"Rock," Michael said smoothly, "have you forgotten your beloved Lynchburg Environmental Protection Act?"
"I've recognized my mistakes, and I'm here to announce that the sawmill is officially shut down."
Michael's quick wit today was uncharacteristic.
Rock's heart sank.
"What will you do next, now that the sawmill is closed?" a townsperson asked.
Michael shot a mocking look at Ben and declared:
"I'll be opening the largest resort hotel in all of Campbell County."
"You shouldn't have hit him," Rock muttered, handing Ben an ice pack.
Ben had socked Michael after that line—and then been knocked flat by Joseph.
Now Ben's face was puffed up like a pig's. He angrily threw the ice pack to the floor.
"There was trouble in Richmond and you didn't see it coming?" Rock growled.
His voice was cold, his patience worn thin.
Today's embarrassment had shaken his standing in Lynchburg.
Worst of all, he'd poured time and money into this—only to come away empty-handed.
What pained Rock even more was the $370,000 Carlo had lent to Michael—money that had come from Rock's own pocket.
He'd never suffered such a crushing defeat in his entire business career.
Humiliation!
If Ben weren't a Gurian, Rock would've gladly sent him to join Carlo in the backyard.
Feeling cornered, Ben snapped defensively:
"Someone must've sabotaged me. I bet it was my brother Herbert! He even stopped Johnny Ola from helping me!"
A voice echoed across the room:
"What a great little brother, huh? Every time something goes wrong, he blames me."
Herbert strode in with several men, casually crossing the threshold.
Seeing their surprised faces, he added with a smirk:
"Don't stare—I noticed your door was open."
"What are you doing here, Herbert?" Ben's face flushed with embarrassment.
"To clean up after you, obviously," Herbert sneered.
"Seems your brain's so full of crap, you forgot something important."
"When Michael fulfilled the contract, Lendo Company became legally obligated to pay him one million dollars.
So what now? You expect the governor to cover it?"
Ben's face turned ghostly pale.
He collapsed onto the couch, defeated, realizing that this blunder could cost him everything.
Herbert turned to Rock, who looked just as stunned.
"See? That's Ben. The moment things go wrong, he hides his head like an ostrich.
If you choose to work with him, be prepared to lose everything.
So tell me, Mr. Rock—are you prepared?"
Rock knew Herbert well—he attended the Gurian family's annual banquets every year.
People in Lynchburg called Rock the King of Grain Futures.
Like a wizard, he always predicted the market's next move.
But Rock himself knew: he was merely a pawn.
The Gurian family held true control over Virginia's grain futures market.
They were both referee and player. That's how they always won.
Herbert's words struck deep.
"Herbert… Is there any other way?" Rock asked in a hushed, pleading tone.
Herbert shook his head coldly.
"You're not new to this game, Rock. When you lose—you pay."
And just like that, another man slumped into the couch—his face pale, his spirit broken.
Rock now realized: everything he had built over a lifetime was gone.
He had no fight left in him.
The Gurian family had ruled Virginia's grain futures for over a century.
They decided every trade, every move.
He was just a small-town merchant. No match for them.
"Herbert! It has to be you!" Ben shouted, seething.
But before he could finish, Herbert cut him off with disdain:
"Shut up, idiot.
Your real enemy has always been that soldier you look down on—Leo Valentino."
"Leo Valentino… It was him," Rock murmured.
Meanwhile, at Leo's home, the mood was the exact opposite—laughter and celebration filled the air.
A slightly drunk Michael, his left eye still swollen from the punch, animatedly recounted how he'd publicly humiliated Ben at the courthouse—again and again.
"If it weren't for Leo, I wouldn't even be here,"
Emily cut in, poking holes in the older man's inflated story.
Leo smiled but said nothing, not wanting to break the joyful mood.
Instead, he motioned to Sean, who had just returned from Richmond.
The two stepped into the living room.
Upon hearing that Herbert had come to Lynchburg, Leo frowned.
His instincts told him Herbert wasn't here just to "clean up Ben's mess."
But with so little intel, there was nothing solid to go on.
"You said you've seen cash being delivered to Lendo Company?" Leo asked.
"Yes, sir. And not just that—a half-used Lincoln Continental and a big red trunk.
I think it's being used to move cash."
"Cash transactions…"
Leo rubbed his chin, remembering what Tucson had warned him:
Herbert doesn't play by the rules.
Leo had a strong hunch that Herbert was planning something… dangerous.
Knock knock.
A knock at the door.
Leo opened it—it was Jonathan.
He leaned in close and whispered:
"Johnny's been kidnapped. He was seen in Richmond—met with Ben tonight.
Hope that helps. Stay sharp."
As Jonathan walked away, Leo's frown only deepened.