“Uncle.” She turned around and gave Dale a polite smile. “It’s such a coincidence today. I should have come to greet you, but I got caught up with things…”
Dale smiled and raised his hand to indicate it was fine. “It’s no big deal, I came with Shamar.”
“Yes.”
His gaze fell on Kieran, who had been following Callie and was now idly eating desserts. Kieran noticed the attention and lazily looked up, showing no fear.
“Why didn’t you inform me in advance that you were coming to Ylosea? I could have made arrangements for you. Where’s Nelson? Didn’t he come with you?”
Callie just smiled without answering. At this moment, her understanding of Dale was clearer. He seemed kind, but he was actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing. “I’m only here for a couple of days, besides, aren’t you supposed to be resting in Ylosea?”
The implication was clear: Dale had already retired, so why was he attending such an event? Was he still running another company? And at his age, why would he personally attend a mediocre banquet?
“Shall we talk?”
Dale’s gesture indicated that he would answer her questions.
Callie tightened her grip on the cup in her hand. Her dark eyes flickered with light for a moment before she nodded with a faint smile. “Sure.”
They moved to a tea room for their conversation, leaving Kieran outside. He seemed indifferent, knowing his role was just to stand guard.
“Nelson treats you well. Some things others can’t get even after ten years of effort, but you have them just like that.” Dale personally poured tea for Callie. She quickly reached out to take it, sensing a hint of jealousy in his words.
“Uncle, you should know that sometimes pillow talk can be very effective.”
Callie spoke teasingly, and Dale squinted his eyes and smiled.
He pointed a finger. “I heard you’re in Ylosea today for financing?”
Callie didn’t answer, sipping her tea slowly instead.
Dale didn’t feel awkward or afraid of revealing his intentions, as if he was certain Callie wouldn’t disclose anything.
“Callie,” the old man sighed softly, “I’ve heard about Nelson’s mother.”
“You have good ears to hear something from so far away?”
“Those things just reach my ears without me doing anything.”
“And?”
“The woman is unfaithful and heartless. In my opinion, Nelson shouldn’t help her at all, especially not to such an extent, just to benefit her son.”
Callie narrowed her eyes and froze. “Son?”
“You didn’t know? Nelson isn’t her only child.”
The shock left Callie speechless for a moment.
Lucia had another son… Was this what Nelson didn’t want her to know?
“Where is he now?”
Dale just smiled faintly and didn’t answer.
After a moment, Callie slightly tilted her head, the aroma of tea filling her nose with a slight bitterness. She smiled and asked, “Uncle, what kind of tea is this?”
Dale wasn’t foolish; he finally changed the topic. “Did you know that most of the guests at today’s banquet have partnerships with Scott Group?”
Callie raised an eyebrow. This was news to her.
If true, Jaquan certainly wouldn’t let Oconnor Group secure financing easily.
Nelson knew Shamar was coming to Ylosea earlier; he must have known this too. Why didn’t he stop them? Was he deliberately letting them make a futile trip?