Chapter 585

The Elite Lux building stood tall as a symbol of prestige, an unmistakable landmark in the city's skyline.

A ceaseless tide of people flowed around it, the streets alive with honking horns and hurried footsteps.

The cunning minds of the commerce association timed their move perfectly, striking at the peak of the morning rush to stir up a spectacle.⑪

As office workers rushed to their jobs, a figure perched atop the Elite Lux building caught their collective gaze.

Within moments, the building's entrance was swarmed with curious bystanders, and traffic ground to a halt in the chaos.

Journalists stormed the scene like vultures to a feast, scrambling to set up their cameras.

News channels, social media, and digital platforms erupted with the breaking story, spreading like wildfire.

"Huey Murray on the Brink-Will He Jump?"

From the rooftop balcony, Huey cast a glance downward, the sheer height making his stomach churn with unease.

But with the weight of countless eyes upon him, retreat was no longer an option.

Huey turned to Hackett, his voice tight with nerves. "Hackett, where are the reporters? Why hasn't anyone come up yet? Get someone trustworthy from the press and bring them up. If I yell from here, they won't catch a word down there."

Huey scanned the swelling crowd below, his brow furrowing. "Hackett, there's a sea of people down there.Will the fire trucks even make it through later? Make sure the safety net's in place. If Daniela refuses to back off, I might just jump for real. So you better have someone ready to catch me."

Hackett nodded with quiet assurance. "Relax, Huey. Everything's in place." Hackett disappeared down the stairs to meet the press, while Huey tightened his grip on the megaphone,steeling himself for the spectacle ahead.

Marcus shot Huey a wary look. "Listen, Huey, just put on an act, alright? No real jumping. This building is no joke-it's a death sentence."

His gaze drifted towards the edge, the staggering height sending a shiver down his spine.

The mere thought of plummeting from such an altitude made him shudder.

Marcus and Huey had been friends for years, and Marcus had even set his sights on marrying his daughter to Huey's son once this storm blew over.

Bruno leaned in and muttered, "Huey, just rattle Daniela enough to send the message. She's a woman-she'll panic the moment she sees you up here. Once you've made your point, climb down."

Marcus bobbed his head in agreement. "This height is insane-I'm breaking a sweat just standing here."

Just then, Hackett returned, a swarm of reporters trailing behind him. He caught Huey's eye and gave a subtle nod-everything was in place.

Huey cast one last glance at the crowd below, inhaled sharply, and lifted his megaphone.

Sticking to the script, Huey bellowed, "Hackett! Who the hell did you bring up here? I said I'm not seeing anyone!"

Hackett played his role flawlessly, his voice steady yet urgent. "Huey, listen to me. These reporters are from Hurricane Media-they're fair, they report the truth, and the audience isn't easily swayed. We've been through thick and thin. If something is tearing you apart, just say the word. We'll find a way to fix it."

Raising the megaphone once more, Huey's voice rang out, raw and unsteady. "I can't do this anymore! This is it-today, I jump from the top of Elite Lux! It all ends here! Stay back! I mean it, move!"

Reporters trained their cameras on Huey for a live broadcast, hoping to push Huey into revealing more details about his predicament.

Seeing through their ploy, Huey declared, "I want Daniela Harper to hear me loud and clear-she doesn't get to pull the strings on everything! We're honest businessmen. I've never committed any unforgivable act. But now, thanks to Daniela's ruthless financial stranglehold, my company is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.I'm at my wit's end-I've already swallowed my pride and pleaded with Daniela to show mercy, just enough to keep a single production line running. My daughter and son are still in school; that income is the only thing keeping their future afloat. Hackett, you all saw it-I threw away every ounce of dignity,practícally groveling at her feet. I begged her for mercy, just a sliver of kindness-but she spat in my face and dragged my family through the mud. I can't take it anymore. Don't any of you try to stop me. If this is what it takes for her to let my family go, then so be it. If my death buys their freedom, I'll pay the price!"

The cameras caught Huey's tears as they spilled freely, his agony laid bare for all to see. Members of the business association grew emotional, their eyes red-rimmed.

Hackett, ever the strategist, saw an opening. He stepped forward, voice booming with conviction. "Huey,listen! Come down! Right now, in front of everyone, I swear-I'll cover every expense your family has.Whatever they need, I'll take care of it. Just come back to us!"

Hackett's words struck a chord, and the livestream's audience wavered. Sympathy flickered in their comments.

"Damn,I always thought Hackett was just a shark, but this? Maybe the guy has a heart after all."

"Let's be real-Hackett's company doesn't exactly have a clean record with women. This might be a PR stunt."

"You know what? Most of the women at Hackett's company were poor girls he 'helped! He's a wolf in sheep's clothing!"

The flood of comments soured quickly, and Hackett's jaw clenched. He barely stopped himself from snapping at the camera.

Gritting his teeth, he forced a stiff smile. "Thank you, everyone. If there's one thing about me, it's that l stand by my people. Now, speaking of my company's products-"

Marcus' brow furrowed. What the hell was Hackett doing? Was he seriously turning this into a business pitch? Huey was standing on the edge of a skyscraper, for God's sake. And Hackett was out here selling himself?

Disgust flickered across Marcus' face. He had seen Hackett's cunning before, but this was something else entirely.Without thinking, he yanked Hackett's sleeve sharply.

Hackett gave a forced chuckle and quickly backtracked."Okay, okay, forget that. Right now, saving our friend is what matters most."

His expression tightened, irritation flickering beneath the surface as he refocused on Huey. "Huey, don't do anything reckless! We can sort this out. What you want is for Daniela to back off from your family, right? I'l get someone to bring her here, okay?"