Chapter 54

On that night, Vere drifted off while waiting for Olivia's text. The next morning, he was roused from slumber by the persistent ringing of his cell phone. Rubbing the drowsiness from his eyes, he answered with a hint of grogginess.

"Hey, Olivia, I was worried about you!" Vere started, concern evident in his voice.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, oh, hahaha, Wayne, I mean," Olivia replied, her voice tinged with inebriation.

"Are you... drunk?" Vere inquired, noting the telltale signs in her speech.

"Yeah, friends invited me to a birthday party," Olivia explained.

Without skipping a beat, Vere dove into the purpose of his call: "I need you to know about Mr. Smith. He's going to sell his company."

"Seriously?" Olivia's tone shifted to seriousness.

"Yes, and that's why I've been trying to reach you," Vere continued. "I've decided to buy his company."

"This is the happiest news I've heard from you!" Olivia exclaimed, her enthusiasm apparent. "So, okay, what are you waiting for? Grab it!"

Vere felt a surge of joy at Olivia's support and encouragement. "Thank you so much, Olivia," he said, expressing his gratitude.

Olivia added that Vere only needed to pay for Mr. Smith's share. With that, Vere's day began on an incredibly positive note, reminiscent of the success he had experienced in his previous business ventures.

"Yes, I made it, finally!" Vere cheered from inside his room, overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.

After their conversation, both Vere and Olivia ended their call, but amidst Vere's elation, the doorbell rang. Vere hurriedly dashed out of his room to check the CCTV, even though he was expecting a visitor none other than his personal assistant, Ronnie. Spotting Ronnie at the door through the CCTV, Vere hastened to the gate, greeted him, and exchanged morning pleasantries.

"Are you ready for your tasks today, Ronnie?" Vere inquired.

"Absolutely, Mr. Wayne," Ronnie replied.

As the clock struck seven in the morning, Vere swiftly went back to his room to dress, while Ronnie waited in the living room. Once ready, Vere joined Ronnie in the living area, discussing their plans for the day, particularly their impending appointment with Mr. Smith.

Mid-conversation, Vere received a call from Mr. Smith, confirming the location of their meeting at a royal restaurant. The mention of the royal restaurant triggered a memory for Vere, the place where he and James had also arranged an appointment before.

"Mr. Wayne," Ronnie called out, snapping Vere back from his momentary reverie about James.

"Ah, yes, Ronnie," Vere replied, briefly lost in his thoughts about James. "It was all set. Let's go," he affirmed to Ronnie, pushing aside the memories and focusing on the tasks at hand.

At that moment, Vere and Ronnie left the mansion. While driving, Ronnie asked Vere, "Mr. Wayne, that place was familiar."

Vere grinned at Ronnie's observation and replied, "Ah, yes, because that's the mansion Olivia bought from Mr. Vere."

"Wow, that mansion reminds me of our organization," Ronnie reflected.

"So it does," Vere agreed. They exchanged smiles, sharing a moment of mutual understanding.

Twenty minutes later, Vere and Ronnie arrived at the royal restaurant. Upon exiting the car, they headed straight inside, where the restaurant staff warmly assisted them. Mr. Smith was already waiting.

Pleasantries were exchanged between Mr. Smith, Vere, and Ronnie. Vere introduced Ronnie, and before diving into business, they began their meal.

During breakfast, they discussed the details of the sale. After their conversation, Vere settled the payment, and Mr. Smith handed over the necessary documents.

"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Ronnie, thank you." Mr. Smith expressed his gratitude, extending a handshake.

As they were about to leave, a familiar voice greeted Mr. Smith. Vere's heart raced as he recognized the voice—it was James. He seethed internally, muttering to himself about James being there, feeling infuriated by his presence. At that moment, he overheard Mr. Smith discussing the sale of the company with James.

As James approached Vere with a hint of sarcasm, congratulating him with a veiled insult, Ronnie swiftly intervened: "Hey, please excuse us, Mr. James."

"Oh, sure," replied James, appearing nonchalant as Vere and Ronnie made their exit, leaving him behind at the restaurant. Once outside, Mr. Smith bid farewell to Ronnie and Vere.

As they settled into their car, Ronnie turned to Vere, questioning, "Mr. Wayne, is that James guy causing trouble for you and Ms. Olivia?"

Vere glanced at Ronnie, nodding in agreement. "He is the traitorous former personal assistant of Mr. Vere. I know him," Ronnie added, his words laced with a hint of anger.

"He's caused some disruptions," Vere admitted, his tone reflecting a mix of frustration and disdain.

Ronnie seemed incensed by the mention of James; his emotions were evident in his demeanor. As they drove away, Vere couldn't shake off the irritation caused by James' unexpected appearance and interference.

"It's infuriating to see him," Vere finally said, his jaw clenched, while Ronnie nodded in understanding, the tension palpable in the air. The unwelcome intrusion by James had stirred up a mix of emotions, leaving Vere and Ronnie with a sense of unease and unresolved tension.

At that moment, Vere felt a surge of anger as he drove back to the mansion with Ronnie. However, as they traveled along the road, both Vere and Ronnie noticed a vehicle tailing them. Vere accelerated, pushing the car's speed until they confirmed that the trailing vehicle was no longer behind them.

Upon their arrival at the mansion, Vere and Ronnie discussed Mr. Smith's company, which Vere was now in the process of acquiring. Amidst their conversation, Vere caught sight of a parked car near the mansion on the CCTV screen.

"Ronnie, take a look at this." Vere pointed at the CCTV footage showing the parked car near the premises.

Ronnie leaned closer to the screen, analyzing the vehicle. "It seems suspicious. It wasn't there earlier," Ronnie remarked, his tone laced with concern.

Vere's furrowed brow indicated his unease. "I'll check it out. Stay here," he instructed Ronnie before heading outside to investigate the unfamiliar parked car near the mansion's vicinity.