Chapter 287 In Front of Caspian, She Hugged James

Chapter 287 In Front of Caspian, She Hugged James

There wasn't a trace of surprise on Caspian's face—clearly, he had already guessed it.

As an opponent, Caspian was terrifying, but as a friend, he was exceptionally reliable.

That was the lesson he had learned from Caspian.

"What did you find out?" Caspian asked gently.

"Grandpa's birthday party was entirely arranged by Daniel, and Liam was someone he brought in."

Caspian spoke unhurriedly, "So you suspect Daniel did it?"

"Your engagement to Gloria was rushed—even I only found out the truth that day. That afternoon tea was also arranged by Mom at the last minute, and the champagne tower fell right then. I asked Shirley, and she really wasn't involved in this. Someone deliberately set it up and used her as a pawn. Then at Grandpa's birthday party, Gloria and I were set up again, and he disappeared during the fireworks show. I've gone through all the surveillance from that night and couldn't find him anywhere."

Caspian put down his coffee cup. "James, if that's all you've found, I'm afraid it's not enough to convict Daniel."

"I know you've been avoiding him while investigating this. You grew up together and have a brotherly bond, but I don't. To protect Gloria, I won't let any possibility slip by. Look at this."

James slammed down a stack of documents—photos of Daniel meeting with some high-level executives from the Rivers Group.

"Daniel is the company's vice president. It's normal for him to meet with executives."

"Then is it normal for him to privately buy up scattered shares?"

James pulled out a document from the pile. "From what I can find, he's already bought up five percent of the scattered shares. Combined with his original three percent, and who knows if there are other agreement shares or something, he definitely has eight percent of the Rivers Group now."

"He used Shirley to lock Gloria and me in a room together, and he drugged me, trying to make me take advantage of Gloria, to turn you and me against each other as brothers, throw the Rivers family into chaos, while he, an outsider, reaps the benefits. He's really planned this well."

Caspian's slender fingers tapped lightly on the table. "Your analysis is correct, but it's still not enough."

James frowned. "Just the fact that he's secretly buying up Rivers Group shares shows his intentions aren't right. The Rivers family has a lot of wealth. That innocent boy who died in my place, and the danger you faced when you were young—all of it proves someone's pulling strings behind the scenes."

"But Daniel was also injured—his leg."

"He only injured his leg. That boy lost his life. Caspian, you've always been rational. If we let him continue like this, I'm afraid Gloria will be in danger."

At the mention of Gloria, James became somewhat anxious, which was partly related to his condition not being fully recovered.

When it came to Gloria's matters, he became stubborn.

"James, what you've found at most shows Daniel has some selfish motives, but it doesn't directly prove his selfishness is the culprit behind harming Gloria. We lack evidence."

James got a bit angry. He had thought Caspian loved Gloria as deeply as he did, and that once he laid it all out, Caspian would immediately agree.

The two of them could join forces against Daniel and quickly eliminate all dangers for Gloria.

He hadn't expected Caspian to have this kind of attitude.

He was too soft-hearted.

"Would a killer at a crime scene tell you in advance to stake out the place so you can capture the truth?"

Caspian poured James a cup of coffee. "James, I understand how you feel. Like you, I want to find the real culprit as soon as possible. Have you considered that if it's not Daniel, but we move against him anyway, how sad would that be for Daniel?"

"I didn't grow up in the Rivers family. You don't need to use family bonds to guilt-trip me. As long as I can protect Gloria, I don't mind paying any price."

"I know that, of course, James. Do you know Daniel's background?"

James had vaguely heard about it but didn't know the specifics.

"His biological father died saving our father, and his mother, overcome with grief, also took her own life. He was only three years old when he lost both parents."

Caspian's voice was magnetic as he laid it all out: "Although the Rivers family adopted him, we owe his parents. Even giving him three percent of the shares can't bring his family back. If we question him without direct evidence that he did it, based only on speculation, even if Daniel didn't have such thoughts before, he might develop them after learning of our suspicions."

"James, good and evil sometimes happen in an instant. It's possible that suspicion from family could be the very thing that pushes him toward the dark side."

James looked at this man who was three years younger than him yet more composed.

"Do you know something?"

Caspian shook his head. "I've found about the same things as you, but I trust my family. The Rivers family rule is to never move against our own."

"What if he doesn't consider himself part of the Rivers family, or if his ambition is to swallow up the entire Rivers family? Such examples aren't unheard of."

James's pupils darkened. "I'm someone who crawled up from hell. I trust no one but myself. If he threatens Gloria, I won't let him go, whether he's part of the Rivers family or not."

Caspian completely understood James's feelings. The more you love, the more anxious you become.

Everyone handles things differently, and James wasn't wrong either.

"James, give me a little more time. Let me handle this."

Their eyes met, and James finally compromised. "I hope you haven't misjudged him."

He didn't trust Daniel, but he trusted Caspian.

A man who also loved Gloria wouldn't let Gloria be in danger.

"It's late. I won't disturb you any longer." James got up to leave.

"James, your health isn't good. Don't overwork yourself."

James paused mid-step. He turned around, and Caspian said seriously, "Whether you believe it or not, I hope you're well, just as I believe in Daniel."

In Emily's words, family should live in harmony.

"Better not let me find anything, or it'll be embarrassing for you. I'm leaving."

Just as James opened the door, he heard Gloria's voice from outside.

She had a nightmare and woke up to find Caspian wasn't there.

Without a sense of security, she groggily came downstairs. Seeing the coffee room door open and thinking it was Caspian, Gloria threw herself forward without thinking and hugged James.

"Caspian, I..."

The instant she threw herself at him, James's body stiffened.

Gloria was hugging him!

Gloria also sensed something was wrong. Why did this body's scent feel so much like James's?

It never occurred to her that James would appear at Caspian's villa in the middle of the night.

As she slowly lifted her head, her gaze traveled from the man's Adam's apple, to his chin, thin lips, high-bridged nose, and finally landed on those eyes restraining their love—Gloria's hair stood on end.

In front of Caspian, she had just thrown herself into James's arms!