Chapter 455 - 451: This News Is Fantastic

’Or could it be... starting from her dead-set certainty about acquiring Genesis Park, she had already...?’

Goosebumps broke out all over Walter Lane. He didn’t dare let his thoughts go any further down that path.

"Chairman, there’s also the matter of Mr. Young from Apex Group. In the first half of the year, he took on a massive abandoned construction project in Sunstone District."

"Mr. Young?" Walter Lane muttered. "If that’s the only move he’s made, it’s not necessarily out of the ordinary. Unfinished projects like that are usually awarded through government bidding or assigned directly to a corporation, which then receives government subsidies."

"But..." Secretary Hughes hesitated before continuing, "Apex Group is also working with Cecilia Sterling on this project."

Walter Lane was speechless.

’Why is it always Cecilia Sterling?!’

"Chairman, should I continue investigating?"

"Stop the investigation," Walter Lane blurted out. He was afraid of what else he might uncover. He gave a direct order, "Someone has beaten us to the punch. We can’t hesitate any longer. We have to make our move."

"Understood."

After hanging up, Walter Lane felt a wave of dizziness. His blood pressure was acting up again.

’Ever since Shawn and Cecilia Sterling broke up, how has the Lane Group become more and more entangled with her?’

First, there was losing out on the industrial park. Then, being rejected for the artificial intelligence partnership. And now, Eugene Jacobs’s imprisonment.

And now, even this golden opportunity in Sunstone District—what he’d thought was a sure thing—had been snatched up by Cecilia Sterling first.

’Just how deep were her connections? How vast were her financial resources?’

"Oh, right, darling!"

Seeing Walter Lane hang up the phone, Mrs. Lane approached him. "The invitation to this year’s Jandon Charity Fund event arrived at the house. You still haven’t fully recovered. Are you planning on going?"

Walter Lane snapped out of his daze and replied without a second thought, "Of course I’m going."

’He couldn’t possibly miss such an important event.’

"Then I’ll pick out a beautiful gown to go with you," Mrs. Lane replied with a smile. She, like many women, loved attending grand galas packed with high-profile figures.

Walter Lane said nothing. After all, he always took his wife with him every year.

One day, after the Lorcain U student union’s weekly meeting ended, Todd went to find Wyatt Sherman.

"Wyatt, we haven’t played ball in ages. Wanna go for a bit?"

Wyatt Sherman, who was packing up his things, smiled and politely declined. "No way I’m playing with you guys. You’re on the varsity team; it’d just be a total slaughter. I’d rather not humiliate myself."

"It’s just for fun! I’ll be on your team. And honestly, I’m getting a little jealous of how pale you are. You have to come get some sun with me for a couple of hours today."

As he spoke, Todd held out his own tanned arm next to Wyatt Sherman’s fair skin. The contrast was like six hundred different shades on a color chart.

Wyatt laughed at the sight and explained, "It’s no use. I’m just naturally pale. Even if I get a tan, it fades really quickly."

"Enough excuses. Let’s go."

When asking nicely failed, Todd resorted to force, grabbing Wyatt and starting to drag him out. Resigned, Wyatt had no choice but to go along.

He hadn’t played in a long time, and his skills were rusty. After just half a game, Wyatt was already waving his hands in surrender. "My game is seriously not on your level. Stop picking on me, guys."

Seeing him sit down on the sideline, Todd shot Reggie Hale a look. The two of them flanked him, sitting down on either side.

Todd spoke, feigning casualness. "Hey Wyatt, you should come hang out with us this weekend."

"Huh?" Wyatt was taken aback, surprised by the sudden invitation.

"We’re going camping," Todd said enthusiastically. "The whole crew’s going, and you know everyone. The more the merrier! No sports, just pure relaxation."

"It’s a team thing for you guys. I probably shouldn’t tag along," Wyatt said, his first instinct to refuse.

Reggie Hale quickly jumped in. "It’s not an official thing. We’re all just planning to get out for some fresh air, have a barbecue, you know? Come with us, Wyatt. We want to hang out with you."

"Yeah, come on. I’ll even get Thalassa to come," Todd added.

Thalassa Bowman, the president of the Lorcain U student union.

When Wyatt heard they’d be inviting Thalassa, he felt less resistant to the idea. Besides, they were both asking him so earnestly; it would be ungracious to keep refusing.

He nodded, but gave a noncommittal reply. "Okay, sure. If I have time, I’ll go."

’He was hoping to ask Cecilia out this weekend, anyway. If she was busy, he figured he could just go camping with them.’

Seeing him finally give in, Todd shot a triumphant look at Reggie Hale, then clapped Wyatt on the shoulder. "It’s a date, then!"

"I said *if* I have time..." Wyatt quickly corrected.

But Todd wasn’t listening. He and Reggie Hale were already running back to the court. Wyatt could only sigh in resignation.

Meanwhile, Owen Griffin had cornered Victor Tucker again.

He had Victor Tucker trapped in the men’s restroom. Owen Griffin still had that same thuggish air about him. He pressed a hand lightly against Victor’s chest, but the simple gesture was enough to make Victor freeze in fear.

"It’s been a few days. If I don’t come looking for you, you’ve got nothing for me, is that it?" Owen Griffin asked, a humorless smile on his face. "What’s the matter? Don’t want that camera anymore?"

"Th-there’s nothing to report..." Victor Tucker explained cautiously. "Ethan Sterling went home for the weekend. He wasn’t in the dorm."

"That’s not what I want to hear." Owen Griffin didn’t get angry. He was smart and enjoyed toying with people; he knew exactly how to pry open Victor’s mouth.

Owen Griffin leaned in close, his eyes fixed on Victor’s darting gaze. "I’ve already bought the camera," he said. "Think hard. All I need is one piece of information I find useful, and the camera’s yours."

Victor Tucker swallowed hard.

’He had a date with a girl he liked the day after tomorrow to take photos. He was planning on borrowing Ethan Sterling’s camera for it.’

’If he had his own... ’

"I’m in no rush. Take your time," Owen continued. "You guys are on pretty good terms, right? I’m sure he tells you everything, doesn’t he?"

At Owen Griffin’s prompting, something suddenly clicked in Victor Tucker’s mind.

"He..."

But the moment the word left his lips, he hesitated.

But Owen Griffin’s excitement was palpable. "What about him?"

Victor Tucker’s lips trembled. Finally, he whispered, "He... he has a crush on a girl. Does that count?"

"Who? What’s her name? What department is she in?" Owen Griffin’s eyes lit up. ’This was getting interesting,’ he thought.

But Victor Tucker wasn’t a complete fool. He mustered his courage, looked at Owen Griffin, and asked seriously, "First, tell me if this information is useful enough. If I tell you, will I get the camera? If not, I’m not saying her name."

"It counts!" A wicked grin spread across Owen Griffin’s face as he nodded. "This is fantastic news. You tell me her name, and I’ll give you the camera today!"

Victor Tucker’s body began to tremble uncontrollably. The thought of betraying a good friend for material gain sent a war of emotions raging through him.

It wasn’t just that. Owen Griffin’s constant pressure and intimidation were stoking his most primal emotions.

Fear and greed.

"He said... the girl’s name is Seraphina. Yes, Seraphina!"