Chapter 134
Hearing Oscar say this, Adrian gave a weak smile and raised his glass: "I've already said everything I can say. Do you still not trust me?"
After a pause, he continued: "Either way, Oscar, Emily, I'd like to toast you both. I hope all misunderstandings are behind us. We still have more important things to do."
I didn't reach for my glass, and neither did Oscar.
Adrian could only awkwardly down his drink in one gulp, then looked at Oscar and said: "The Novagen Group is now deep in a credit crisis, and major banks are preparing to call in their loans. William is dealing with internal problems, and Gregory simply can't hold things together. This is the perfect time for you to make your move."
Oscar nodded slowly along with his words: "I've always trusted your analysis."
Adrian locked eyes with Oscar: "So what are we waiting for? If our allied industries all strike together, The Novagen Group will be finished."
Oscar showed no unusual expression at his excited statement, and the excitement visibly drained from Adrian's face.
He looked confused and demanded with a frown: "What's with that look? Don't tell me you're going to let family ties get in the way now. Oscar, don't forget how you've lived all these years. Don't forget what your mother said to you in the hospital, and don't forget the vow you made."
Oscar looked at Adrian and simply asked: "You seem more eager than I am to see The Novagen Group fall. Adrian, what grudge do you really have with the Lopez family?"
Adrian said firmly: "What grudge could I have with them? I just feel it's unfair to you. All these years, thrown abroad and ignored. So everything you're doing now, they owe you."
Oscar looked at him calmly: "But what I'm seeing now is that you want to settle scores with the Lopez family even more than I do. Adrian, that name isn't your real name, is it?"
Adrian slowly calmed down, poured himself another drink and downed it. "Since you think that pitiful bit of family feeling is more important than the humiliation you suffered, fine. If you want to play happy families, I have nothing to say. Let's just pretend I never came to you today. From now on... we'll go our separate ways."
Oscar looked at him and asked again: "You still haven't answered me. Who are you really?"
Adrian said flatly: "I'm Adrian. Who else would I be? Do you think everyone can change their appearance in just six months like Ms. Wilson? She had Michael's support. I had no one."
I looked at Oscar. Because I was mentioned, most of his composure had vanished, but Adrian's words were still flawless. No matter how much we suspected, as long as he didn't admit it, no one could prove whether he was Alan or not.
His strange hatred had to come from somewhere.
Oscar didn't dwell on it: "Fine, if you say so. We've known each other for ten years, and I've never been able to see through you. Maybe I haven't earned your honesty. I'll draft an agreement. All of Solstice's assets will go to you, or if you have other demands, just say so. In the future, I hope when we meet again, we won't be enemies."
Adrian was shocked by Oscar's words: "Are you serious?"
Oscar picked up his glass and raised it toward him: "I don't think I've wronged you. Nearly half the business should cover your ten years of hard work, right?"
Adrian's expression darkened. He stared at Oscar, and only after confirming he wasn't joking did he slowly speak: "Oscar, is this really how you're going to treat me?"
Oscar reminded him: "Adrian, I think I've given you more than enough. Let's part on good terms, so we can face each other better in the future."
Adrian slammed his glass down on the table and said coldly: "Oscar, when I found you, you had nothing. After all we've been through together, just because you suspect I hired someone to kill this woman, you throw out some line about 'what comes together must fall apart' and completely dismiss everything I've done?"
Oscar's expression grew serious too: "It's not just about this. You did play a big role in getting me where I am today, so I'm willing to give you half the business. But don't forget, when you first came to Solstice, you had nothing either. If I hadn't fought off those thugs, you'd be dead. Adrian, we can't settle accounts between us."
Adrian laughed mockingly: "Fine. Since you've already decided, what can I say? After this meal, we stay out of each other's way. But I still hope you don't forget your original purpose and don't let wealth blind you."
Oscar's tone was calm: "I won't. And I hope you can find yourself too. Let me toast you this time."
Adrian raised his glass. At the table, the two glasses finally clinked together, without warmth or smiles, only hidden agendas.
Walking out of the hotel, I asked with some concern: "Aren't you worried he'll do something after this?"
Oscar smiled helplessly: "I'm more worried if he doesn't do anything. But before he does anything, let's see if he can dodge this trouble first."
I was a bit confused: "What do you mean?"
A small smile played at the corner of Oscar's mouth: "I let Jeffrey go. Who do you think he'll go to?"
"Jeffrey can barely take care of himself right now. What can he do?" I didn't quite agree with this arrangement.
Oscar smiled mysteriously: "Whether he can do anything isn't important. What's important is that maybe we can use Jeffrey to draw out someone who doesn't want to appear. Just wait and watch the show."