Chapter 838 What Is His Purpose
Rylan was busy with official business when his secretary walked in. “Mr. Melton, here is the list from Styre University.” Without looking up, he replied, “Didn’t I put you in charge of the funding for Styre University? Just allocate the funds. There’s no need to consult me.”
The secretary had indeed received such orders before, but this time, the amount was so substantial that she didn’t dare to decide on her own. “Mr. Melton, the amount involved exceeds our expectations. I think it’s best if you review it yourself.”
Rylan knew that the secretary had worked for him for many years and wouldn’t disturb him unless it was something unusual. So he reached out to take the list from her. However, being a person who was accustomed to dealing with large figures, Rylan was still taken aback when he saw the numbers on the list.
Rylan had thought this lab’s request would amount to a few tens of millions at most, but the number in front of him now was several hundred million dollars.
Noticing Rylan’s expression, the secretary cautiously added, “Mr. Melton, we’ve checked. All these are essential equipment that Marshall’s lab needs to function, and they plan to replace a batch of outdated ones.”
Rylan’s grip on the list tightened. He thought, ‘Why hasn’t Branden updated the outdated equipment before? It seems like I am expected to play the fool and foot the bill. What a cunning guy Marshall is! It is clear Marshall has great admiration for Branden, to the point of risking offending me. What a base move!!
“Any news from Catherine?” Rylan inquired.
Trembling with apprehension, the secretary told Rylan, “Mr. Melton, half of the list was provided by Miss Swann. 11
Upon hearing this, Rylan felt a surge of irritation. Then he said with his teeth clenching, “Fine, very well. If that’s so, arrange for the funds to be allocated. And from now on, I want to personally review every single expense from the lab!”
“Got it. Mr. Melton.” Then the secretary left, taking with her the list confirmed by Rylan.
Once the secretary was gone, Rylan kicked his desk in frustration and was determined to recoup the money spent, with interest. He thought to himself, ‘I will never be the one to lose out.’
Inside the holding cell, Ronin lay on the ground, exhausted. He had just endured a severe beating for his disobedience, ordered by Flash, who had his men give Ronin a thrashing.
A little later, a sound of boots striking the floor approached, and Ronin looked up with difficulty. It was Flash, holding a syringe, trying to lift Ronin’s sleeve and prepare to inject it into his arm.
Instinctively, Ronin tried to evade, but Flash grabbed him firmly. “Relax Ronin, it’s not poison, but just a painkiller!” Ronin scoffed and turned his head, knowing resistance was futile; he lay still. “I don’t buy it. Come on, what’s your scheme this time?”
As Flash slowly pushed the contents of the syringe into Ronin’s body, Flash then pulled out the needle, not bothering to stop the blood that began to bead and roll down Ronin’s arm.
“Winston has agreed,” Flash said calmly, eliciting an immediate reaction from Ronin. Suddenly Ronin propped himself up, and seized Flash by the collar, glaring at him furiously. “Didn’t I warn you to leave Winston alone?”
In an instant, Ronin’s eyes filled with murderous intent. Flash was certain that if Ronin had a knife at that moment, he would not hesitate to kill him.
At that moment, Flash laughed heartily. “Oh, my god. Ronin, you are amusing to watch.” Flash was used to seeing Ronin’s carefree demeanor and now all he wanted to see was his miserable situation. Finally, he succeeded in stripping away Ronin’s mask and destroying what Ronin held dear, reveling in his pain.
Ronin’s gaze turned icy as he watched Flash’s unrestrained laughter. “Flash, aren’t you worried that I don’t cooperate, leaving you with nothing?”
“No, you won’t,” Flash replied with unwavering confidence. “Ronin, we’ve both suffered. So the saying, ‘It’s every man for himself,’ is seared into our hearts. You understand that you betrayed Catherine, and now, how could you possibly sacrifice your own life for Winston?”
Flash knew exactly that as long as Ronin wished to live, he would obey. Therefore, Flashwas confident in his control over Ronin. “Ronin, you only have half a day. Don’t let me down.” After saying this, Flash dropped a pack of food and left.
Ronin propped himself up on his elbows and, watching Flash’s retreating figure, bellowed bitterly, ” You’d better hope you never fall into my hands.”
After hearing this warning, Flash paused, then turned back to look at him. “That day will never come.”
Flash admired Ronin indeed, but he knew that once the core data was in his hands, Ronin would be dead. Even if he didn’t kill Ronin, the boss would show Ronin no mercy.
“Did you find out anything?” Catherine asked, sitting on the bay window with her hands holding the phone, looking outside coldly.
Then, Zobber’s voice came through the earpiece. “Here we are. It seems Branden did collaborate with the Breens. The project’s amount is in the tens of billions of dollars, and if the Duncan Corporation breaches the contract, that sum could bankrupt them. It doesn’t seem like a bluff!”
Hearing the news, Zobber didn’t know what else to say. She had hoped it was all fake, but the proof was there. She couldn’t deceive herself.
Suddenly, Zobber added, “Catherine, there’s something else I found out.” ” Say it now!” Catherine exclaimed.
“Did you look at the data that Withal risked his life to retrieve last time?” Zobber’s question was abrupt, making Catherine sense something was wrong.
“What do you mean by that?” said Catherine.
“I’ve sent you the data and take a look for yourself,” Zobber responded.
Zobber always had a habit of keeping multiple copies. Although Paxton and his crew had copied her data, she hadn’t disclosed to anyone that she still had a backup. While reviewing the information, Zobber stumbled upon something she surmised Catherine was unaware of. After consulting with Withal, Zobber decided to inform her so that Catherine could handle it herself.
After hanging up the phone, Catherine checked the attachment sent by Zobber, expressionless. That information in it could not be clearer for her. But what puzzled her was why Branden had kept her in the dark. The data Branden had provided differed from what Zobber had uncovered. That meant Branden had only shared a portion with her.
All this made Catherine wonder, ‘What exactly is Branden’s purpose?’
