Chapter 76
Marcus was speechless. “Wifey, I thought we weren’t going to talk about Mr. Z anymore?”
…
Oliver waited outside Matthew’s private club. The club was nestled beneath Splendor Mountain, hidden from view. The area was surrounded by dense broadleaf plants, with rows of bodyguards dressed in sunglasses and suits, watching silently.
After a long wait, someone finally came out and courteously invited Oliver in.
Matthew had just finished his spa treatment. He lay back on a soft deck chair with someone kneeling beside him, giving him a massage. As soon as Oliver entered, he recognized the smell of top-grade cigar smoke.
“Sir, this is… Laroux from Nesarus, right?” Matthew glanced at him lazily.
“You’ve got a great nose!” Matthew nodded slightly, then gestured for his men to bring Oliver a stool.
Oliver flashed a fawning smile and sat down straight on the stool.
“Why are you here?” Matthew asked with half-closed eyes, puffing on the cigar and looking thoroughly indulged. He treated Oliver arrogantly, not just because he was born into the Hamerton family but because he had trained Oliver himself. Without Matthew, Oliver wouldn’t have achieved his current success.
However, Oliver usually stayed in Jangasas and rarely visited Centrolis. The fact that he had rushed to see Matthew overnight suggested that something serious had occurred.
“Sir, I…” Oliver hesitated, licking his dry lips. “I dare ask, has Mr. Z been staying with the Hamertons since the welcome dinner?”
Matthew suddenly opened his eyes wide, frowning and looking confused. “Why are you asking?”
“Just… asking,” Oliver responded.
“Of course, he’s not at the Hamertons,” Matthew said casually. “Why would he stay in one place for long? With his father’s blessings, nobody can stop him from wandering the world!”
Oliver’s frown deepened. “Is he in Jangasas, then?”
Matthew glared at him, annoyed. “What is he doing in Jangasas? Charity for your company? I heard he’s gone to Chaiseland recently. He’s at his grandfather’s house in Melorian.”
“Melorian?” Oliver repeated.
“That’s right.” Matthew took two puffs of the cigar. “I didn’t get a chance to mess with him last round. Maybe he’s scared and hiding at his grandfather’s place. There happens to be some assets that need handling, so Zephyr’s working on it. Lucky brat, both of his grandfathers spoil him. He gets everything good in the world!”
The more Oliver listened, the more doubtful he became. After a moment of silence, he said softly, “I think I saw him in Jangasas…”
Matthew’s eyes widened in surprise. “What did you say?”
“I’m not sure if it was him, sir.” Oliver handed over the information his men had gathered, both hands extended. The document contained everything about Marcus, including a copy of his ID.
Matthew examined it thoroughly. Doubt stirred in him as his expression grew grimmer.
However, his frown relaxed when he saw that Marcus was married and had a criminal record. Apart from his wife, Cordelia, he had no other family members.
“This man looks a lot like Zephyr,” Matthew muttered. “But he has no family, and he was in jail for fighting… That just doesn’t fit.”
He puffed on his cigar again. “Also, Zephyr is proud. I sent at least ten women to him—each more stunning than the last—but he wasn’t moved. Do you think this Cordelia… won his heart? Hah, that’s ridiculous!”
Matthew shot Oliver a frustrated look. “Use your head! Stop panicking so easily. There are plenty of people who look alike in this world! Someone called me yesterday, saying they saw me in Moaniain!”
Matthew’s irritation grew, partly due to the ridicule he’d received in his family after losing a subsidiary company to the Hamertons. He felt like a laughingstock.
Oliver had clearly only fueled the fire…