Chapter 363
The massive meeting room was quickly filled with people. They were all in uniforms. Leading them were Caleb and Barrett.
The two of them respectfully approached Ophelia and nodded in unison.
They greeted, “Mrs. Sinclair.”
“Mrs. Sinclair.”
Ophelia glanced around them, and for a moment, she thought Kenneth had come back.
Her eyes lit up for a second. The excitement soon faded.
She said, “What are you doing here?”
One said, “Mr. Sinclair told us that if anything goes wrong back home, our guild members must protect you at all costs.”
Ophelia frowned, realizing that Kenneth had known early on what the situation in Dellanex would be like when he was absent.
Caleb looked at those officers coldly.
On one side stood officers in dark blue uniforms, while the guild members in black outfits were on the other side.
The two sides formed an opposing stance with neither willing to back down.
The standoff continued like this.
Kaden was initially confident he could take Ophelia away, but now his face had darkened.
He took a deep breath and glanced around at these people, each of whom seemed formidable.
Kaden said, “What do you mean by this, Ms. Spencer? Just a moment ago, you were determined to come with us, but now you have all these people safeguarding you.
“It’s alright if you don’t come with us today. Sinclair Group will bear the consequences, anyway.”
Though this appeared to be a concession, it was actually pressuring Ophelia to make her own decision.
Suddenly, Mark’s phone rang. It was a call from the president.
He walked up to Ophelia and handed her the phone. “Mrs. Sinclair.”
Ophelia glanced down and then took the phone to answer it.
A deep, serious voice came through, “Ms. Spencer…”
“Mr. West,” Ophelia’s voice was calm.
Xander said, “Yes, it’s me. Neither of us expected things to develop this way, and as the president, I have to take responsibility. However, I also hope you can come to the Presidential palace so we can talk and find a solution.”
Xander was polite enough and then added, “I know Kenneth’s people won’t easily let you be taken away. So, I promise no harm will come to you, and you can bring someone along. We need to resolve this as soon as possible.
“I hope you can keep the bigger picture in mind, Ms. Spencer.”
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Chapter 363
“Okay,” Ophelia agreed without hesitation:
Xander was right. Rather than being taken away by these officers, it would be better for her to meet him and discuss a plan beneficial to the people of Dellanex, so she could maximize herfforts to make amends.
Kaden looked at her, frowned and said, “What are you doing, M. Spencer?”
Ophelia hung up the phone and replied, “I’m sorry, Mr. Clark. I can’t go with you. People from the presidential palace will arrive shortly.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” Kaden didn’t believe the call was actually from Xander. He just thought it was an excuse.
He let out a cold snort with his eyes full of disdain.
Just as he was about to apply more pressure, his phone rang from his pocket.
Kaden looked at the number on the screen, slightly frowned, and then turned his back to take the call, “What? But… Alright, okay… I see.”
Kaden turned his head, glanced at Ophelia reluctantly and then narrowed his eyes slightly.
He thought, She gets lucky this time.
*****
An hour later, Ophelia, along with Caleb, went to Waston with the people sent by Xander.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, and on the way to the airport, the streets were almost empty.
The malls were closed, buses and subways halted, and the once–bustling city now lay deserted. The few people on the streets hurried along. They were walking fast with masks.
Before they reached the airport, it began to pour outside.
As the car drove by, the swirling rainwater mixed with yellowed leaves.”
Ophelia gazed silently out the window the whole way.
The car’s radio broadcasted the latest news, announcing that the death toll had exceeded thirty, and confirmed …es were steadily increasing.
Due to the heavy rain, the trip to Waston had to be delayed, and Xander’s subordinates were reporting this to him.
“Okay, be careful,” Xander said and then hung up the phone with a frown. The news about the AOKR virus continued to play on the TV in front of him.
The incident had escalated into a conspiracy theory, and the public opinion online had become more and more severe. The sound of a wheelchair rolling across the floor came outside the study door.
“Dad.” Phoebe knocked on the study door.
Xander immediately stood up to open the door. He saw Phoebe sitting in a wheelchair and holding a tray with a pot of
coffee on it.
“Just let the servants do this,” said Xander. He reached out to take the tray as his gaze fell on the scars on Phoebe’s arms and hands.
Phoebe withdrew her arms and lowered her head. Every movement was so cautious that it made people’s hearts throb.
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Chapter 363
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She said, “Dad, for all those years I wasn’t home, I couldn’t fulfill my duties as a daughter, so I want to do whatever I can
now.”
Hearing her words, Xander felt even guiltier.
It was actually his fault for not protecting her.
He said, “Silly buns.”
Phoebe said, “Dad, what are you planning to do about the virus?”
Now, everyone online was saying that Ophelia purposely developed the slums just to release the virus from years ago as revenge for Heloria’s years of neglect toward the slums.
Xander pursed his lips. He had spent the whole night in meetings to issue orders. Still, the pressure from online public opinion was immense.
As the president of Heloria, he had his own responsibility and naturally had to give the people an explanation.
Phoebe noticed the hesitation in his eyes. She thought, ‘Does he need to hesitate so much just to dispose of Ophelia?” Phoebe said, “Dad, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about my feelings. I’ve thought it through. You’re my dad, but you’re also the president of Heloria. You can’t be biased for me. Just handle Ophelia however you see fit. Don’t worry about me.”
As she spoke, tears fell onto Phoebe’s hands.
She lowered her head, trying hard not to let others see her cry.
Xander frowned as he looked at his daughter, whom he had just regained, feeling suffocated.
He said, “Don’t worry, Queena. I got you back.”
