Chapter 168: What Did I Do?

[Chapter 168: What Did I Do?]

A few days later, Nora found Ryan again.

"Are you satisfied now?" Nora tossed a supplementary agreement in front of Ryan.

The document outlined that if construction were to be halted or interrupted due to issues related to the land, the subsidiary under the Carlyle Group would transfer the revenue rights of several amusement facilities to Ryan for a total of two years.

In other words, it was like guaranteeing the church's financial interests.

"Things moved pretty quickly!" Ryan glanced over it. What surprised him was that the APG company would actually bear the risks for the church.

What kind of local interests in Florida were involved?

Given Ryan's current influence, he clearly couldn't grasp deeper information.

"I'll have my team confirm the revenue situation of these amusement facilities. If everything checks out, we'll start construction," Ryan said.

He didn't need to worry about the land issues at that moment; that was on Nora and the APG company behind her.

"Let's get construction going within a week. I don't want to be contacted if there's nothing critical," Nora said, wanting to leave Ryan's presence as soon as possible.

Ryan understood she didn't want to stay any longer either.

...

After Nora left, Ryan immediately called Berwick up.

"Boss, did you call for me?" Berwick walked in with a cheerful smile.

He was a big guy, and compared to the door frame, he looked like a standing bear.

"How many people do we have in the security team right now?" Ryan asked.

"We've recruited some more recently, and including the old crew, there are about thirty people now," Berwick replied, scratching his head.

Ryan had previously told Berwick there was no limit on recruitment; as long as they met his requirements, everyone was welcome.

"Isn't that enough? Ryan, we actually have enough manpower already," Berwick was somewhat surprised.

"This club is fine, but other locations are lacking. Some of the guys might need to be deployed elsewhere, but it'll be for their promotion," Ryan explained.

"Are you talking about the New Orleans location?"

"Not necessarily. That place is still in the site selection phase. Maybe Lil Wayne wants to assign his own security team, though we need to consider our future plans," Ryan admitted.

The bank was working smoothly now, and it was an excellent time for large investments. Ryan wanted to seize this rare low-interest window and expand quickly.

"So you're saying that Bad Room will open across the whole country now?" Berwick sounded a bit excited.

"Then I'd be the overall head honcho?"

"Pretty much," Ryan chuckled softly.

With rapid business expansion, the treatment of his people would naturally improve quickly. Ryan never skimped on his team's compensation.

Even the cleaning staff earned more than those at other nightclubs in Orlando.

"I understand," Berwick nodded, preparing to leave.

"Hold on, I'm not finished yet. Pick out a few trusted subordinates, preferably those who've been with you for a long time," Ryan added.

"What for?"

"To establish a dedicated security team responsible for my and Taylor's safety."

Ryan hadn't forgotten what Nora had mentioned last time. He thought it over for a few days, and it was time to act on it.

"Ryan, is something going on?" Berwick immediately caught on.

"Not necessarily, but it's better to be cautious," Ryan reassured him.

Berwick nodded, "I'll start organizing that right away."

...

A few days later, Ryan and Taylor visited New Orleans again. Lil Wayne's chosen site was quite similar to Ryan's, set in a remote suburban area between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, near Louisiana State University.

From external renovations to internal decor, the selection of the large screens, and DJ-related equipment -- almost all the suppliers were the same as those for the Orlando location.

Ryan didn't know much at the start, and neither did Lil Wayne, who didn't inquire much about it either.

The management team began recruiting locally. For basic staff, Ryan proposed that employees first go to the Orlando location for training, lasting about two weeks. This would incur extra costs, which Ryan and Lil Wayne would share. Lil Wayne didn't mind that at all.

The lineup for future performances would indeed be quite luxurious. Ryan planned to have Paul van Dyk's first U.S. performance at their New Orleans branch.

As for the necessary permits, Lil Wayne was handling most of that. He had many friends locally, and several even asked if they could join in on the venture, but Ryan rejected all of them.

His friends couldn't provide enough funding, and they'd only be able to open a smaller nightclub that couldn't leverage rave's advantages.

In simple terms, raves were large dance parties, and small venues couldn't accommodate many people; it just wouldn't be profitable.

Everything was set up, and the New Orleans branch was expected to officially open in two months. Ryan declined Lil Wayne's offer for hospitality and flew back to Orlando with Taylor because a significant issue arose.

...

Former employee of The Bedroom Records, Tyran Richard's brother had revealed plans to write a memoir for his sister, detailing her experiences at The Bedroom Records, in close connection with Ryan.

Tyran, a playboy's companion, caught Ryan's attention during a performance and became his personal assistant.

Ryan's true colors were about to be unveiled; he had deceived everyone.

A reporter contacted Taylor Swift Rivers, who stated that the allegations were baseless. Tyran's brother immediately suggested a face-to-face confrontation with Ryan, demanding that Taylor be present.

Ryan had yet to respond to the situation.

...

Ryan pulled his gaze away from the computer screen.

"Is there any way to make her stay quiet?"

"You'd better be prepared to pay a hefty settlement," Paula said.

"Shall we contact the publisher?"

"That won't work either. There are many publishers, and even if the book doesn't get published, she and her brother can still go on shows. We must deal with those two," Scott remarked.

"Then let's initially send a lawyer to negotiate with her. No matter how it goes, let's at least keep this brother and sister occupied. Ideally, once the public's attention shifts, they'll back off themselves," Ryan suggested.

"That seems the only option," Scott nodded.

Ryan looked up and saw Berwick come in.

"Both of you step out for a moment; I need to talk to Berwick."

...

Once Paula and Scott had temporarily stepped out, Ryan leaned over and whispered to Berwick, "Is there really a need to do this?"

Berwick had just relayed a message to Ryan about solving it in another straightforward manner.

"It depends on you. I can only tell you that taking care of this kind of person is simple. We know their exact location now. There are many people on the street who can do this sort of thing. We could disable their car or even make it look like an accident -- a gas leak could be resolved for twenty or thirty grand."

If it came to a settlement, the price will be way more than this.

Ryan remained silent, letting Berwick leave, as he internally made his decision.

...

About ten minutes later, Berwick suddenly burst into the room.

"Boss, did you move so quickly?"

Scott and Paula exchanged glances, bewildered.

Ryan opened the webpage, discovering that just moments ago, Tyran's brother had been found dead at home, stabbed multiple times, with the house ransacked. The police initially suspected it was a robbery.

"What did I do?"

"This was an accident. It has nothing to do with me," Ryan slowly shook his head, surprised that the situation had ended before it even began.

The three subordinates exchanged glances and nodded quickly.

"Right, that was too quick, Ryan; you didn't even have time," Berwick hastily added.

"Ryan, the whole world might not believe you, but I certainly do," Scott chimed in.

"Yeah, right," Paula nodded, sweat trickling down her forehead.

"I really didn't do it!" Ryan chuckled in disbelief.

"Of course, we all know you didn't do this!" the three nodded vigorously.

"You don't need to doubt me; when the police find the real killer, it'll prove my innocence," Ryan sneered softly.

He dismissed Berwick's concerns. The lawyer was already sent, even if it cost some money -- for a guy like him, it wasn't a big deal to make more money. Hiring a hit would be far worse than just a scandal.

The problem was, her brother had died, and it really was just an accident.

The three subordinates exchanged another look and smiled at Ryan, although their smiles looked a bit forced.

"You saying that makes us really believe you."

"Yeah, we trust you one hundred percent!"

"Of course!"

The three subordinates chimed in one after another.

Ryan quietly muttered to himself, feeling trapped. How could he clear his name?

*****

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