Chapter 73: Becoming Hodgson's Secretary
Nicole's POV
I immediately sat up: "Go to Hall Manor now? With you?"
Hodgson raised an eyebrow: "Of course!"
I refused repeatedly. "I'll take a taxi myself!"
As I spoke, I hurriedly got up and threw my clothes on haphazardly.
Hodgson kissed me forcefully: "Nicole, you don't have a choice. You must come with me."
I had just finished dressing and was about to say something when he bent down and scooped me up in his arms.
"Hodgson!" I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me out of the room.
The elevator, the hallway, he carried me all the way to the parking lot.
My face burned hot, and I could only bury it in his chest.
When we reached the car, he tucked me into the back seat, then climbed in after me.
The driver started the engine.
Just then, Doris called me.
I steadied my emotions and pressed the answer button.
Doris's somewhat urgent voice came through.
"Nicole, why aren't you at the villa?"
"I came out to handle something. What's wrong?"
"Mr. Barry wants you to come to Hall Manor. He says it's important. Where are you now? I'll have the driver pick you up."
I froze for a moment.
Mr. Barry wants me to go to Hall Manor?
I glanced at Hodgson, somewhat surprised.
Why such a coincidence?
Hodgson leaned back in his seat, his eyes showing not a trace of surprise, as if everything was within his plans.
"No need, Mother. I'll take a taxi to the manor myself."
"Then hurry up, don't keep Mr. Barry waiting too long." Doris hung up after saying that.
I put down my phone and turned to look at Hodgson: "Did you arrange this?"
Hodgson shrugged: "You'll know soon enough."
The car quickly arrived at Hall Manor.
As soon as the car stopped, I immediately pushed open the door and jumped out, afraid someone would see that I had come with Hodgson.
Hodgson, however, got out of the car very calmly, following behind me at a leisurely pace.
The butler led us to the dining room.
Barry, Lola, and Keith were already seated.
It was now close to six o'clock, about ten minutes before dinner.
I quietly walked over and sat down next to Lola.
Keith's expression wasn't good. He glanced at Hodgson, then at Barry, as if suppressing some emotion.
Since the last banquet, I hadn't seen Shier and didn't know what he'd been up to lately.
Even after dinner began, I didn't see any sign of Shier.
"Where's Shier?" Barry asked.
"He's been quite busy lately and hasn't come back yet." Lola gave a simple explanation.
Barry snorted coldly, said nothing more, and signaled for the servants to start serving.
The atmosphere throughout dinner was very oppressive.
Keith ate in silence. Lola occasionally tried to ease the atmosphere with conversation, but with little effect.
My heart was full of curiosity.
Hodgson had said that coming to Hall Manor would show me how he planned to help me.
So what exactly would happen tonight?
Hodgson cut his steak, occasionally looking up at me, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.
I looked away, not daring to meet his gaze.
Finally, dinner ended.
Barry put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, then looked around at everyone present.
"I called you all here today because I have a major announcement to make."
Everyone's attention focused on him.
Barry spoke slowly: "Starting today, I plan to step back, and Hall Group will be taken over by Hodgson."
My eyes widened in shock.
Hodgson was going to take over Hall Group?
Keith suddenly stood up, his face turning very ugly.
"Father, Hodgson is still young. He's not suitable to take over the company so soon!"
Barry frowned: "Keith, sit down."
"I think Hodgson should start from the basics and gradually familiarize himself with the company's operations." Keith insisted.
Hodgson suddenly gave a cold snort.
He leaned back in his chair, a mocking smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Keith, are you questioning my abilities?"
"Too young?" Hodgson looked at him contemptuously.
"The companies I manage have annual profits that already exceed Hall Group's. If Barry hadn't begged me, I wouldn't be interested in taking over Hall Group."
These words were extremely arrogant, but they were true. Hodgson's business empire was indeed massive.
Keith slammed his hand on the table.
"Hodgson, don't think I don't know what you're doing behind the scenes! Running casinos, loan sharking, murder! Your hands are covered in blood. Everything you do is illegal! What makes you qualified to take over Hall Group?!"
I sat there listening, terrified.
Having known Hodgson for so long, I knew his businesses all involved gray areas.
But I never imagined Keith would spell it out so clearly in front of Barry.
Hodgson remained unfazed. He wiped his hands and lifted his chin at Keith.
"So what? Do you have proof?"
Keith was at a loss for words, glaring at him furiously.
"If you don't have evidence, then stop barking like a dog."
"You!" Keith trembled with rage.
Barry finally couldn't watch anymore and shouted in anger.
"Keith, have you lost your mind?! If you dare say these things in public, get out of the Hall family immediately!"
Barry's eyes were terrifying.
Though Keith was unwilling, his aggressive demeanor subsided somewhat.
Lola quickly stood up: "Father, Keith is just thinking of the company and the family. He didn't mean it..."
"Enough!" Barry coldly interrupted her.
"Keith won't be going to the company for a while either. Stay home and properly educate Shier!"
Keith's hands clenched tight, his expression gloomy to the extreme.
I was so nervous I didn't dare breathe.
Hodgson had actually done it.
He'd gotten Keith and Shier kicked out of Hall Group.
So what was his next step?
As I pondered this, Barry suddenly called my name.
"Nicole."
I snapped my head up: "Mr. Barry?"
Barry looked at me, his expression complex.
"Shier is useless, but you're his fiancée, and in the future, you'll be a member of the Hall family."
"So I plan to have you enter Hall Group."
I was completely stunned.
What?
Have me enter Hall Group?
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be Hodgson's secretary."
Barry's words were like a hammer blow, striking hard at my forehead.
My brain suddenly crashed.
Become Hodgson's secretary?
How was that possible?!
After Barry finished speaking, he stood up and left the dining room. Keith followed with a dark expression.
Lola looked at me deeply, then also left.
In the dining room, only Hodgson and I remained.
I stared blankly at the table, my mind still reeling.
"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to become my secretary?"
Hodgson's voice sounded in my ear.
I came back to my senses and turned to look at him: "Why would Barry have me enter Hall Group, and as your secretary no less?"
Hodgson chuckled softly.
"Because he already knows about our relationship."