Chapter 366


    Bet''s words rolled out with a deliberate calm that nevertheless sent waves of oppression crashing


    through the room.


    "It''s not... I mean no offense! But since we shareholders are here today, we''re just looking for your


    honest opinion. That''s all!"


    "I have no opinion!" Bet''s response was t-out defiant.


    The room fell into an awkward silence.


    Looking around and seeing the expressions of everyone present, I decided to step in. "Since there


    seems to be business to discuss, my husband and I will excuse ourselves. Dad, we''ll wait for you


    outside."


    But as Jan and I made a move to leave, Bet''s voice sliced through the tension. "Show these


    people out," hemanded his secretary.


    It was an unequivocal dismissal.


    Standing up, he addressed my father. "Mr. Wilburn, please! I''ll apany you."


    Dad offered him a serene smile. "Well then, lead the way."


    Without another word, or even a nod to that Kemp fellow, we made our way out.


    "Mr. Richardson!" Kemp stepped forward, calling out.


    Bet gave him a frosty nce and instructed his secretary, "Schedule a full shareholders'' meeting


    for tomorrow morning at ten."


    Then he strode out of the office.


    I was baffled. What game were my father and Bet ying? It was beyond myprehension. One


    thing was clear, though; my dad was not one to be outmaneuvered.


    We all got into our cars, and once we were on the road, I asked my father, "Is Kemp the major


    shareholder of VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals?"


    "No," Dad said simply, his mind clearly elsewhere. It dawned on me that those men were indeed the


    real deal, not extras in some corporate theater.


    Seeing my father''s contemtive and slightly displeased expression, I chose not to press further.


    Looking out the car window, I marveled at the changes in Silverdale City. It had been a while since I''d


    been back, and the city had transformed significantly. Our route took us through the urban sprawl,


    heading directly to the Camellia Crest in the Eastgate District.


    The eastern side of Silverdale City was hilly, dotted with sprawling camellia ntations, hence the


    name Camellia Crest.


    The most picturesque part of Camellia Crest was to the east of Silent Blossom Pond. Once a provincial


    reservoir, the area had be a national tourist attraction. Its banks were lined with plum trees that,


    when in bloom, painted thendscape a fragrant pink. Hence, the name Silent Blossom Pond.


    The pond was divided into the West Lake, separated from the ocean by a mere mountain, and the East


    Lake. The construction of a new highway had leveled the mountain, blending the reservoir with the sea


    to create a distinctive coastline.


    East Lake, now Silent Blossom Pond, had be thergest freshwaterke in the region. Each side


    offered contrasting vistas, drawing visitors to two distinct areas.


    As we arrived, I was taken aback by how much the ce had flourished, almost like a paradise on


    earth.


    "Land here is worth a fortune now!" Dad remarked as we passed a string of resorts along the shore.


    "The entire area around Silent Blossom Pond has been developed. The speciality here is bing


    quite famous!"


    "The tourism in Silverdale City is booming," I mused.


    "That''s the future hope for us. Our Oldtown Avenue will be another must-see in Silverdale City,"


    Dad said with pride.


    "Galen, which has a brighter future: Oldtown Avenue or VitalAxis Pharmaceuticals?" Jan asked, his


    practicalitying through in his first interjection.


    Dad beamed at the distant Silent Blossom Pond. "They''re different sectors: one focused on lifestyle,


    the other health. Both are essential and iparable."


    Jan seemed unsatisfied with the answer, falling silent as he pondered.


    The driver was already looking for a parking spot when Dad added, "But both are long-term ventures in


    their fields—one open for continual expansion and the other a steady stream of profits."


    I felt a twinge in my heart. His answer was precise, meaningful only to me.


    Dad''s vision was to build me a near-perfect foundation for business, with pharmaceuticals and medical


    devicesplementing each other for sustainable growth, while Oldtown Avenue could be a charming


    alley that attracted visitors from everywhere, providing endless profits.


    These endeavors could remain evergreen, a legacy we could pass down through the generations, even


    as we grew old. This was Dad''s blueprint.


    Stepping out of the car, I was greeted by the fresh air scented with tea, a natural oxygen bar. Jan


    had already joined Dad, strolling alongside Bet towards the scenic vi.


    Hannah came up beside me, tugging at my sleeve and raising an eyebrow. I immediately understood


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    she had something to share.