NOVPUB
Chapter 1203: Chapter 123 Hypocritical People
From the gate to the Donovan Group office building, it was exactly nine hundred and fifty meters.
Not a millimeter less.
Having lived for thousands of years, Julius Reed had long become a human measuring instrument.
Nine hundred and fifty meters!
The respect of ninety-five!
However, Nelson paid no attention to these details, her mind was filled with thoughts of Dawson Carmichael.
Julius Reed put on Elaenor Wood’s mask and followed behind Nelson.
Being himself was too conspicuous and he knew too many people, it was risky being recognized.
Wearing Elaenor Wood’s mask, he could freely misbehave, and let someone else take the blame.
"Sister!"
As they entered the Donovan Tower, they hadn’t even reached the elevator doors yet.
A man in a suit hurriedly approached them.
"Are you..." Nelson looked at the man warily, her eyes sizing him up.
She had no recollection of him.
Or rather, did not recognize him.
"Wrong person, perhaps?"
After saying that,
Nelson continued, leading Julius Reed toward the elevator doors.
"Sister, it’s me, Finnegan Springs!"
The man said excitedly, "You were gone when I was very young!"
He gestured with his hands and then pointed at his stomach, patting it vigorously, "You used to call me Drake Springs!"
"Oh, it’s you!"
Nelson exclaimed, somewhat surprised, "Finnegan Springs!"
"Indeed! Sister, I have grown old, and you still look so young!" Finnegan Springs looked at Nelson, somewhat emotional, "I vaguely remember, when you first left, you looked almost the same as now. It’s been so many years, yet you still look this young."
Finnegan Springs wore a gray suit, looking slightly overweight with his short hair, yet very energetic.
His name tag read ’President of Donovan Group.’
"How is mom?" Nelson, reunited with her brother after many years, was also very happy.
"Mom is upstairs. Hearing that you were coming, she specifically asked me to come down to meet you. She also instructed me to show you around our company first. It’s been a dozen years and has changed a lot." Finnegan Springs extended a hand, pointing to the office area in front of him, "Take a look, it might help mom calm her emotions."
"Alright." Nelson looked around.
Though there had been some changes, they weren’t significant compared to the time before she had left.
Mainly changes in the decorative style.
Dawson Carmichael was always known as the iron lady, never fond of flamboyant styles.
When Nelson had left, the entire Donovan Group was adorned in gray and white.
Simple yet minimalistic.
Now, however, it was all vibrant with wild Western styles.
Though those brought some vitality, they didn’t quite match the layout of this office building.
The Donovan Family, with a century of heritage, was profound!
But now, it seemed like a nouveau riche.
Dawson Carmichael always disliked following trends blindly, staying true to herself amidst the noisy, irritable society.
"Sister, how have you been? How is Azure Mountain?" Finnegan Springs asked, his eyes flickering, clearly making small talk to buy time.
Julius Reed just smiled and said nothing.
Wasn’t Dawson Carmichael supposed to be sweeping garbage in the backyard?
How had she ended up in the office waiting for Nelson according to Finnegan Springs?
"I need to use the restroom," Julius Reed suddenly said.
"Sure, be quick," Nelson replied, then looked at Finnegan Springs, "My boyfriend."
"Oh! So it’s my brother-in-law! Where do you work? Seeing your manner, I can tell you are no ordinary man."
Finnegan Springs squinted his eyes, watching Julius Reed’s departing figure, posing the question.
He always felt this man was not simple.
He had a sinister air about him.
"He’s an unemployed vagrant, living off his partner," said Nelson as he looked at the bustling office area on the first floor, unable to resist asking, "Mother, how has she been these years?"
She had been worried about Dawson Carmichael ever since they lost contact last year.
Moreover, after making inquiries, it seemed like Dawson Carmichael was suffering from an illness.
"He’s doing well, although as he’s getting older, he doesn’t really want to bother with the group’s affairs," Finnegan Springs said with a jovial tone, "But I guess, auntie might be missing you, and her longing turned into an illness. But now that you’re back, it’s a good time to stay with her for a while."
"Mhm," Nelson nodded.
... 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝒸ℴ𝓶
Donovan Group’s backyard.
This area was not connected to the front yard.
At the entrance stood scores of guards.
The doors were tightly shut.
Without a special access card, there was no way to enter.
The high walls were also fitted with electric fences and surveillance.
Whoosh!
With a shadow flitting by, Julius Reed landed on a tree.
Dawson Carmichael was indeed here.
However, there was now a group of people.
The leader was a woman dressed in a long white dress.
"Dawson Carmichael, don’t be ungrateful!" the woman said impatiently, "If you don’t want to see your own daughter, then live with regret for the rest of your life! We’re only doing this for your own good, come or not, it’s up to you!"
"Branley Sinclair, are you afraid that my daughter will find out the truth and come after you?" Dawson Carmichael sneered, "Evildoers will eventually destroy themselves! You will definitely face retribution."
"Retribution?" The woman in the long dress scoffed, her face full of scorn, "Dawson Carmichael, do you think this is the past, when you were in charge? Times have changed! Don’t think that by relying on Nelson, you can make a comeback. Let me tell you the truth, Finnegan Springs has already defected to the royal court under arrangements from my family. What right does Azure Mountain have to compare with the royal court?"
"I won’t go!" Dawson Carmichael, while holding a broom, continued to sweep the floor.
"Good!"
Seeing her expression, the woman chuckled and nodded, "Then don’t blame me for being harsh on your old father! From what I’ve heard, the old man is already over ninety, doesn’t have much longer to live, and will die sooner or later. I’m going to send someone right now..."
"I’ll go!"
Dawson Carmichael threw down her broom, her eyes tearing up, "Sinclair, if anything happens to my father, you will not die a peaceful death!"
"If you cooperate with us, naturally I won’t trouble the old man. You know what to do when you meet Nelson, right?" Branley Sinclair said smugly upon seeing Dawson Carmichael’s compliance, "Hurry up and change your clothes!"
After speaking, someone behind her carried clothes, leading Dawson Carmichael to a bedroom in the back.
"Trying to fight me?"
Branley Sinclair hummed disdainfully, leading her people out of the backyard.
After witnessing this scene, Julius Reed leapt up and vanished from the spot.
...
"Let’s go, I’m worried aunt is getting impatient."
Inside the first-floor lobby, Finnegan Springs checked a message on his phone then nodded at Nelson.
"Wait just a moment, your brother-in-law... has arrived!"
Just as Nelson was about to look for him, she saw Julius Reed coming out of the restroom.
"Hurry, let’s go upstairs!"
Thinking she would soon see her foster mother, Nelson felt very excited.
Ding!
When the elevator stopped on the 21st floor, it finally halted.
"The chairman is here, follow me." Finnegan Springs stepped out of the elevator, pointing towards the furthest office.
"Thank you," Nelson took a deep breath and quickly followed.
The corridor was very wide, at least five meters.
The three of them reached the furthest office door, where Finnegan Springs gently knocked.
"Auntie, Sister Nelson has come to see you."
Moments later.
"Come in!"
A voice came from inside the door.
