Chapter 920 Theodore and Donovan Conspire
When Theodore arrived at Donovan's house, Donovan was playing on the slide with Ethan.
No kid could resist the allure of a slide.
As soon as Donovan looked up, he saw Theodore standing in the living room. He handed the child over to Ruby and led Theodore upstairs.
In the study, Donovan invited Theodore to sit down and started brewing coffee. "Hey, Theodore, what brings you here today?"
Theodore relaxed on the sofa, eyeing the coffee. "The financial investigation team left the Vanderbilt Group a few days ago. Aside from causing some stock fluctuations and minor economic losses, it didn't affect them."
Donovan paused his coffee brewing and glanced at Theodore. "We can take our time. Even if we can't shake their foundation now, we can start causing internal divisions."
Donovan had anticipated that this smoke screen wouldn't significantly harm the Vanderbilt Group's core, so he had prepared a backup plan to incite internal conflict within the group.
The Vanderbilt Group was a large enterprise with complex internal relationships, especially with Brian and Edward both holding executive positions.
Even though Brian and Edward had a good relationship, their subordinates were bound to pick sides.
The friction between Brian's faction and Edward's faction was escalating.
By exploiting this, splitting the Vanderbilt Group wouldn't be too difficult.
"I've been negotiating with the Vanderbilt Group's higher-ups recently, trying to create a rift between Brian and Edward," Donovan admitted to Theodore.
Theodore shook his head. "That's too slow."
Donovan raised an eyebrow. "What do you suggest?"
Theodore sat up straight, staring intently at Donovan. "I've always known you were capable. I entrusted you with a struggling private enterprise, and within six months, you turned it around. You even gained international support. I believe your ambition isn't just to bring down the Vanderbilt Group but to replace it. Am I right?"
Donovan looked at Theodore, thinking that his previous dislike for Theodore was justified.
Theodore always saw through people, making their intentions transparent.
But at this moment, Donovan was honest. "Yes, the Vanderbilt Group has developed to the point where their client base is a significant asset. If we can secure their client information, we can rebuild."
Donovan had grown up in the Vanderbilt Villa and knew the Vanderbilt Group inside out.
The Vanderbilt family had always kept them out of the group to prevent them from gaining power.
If it weren't for Edward's constant scheming, Donovan wouldn't have turned against the Vanderbilt Group.
Theodore's expression remained calm. "I've heard about the Vanderbilt Group's client resources, but I'm not interested. However, if you want to bring them down without causing fundamental damage, it won't help your next steps."
Donovan didn't respond, placing a cup of hot coffee in front of Theodore.
Theodore picked up the coffee cup, the delicate glass holding the light brown coffee, its aroma filling the air.
Instead of drinking it, he poured it onto the coffee table.
Donovan frowned. "Theodore, what are you implying?"
"If you ask me, even if a big company like that collapses, it can still bounce back. To make sure the Vanderbilt Group never recovers, they need to disappear completely. Donovan, what do you think?" Theodore said seriously.
Donovan's lips tightened, feeling the weight of Theodore's words.
After a moment, he spoke slowly. "Theodore, as far as I know, your mom and Mrs. Vanderbilt are friends."
Theodore's expression was indifferent. "Just acquaintances."
Donovan was helpless.
He knew Theodore had wanted to deal with the Vanderbilt family for a long time, but lacked a reason.
In Kedora, everyone needed to maintain their dignity.
Even if they were enemies in private, they had to appear friendly in public.
But Theodore had endured for so many years.
Why suddenly decide to join forces with him? It was surprising!
"Donovan, think it over and call me. We can team up, but I have one condition: don't let Phoebe know I'm involved," Theodore said.
Donovan understood.
Theodore hadn't wanted to deal with the Vanderbilt Group because he didn't want to take responsibility. "No need to think. Tell me how to take down the Vanderbilt Group."
Downstairs, Ruby was distractedly watching cartoons with Ethan, occasionally glancing upstairs.
Theodore and Donovan had been talking behind closed doors for nearly two hours.
What were they discussing for so long?
"Mom, look at Bumblebee!" Ethan suddenly grabbed her hand, pointing excitedly at the TV.
Ruby refocused on the TV, seeing the Bumblebee robot.
Modern cartoons were getting better and better, no wonder kids loved them.
Footsteps sounded from upstairs, and she stood up, seeing Donovan escorting Theodore downstairs, the two talking as they walked.
"Form a team quickly, but before that, don't let anyone know you're the boss," Theodore said calmly.
"I understand," Donovan replied evenly.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they saw Ruby standing up.
Theodore nodded at her. "Hubert, Boris, and Noomi miss Ethan. You live so close, bring him over often. Kids shouldn't grow apart."
Ruby quickly agreed. "Okay."
Theodore said no more and left.
As his figure disappeared through the courtyard and out the front gate, Ruby anxiously looked at Donovan. "Donovan, what did you talk about for so long?"
Donovan glanced at her. "Don't let my mom or Phoebe know Theodore came to see me alone."
Ruby's heart tightened. "Donovan, what are you plotting?"
"Plotting to overthrow the galactic government," Donovan retorted dryly.
Ruby knew he wouldn't tell her if he didn't want to, so she didn't press further.
Instead, she changed the subject. "It's almost dinner time. What do you want to eat?"
"Do you need to ask me about such a small matter?" Donovan's tone was impatient.
Seeing Ruby's dejected look, he closed his eyes briefly and softened his tone. "Decide for yourself. You don't need to ask me."
With that, he turned and went upstairs.
Ruby watched his back, her heart aching.
Recently, Donovan had been distant, even though she and Ethan were staying in the guest room at his house.
They hadn't grown closer.
She sighed.
She had made many mistakes in the past.
To earn his complete forgiveness, she needed to slowly mend things.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
