As Colin watched Kayden’s retreating figure, his heart was heavy with an almost unbearable sense of remorse!
He never could have imagined that just a few minutes ago, he had been so close to the chance of saving his father’s life!
And yet, it was he and his sister who had, with their own hands, ruined that opportunity!
Their love for their father was genuine, undeniably so. Everything they had today, every ounce of their success, was thanks to their father’s guidance. Without him, there would have been no them, no fortune, no future.
To watch such a chance of curing their father slip away from them was an anguish they could not bear.
“Colin, what should we do now? Let me send someone to chase after him! We can intercept him ahead, I’m sure we can stop him!” Amelia’s fists were clenched tight, and she stepped forward.
Her gaze was fixed on the door as though terrified that Kayden might vanish from Vernon before they had a chance to act.
Colin’s brow furrowed, and his face hardened with anger. He snapped, “Chase after him? Do you honestly think if we catch up, he’ll just hand us the medicine like a charitable soul?”
Amelia’s eyes flashed with defiance. “If he won’t give it to us, we can take it by force! The medicine’s in his hands! Why should we let him walk away with it?”
That was Amelia’s way-bold, relentless, and no matter the cost. Even in business, she was known for her decisive approach.
“Amelia!” Colin’s voice cut through the tension like a whip, and his eyes narrowed with reproach. “You’re being reckless! Father always told us to be calm and composed in everything we do. How can we succeed if you act on impulse like this? It’s your rashness that’s led us to this point!”
The sting of his words hit Amelia hard. She dropped her head, shoulders sagging, her face flushed with shame. “I didn’t know he could cure cancer… If I’d known, I would never have dared to provoke him like that!”
Seeing the deep regret in her eyes, Colin sighed heavily. His shoulders slumped as the weight of their failure settled on him. He took a long breath, then spoke, “Enough. I am just as much to blame. Most of this mess is on me. I failed to see what was right in front of me… I was blind.”
Colin lowered his head. His face was etched with self-reproach and remorse.
After a brief moment of silent remorse, he straightened and, with a tone that carried both concern and wisdom, spoke to Amelia. “Amelia, how you handle things in work is your own business, and I won’t interfere. But when it comes to asking for help, it’s more about sincerity. After all, our only intention is to save our father’s life. That young man… don’t be fooled by his age. His every word, every movement, reveals an aura that is far beyond the ordinary. If you were to use such a forceful, aggressive method to snatch his medicine and save father, it could have consequences we can’t undo.”
His words left Amelia lost in thought, contemplating the implications of his advice.
“But…” Colin continued, “There is a way for me to make him save father.”
At these words, Amelia’s eyes flickered with a spark of hope. She leaned forward. “Colin, what are you planning to do?”
Colin let out a low chuckle. There was a touch of calculation in his smile. “As long as he’s still in Vernon, I’ll find a way to make him hand over the medicine willingly. Money won’t do the trick? Then we’ll find other ways. Sometimes, you need to learn how to wield your power wisely.”
The meaning behind his words was obvious that he planned to use his influence to corner Kayden.
Colin was confident. With his power and position, he could crush Kayden’s resolve. He was the vice president, a man whose influence reached deep into every corner of the system. One word from him, and he could manipulate relationships as easily as a puppeteer pulls strings. No one had his experience; no one could outmaneuver him.
This young man was nothing compared to him. It’s like a fresh-faced idealist up against a seasoned strategist!
Just as Colin was smug with certainty, his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced down, reaching for his phone. When he saw the caller ID on the screen, he froze.
It was a call from his superior. Why would his superior be calling him now?
Was it for an unexpected inspection? But that didn’t make sense. Why would there be a sudden inspection without any information in advance?
Colin didn’t hesitate. Knowing the importance of the call, he quickly answered. This was his superior, and certainly, he couldn’t afford to offend.
“Colin Bolton!” As soon as the phone connected, a man’s voice echoed through the receiver. It’s deep, commanding, and tinged with a seething anger.
“Yes, sir, this is Colin Bolton, Vice President of the Vernon Court,” Colin quickly introduced himself.
Yet the response on the other end was cold, almost merciless. “You’ve been suspended! There will be an investigation into you shortly.”
What!
It felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. Colin’s breath hitched, and his mouth went dry as his mind scrambled to comprehend what he’d just heard. “What? Suspended? Why? What did I do?”
The voice on the other end was icy and unsympathetic. “Why? I should be asking you that. I just got off a call with the highest authority. They said you’re no longer fit for this position. Now, you ask me why? Go ask them!”
The tone then darkened, dripping with a barely contained menace. “Now you better wish this will not affect my career. If it does, you’ll regret it!”
Without another word, the line went dead. The beep-beep-beep of the dial tone rang in Colin’s ears like the final death knell.
The sound of that beeping was like cold waves crashing against him, each one sinking deeper into his chest, leaving a bone-chilling emptiness behind.
This was it. This was over. Suspended? Him? How could this even be happening?
He had just been scheming, thinking of using his power to deal with Kayden, and then, without warning, came this phone call, shattering everything.
Had he crossed the wrong person?
Was it that young man? Could it possibly be that young man?
Colin’s mind raced back to Kayden’s words. Kayden had said that the Bolton family would be done for!
“Who on earth was that young man?” Colin thought, “How could a single word from him destroy everything I had built?”
No!
It couldn’t be!
How could it be that young man? How could one remark from that young man really be enough to unravel his entire life?
Colin’s heart pounded, disbelief flooding his veins. He refused to accept this. He would rather die than believe that this was happening to him.
Colin stood there like a statue. His face drained of color, and his expression froze in disbelief. Amelia asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Colin!”
Colin slumped as if every ounce of energy had drained from him. He let out a long sigh. “I’ve been suspended.”
“What?!” Amelia’s eyes widened in shock as though she hadn’t heard him right.
Her voice cracked with disbelief. “How is that possible? Why did they get you suspended?”
Colin’s eyes were wide with frustration and helplessness as he spat out, “It was that guy! He’s behind this. It has to be him.”
“What?” Amelia blinked in confusion. “But… he’s just a doctor. How could he possibly have the power to get you suspended?”
“Don’t you remember what he said? He told us that our family would be done for.”
At that moment, a wave of realization hit Amelia like a lightning bolt. Yes, she remembered now how they’d crossed that man and how he’d ominously spoken those words.
Was that true? Could it really be him?
But who else could have done something like this?
“Colin… are you sure it was him?”
She still found it hard to believe. Could that man who looked so ordinary and so unremarkable really have orchestrated this?
Colin nodded slowly, his face ashen and his eyes hollow with despair. He couldn’t find the words to explain.
He’s done for!
Everything he’d worked for, including the position he’d fought for his entire life, was gone in an instant.
Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, Colin sighed. His eyes darkened again. “Amelia… he’ll probably come after you next.”
Hearing her brother’s words, Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. She swallowed hard, and a knot of dread tightened in her chest. Colin wasn’t at ease, either. Panic was written all over his face. Amelia stared at him for a while, and then she nodded firmly. “Don’t worry, Colin. I know what I need to do. You stay here with Dad. I’ll take care of everything.”
With that, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the room.