Chapter 448 - 444: Is the News Reliable?

Walter Lane fell ill, his health collapsing as suddenly as a landslide.

He was bedridden for nearly half a month before showing the slightest signs of recovery. He had lost a noticeable amount of weight and looked terribly haggard.

Eugene Jacobs was convicted on multiple counts, including sexual assault of a minor and the recording and distribution of obscene material. The final verdict was a prison sentence of twelve years and six months.

As he was a high-level executive at the Lane Group, the shocking news dealt a massive blow to the company.

Scandals involving top executives are always devastating for large corporations. On the day of the sentencing, the story made headlines in the business section of every major media outlet. The Lane Group’s stock price plummeted, and millions of dollars in market value evaporated overnight.

The company suffered enormous losses and had to endure public condemnation. A deluge of negative commentary washed over them, and several major collaborative projects with other companies were postponed or shelved.

Walter Lane never would have imagined that misjudging one person could cost him so dearly.

"Dear, Secretary Hughes is here. Should I have him come up?"

The bedroom door opened, and Mrs. Lane stood in the doorway as she spoke.

She had been uncharacteristically subdued lately, spending most of her days tending to Walter Lane. She had never seen him this gravely ill before. Though Mrs. Lane appeared proud on the surface, she was actually quite timid underneath.

As the wife of a wealthy magnate, her husband was her greatest security. How could she not be afraid?

Propped up against the headboard, Walter Lane raised a hand. "Help me downstairs. I can’t stay in bed forever. I’m feeling much better today."

"Alright." Mrs. Lane went to help Walter Lane to his feet. "Slowly now."

By the time they slowly made their way downstairs, beads of sweat had formed on Walter Lane’s forehead. Seeing this, Secretary Hughes looked worried. "Chairman, you’re still not fully recovered? It’s been nearly half a month."

"Much better. It’s just that being sick for so long has left me with no energy. A few more days of rest should do it. Don’t worry." Walter Lane sat down on the sofa. The sunlight streaming in from the French doors warmed his back, and he found it quite pleasant. He straightened his posture before looking at Secretary Hughes and asking, "Weren’t you just here the day before yesterday? Why are you back so soon? Is it something urgent?"

The moment he spoke, Mrs. Lane knew they were about to discuss business. She always knew to take her leave at times like this, so she stood up and said, "I’ll go brew a pot of herbal tea for you both."

After Mrs. Lane had left, Secretary Hughes furtively took out his phone. He scrolled for a moment before handing it to Walter Lane. "Chairman, take a look at this."

Walter Lane took the phone, and his expression sharpened as he read the screen.

"Is this information reliable?"

"It’s about ninety percent certain. Chief Golding said the proposal has already passed the regional committee and been submitted to the city. The city’s review came back with a very positive response. It looks like Sunstone District is about to become a gold mine."

Walter Lane rubbed his fingers together thoughtfully. "That’s quite unexpected. I thought the next development boom would be in Southwood, not that Sunstone District would be making a big move. This crop of district leaders has some real capability."

But the mention of Sunstone District inevitably made Walter Lane think of Genesis Park. ’Eugene Jacobs was so close to buying it from Cecilia Sterling back then. If that deal had gone through, wouldn’t the park’s value multiply several times over by now? What a shame!’

"How tight is this information?" Walter Lane asked, wanting to know if other groups might have gotten wind of it as well.

Secretary Hughes shook his head uncertainly. "It’s hard to say. Nothing is absolute. If we could get the news, there’s no guarantee others haven’t gotten wind of it too. Chairman, if we’re going to make a move, we have to do it quickly. Opportunities like this are rare finds. The first movers always reap the greatest rewards."

Walter Lane understood that, of course. After a moment of thought, he said, "You should start investigating. See if there’s been any unusual activity in Sunstone District lately."

"Sunstone District has a lot of factories and low-priced land plots. Focus your investigation there."

Secretary Hughes seemed to know what his chairman was planning and nodded immediately. "Yes, I’ll get right on it."

"Have a cup of tea before you go, Secretary Hughes." Mrs. Lane walked over with the freshly brewed tea, urging him to stay when she saw him getting up to leave.

Secretary Hughes politely declined with a smile. He then exchanged a reassuring glance with Walter Lane before departing from the Lane residence.

Mrs. Lane personally saw him to the door.

Returning to the sofa, Mrs. Lane glanced at her husband and couldn’t help but murmur, "You still haven’t fully recovered. You should set aside company business for now."

"I’m fine. Don’t worry."

The news had lifted his spirits considerably. His gaze slowly swept across the living room, which was spotless.

"Didn’t the housekeeper take time off to go home? Did you clean the house yourself?"

Mrs. Lane blushed and smiled, pressing her lips together. "When have you ever seen me do that kind of work? I hired a cleaning service. The one you told me to use."

"The one I told you to use?" Walter Lane furrowed his brow, not immediately recalling it.

"Yes!" Mrs. Lane nodded, reminding him. "The cleaning service is called Cleanscape. The other day, you were lying in bed and suddenly told me we should use this company for the house from now on."

Only then did it click for Walter Lane. "Oh, right, I remember now. This sickness has really addled my brain. I can’t seem to remember a thing."

"Chairman Jennings personally posted about that company, Cleanscape, on his social media feed. I figured one of his family members must own it."

"Which Chairman Jennings?" Mrs. Lane asked.

"How many Chairmen named Jennings do you think I’d go out of my way for?" Walter Lane said in a low voice. "Chairman Jennings of Jandon Group."

Mrs. Lane was startled. "Jandon Group handles massive business deals," she said in disbelief. "Why would they get into housekeeping services?"

"Who knows? But since I saw his post, I had to show some support. This way, I’ll have something to mention the next time I see Chairman Jennings." Walter Lane patted his stomach. "I’m a bit hungry. Go get me something to eat."

"I’ll order some takeout for you!"

Walter Lane glanced at his wife. Knowing she had no cooking skills to speak of, he gave a resigned nod.

Mrs. Lane picked up her phone, then seemed to remember something and looked up. "Oh, right. Shawn knows you’ve been sick for a while now, and he’s worried. He wants to come home to see you."

"I’m fine now. Don’t make him go to the trouble," Walter Lane said with a wave of his hand.

Mrs. Lane pouted. "But I miss our son, too! If he wants to come home, why not just let him stay for a few days?"

Walter Lane shot her an irritated look. "If you miss him, you can fly over and visit. You have all the time in the world. He has school and exams to prepare for."

Mrs. Lane instantly deflated. ’With my husband this sick, how could I possibly go anywhere?’

"Well, no matter what, he has to come home for New Year’s this year," Mrs. Lane muttered. "He spent the holiday abroad last year."

Walter Lane glanced at her but said nothing.