Chapter 131
Chapter 131
“I really don't know,” Dodi responded with a sigh. “Mr. Luther, I'd like to help you, but my father was the only person who saw Anonymous three years ago. She was wearing a mask when she arrived at the palace so no one could see her face. All I know is that she's a woman.”
The corners of Artemis' lips twitched.
F*ck! Of course I know she's a woman. I don't need him to remind me of that fact! This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
“Then try to fish information from your father. He was the patient, so he should know who did the craniotomy for him back then.”
Seemingly conflicted, Dodi remarked, “Even you failed to make him talk, so why would you think I can do that? Mr. Luther, I'll give you a concession of two percent so you can earn billions. In return, stop torturing me. I can't help you!”
Arching a brow, Artemis stopped insisting and said, “Fine. I won't force you, but I'll find another company to import petroleum for the next half of the year. We can collaborate again in the future.”
“Don't do that!” Dodi sat up hastily and put on a solemn expression. “I'll go to my father and tell him that the businesses under Luther Group will pull out of Eskaria if he refused to spill Anonymous' identity. That will make him talk.”
Artemis' lips curved into a sly grin as a calculative look appeared in his gaze.
“Prince Dodi, you're observant and flexible, so I believe you'll accede to the throne one day. I hope we can collaborate in the future.”
Dodi's lips twitched.
He's indeed a sly fox, as everyone claims. Crafty and cunning, he sets up a trap without even blinking. I didn't pay attention and ended up falling into the trap he set for me.
“I do hope so, Mr. Luther. After this matter comes to an end, I hope you'll hold on to your word and help me accede to the throne.”
Artemis chuckled. “No problem. What about the two percent concession you mentioned earlier? Does it still count?”
The veins on Dodi's forehead throbbed as he clenched his jaw furiously.
He's not going to suffer any losses, huh? No, he refuses to let any profit slip past his hands.
Forcing a smile, he answered, “Yes, of course. This is a completely different matter. I shall ask my men to change the contract so you'll get a concession of two percent.”
“Thank you for being so generous, Prince Dodi.”
Back at the Chivers residence, everyone was chatting gaily when Edmund arrived with Bailey.
Glen was hooked to his IV drip as he sat on the couch while the three kids played gin rummy aside. He would occasionally give them tips.
However, the person who followed his tips would lose.
Slapping her remaining cards on the coffee table, Susan turned over her shoulder to glare at Glen.
Pointing at the dozens of post-it notes saying “fool” stuck to her face, she complained, “Great- granddad, you've never played gin rummy before, right? I lost literally every round! Look at the 'fool' post-it notes on my face!”
A mischievous glint appeared in Glen's eyes as he reached to pinch her cheek. Roaring in laughter, he said, “The boys are too cunning and won't fall for my tricks, so I had no choice but to fool you.”
Just then, Gwendolyn emerged from the side door with a fruit platter and saw Edmund and Bailey standing outside the door. Her lips curved as she greeted them, “Why are you standing outside? Come into the living room and have a seat!”
The group at the couch area turned to look at them.
Edmund had a fruit basket in one hand and held Bailey with his other hand. Walking over to the couch, he told Glen, “Grandpa, this is Bailey Jefferson.”
He released Bailey's hand and added, “Bay, this is my grandpa.”
Bailey gave Glen a polite bow. “I've heard about your achievements. It's an honor to meet you today.”
Glen gave a dismissive wave as he scrutinized her briefly. Stroking his beard, he nodded and commented, “You're humble and composed. Mm, he has good taste. Have a seat and make yourself at home.”
Gwendolyn chimed in, “Yes, Bay. Make yourself at home. There's no need to stand on formalities.”
Flashing a slight smile, Bailey allowed Edmund to drag her to the couch across from Glen.
They had just sat down when Glen asked, “Young lady, is your mother Sophia Carr? And your maternal grandmother Holly Carr?”
Bailey stiffened as the smile on her lips froze.
Does Old Mr. Chivers know my mother and granny? That's impossible. Granny got pregnant out of wedlock and gave birth to a child whose father's identity remained unknown. Thus, she was chased out of her family. She came to Hallsbay with her daughter alone and worked hard to bring her up. Granny was fairly far down the social pecking order. There's no way she knew Old Mr. Chivers.
Curious, she asked, “Old Mr. Chivers, are you and Granny friends?”
“Well.” Glen sighed and revealed, “Holly has had a hard life. She drifted from place to place and endured many hardships. When she was young, I happened to run into her after she fainted outside the Chivers residence. I learned about her plight and allowed her to stay in the residence temporarily.”
Bailey was taken aback, for she had no idea about the history between her grandmother and the Chivers family.
“Thank you for saving them, Old Mr. Chivers. Otherwise, my granny and mother would've died on the streets, and I wouldn't have existed in this world,” she said gratefully.
Waving his hand, Glen continued, “Rumors can be deadly. After I took them in, society started criticizing me for having a messy personal life and giving birth to an illegitimate child. Hallsbay was in an uproar, so my father caved in and forced me to do a paternity test at the Notary Public Office. That quelled the rumors.”
Bailey's fists balled up. After a brief hesitance, she asked tentatively, “What happened after that? Did my granny leave the Chivers residence?”
“Yes.” Glen nodded. “She said I was kind enough to save her and her daughter's life. Despite wanting to stay and repay my favor, she was worried that her existence would bring trouble to me, so she left with her daughter.”
Taking a deep breath, Bailey tamped the turmoil of emotions in her heart and rasped out, “My granny worked at the bank for most of her life in middle-level management. If I'm not mistaken, you were the one who arranged for her to get this job.”
“Yes. I sympathized with their plight and arranged everything for her. They had no one else to rely on. How else could they survive in the cruel and harsh world?”
Bailey lowered her gaze.
Granny never told me about Old Mr. Chivers. Perhaps she didn't want to be connected to the Chivers family and affect Old Mr. Chivers' reputation. What about the favor she owed Old Mr. Chivers one as he saved her life?