Chapter 56 Tonics
Frankie paused for a while before reacting and hurriedly took apart the wrapper. Then, he took out the item enclosed in bubble wrap.
Looking confused, he reported, “It’s a bottle of cough syrup.”
There was a label for cough syrup on the bottle, and it carried the logo of Hudson Pharmaceuticals. One could clearly read the manufactured date and ingredients. It was a product that Hudson Pharmaceuticals marketed.
However, Justin’s gaze turned slightly heavy at the discovery of the bottle, for he believed that the Hudsons would not have posted a bottle of cough syrup to Rachel. That is impossible!
At this point, Frankie also picked up on Justin’s uneasiness and trod carefully. “President Hudson, is there any problem?”
Justin looked calm and did not give away his emotions, after which he instructed Frankie in a low voice, saying, “Get someone to test the contents of the bottle.”
“Sure.” Frankie nodded and secretly guessed that the bottle of medicine must be problematic. After that, the business sedan left the neighborhood and traveled to the building of Burton Group.
On the way, Frankie brought up the topic of the shareholders meeting. “President Burton, I think your uncle might create trouble in the meeting over the Brentwood New City project.”
Jason Burton?
Justin’s face was as expressionless as usual. “Huh. Ever since he formed connections with the Hindenburgs, he appears more confident than before.”
“It seems so. The internal issues that surfaced from the project this time are closely related to him.”
“Have we dealt with those involved?”
“Yes. We left one unharmed, according to your orders.”
Justin gave a light nod and changed the topic. “Tina is going to attend the meeting, isn’t she?”
After all, she also holds some company shares.
Frankie nodded. “If everything goes smoothly, all the shareholders will show up.”
Although Justin remained silent, his steely gaze, as seen from the rearview mirror, was as deterring and unapproachable as a steep cliff to climbers.
The day of the family banquet was arranged so that it coincided with the annual shareholders meeting.
All the shareholders of Burton Group would normally show up. Since the Burton Group was a family business, their shareholders were the Burton family members and some old business friends who had helped build the company into its empire.
“Burton Group has invested more in the Brentwood New City project compared to the sum of the other two major projects from last year. Do you think that’s reasonable?”
In the meeting, Jason aimed the question directly at Justin, but the latter did not look disturbed at all.
“The new project’s estimated return is five times of last year’s projects. In other words, by launching this project, we will receive the same amount of profits as all the projects combined from last year.”
“What about the risks? Are you disregarding the risks as well? Our industry is currently going through a change due to the tightening of federal policy. This is not the time to expand our investments.”
“Policies are only there for show. If everyone is as timid as you, what is the point of investing?”
The air of the meeting room froze after Justin left his unreserved remark. As anticipated, Jason’s face turned ashen after being attacked by his nephew.
In the end, the other shareholders had to interject to spare Jason from the humiliation so that the meeting could be continued.
After the meeting, Jason scoffed and left the room fuming without as much as taking a look at Justin. As for the remaining attendees, none had the guts to talk more than needed, and they dispersed right after.
Only Tina was lingering in the room. She leaned sideways against the meeting table as she confronted, “Justin, you humiliated Dad in front of everyone. Don’t you think you’ve crossed a line?”
He glanced at her and leaned back into his chair with clasped hands. “Not all businessmen need to play nice and charitable to get around. Speaking of which, Uncle Jason seems to be very charitable toward the Hindenburgs. Too bad I am not going to do the same to him.”
Tina’s expression fell. “Are you mocking me?”
It was a known fact that Jason had attempted to arrange a marriage with the Hindenburgs in order to forge business connections. To most people, such action was normal for the elite families, but Tina took offense and felt humiliated.
“That was a reminder.” His gaze was as cold as ice, sending out warning signs. “Clean your own mess. Don’t involve the innocent.”
“The innocent? Who are you referring to?” The corner of her lips lifted into a smirk. “Ah, that mute, Rachel?”
The way she referred to Rachel as ‘that mute’ was surprisingly jarring for him, and his displeasure was evident from the look in his eyes.
She whipped around and pressed her hands on the table. With a mocking expression, she fired back at him, “Justin, I am reminding you out of kindness as well: take control of that mute of yours. And don’t keep your own family at arm’s length. Today, she could only be meeting with her first love that shows up from nowhere, but who knows she’d carry his child someday down the road? You’d get cuckooed.”
He calmly rose up and questioned with a low and dismissive tone, “Do you think every girl acts like you?”
Her expression darkened at his insult.
Standing up, he buttoned his coat and replied casually, “If you keep finding trouble, I don’t mind sending an address to the Hindenburgs. I believe that Noah Hindenburg would love to take care of that lover of yours.”
“How dare you!” She gritted her teeth in resentment. “My marriage to Noah is arranged by Grandpa! How dare you interfere?”
“What do you think?”
His reply was curt but explosive.
She felt a shiver across her body, knowing very well that Justin had the ability to do almost anything she could imagine.
“Wow, look at you acting all protective, threatening me because of her! Could you have fallen for her?”
He was already at the door when he heard Tina’s fuming interrogation. His pupils wavered.
The insolent girl went in full force and fanned the fire. “Do you really believe that she’s a prim and proper young lady? Do you know who she met and what she did behind your back?”
“Don’t be a busybody.”
With that, he marched out of the meeting room.
Frankie had been waiting for him at the door. The moment he saw his boss walking out with a chilling expression, he got goosebumps from the fear.
“President Burton, shall we head directly to the villa or…”
Justin cut him off with a sour look, demanding, “What has Rachel been up to lately?”
“Miss Hudson goes to work and comes home as usual.”
“How about today?”
Frankie felt his heart sink; he did not arrange for the men to follow Rachel around on weekends.
The thought of Rachel’s words from last night troubled Justin. “It’s been quite some time since Grandma was discharged from the hospital. Send her some tonics as a token.”
Frankie was taken aback by the random request. “Now?”
“Now.”
The icy tone sent a chill down Frankie’s spine. “Sure, I will get it arranged.”
Night descended on the city, and the streets were lit up with warm lights.
A cab came to a stop in front of Burton Residence. Rachel paid her fee and looked up at the second floor from the entrance, from where she could see the brightly-lit study.
Justin is home.
When she stepped into the living room, she was greeted by Mrs. Duncan’s bizarre remark. “Mrs. Burton, could you please inform me if you are coming home late? I have been thinking if I should deliver tea to the young master!”
Rachel forced an apologetic smile at her. She put away her belongings and immediately went to prepare tea.
Upstairs, Justin had been waiting for a long time in the study.
When he heard her soft knocking on the door, he announced, “Come in.”
She pushed the door open and instantly spotted his face that was calm as usual. Next, she glided toward him with the tray of tea in her hands.
“Where did you go today?” His voice was low.
She carefully placed the teacup on the table.
I told you last night that I would be visiting my Grandma.
“How’s her health?”
She’s doing pretty good.
“Is that so?” He lifted his head without warning. “Has she taken the tonics I sent her?”
She turned to him with a thunderstruck look.
Tonics? What tonics? She thought to herself.
