Chapter: 796
Startled, Theodore snatched the phone out of Aldus’s hand with quick urgency. Shaking his head, he said, “Not right now. I‘1l
handle it later.”
“Why?” Aldus questioned, a sea of confusion washing over him.
Theodore’s response was a choked silence, his subconscious frown mirrored his struggle for words.
Observing this, Aldus ceased his questioning and instead pivoted his gaze towards Horace.
Horace, maintaining a stoic expression, pushed his glasses up his nose and explained, “Because Mrs. Anderson remains in the
dark. She has no idea Holden is actually the boss.”
“What?!” Aldus was so startled that he almost lost his false teeth.
With a forceful thump of his cane against the floor, he voiced his concern for Theodore. “You stubborn boy, she will slip right
through your fingers if you don’t change your ways.”
Horace concurred silently, yet kept his peace.
In a tone laced with worry, Aldus commanded Theodore, “The Anderson Group teeters on the brink of bankruptcy. It is vital that
you reclaim your identity as Holden as soon as possible.”
Theodore remained silent. His blinking eyes were the sole indicators of his inner turmoil.
His worry was palpable. Would Ariana feel deceived when he revealed his secret? What if she couldn’t forgive him and decided
to part ways?
Perceiving Theodore’s hesitation, Aldus let out a weary sigh. “The Anderson Group matter is nearing its end. As the heir to the
Fredrick family, you must step into the Limelight and intimidate any potential troublemakers.”
With relief that Aldus didn’t press him to divulge the truth to Ariana, Theodore nodded.
Lunch concluded and Aldus made his exit. Theodore proceeded to the underground parking lot, and as he was about to slide
into his car to journey home, Darian jumped out of nowhere and blocked Theodore’s path.
The aggrieved look on Darian‘s face suggested he had been waiting there for quite some time.
The desperation in Darian’s eyes was obvious. “Son, I wronged you, I know,” he pleaded, “I didn’t mean to. Forgive me this time,
for old times” sake.”
Theodore had no desire for discourse. He frowned, icily commanding, “Get out of my way.”
Darian’s expression shifted subtly, yet he persisted in his effort to hold Theodore at bay. He countered, unabashed, “Don’t be so
cold-hearted. After all, your investment in the Anderson Group is substantial. We can reposition the Anderson Group as a
subsidiary of the BRD Group. We can prosper if we join forces.”
Theodore had no patience for Darian’s rambling. He coldly retorted, “Your failed investments are your own. I’m not obliged to
rectify your blunders. I’ll say it once more. Leave.”
Observing Theodore’s resolute stance, Darian’s features twisted into a mask of fury. “Do you really think you’re untouchable
now? If not for me, you wouldn’t even exist. How ungrateful!”
Darian’s tirade was cut short by the sudden arrival of Adrian.
“Mr. Anderson,” Adrian greeted Darian as he leisurely made his way towards Theodore. “You willingly signed the two billion IOU
note, and the money was lent under my name, not the BRD Group. I’m not interested in your interest. Just pay back the capital.“
As Darian saw Adrian and Theodore standing side by side, realization dawned on him. The rage made his head spin. “Brilliant!
You two are in cahoots. It’s all a grand scheme! This is all your scheme! The alleged two-billion-dollar Olympic Village project
was nothing but a ruse you both cooked up!”
Theodore had had enough. As Darian lunged at him, he deflected the attack with a swift kick, jumped into his car, and drove off
without a word.
Darian Lay sprawled on the ground, his gaze following the disappearing car with undisguised malice.