Chapter 229

"You probably won’t catch Mr. Bennett in the office these days. The last few days of the year are always packed for him—he’s constantly in meetings with branch managers. It’s basically his busiest time. Maybe wait until things calm down before reaching out again?" Maria Lewis looked up at the speaker. So that’s why Cody Phillips had been running around like a headless chicken lately. As New Year’s approached, Beicheng was slowing down. The streets weren’t as congested, people strolled around at an easy pace, and everywhere you looked, folks were lugging big bags with happy faces—it was clear holiday season had kicked in full swing. Beicheng had tons of migrant workers. For most of them, this was the only chance in a year to go home. The New Year wasn’t just about a break—it meant reunion. Shops were doing all kinds of year-end sales, their speakers blaring louder than their neighbors’. Supermarkets blasted “Good Luck Comes” and “Wishing You Wealth,” making you suddenly realize—yep, ano