Chapter 696 The Hacker Alliance
“Mr. Duncan, the Hacker Alliance has replied,” Paxton reported to Banden.
Hearing what Paxton said, Branden stopped to look up at him, waiting for him to continue.
Paxton received the signal from Branden’s stare and continued, “The Hacker Alliance replied and made it clear that they wouldn’t accept the mission no matter how high the price was unless we agreed to their rules.”
Aidan happened to be at Branden’s office for a business meeting. He knew Branden was seeking cooperation with the Hacker Alliance recently. The surprisingly high price offered by the Duncans had created quite a stir in the black market. Aidan naturally knew about it.
He asked Branden, “The Hacker Alliance refused to cooperate with you despite the high price. Had the Duncans ever offended them?” It was said a golden key could open any door. With the money the Duncans offered, they could hire anyone they wanted. But the Hacker Alliance was not swayed, making Aidan deeply doubt they had a history with the Duncans.
Branden narrowed his eyes and glanced at Aidan. His gaze was aloof and emotionless. The Duncans had offended so many people these years. But Branden was unaware of the history between them and the Hacker Alliance.
He turned to Paxton and ordered, ” Check on it.”
Paxton nodded and responded, “I’ll be right on it.”
They had just finished talking before Branden’s phone rang. He picked up his phone and glanced at the caller ID. With that, he grabbed his coat and walked out.
Seeing him leave so quickly, Aidan chased after Branden and asked, ” Where are you going, Branden? Didn’t we say to grab lunch together?”
“Home.” Branden left him one word and strode away without saying goodbye.
Aidan glanced at Paxton beside him and frowned, asking, “Why is he in a hurry? Is his house on fire?”
Paxton gave him a cold gaze and answered, “You won’t understand. You are single and alone.”
Aidan was momentarily stunned before he finally realized he was mocked by Paxton.
So he cursed loudly toward Paxton, who was leaving. “Who are you calling ‘
alone’? I’m single but not alone. I have company every night. It’s you that’s single and alone.” After cursing for a while, Aidan finally calmed down and left. He thought, “I shouldn’t have come to Branden today. Or else I wouldn’t have been stood up by him and mocked by Paxton. Why did I ask for trouble?’
After Catherine returned to the apartment, she turned on her laptop and made a video call to Withal on Skype.
When Withal received the call, he was slightly surprised and asked, ” Catherine, are you calling me on Skype?
Catherine rolled her eyes at him and said, “Who else would it be?”
Withal realized his question was stupid, grinning and saying, “I just find it strange. You’ve always emailed me, and suddenly, a video popped up. I’m not used to it!”
“Get up, you lazy dog. Get to work.” Catherine didn’t explain much and woke up Withal from his bed.
If she sent an email, he probably wouldn’t read it till he woke up in the morning. Withal slept with his phone shut down. But he kept his computer on. So, a video call on Skype would be the best way to wake him up.
Withal took a closer look at the document sent by Catherine and frowned slightly. He instantly realized things were not simple and immediately followed Catherine’s instructions. “I’m on it, Catherine.”
“Alright, I’ll leave it to you,” Catherine answered.
Upon hearing the sound of the door opening and knowing that Branden had returned, Catherine hung up and walked out of the room. As soon as she was out of the room, she looked up at Branden in his eyes. Branden’s cold eyes instantly became warm.
“Have you been resting?” Branden asked.
“No,” answered Catherine.
“Are you hungry?” Branden asked again.
“A little bit,” said Catherine.
Branden lifted the grocery bag in his hand to show her. “I went to the grocery store on the way home. How about I make a sandwich for you?”
“Terrific!” Catherine agreed.
Her flat and faint voice, with almost no ups and downs, flowed slowly into Branden’s heart like a clear spring and instantly nourished him.
“You sit and rest. I’ll let you know when it’s ready,” said Branden.
“Alright,” answered Catherine. Seeing him walking into the kitchen, Catherine turned around and sat on the sofa. She was not helpful in the kitchen. And even if she wanted to help, Branden wouldn’t allow it.
Branden washed some strawberries for her before dinner was ready. Catherine sat back on the sofa with the TV on. It was not playing any famous movie but a classic anime.
The breeze blew gently outside the window. This moment was more precious to Branden than anything.
According to the laws of Eskana, there was still one year, six months, and eight days left. At that time, the world and the laws would know she belonged to him!
Sensing someone behind her, Catherine turned around and looked. Branden handed her a strawberry. Catherine bit the upper half of it as usual. And Branden ate the left half.
Branden left the fruit tray within her reach. He heard her voice from behind when he was about to return to the kitchen. “Is the Duncan Corporation doing well recently?” she asked.
Branden paused. He turned around to gently pinch her cheek with his hand, giving it a gentle caress. “Don’t worry. Everything’s fine,” he said.
Upon hearing this, Catherine had no intention of continuing. She changed the topic. “When will the sandwich be ready? I’m starving.”
It’s rare to hear her urge. Branden’s face lit up with a smile, and he looked at her tenderly. “Just a second.”
As soon as Branden entered the kitchen, Catherine’s phone buzzed in her hand.
She glanced at it. Ronin sent a message, reading, [Catherine, the investigation is done. The files have been sent to your email.] The instant Catherine finished reading, she deleted the message with just one click. She switched to her email box and read the email from Ronin. There were a lot of files in the email, and Catherine quickly browsed through it.
This was the basic information of the Duncans. It showed that although the Duncans won the business war with the Breens, it had already caused damage to the foundation of the Duncans. To defeat the Breens, who were the world’s top financial conglomerates, the Duncans and Branden almost devoted all their strength. In addition, with the recent failures of several projects, the situation of companies under the Duncans was not optimistic. If Shane Breen were to attack the Duncans again at this time, it would undoubtedly be a catastrophic disaster for them. Shane was a cunning person. He was undoubtedly one of the top in the world of capital. He intended to get his way by hook or by crook.
Catherine turned around and glanced at the busy figure in the kitchen, pondered for a moment, then lowered her head and deleted the email in her hand.
Since her man said it was okay, then it was okay.
