Chapter 471
Oliver’s eyes widened in recognition as he took a second look. “Mr. King?”
It was Michael, the retired four-star general, who remained the Kings’ most formidable asset. Officially retired, but his web of connections still dominated military and political circles.
‘So…,’ Oliver thought.
Oliver’s eyes shifted to the middle-aged man behind them. This must be the one calling the shots for the King family now, Vice Admiral Samuel, the current head of the family’s influence.
So the Kings were involved.
His stare swung back to Aubree with unconcealed shock. ‘She actually has connections with the King family? Seriously?’
Aubree couldn’t help but laugh. “Guess you never really bothered to dig into my background, huh?”
Truth was, the Lawsons had dismissed her as insignificant – just an orphaned businesswoman the Wilsons had cast aside, per Elizabeth’s offhand remarks.
“At least my wrinkled face still rings a bell for your generation,” Michael said as Bowen produced a key, releasing Aubree’s restraints.
The moment she stood, her knees buckled. Bowen caught her against his chest as she hissed in pain.
“What’s going on?” Bowen asked, having noticed her pale face as soon as he walked in. He’d just assumed it was from being locked up too long.
Aubree wasn’t the type to swallow her grievances. “Enhanced interrogation,” she said.
Everyone’s faces changed.
Bowen was furious. The Wilsons and Lawsons teaming up like this had completely blindsided him. He’d been so caught up with the company and Alvin lately that he hadn’t noticed all the dirty tricks going on behind the scenes.
The three from the King family all looked grim. For soldiers like them, such abuses under their watch were unconscionable, a fundamental betrayal of duty.
Oliver was embarrassed. Even if he hadn’t given the order, he was still involved.
“Mr. King…” Oliver began, hesitating.
Michael struck his cane against the ground. “Since I’ve stumbled upon this, I won’t turn a blind eye! You roughed people up without following the rules. What do you think you’re doing?”
Oliver forced himself to stay calm as he explained, “It was just an accident during the arrest, sir. Nobody used violence. I’ll take full responsibility for this.”
“It really wasn’t his doing. It was the officers who arrested me,” Aubree clarified.
He had extended her some courtesy, and she wasn’t about to bite the hand that fed her.
The blame lay with those who’d actually roughed her up, not Oliver. Aubree had no intention of dragging him down for something he didn’t do.
Aubree’s explanation eased the tension in the room a little. Oliver glanced at her in surprise. ‘Is she really not going to use this chance to get back at me?’
This whole thing could be blown way out of proportion, and with the King family on her side, getting him demoted wouldn’t be out of the question.
Aubree turned her face away. “I’m not some petty, unreasonable person.”
She might play fair, but Oliver sure didn’t.
Bowen let out a cold laugh, holding Aubree steady in his arms. “Let’s not even talk about the rough treatment. How long has she been locked up here, Mr. Lawson? Care to share if your so-called investigation has turned up anything at all?”
How could Oliver possibly conjure up an investigation report out of thin air?
The charge of “suspected violation of information security” had always been flimsy, only pushed through due to the Lawson family’s influence. Oliver never thought anyone could get her out of his grasp.
Once the detention period ended, he could’ve released her and dictated the outcome of the interrogation however he pleased.
But he never expected the King family to show up out of the blue and throw a wrench in his plans.
“So if there’s still no investigation result, should I take it that you’ve just been abusing your power and keeping her locked up for no reason, Mr. Lawson?” Michael pressed. “I believe my lawyer would love to have a chat with you about this!”