Chapter 255 Will Make Up for All the Grievances You Have Suffered
Echo immediately agreed. "I'll make the call right now."
"Good," Brandon nodded.
Sensing how urgent it was, Echo wasted no time and dialed her old friend right there, in full view of them.
She asked her to check Mason's room for anything like a flash drive.
To their surprise, no investigation was needed. Her friend's voice came through the line, "Actually, there is one. Echo, how did you know?"
"Are you sure?" Echo's voice rose with anticipation.
"Of course," her friend confirmed. "Mr. Mason Elikin has always kept this very precious box in his room, and inside it is a flash drive. For the past few years, he's always taken it out, stared at it for a long time, and sighing. He always looks so incredibly sad when he does!"
At these words, Knox's expression turned visibly excited. Echo was equally thrilled but, for the sake of caution, repeated, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"Positive," the person on the other end insisted. "I even asked Mr. Mason Elikin what it was once, but he just sighed and didn't say a word. What's going on? Do you know what's on it?"
Echo didn't know how to respond and glanced at Brandon, awaiting his direction.
Brandon said nothing, but his eyes conveyed a clear message to Knox. Knox leaned in close to Echo, whispering, “Tell her to figure out how to get that flash drive.”
It was a less than honorable method, but Brandon considered a critical problem: if they approached Mason directly and he refused to give them the drive, what was to stop him from destroying it on the spot?
If Mason had any intention of clearing Candice's name, he likely would have produced the surveillance footage long ago.
The fact that he hadn't suggested a profound indecisiveness. This was their only chance, and Brandon was unwilling to take any risks.
Echo relayed the request, asking her friend to help secure the flash drive.
The woman's tone immediately soured. "Echo, we've been friends for so many years. If I get caught doing something like this, I'll lose my job for sure!"
"Don't worry," Echo soothed. "I promise nothing will happen. Even if you're discovered, I can guarantee you'll be fine. Trust me."
"Besides, if you do this for me, there's a significant reward. Isn't your son waiting for medical treatment? You need money for his surgery right now, and I can wire it to you."
Echo's words hit their mark. Her friend's hesitation was brief before her resolve wavered. "Alright, I'll figure out a way to get it for you. But you better not be bluffing!"
"Don't worry, I would never do that to you."
And just like that, it was settled.
After hanging up, Echo turned to Brandon. "Mr. Obelon, it's handled."
Brandon was very pleased with the outcome and immediately made good on his promise. "Knox, handle the transfer of funds from Ms. Smith to her friend. Also, three million dollars as a bonus for their hard work today. Offer Ms. Smith a position working for the Obelon family, and then process Ms. Johnson's onboarding paperwork for the Obelon Group."
Echo and Uma were stunned into silence, unable to process what they had just heard.
The generosity Brandon was showing them was far beyond anything they could have ever dreamed of.
A wave of intense emotion washed over the mother and daughter.
Uma, in particular, knew that as a young woman, a career as a maid had no future; it had simply been her only option.
But now, joining the Obelon Group, her entire status would change.
Becoming a full-time employee of such a prestigious company was a source of immense pride. Not to mention the three million dollars Brandon had so casually given them.
"Thank you, Mr. Obelon! Thank you, Mr. Obelon!"
Brandon gave a slight nod. "If there's nothing else, you're both dismissed."
The mother and daughter quickly exited with Knox. After such a long investigation, a breakthrough had finally emerged. But knowing the truth sent Brandon's mind into a state of turmoil.
The turmoil arose from knowing that Candice had been the victim all those years ago. An irresistible urge to see her washed over him.
Without a second thought, Brandon sent Candice a message, asking what she was doing.
She replied not long after. [At home with my mom.]
Brandon typed back: [Looks like Cotton is out of cat food. I had some delivered today. You can come over to Villa No. 2 to pick it up later.]
[Okay,] Candice agreed without issue. Cotton was practically a member of their family now, and after some time with them, the cat had grown pleasantly plump.
Seeing her agreement, Brandon put his phone away and headed back to his villa.
After lunch, Candice told Ainsley she was going to check on Cotton. "Now that the cat is back in its old stomping grounds, it loves to wander off. Yasmin would be so sad if it got lost."
The thought of Yasmin being upset was enough for Ainsley. "I'll go with you, then," she offered.
"No, that's okay," Candice quickly declined. "He usually stays close by. I'll bring him back in no time."
Accepting her explanation, Ainsley didn't insist.
Once outside, Candice made her way to Villa No. 2 and rang the doorbell.
Brandon opened the door and immediately pulled her inside, holding her in a firm, tight embrace.
Candice was completely baffled. "So you called me here about cat food, but really you just wanted to take advantage of me, didn’t you?" She said, her brow furrowing in displeasure.
"No," Brandon denied, his voice low. "But I did want to hold you."
Today, after learning about the Elikin family's past, a fire had ignited in Brandon's chest, a burning, suffocating sensation born of a profound ache for her.
He had spent the time since reflecting on what he had been doing back then.
The only answer that came to him was that he had been completely absorbed in his work, still overseas.
By the time he returned to the country, the incident had already been silenced. He had heard whispers, but dismissed them as baseless rumors, giving them no real thought.
The more he thought about it, the more he wished he could turn back time.
Even if their marriage had been devoid of affection, as her husband, he never should have been so indifferent to his own wife.
What kind of heartless bastard had he been? Brandon wanted to go back to that time and beat some sense into his former self.
Candice felt his arms tighten, his body radiating an intense heat, and her frown deepened. Something was off about him.
"What's wrong with you?" She couldn't help but ask. "Brandon, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't squeeze so hard. Are you trying to bully an injured person?"
Her words snapped him back to the present. He loosened his grip. "Did I hurt you? Where? Your arm? How's the wound?"
Before she could even answer, he was already taking her hand, examining her arm with concern.
"I’m fine!" Candice drew back her hand, increasingly convinced he wasn’t acting like himself. She studied his face as she spoke. "What was that all about just now?"
Brandon opened his mouth to say something, but then he remembered it was a topic Candice wished to avoid. He ultimately shook his head. "It's nothing. Come in, the cat food is inside."
Candice followed him into the living room and saw Cotton curled up asleep on the sofa, feeling completely at home..
Her expression softened, a small smile playing on her lips as she asked, "When did he run over here?"
"He's been here since this morning," Brandon said.
Candice scooped Cotton up and gently stroked his head. The cat, drawn by her familiar scent, nuzzled into her arms, still asleep.
Brandon watched the scene with exceptionally gentle eyes, taking the opportunity to ask, "How long are your parents planning to stay?"
"I'm not sure," Candice replied without looking up. "Probably until my injury is a bit better. My mom's on leave right now, so her schedule is flexible. My dad is managing the research institute by himself for the time being."
Brandon hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Grandma's birthday banquet is coming up. Will you be able to find the time to attend?"
"The birthday banquet?" Candice's mind clicked. That was right. By her count, it was only about ten days away.
She thought for a moment. "I’ll be there." Brandon nodded. "Good. You have to be there. When the time comes…"
"Every injustice you’ve suffered, they will answer for. Every crime they’ve pinned on you, I will make sure your name is cleared."