Chapter 252
They drove to the old Clinton house and bumped into Connor, who was about to leave.
Connor looked surprised and quickly hid what he was holding behind his back.
Felix and Gianna noticed but didn't say anything.
"Felix, what brings you here?" Connor asked.
Felix nodded, "Dad, I came to tell you that William's been brought back. He's at Tranquil Minds Psychiatric Hospital now."
Connor's eyes widened, and he forced a smile, "Really, this is thrilled."
"Yes, you can visit him anytime," Felix replied.
Connor nodded, "Alright, I have something to do later, so I won't keep you for dinner."
"If you remember anyone who might have had a grudge against Jesse and Maria, let me know."
Connor was about to respond when he saw a police car pull up. His face darkened.
Two officers approached. "Connor, we've found new evidence about Jesse and Maria's car accident. We need you to make a statement."
Felix's eyes narrowed. It seemed Thomas was making a move against Connor.
Connor frowned, "New evidence? I was abroad when it happened; it has nothing to do with me!"
"You're the victim's brother. We need to ask you some questions. Please come with us," the officer said.
They all went to the police station.
When Connor came out, he looked grim.
Seeing Felix and Gianna waiting, he frowned, "Why are you still here?"
Felix's expression was cold, "What did the police ask you?"
Connor's face tightened, "Felix, do you think I had something to do with the accident?"
"I only believe in evidence, but your behavior is suspicious. You always act evasively when I ask about my uncle and aunt."
"I don't know anything. Don't ask me again!"
Connor stormed off.
Gianna watched him leave, her lips pursed. His reaction made her think he was hiding something.
Back at the villa, Gianna said, "About William, we shouldn't get our hopes up."
From his behavior, he didn't seem to pretend to be mad.
"Yes, we're investigating the cause. It might lead us to the real culprit."
Gianna nodded, "Alright."
She got up to make dinner when the doorbell rang.
Angelina fell to her knees, "Felix, Gianna, please spare the Astor family! We didn't know the senior Astor wanted to harm you. If we had known, we would have stopped him. Please spare us!"
Gianna looked at her coldly, "Angelina, please stand up."
"Gianna, it was all the senior Astor's doing. He's paid the price and is in the hospital. The remaining money was taken by Ivy. If you don't let us go, we'll go bankrupt," Angelina spoke tearfully, as if it was Gianna and Felix's fault.
Gianna's eyes turned cold, but Felix spoke first, "Angelina, you're shameless. You plead with us while your husband pleads with Thomas for help. Do you really think the Astor family is that powerful?"
Angelina's expression froze, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
'How did Felix know?' Angelian wondered.
"I won't let the Astor family off, and Thomas can't save you either. Get out before I lose my patience!" Felix said coldly. She shivered, unable to speak.
The villa door was closed. She didn't dare press the doorbell again.
It seemed the Astor family was truly finished. They all thought Felix was weak after stepping down as president of the Clinton Group. But they forgot the Clinton Group's strength came from Felix. Even without his title, he could bankrupt small families in Dawnridge easily.
Angelina returned home in a daze. Rhodes rushed over, "How did it go? Did Felix agree to spare us?"
"We should prepare to liquidate our assets and file for bankruptcy."
Felix wouldn't spare them, and Thomas wouldn't help. The Astor family was doomed.
Rhodes's eyes widened in disbelief, "No! I won't give up. If we can get the villa and company from the senior Astor, we still have a chance!"
A vicious look flashed in his eyes. If the senior Astor wouldn't hand it over willingly, he'd have to be ruthless.
Angelina looked at him like he was an idiot, "The senior Astor's assets were taken by Ivy!"
"What? How is that possible? Ivy's baby is gone. Grandpa wouldn't have given her the villa and company!"
Angelina sneered, "She got the safe's combination from him and emptied it. She's already on a plane to the Country M. Even if we got it back, it's too late."
Without investment today, the Astor Group would collapse like dominoes.
Rhodes slumped to the ground, unable to grasp how the Astor Group could go bankrupt just because the senior Astor had murderous intentions towards Gianna.
By evening, news of the Astor Group's bankruptcy spread throughout Dawnridge.
Most people were shocked. They knew the Astor Group had been doing well. How could it suddenly go bankrupt?
Everyone scrambled for details and learned it was because they had offended Felix, which surprised them even more.
"Felix isn't the president of the Clinton Group anymore. How could he bankrupt the Astor Group on his own?"
"A lean camel is bigger than a horse. Felix controlled the Clinton Group for years. He must have built a strong network. Taking down the Astor Group would be easy for him."
"The Astor Group was stupid. They thought he was an easy target."
When Thomas heard about the Astor Group's bankruptcy, he smashed several cups in anger.
When Rhodes came for help, it wasn't that Thomas didn't want to help. He realized he couldn't save the Astor Group.
Even if he injected capital, it would be a bottomless pit, constantly needing more money. When he could no longer fill it, the Astor Group would collapse just like it did today.
Thinking that Felix could still manipulate the business world after leaving the Clinton Group, Thomas felt a sense of crisis.
He could't keep Felix any longer!
