Chapter 297 - Partnership

Partnership

Ellis walked into the study, pushed the door open, and called out, “Uncle…”

….

Instead, he was met with Uncle Olsen’s assistant’s “shushing” noise.

Ellis was slightly taken aback, following the assistant’s line of sight, he then saw Uncle Olsen lying on the sofa, asleep.

It had been a month since they’d last met, and Uncle Olsen had lost weight. His cheeks were sunken, and his closed eyes betrayed an intense fatigue.

His chin was covered in stubble, and his face was dirty—apparently, there had been no time to clean up…

Ellis asked in a low voice, “Why is he so tired?”

The assistant gestured for them to step out, and after leaving the study and carefully closing the door, he sighed. “Uncle Olsen hasn’t closed his eyes for three days. Someone thought they’d seen Lady South in Histora, and Uncle Olsen rushed over there overnight. He practically turned Histora upside down but found no trace of Lady South… He’d just entered the study when he passed out asleep…”

Taylor was dead; even if he were alive, Jodie South certainly wouldn’t remarry him.

So, Uncle Olsen’s reference to Jodie South had changed to “Miss South”, but others felt this title wasn’t quite appropriate, thus now they referred to Jodie South as “Lady South”.

Upon hearing this, Ellis frowned. “Uncle Olsen really doesn’t care about his health! For the sake of a woman, is it worth it?”

Having served Uncle Olsen for over twenty years, the assistant sighed at this question. “You don’t understand; for Lady South, Uncle Olsen could do inconceivable things… He has remained unmarried all these years just because of her!”

Ellis tightened his jaw. “Does he love her that much?”

“Yes! After Lady South and Taylor left that year, Uncle Olsen didn’t leave the house for five whole days. Over the years, Oceanion seems to have become a forbidden territory for him. He actually longs to see Lady South, but they have an agreement: not to meet in life or death. Uncle Olsen has restrained himself for twenty-two years! Given the circumstances, his love for her probably surpasses his own life!”

At this point, the assistant sighed again. “Actually, I’m quite glad Lady South didn’t end up with Uncle Olsen…”

Ellis immediately asked, “Why do you say that? Wouldn’t it be better if they were together?”

The assistant sighed. “Behind Lady South, there’s clearly a much more powerful force at play. We’ve been searching for so long. It’s apparent. The Olsen family is no match for them. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be this clueless… If Uncle Olsen and Lady South had gotten together back then, Uncle Olsen would’ve undoubtedly risked his life for her when she was in danger…”

Ellis paused, reflecting for a moment before asking, “Can love really drive someone insane?”

He shook his head and left Uncle Olsen’s study; the matter of Keera being his daughter could wait until tomorrow!

However, what Ellis didn’t expect was that the next morning, when he hurried to Uncle Olsen’s study, he again found no one there. The butler informed him that a call came in the morning: someone had spotted Lady South in Ox City, and Uncle Olsen had rushed over there.

Ellis was speechless.

Who were the people who abducted Lady South, and why was there still no news until now?

He took out his phone, and hesitated for a while, considering whether to call Uncle Olsen to tell him about Keera…

But then he thought better of it and set the phone down.

He would discuss it once Keera’s divorce is finalized. Otherwise, Uncle Olsen would have to split his focus, worrying about Lady South on one hand and being mindful of Keera on the other…

Just then, Ellis’s assistant arrived. “Mr. Ellis, we’ve received news that Miss Keera and Miss Mary have gone to Davis Corporation!”

Hearing this, Ellis immediately furrowed his brows. “Are they planning to beg somebody for help?”

He turned around and strode out.

He took a few steps before realizing he was overly anxious, making it seem as though he cared too much about them…

He promptly coughed and tried to cover it up. “We should also go see their excitement… Let that woman see clearly how insignificant she is without me!”

The assistant beside him was speechless.

“Mr. Ellis, you’re clearly worried they might get bullied! You speak so harshly. No wonder Miss Davis doesn’t like you!”

…

Davis Corporation…

Keira arrived at the company early in the morning with Mary. Mary took her to the New Energy Development Investment Project Department to meet the director of the department. Mary pointed to Keira and introduced her, “This is Keira, the legal representative of Keira South Technology Co. Ltd., and today she’s here to…”

Before she could finish, the door was pushed open, and Wayne, Mary’s uncle, strode in. Upon seeing him, the department director quickly stood up. “Mr. Davis, what brings you here?”

Wayne’s gaze swept over Mary. He was still unaware of last night’s events, but when he tried calling Mr. Lynch that morning, he found the phone switched off and uncontactable. After making inquiries with the hotel staff, he discovered that Mary hadn’t been with Mr. Lynch at all last night!

This niece was really acting against orders in secret! Today, she must see for herself the consequence of disobedience!

Wayne sneered. “I’m here, of course, to see how my dear niece plans to mix personal gains with public duties!” He glared angrily at Mary, “You independently signed an investment agreement with Keira Technology Co. Ltd., and now that the time has come, they haven’t delivered any results. I seriously suspect that you’ve colluded with outsiders to siphon off the company’s money! Mary, do you admit to this?”

Mary immediately said, “I didn’t do such a thing. Keira Technology is a capable company, and it was only after their new energy project department proved satisfactory that I invested. When I made the investment, I conducted a background check and followed all of our company’s procedures!”

Wayne scoffed. “According to procedure? If that were true, how could they have failed to produce results? To my knowledge, after receiving the investment, their research staff resigned immediately and left. How do you explain that?”

Mary quickly replied, “That’s a coincidence! It’s precisely because of this reason that Keira Technology couldn’t submit the results on time, but they have come up with a plan now. Today, they are here to discuss continued cooperation!”

Wayne sneered again. “A plan just today? Too late is too late if it’s behind the schedule outlined in the contract! Davis Corporation is not your private company, and we refuse to engage in favoritism!”

He looked directly at the department director. “This matter must be strictly addressed according to the contract!” The department director, wiping sweat from his forehead, nodded. “Understood.”

Wayne then turned to Mary, “And you, having made such a decision, you must bear the full responsibility. You’re fired from the company! Moreover, if we fail to recover the penalty fee, I’ll pursue your legal responsibility!”

Mary was fuming with anger, her chest heaving.

Keira said indifferently, “Are you sure you want to enforce the terms of the contract strictly? I remember there’s a clause that if we breach the contract, Davis Corporation would never collaborate with us again, isn’t that right?”

Wayne scoffed. “Of course, Davis Corporation isn’t foolish! Why would we work with a small, unreliable company like yours again? You’d better think about how to repay the twenty million first. I heard your husband has divorced you.”

“My personal matters are none of your concern.” Keira looked toward the department director. “Actually, I came here today to discuss another partnership. Since you wish to adhere strictly to the contract, then this hydrogen fuel research and development project in my hands cannot be done in partnership with Davis Corporation, what a pity…”

The department director sneered. “Hydrogen fuel? Currently, the most advanced technology on the market has been developed by Dr. South. Your company can’t even progress with a simple R&D project, yet you’re working on hydrogen fuel? Who cares for your partnership!”

Keira handed the project proposal to him, “Are you sure you’re not interested?!”

“Positive,” the department director scoffed.

Keira quirked an eyebrow. “Not even a glance?”

The department director glanced disdainfully but withdrew his gaze, only to pause the next moment. What had he just seen?!