Chapter 75
This was probably the most defiant Royce had ever been since working for Walter.
He was genuinely terrified something would happen to Nora.
James's face darkened considerably as he laughed mockingly. "For you to get this worked up, seems like you're quite satisfied with Nora."
Royce pushed away the person beside him and sat up straight. "I need to see Mr. Noah Wood."
"Mr. Noah Wood certainly won't see you. Before tonight's chamber of commerce banquet ends, I'll have to trouble you to stay put in the car."
James straightened his clothes, preparing to get out.
"Aren't you afraid Mr. Wood will find out!" Royce looked at James.
"This was Noah's idea. I'm just going along with it. Royce, what can Walter really do to his own grandfather?" James smiled and got out of the car.
Royce knew that the people blocking him were all Noah's men.
James indeed didn't have the guts or capability to dare block Walter's special assistant on his own.
At the hospital.
David was pacing anxiously.
"Mr. Smith, the banquet is about to start. You should go."
The chamber of commerce banquet wasn't just a simple party—it was a gathering place for connections and a venue for exchanging resources.
Not only would representatives from major luxury brands attend, but also A-list celebrities and prominent figures from all walks of life.
As one of the outstanding leaders across industries, Michael would naturally be in the spotlight.
If he didn't attend, it would have a huge impact on the Smith Group.
"Mr. Smith, I'll keep watch here. Nora will be fine. She's just putting on an act, she..."
"Why don't you try slashing your own neck and see?" Michael coldly interrupted David.
David froze, looking at Michael.
Was Michael actually serious? Was he really worried about Nora?
Most terrifying was that Michael was covered in Nora's blood, and from the early morning until now, Michael hadn't closed his eyes or changed his clothes.
You have to understand—Michael wasn't just a germaphobe, he absolutely couldn't stand touching other people's blood.
But Michael seemed completely unfazed.
"Mr. Smith..."
"I told you, don't casually accuse others without evidence." Michael leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
"Mr. Michael Smith, it was the Clark family and Mr. James Smith who took her from Walter's place last night and locked her in that abandoned factory in the suburbs. I checked—there were ten bodyguards that night. Their assignment was to gang-rape Nora, then film and photograph it to threaten her into dropping the case."
David looked away, his own face iron with anger.
Michael glanced up at David. "James went to the banquet?"
"Yes." David nodded.
"Tell the hospital to call me immediately when she wakes up." Michael stood up and left with a dark expression.
David sucked in a breath and secretly slapped himself. It's all your fault for talking too much.
With Michael in this state, James was in for it.
---
At the banquet venue.
Walter frowned at his phone. Where had Royce gone?
Feeling uneasy, Walter went to the restroom to call Nora, but she didn't answer.
His expression darkened. Walter walked out of the restroom and looked at the other assistants. "Find Royce and have him come see me."
"Mr. Wood, Mr. Smith has arrived."
Most people at the chamber were waiting for Michael. After all, Walter of Silverlight City and Michael of Emerald City were known as the two great mountains of the business world.
"Mr. Smith, I heard you arrived in Silverlight City quite some time ago."
At the entrance, an A-list actress had already approached to strike up a conversation.
Michael's expression was terrible. He'd changed into a suit, and his handsome face drew people like moths to a flame.
A man like this could be a top celebrity even in the entertainment industry.
"Mr. Smith is late—did you sleep too comfortably at the hotel?" Walter walked over with a smile.
Michael's gaze landed on James in the distance. Without acknowledging Walter, he walked straight over.
As for Walter—since he hadn't protected Nora well, he'd already lost.
Walter frowned. "What's wrong with Michael?"
The secretary spoke quietly behind him. "Mr. Wood, I think something's not right."
A dull thud.
Everyone stared at Michael in shock.
Good thing reporters weren't allowed into the business venue.
Michael grabbed James by the collar and punched him.
Walter frowned. What had James done to make Michael this crazy? To the point of disregarding his image?
This was the chamber of commerce banquet. Michael hitting his own brother was a family matter—why make it public? Wasn't this clearly making it impossible for James to survive in business circles?
James also looked at Michael in shock. "Michael?"
Michael pointed at James. "You're an adult. Whatever you do, you have to take responsibility."
James's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
"Go ask the police." Michael shoved James away.
James took a deep breath. Had something happened to Nora?
Impossible. He'd given clear instructions last night—don't hurt Nora, no deaths.
"Michael, what happened?" James was starting to panic.
The others didn't dare approach, uncertain what had happened with the Smith family.
"James, come with us. We need you to cooperate with an investigation. We suspect you're involved in a case of illegal detention and hiring someone to cause harm." The police arrived and took James away.
James's face turned dark.
This was the chamber of commerce!
Being taken away by police here was clearly meant to destroy him!
"Mr. Michael Smith, isn't this a bit much?" David followed behind Michael. "He's still part of the Smith family, he's your brother. If Mr. Nolan Smith finds out..."
Michael snorted coldly. "He brought it on himself."
James straightened his clothes, smiling with calm composure. "I'm sure there's been some misunderstanding."
With that, he voluntarily went with the police.
He absolutely wouldn't let Michael succeed.
Did Michael think he could destroy him this way, completely cut off his chances of inheriting the Smith Group? Impossible!
"Michael, what happened with James?" Someone gathered the courage to ask.
Some elders also came over to inquire.
Michael spoke lightly. "Sorry for the embarrassment, everyone. James has been spoiled by the family and doesn't know when to stop."
With Michael saying this, everyone understood and tactfully stopped asking questions.
One Michael was enough for the Smith family. James was the son of Michael's stepmother.
Before this stepmother married into the Smith family, James was an illegitimate child.
There were rumors in Emerald City that Michael's mother had been killed by James's mother.
Everyone knew these two brothers were at odds.
Unfortunately, Michael was too capable. James would always be overshadowed by Michael. If something really happened, he'd probably never be able to get ahead of Michael for the rest of his life.
David stayed behind Michael the whole time, his palms sweating.
Michael always acted decisively. He had many ways to deal with James, yet he deliberately chose the cruelest one.
Nora's situation was just a trigger. Michael was clearly using this opportunity to show everyone in business circles who had secretly been dealing with James who the real master of the Smith Group was.
Ruthless—Michael was truly ruthless.
David found himself inexplicably worried for Nora, worried she'd become a sacrificial pawn in Michael's campaign against James and his mother.