Michael was momentarily stunned.
Dave was expecting him to take the blame for it!
“This might not be a good idea. My mother will be furious if she finds out,” Michael said, clearly worried.
Dave glanced down, adjusting his shirt cuffs dismissively. “That’s your problem. You’ll have to figure it out. Or were you not serious about wanting my help?”
“Fine, it’s a deal!” Michael realized he had no choice but to accept Dave’s terms.
“You’re going to great lengths to gain control of the Hayes Group. Is it all for Sophia?” Dave asked casually, lifting his eyes to Michael.
Michael hesitated, then said, “Can you not look at me like you know all my secrets?”
“It’s pretty obvious,” Dave remarked with a sneer, returning his attention to his documents.
“I know I can’t hide anything from you, but I mean it sincerely this time,” Michael said, getting up and walking out of the office.
Dave watched him leave, and then his phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, Dave frowned, annoyance flickering in his eyes.
Answering the call with a cold tone, Dave said, “Uncle Rupert, what do you want?”
“Dave, there’s no need to be so distant,” Rupert Evans said, his tone carrying a hint of smugness.
Among Dave’s uncles, Rupert Evans held the most power and posed the biggest challenge to Dave’s inheritance of the Evans Group.
The Vanguard Group, which Dave had established and managed, didn’t wield as much influence as the Phoenix Alliance Group in Edenfield. However, it still held a significant market share and had been steadily growing. According to Dave’s sources, Rupert had secretly allied with Dave’s other uncles to oppose him.
However, to the public eye, Rupert always maintained a benevolent image.
Dave replied in a detached tone, “Uncle Rupert, let’s stick to the matter at hand. I’m very busy right now.”
“Here’s the deal. Your grandfather said it’s been too long since he last saw you, and he’s really missing you. He wants you to come over for dinner tonight. You… You’ll come, won’t you?” Rupert asked with a hint of urgency.
“Why didn’t Grandpa tell me himself if he wanted to see me?” Dave replied softly.
Rupert sighed deeply. “He hasn’t been doing well health-wise. I only found out when I visited him.”
Dave’s expression shifted. “Is Grandpa sick?”
“He’s been having more frequent bouts of dizziness. He didn’t want you to worry about him,” Rupert explained.
“I understand. I’ll go see him right after I finish up here.”
Dave hung up before Rupert could say more.
That evening, a sleek silver-grey Bugatti pulled into the driveway of Evans mansion.
Dave got out of the car, adjusting his black suit as he walked toward the mansion. The head gardener, busy with the plants, noticed Dave and respectfully bowed. “Mr. Evans, welcome.”
Stopping for a moment, Dave asked, “Who else is here tonight?”
“All your uncles are here, sir,” the head gardener replied respectfully.
A faint smile appeared on Dave’s face as he walked into the mansion.
The servant opened the large doors, leading Dave into the luxurious European-style villa. Inside, a magnificent crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the floors were adorned with expensive marble, radiating elegance and splendor.
Every piece of furniture in the room was a work of art.
Entering the living room, Dave saw his uncles sitting comfortably on the sofa, chatting cheerfully with his grandfather.
Lucas’s face lit up with joy as he saw his grandson. He gestured towards Dave and said warmly, “Dave, it’s good to see you here.”
“Grandpa, Uncle Rupert mentioned your dizziness has been bothering you more lately. How are you feeling now?” Dave asked, taking Lucas’s hand gently and sitting beside him.
“Don’t listen too much to Rupert’s exaggerations. I’m feeling quite well!” Lucas glanced briefly at Rupert, who sat across the room. With a warm smile, he turned back to Dave and asked, “So, what brings you here today?”
Dave glanced at Rupert, sensing there was more to this gathering than a simple dinner.
Rupert’s eyes gleamed with cunning, though he maintained a calm demeanor. “Dad, you wouldn’t believe what happened last night. There was a big commotion in the city. Someone was desperately searching for a girl. I’ve asked around, but no one knows who’s behind it. In Edenfield, who else could cause such a stir and still stay hidden from us?”
Lucas’s expression turned serious. “I’m already aware of what happened.”
He looked at Dave with warmth in his eyes and continued, “It was a friend of Dave’s from the Hayes family. Dave, you must make sure he doesn’t repeat such actions. They say beauty can be a dangerous thing. I find that to be true. The head of the Hayes family causing such a commotion over a woman could lead to trouble someday.”
Rupert’s expression grew grim. He had assumed Dave was involved. Lucas strongly disapproved when men of the Evans family became overly involved with women. Rupert had planned to use this incident to cause a stir, but to his surprise, it was Michael’s doing, and Lucas was already informed.
What Rupert didn’t realize was that Dave had already spoken to Lucas over the phone earlier that day. Knowing he couldn’t keep it from Lucas, Dave had confessed on his own.
Meanwhile, Michael had spread the news, and Lucas had swiftly caught wind of it.
“Dave, you’re not going to follow in Mr. Hayes’s footsteps over a woman, are you?” Lucas asked abruptly, focusing his attention on Dave.
All of Dave’s uncles immediately turned their gaze toward him.
Dave replied with a narrowed gaze and a slight smile, “No way!”
Keeping Bianca hidden was crucial until he fully controlled the Evans Group.
Protecting her from any danger was his top concern.
Herbert Evans, another of Dave’s uncles, teased knowingly, “I knew he’d say that. He’s been on his own since he was a kid. I bet he’s never even held a girl’s hand!”
This remark elicited suppressed laughter from the other uncles, amused smiles on their faces.
In his prime, Dave led a celibate life, rebuffing any advances from women. Rumors spread that no woman could get close to him.
Despite his uncles’ numerous attempts to set him up with women, none succeeded in breaking through his defenses. They were even unaware of Dave’s romantic interests.
Sipping his tea calmly, Dave replied, “I’m focused on the Evans Group’s business, unlike Uncle Herbert, who changes partners as often as clothes. Be careful, lest one of your lovers sets a trap. It’s not worth the risk.”
Herbert’s sarcastic manner froze, surprised that his romantic affairs were exposed. How did Dave find out?