Chapter 610 Are You Out of Your Mind?
He was nearly looking forward to Natalie's reaction upon discovering that those two were an item.
With care, Oliver positioned Natalie's head on his shoulder and softly laid his coat over her.
Two hours later, the car reached its destination.
Hearing that Natalie and the crew were on their way back, most of the other campers were waiting at the hotel.
The group was met with a wave of concern and excitement the moment they stepped out of the car. Eager inquiries flew about how their night had been, filled with a barely concealed curiosity.
Oliver, known for keeping people at arm’s length and his esteemed reputation, was someone most people did not dare to bother lightly. A few heirs, led by Barrett, exchanged brief pleasantries with Oliver before tactfully making their exit.
In contrast, there was more action around Natalie and Lilian. Lilian, with her sweet and endearing nature, got along well with everyone. Natalie, without even trying, had charmed the young ladies of wealth, and with her gentle demeanor, everyone seemed happy to engage in conversation with the two of them.
Taking off his jacket, Oliver shot a glance at Lucas not too far away and headed alone to his room upstairs.
He felt uncomfortable all over, having been caught in the rain the day before and not having taken a shower that night.
Lucas caught Oliver's silent cue, understanding he needed to prep for their discussion.
But first, Lucas had his own tasks—checking in with his contacts to report safety and to discuss yesterday's unexpected events. After all, their organization was not one to be trifled with.
"Mr. Windsor, back already," Leonard greeted casually upon bumping into Oliver at the elevator.
Oliver gave Leonard a cold, measuring look, not hiding his animosity.
Unperturbed, Leonard said, "Why such a look, Mr. Windsor? Do you suspect yesterday’s events were my doing?"
With a hint of mockery, Leonard added, "If you really suspect as much, it might not be long before both RK Enterprises and Windsor Group are at an impasse."
Leonard was unaware of the full aftermath of yesterday, but he suspected there was foul play with Lucas and Lilian’s car incident and that sudden boulder. Those who knew him even slightly would recognize such acts were not his style.
Those who rise to positions of power must have acute senses and intuition, and they couldn't lack either.
"It wasn't you," Oliver said flatly.
Leonard's smile broadened with satisfaction.
"However," Oliver continued sharply, "Mr. Ashford might need to scrutinize his staff. The last incident was an ‘accident,’ and who knows about this time. But with one too many ‘accidents,’ someone might catch onto a pattern."
Ding-dong.
The elevator reached the fifth floor.
As the doors slid open, Oliver stepped out without a glance at Leonard's reaction, swiftly carded into his room, unable to tolerate the grime on him a minute longer.
Leonard squinted his eyes, wondering what Oliver meant.
Knowing Oliver as well as he did, Leonard was certain that Oliver wasn't one for empty words. But after the last incident, he indeed hadn't assigned anyone to target Oliver, much less Lucas and Lily. The former meant little to him, while the latter was nothing but a massive headache.
Leonard dialed up one of his operatives, ordering an immediate investigation.
...
Natalie returned to her room to find Oliver, freshly showered and loosely draped in a bathrobe, sitting by the floor-to-ceiling windows engrossed in his tablet.
She searched the room but couldn't find her suitcase; probably the staff hadn't brought her things up yet. She grabbed a clean robe from the wardrobe and slipped into the bathroom for a quick soak, her mind heavy with thoughts.
After a swift bath, she towel-dried her hair to a damp state.
Opening the bathroom door, she heard voices; it seemed to be Lucas.
"Lucas, were you looking for me?"
As expected, she saw Lucas by the entrance, while Oliver leaned casually against the wall near the foyer, turning his head at the sound.
Just as Lucas was about to greet his sister, Oliver, wearing a stern expression, quickly stepped forward and wrapped Natalie in his arms.
He whispered with concern, "Why would you just come out like that?"
"What? How come…I came out? Is there a problem?" Natalie replied, puzzled.
Fresh out of the bath, her fair face was rosy with steam, her clear eyes sparkled even brighter, and her semi-dry hair casually draped over her shoulders. Clad only in a bathrobe, the delicate line of her collarbone and the length of her neck were exposed.
She exuded an innocent charm, irresistibly alluring to any gaze.
Oliver couldn't understand how Natalie, his wife for over a year, still retained such a fresh aura.
"Go get dressed, I'll come and dry your hair in a bit," Oliver suggested.
"The luggage hasn't arrived yet, wait a second," Natalie halted, suddenly catching the implication behind Oliver's words.
She glanced over Oliver's shoulder at her brother, who, caught in an awkward spot, touched his nose and pretended to be engrossed in his phone.
It was unusual for the siblings, who had grown up together, to be uncomfortable; yet Oliver's words had introduced an undeniable tension—especially since Lucas had gotten into some likely sister-slappable trouble last night and was on the brink of apologizing to Oliver, guilty as sin.
"You're out of your mind!" Natalie glared at him.
"Hey, I came to see if Oliver's free for a bit," Lucas chimed in timely.
Natalie gave an "Oh" in acknowledgment, not probing into what the matter was, "Then you two go ahead, I'm going to blow-dry my hair."
First, Oliver made a call to the concierge to have the luggage delivered, and then he ordered a meal for Natalie before departing with Lucas.
They were at a five-star hotel.
The two agreed to meet up at the café, where the seating was generously spaced, ensuring a good deal of privacy for each customer.
Instead of coffee, Oliver opted for a tea.
Lucas noticed it was a green tea, the type his sister Natalie favored.
Oliver took a sip and gave Lucas a look that said, "Go ahead."
"I... I'm with Lilian now," Lucas went straight to the point, cutting the preamble.
Oliver nodded, understanding immediately that this was the issue.
"I'd like to know the reason behind this sudden decision of yours."
Lucas had always seen Oliver with discomfort. But now, while that feeling existed, it was clearly mingled with a different kind of unease—
The nervousness one feels when dealing with a girlfriend's elder relative.
He remembered something Oliver had said previously about no longer being a brother-in-law but a cousin next time they met.
Different relationships, different standings, and naturally, different attitudes.
Yet looking at Oliver's reaction now... It seemed there wasn't any opposition?
Lucas felt a wave of relief, "So, do you have a problem with me dating Lilian?"
"Didn't you disapprove of Natalie and me, too?" Oliver raised an eyebrow, seemingly indifferent.
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