Chapter 187

Chapter 187

The Beaumont family wanted to use this collaboration as a way to cozy up to the Brown family, while Clarence wanted to use the branch company's authority to build up his own power.

So let them pair up and see who has the last laugh.

William's thinking was simple, and Raymond understood what he meant.

Although they didn't spell everything out, smart people know when to stop.

He put away the documents and asked casually.

"So what are your plans next? You can leave the Beaumont family matter for Clarence to handle, but what about your own affairs?"

William leaned back in his chair, his eyes suddenly sharp.

"I have more important things to do."

Seeing how serious he looked, Raymond's curiosity was piqued.

He hadn't heard William mention anything important before, so why were there suddenly so many things to deal with?

"What is it?"

Meeting Raymond's curious gaze, William replied coldly.

"I need to find Brian and make him wish he was dead."

Raymond fell silent for a moment, not asking why he was so obsessed with finding Brian.

He knew the reason, of course.

"That scumbag really does deserve to be dealt with."

Raymond said slowly, his tone growing colder.

"The Brown family has been in business for so many years and has never been bullied like this. If he dares to mess with our people, he should know the consequences."

Hearing this, a hint of amusement flashed in William's eyes.

He knew, of course, that Raymond and Brian didn't actually have any personal grudge.

After all, no matter how stupid Brian was, he wouldn't dare provoke Raymond.

But there was Emily in the picture!

Raymond saying this clearly meant he already considered Emily family.

"Don't worry, I won't let him get away."

William looked confident, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Raymond looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"You've never given anyone reason to worry since you were young. Now that you have someone you want to marry and children, you're even more careful than before."

There was quite a bit of sentiment in his words.

William didn't respond, but a touch of warmth flashed in his eyes.

"Go on, don't keep Emily and the children waiting."

Raymond waved his hand, looking kindly.

"Grandpa, thank you."

William suddenly stopped at the door and turned back to express his thanks.

Raymond was stunned, "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for being willing to accept Emily and accept the children."

He looked at Raymond seriously. "I know you weren't entirely on board at first. Thank you for being willing to give them a home."

Raymond was silent for only two seconds before laughing and cursing.

"You brat, get out of here and stop being so sentimental."

William's lips curved slightly as he pushed the door open and walked out.

After leaving the study, William didn'timmediately find Emily. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered after two rings, and a low voice came through.

"Boss, what are your orders?"

"What's Clarence been up to lately?"

William leaned against the hallway wall, his gaze looking through the window toward the garden below.

In the garden, Emily was playing with the two children on the lawn, and Nina's laughter could be faintly heard.

"Clarence has been keeping a really low profile lately. Apart from handling branch company affairs, he's had almost no extra social activities, and we haven't found any contact between him and Brian."

Hearing this, William's brow relaxed slightly.

If Clarence wasn't causing trouble during this time, that was naturally best.

After all, it meant he could relax a bit.

"Keep watching him. If he makes any unusual moves, notify me immediately."

William didn't let his guard down just because Clarence had been behaving lately. Instead, he told his subordinate to keep a close eye on him.

"Understood."

The subordinate clearly understood what he meant and agreed right away.

"Also, how's the investigation about Brian's whereabouts going?"

When mentioning this person, William's voice turned completely cold.

The person on the other end of the line was silent for a moment, as if choosing their words carefully.

"We've got some leads. The last time he appeared in public was in a small county in Shadow City. Our people are investigating there now. But he's very cunning with strong counter-surveillance awareness. Someone must be helping him."

Hearing this, a cold gleam flashed in William's eyes.

"Whoever's helping him, dig them out. Tell me the moment you find his location, and remember, don't call the police."

"Boss, you mean..."

The subordinate asked tentatively, and heard William answer quite calmly.

"That kind of person doesn't deserve to go to prison. Prison would be like heaven for him. I want to make him wish he was dead."

With William's clear instructions, the person on the other end agreed repeatedly, then asked.

"What about those small fries you mentioned?"

His lips curved into a cold smile, his voice flat.

"The people around Brian - not one of them gets away. Start with those running errands for him and feeding him information. One by one. I want Brian to know that no one around him will dare help him anymore."

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

After hanging up, William put away his phone and looked down at the lawn again.

Emily was crouching down, fixing Nina's hair that had been messed up by the wind, while Oscar stood nearby holding a Polaroid camera, seriously capturing the moment of them together.

William's expression softened, then he turned and headed toward the lawn.

Meanwhile, in a high-end bar in Shadow City.

The music in the bar was deafening, lights flashing back and forth, and everyone inside reeked of alcohol.

In a corner booth, James sat with his legs crossed, holding a glass of whiskey, wearing a cocky smile.

Several drinking buddies surrounded him, along with two heavily made-up women.

The two women were leaning against him from both sides, giggling as they pressed against him and kept pouring drinks.

"Mr. Smith, come on, have another drink!"

James smiled and, following her hand, tilted his head back and drank it all, then wrapped his arm around the woman's waist and kissed her cheek.

"You're the one who gets it."

Seeing this, his drinking buddies all started making noise.

"Mr. Smith, you're living way too well!"

"Right? The Johnson family's in trouble, but you're here living it up."

Hearing them say this, James sneered, his eyes full of disdain.

"What does the Johnson family's trouble have to do with me? I'm not part of the Johnson family."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

"True, Mr. Smith cut ties with the Johnson family long ago. That Sophia..."

Hearing them mention Sophia's name, the smile on James's face turned cold.