Chapter 576:
He glanced at her, and the resemblance between her and Deandre was striking. “He was sharp,” Zander continued. “Didn’t find her, but he saw there were too many outsiders in the area. Not long after he left, the military sent investigators.
They shut the place down and freed everyone.”
“Then why wasn’t Patrick arrested?” Rylie asked.
“My guess? Someone warned him,” Zander said. “He cut ties to the factory overnight and blamed it on someone else. It was under his name, but his brother ran it.”
Rylie’s thoughts spun, the pieces starting to align. She would have to see Malvren for herself—just not yet.
Kendrick had forbidden her from traveling, telling her to stay put until the homecoming banquet. After everything she had endured, he wasn’t willing to take chances with his granddaughter.
So she stayed, splitting her time between online classes and helping her professor crack encrypted files. Even with advanced algorithms, the high-level data took time.
As autumn deepened, maple trees outside shed the last of their leaves, branches left bare against the cold sky.
Then an invitation arrived at the Owen estate.
Since moving out, Terrance’s family had taken up residence in another wealthy neighborhood in Crolens.
The envelope bore the crest of Crystal Bay No. 5, with Rylie’s name neatly printed on the guest line.
A servant brought it to Kendrick first. He examined it in silence before finally saying, “Terrance mentioned this already. Go tell Rylie I’ll meet her in the study.”
Rylie set the data aside and stepped into the study. Kendrick sat there, serious-faced, a document folder resting in his hands.
“Rylie, come sit with me.”
She took the seat beside him and noticed an invitation lying on the table. Her eyes flickered. “Is Terrance inviting me to his housewarming?”
“It’s more than that.” Kendrick handed her the folder. “He wants to talk to you about transferring power and equity in Detour Inc.”
He went on, his tone softer. “When you were born, your parents made sure you’d have the same as your brothers. In our family, every child is precious. Detour Inc was set aside for you from the very start, signed into your name by your parents. Then… the accident happened.”
The mention of it—losing his son and daughter-in-law—cast a shadow over his face. “You disappeared after that,” he said quietly. “We searched everywhere, but we couldn’t find you. Years passed. I got older. Your brothers became busy with their own lives. They didn’t have the time to manage something this big, so I gave it to Terrance to handle for the time being.” He let out a sigh. “Who would’ve thought you wouldn’t be found for almost twenty years? Your uncle, with the Owen family’s backing, has managed Detour Inc well. The shareholders and key people there all support him. He’s built his position solidly.”
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